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THE BEGINNIG...

George Schire · 2026-10-28T17:11:00Z

I'd guess all of us can pinpoint that moment in time when our love of cars grabbed a hold of us. It's one of those things like a first day of school, or the first time you were able to ride a bike, it's lodged in your head forever. Memories like that bring smiles to our faces when the flashing thoughts that invoke them remind us of them. I was 5 years old when my Dad brought home a new car, well a two-year old car, but it was new to him. A shiny '53 Pontiac Catalina 2-door HT. My little eyes loved the goldish color and the white top. For some reason, I started noticing the cars neighbors had and the cars I'd see on the rode. This was also the same year that I remember Dad taking me to some new car dealerships each year when they debuted. I loved gathering up the brochures that highlighted each car in all their glory. Those visits to the dealerships, like Dad's '53 Pontiac are where I recall my addiction to loving cars began. I remember memorizing each cars year and brand, and I'd rattle them off while out riding with my Dad or just sitting on the front step of our house and seeing them go by. I was enamored at how sometimes the subtle and sometimes major styling changes occurred from year to year. I'd remember the peoples names I met, by the cars they owned. There was Frank who had a '55 Ford Crown Victoria and Jack who had a '53 Oldsmobile 98 hardtop. And one guy, Larry, had a '51 Chevy green coupe, that I remember appeared so old looking to me. None-the-less, I was hooked. When I was 8 years, I had some plastic (I learned later they were known as promotional models) 1:25 scale cars. Some of the dealers we would visit would actually sell those models. Then I found a Hobby Shop not far from where we lived and I was getting both those models from the shop and also my brief venture in to model kits. I wanted to hone that skill, but was never very adept at it, though I was my own worst critic. This month (October) marks the 37th anniversary (1989) of my discovering something called 1:24 diecast while reading a magazine supplement in our Sunday newspaper. I've shared previously here on the Forums that model was this '57 Chevy Bel-Air Convertible from Danbury Mint. I ordered it, received it, loved it...and the rest is history. Hundreds and hundreds of diecast models later, I proudly admit...I'm addicted, and I don't ever hope for a cure.

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Bob Jackman

(@bob-jackman)

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29/10/2026 3:16 pm

Good to see you back George. Love that you're posting again.

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George Schire

(@georgeschire)

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Topic starter 29/10/2026 4:21 pm

Posted by: @bob-jackman

↑

Good to see you back George. Love that you're posting again.

Thank you Mr. Jackman, you've always been so kind. You know your model collection is forever one of my favorites. It's iconic for sure!

George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota

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George Schire

(@georgeschire)

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Topic starter 29/10/2026 4:50 pm

Posted by: @geno

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Thanks George, I appreciate that. Yes, the '57 hardtop I converted from the FM LE convertible that needed some love, lol, I just wanted to do a what if/prototype. If Pontiac would have considered doing a hardtop Bonneville for '57. Your story did conjure memories for many of us. I enjoyed your story and the others stories as well.😊

WOW! I figured you probably used the "pink" FM '57 Pontiac to make it a hardtop. I really like it! Wish FM would have done it that way.

George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota

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Geno

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29/10/2026 5:26 pm

@georgeschire Thanks George, I certainly do appreciate it.💯😊

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