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23/03/2025 10:35 am
It was great to see all my old friends, and Debi enjoyed it too. She told me last night that if someone told her 3 years ago that she would have fun going to a model car show, she would have said that's crazy.
A special thanks to John Kuliak, who gave me a Hot Wheels Porsche key chain attachment. I enjoyed talking with Max Paransky, a well known collector I had not met in person before (at least I think so). And thanks to those who stopped at my table to purchase or just talk. Randy and Kelly have covered things so well, I had no need to bring out my camera, though I did take a few pics at the Ford museum. So without further yakking, here's what I picked up:
American Models 1959 Olds (thanks Frank - if you ever run across the box, LMK)
Motor City 1955 Ford Crown Vic (thanks JK). This one does not seem to be a low rider like so many of these, at least to my eye. I realized later that I have the Franklin Mint version, but it has a continental kit, making it a bit different.
Another thanks to JK, for this 1922 Packard van by Minimarque. It replaces one I have, that is missing its mirrors.
Another Minimarque, this time a 1922 Duesenberg Model A from Greg Gunn's display. This one caught my eye early, just had to add it to my A-C-D subcollection.
I had pre-arranged for Dave Gilbert to bring up an AUTOart black Bugatti Atlantic, which I've contemplated getting for years but had not pulled the trigger on. I also picked up the new Stamp 1970 Eldo in green from him.
Last but by no means least, Tom Kinney brought me my reserved BRK 1954 Packard Caribbean in red/cream. I got No. 3 of only 5, to go with the other three colors issued (so far?)
I found nothing to buy at Sunday's show, except an old Matchbox gifted to Debi. One thing I noticed was the low floor traffic at both Saturday and Sunday's shows. I talked at length with Jeff, who felt he needed to promote his show better, perhaps even putting an ad in Hemmings. Plus the collecting community has shifted to other scales over the years. But last year I stood in line for a long time just to get into the Sunday Countryside show. This year I walked in with no waiting. I think there is another reason, and without getting too political, I think the upheaval in Washington is making people uneasy about the economy. Certainly recent drops in stock market indices bear this out. And when you worry about a possible recession, you don't buy model cars. Just my 2 cents (may have to change that to 5 cents, since the penny may not be made anymore).
23/03/2025 11:01 am
Wow Harv, that's quite a haul! I'm guessing you spent more than $20 at the show.... 😏 😏 😏 I agree with your comments about "floor traffic," and, may I elaborate further, albeit - super brief (otherwise I'll give John K. indigestion & heartburn 😏 😏). With American divisiveness at record highs, folks are somewhat uneasy about crowds; half those encountered vehemently disagrees with the other half.
This is in total contrast with, and the polar opposite of, the "national sense of unity" felt, for example, after 911.
- Chris out!
This post was modified 1 year ago by Christopher Moroni
23/03/2025 12:08 pm
Thanks again for the purchases, Harv! Enjoy!
Dave Gilbert
Nashville, Tennessee
23/03/2025 1:20 pm
Great purchases Harv. The Duesenberg is awesome. I’d love to find one of those someday.
The Packard is a beauty, #4 arrived at my house the end of last week. It’s a great color combination. Thanks Tom.
A very nice overall collection of models. I wish I could have attended the weekend events.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
23/03/2025 1:25 pm
I hope to be at the next show in October at the convention hall.It is always a treat to see the people and Forum members, as well as the cars !
23/03/2025 6:40 pm
In my opinion the lack of traffic is a lack of interest in the hobby by young people and us old guys are either not buying as much as we once did or we're dying off.
23/03/2025 11:58 pm
The pictures and interviews show to who these shows are dedicated....... mostly people in their mid 60's and upper 70's. Furthermore, the only members who can really attend live on the East Coast.In my opinion the lack of traffic is a lack of interest in the hobby by young people and us old guys are either not buying as much as we once did or we're dying off.
The other reason is who really like to go to Chicago over and over?
Think about creativity to bring these shows to better locations. Las Vegas would be so much better during SEMA. This would have a better exposure and traffic would grow exponentially. I am sure big dealers like Mint Models, Legacy Diecast, Diecast Direct and others would jump at the opportunity.
By the way......... hope JK would invite all of them to also promote their businesses as he did for others.
It would make so much more sense for manufacturers like GLM/Stamp, Goldvarg and others others to showcase their products and how they compete on the market. Same thing for Brooklin or any other white metal model company. You have to pay to play as the game of the market.
24/03/2025 8:54 am
@nickies A show in Vegas is a great idea - but it's hard to produce remotely. The Chicago show is there every year because the organizer lives there. Most of the crowd comes from the Midwest, so a Southern or East Coast show could be well attended as well. Who would organize it, is the big question? It takes a lot of work - just ask Jeff and John/Kelly!
25/03/2025 12:14 am
Harvey, thanks for the kind mention. Hope to do it again in near future.
26/03/2025 1:35 am
@karl The Nevada Convention Authority would give incentives to move the entire Toy Show to Vegas. It would even be a bigger and better event with foreign manufacturers to come to exhibit. Think about a major Toy Fair as in Asia or Europe.
Christopher Moroni and John Kuvakas reacted
27/03/2025 12:17 am
@bob-jackman In my opinion the lack of traffic is a lack of interest in the hobby by young people and us old guys are either not buying as much as we once did or we're dying off.
Young people seem to be primarily interested in their phones. They never grew up with the auto culture we did. They grew up with minivans and SUVs and both are looked at more as an appliance than an object of art and engineering. I've attended model train shows and classic car shows and I look around and I'm one of the youngest in attendance and I'm 73. I've been reading that prices for classic cars are falling off the cliff. I think the internet may be why we geezers are not buying as much as we used to at the shows as we already bought them online. It's a shame as 1/43 model manufacturing is at a peak in detail and quality.
30/03/2025 8:29 pm
Jay, you bring up an interesting point about us older collectors having bought many models in the past. I brought 35 of my collection to the two Countryside shows. 17 didn't sell and one was damaged by a clumsy looker when I briefly stepped away. Only two that were issued in the past 5 years were in that lot coming back, and I have an interested potential buyer for one of those. All of the others were issued 5 to 20+ years ago. Excellent condition and better than ebay prices did little to attract attention because most of the collectors already had the standard issues. Rarity or attractive colors were big draws for buyers.