What a weekend!

Due to a work commitment on Friday, I wasn't able to participate in the Friday activities, so someone else will have to update us on the trip to the Packard museum, the toy shop and the Wayne Moyer collection (I heard there were lots of tempting items at very reasonable prices!)

I was, however, able to meet some adventurers at the RV/MH Hall of Fame museum to see my extensive camper and motorhome model collection as well as a number of actual campers. I'm glad we were able to get everyone free admission because the museum was in a bit of a remodeling phase and they moved the real vehicles to another temporary space. While OK, it wasn't the neat layout they've had (and will have again). However, my models were all out.

After that, some headed off to the Studebaker museum in South Bend (a worthy stop for a visit!) Others hung around the comfy chairs at the RV/MH museum and chatted before the drive to Chicago. We had dinner at a great chicken restaurant that John K found. I was so hungry I forgot to snap any pics, but the food was delish and the company was even better. John K also passed around the prototype of the Brooklin Packard once we all promised to not get any chicken grease on it.

The diehard car show booth helpers were up with John K early on Sunday to set up the hospitality tables. By the way, there were no less than four Johns in attendance, with John Merritt coming for the first time (talk about a kid in the candy store!) All the usual dealers were there... Jim Cowen, Greg Gunn, Tom Dirnberger, Howie, Buz Kirkel, and others. Jim and Greg both showed up with some nice surprises - high end white metal and resin models from recent acquisitions - at very fair prices. Jim had some Conquest, Motor City, and GADM models and Greg had some ABC and MA Collection pieces. Another table had some Ilario, Chromes, Nickel, and others, again at some very tempting prices. I just wish I collected Bugattis!

Something new outside the Union Hall was this restored crane.

The show floor

Views from the Forum 43 table

There was a buzz...

Collectors were gunning for some rare models.

Automodello's Jim Cowen debuted some new 1:24 models along with his recently acquired 1:43 collection

More 1:43

White Castle time! Hint: Don't eat too many of these and then think you won't need to (ahem) stop before you get home. 

Tom had lots of limited edition GLM models, including the stunning new Packard Hawk. 

John Merritt made a final sweep just in case there were a couple 1:43 models that slipped by after his first pass.

Finally, the most popular stop was the viewing of the Brooklin Packard Caribbean. I had to wait until nearly the end of the show to be able to get close enough to snap pics. Note that this is the prototype. It will come with a top up/top down components that won't be bright white, but more in tune with the color of the model. John K mentioned that they're still tweaking a few things like the wheels and other details, but on the whole, what was presented really is pleasing to the eye. Brooklin continues to up their game - as they should - with the level of detail they can achieve. Quality and heft! 

As things were wrapping up, John K was already securing tables for the March show. So make your plans now to attend. Everyone agreed that multiple events spread over several days was very enjoyable and should be repeated. 

As I hopped in the car for the nearly 3 hour drive home with two bags of goodies, I had the good fortune of spending some miles talking to Jeff Lane (he was working on a garage project and couldn't attend). I also connected with Karl Schnelle and caught him up with the weekend. He had just gotten back from the event at the Lane in Nashville but he committed to see us all in the spring. I couldn't find Skip Johnson, but I'm told he was on a scenic train ride through the Rockies with his wife to watch the fall colors.

Finally, a big thanks to John Kuvakas and all the volunteers at the 43rd hospitality table. You all are becoming old friends and ensure that the weekend is always going to be a highlight of the season. Thank you for your passion for the hobby and for your work behind the scenes to make it fun for everyone.

See you in March and happy collecting!