Customiser: Luke Baldacchino

Country: Malta

Luke’s first attempts were done on random Hot Wheels, and he still keeps his very first custom as a reminder of how far he’s come. With a lifelong love for cars and a childhood spent collecting Hot Wheels, this creative outlet felt like a natural extension of his passion.

His customs now showcase incredibly detailed work, often using unconventional materials like paper clips and epoxy putty to push boundaries. One of his standout builds features fully functional Lamborghini-style doors — made entirely from paper clips — a testament to his ingenuity and persistence.

Crafting with Creativity

Over the years, Luke has drawn inspiration from fellow Maltese customiser Daniel Sciberras, the YouTube mastery of Jakarta Diecast Project and Wammylen, and the constant support of his wife, Egle. Together, they’ve played vital roles in encouraging his growth, experimentation, and the pursuit of ever-higher standards.

For newcomers to the hobby, Luke offers this advice: “Try everything, even if it feels too complex. You’ll be surprised by what you can do when you put your mind to it. Mistakes are part of the process. Learn from them.”

Luke Baldacchino, known as Diecast Disease on Instagram and YouTube, hails from the Mediterranean Island of Malta. What began as a mission to recreate Mia Toretto’s iconic Acura Integra from The Fast and the Furious has since grown into a passionate pursuit of 1/64 custom car artistry.

With no official Hot Wheels version of the car available at the time, Luke rolled up his sleeves and dove into YouTube tutorials to bring his vision to life. That single build ignited a love for the craft that continues to evolve today.

Inspired by Community, Driven by Passion

“I really enjoy the nostalgia and creativity that this hobby brings with it,” Luke shares. “It allows me to bring ideas to life that I thought impossible before.”

Through every setback and breakthrough, Luke has stayed true to the joy and challenge of diecast customising — a creative force in the 1/64 world from the heart of Malta.