The Diecast Zone · Model Car Club Since 1994
Diecast Collector Forums
Eight forums, every scale, and thirty years of shop talk — new arrivals, restorations, reviews, and the finds you won’t see posted anywhere else, with the full archive back to 2002 restored and searchable. Free to Register.
8Forums
195,000+Topics
1,276,000+Posts
10,000+Members
Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
18/03/2018 1:34 pm
Countryside weekend in review!
So I'm sure others will chime in with their own impressions and experiences, but I'll get things started for those who weren't able to make it...
After checking into the venerable Holiday Inn, I ventured off to Buz's house. His gracious "hostess with the mostest!" wife had a great spread of sandwiches, snacks and desserts out - but I was saving myself for the deep dish pizza that was to come. More on that in a minute.
There was already a solid group of guys in the room when I got there, full of tales about models they recently acquired - or were about to:
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
But what stopped me in my tracks - and had me immediately reaching for my wallet - was the surprise arrival of a new Conquest woody, the 1959 Mercury Colony Park Station Wagon in red, black or white (with or without roof rack):
photo no longer available
These came in just a day earlier from overseas so the timing was perfect. I nabbed the red one. Skip had to get one, too!
And while we were distracted with those, Harvey was eyeing one of his possible acquisitions:
photo no longer available
Regardless of the model that weakened your knees, Buz was very happy to get us into that next new car:
photo no longer available
With stories shared and money spent, it was off to Giordano's for Chicago-style deep dish pizza. A big thanks to Frank for once again coordinating a good meeting space with hot pizza at a great price.
photo no longer available
And while you might look at these pics and wonder why no one is smiling, it's because they all took their pizza consumption very seriously!
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
With lighter wallets and full bellies, it was time to retire to the hotel for a fresh start in the morning.
Sunday was bright and sunny and felt like it was at least 20 degrees warmer - a very good sign. Another good sign was the long line waiting to get into the toy show.
photo no longer available
Now, normally I'm not a big fan of crowds, but for the future of our hobby, it was really nice to see a big turnout of avid collectors pouring over the tables.
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
Word on the street is that they were all lining up to see John's latest masterpiece in model making excellence:
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
OK, well, maybe not so much, but it was great to see all the dealers who support our hobby out in force with lots of great stuff to buy:
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
Finally, at the Forum table, our thanks to Sergio for a sneak peek of prototype samples of some of his latest offerings. That newest woody (top left) is a must-have for me:
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
Well, all in all, it was a great time to catch up with old friends and new models. I always think of this show as the first sign of spring...and with the mix of scale models viewed (and purchased) over the last two days, I can't wait to see what the rest of 2018 holds!
I hope everyone made it home safely and I look forward to seeing you all again next year. A shout out to Dick Browne, our fearless leader. You were missed! I hope all is well and that we'll see you back in Chicago in 2019.
18/03/2018 1:50 pm
Randy, thanks for the review - looks like you all had a weekend of fun.
Autominologist residing in the Robin Hood County
Nottinghamshire England UK
18/03/2018 2:05 pm
Ah yes... I myself went back home a lot lighter in the wallet because of some must haves.
Had a great time all three days in Countryside and looking forward to next year already. My first mini vacation of each new year. The stop at Jeff's high-rise condo downtown was well worth the walk to see his awesome collection. AND the view....remarkable! Thanks again Jeff for the invite.
18/03/2018 3:01 pm
Randy thanks for the great photos. I did get a little homesick until I saw friends of mine that really aged. This is why we have no mirrors in our house now. Or was it that no one was smiling? Naw.
18/03/2018 3:31 pm
I can't do a better review than that, Randy! Thanks for the report!
18/03/2018 5:11 pm
Just got home an hour ago Randy. Great review!
And it was fantastic to see old friends in person again.
18/03/2018 5:37 pm
Thanks, Randy. Those of us who can't make the show really read and look at your reporting. Good work!
18/03/2018 5:37 pm
+1
Skip Johnson
Tonawanda, New York
18/03/2018 6:58 pm
Another great review & pics. There were a lot of shared stories & good humor. Great to see you all!
18/03/2018 7:59 pm
Randy, excellent timely review. Thanks! I recognized many people and I haven't met them in person!
19/03/2018 7:19 am
Randy. great review. Hope to make it to the show one of these times. Is it possible that you could put a view names with faces for those of us that see names on this forum but don't know the faces. Thanks again for the review and photos!
19/03/2018 7:27 am
what a great report
20/03/2018 1:33 pm
I am the too-serious guy in purple sweater and sunglasses eating pizza!