A GOOD WEEKEND OF MODEL CAR SHOWS 10/3-4

[BIG E]

*** Yeah, there are more than a few words here, but take a few minutes and enjoy the short story...
Had a great time this weekend with my "ERNIE'S MODEL AUTO PARTS" vendor set up this past weekend. First up was the fourth annual show by the DIVERSIFIED SCALERZ club in Belleville, NJ. Once again I had a good time with this growing and relatively new club, and I'm happy to have been a vendor at all three of the public shows they've held in this hall. These guys have been going to all of the big model car events in the northeast, wearing their monogrammed blue shirts, making new friends, and learning the ropes for their own show. And they're learning from one of the best - Tom Geiger, the man in charge of the great staff at NNL East, was there helping out and supporting the show. He even found a few things to buy from my vendor booth before the day was over. Congratulations are in order for two of my fellow Long Island Auto Replica Society (LIARS) members Rich Argus and Andy Behrens. Each took home 1st place trophies for themselves in separate judged model car categories. Congratulations and thanks also go out to Jorge, Tony, Victor, and the rest of the Diversified Scalerz crew for another job well done! Check out their club along with all the cool rides and rods on Facebook. See you all in Freeport, Long Island, at the LIARS Model Car Challenge, Saturday November 14th!
At 6 am the next morning, I was setting up for the CLASSIC PLASTIC Model Car Exhibition in Lawrence, MA, just about an hour northwest of Boston. This show has been one of the premier car modeling events in the northeastern United States for well over 20 years, and this year's version held true to form. Hundreds of beautifully built cars, trucks, and motorcycles once again filled the tables in the contest display area. The many talented local club members challenged the building skills of members from other clubs who had traveled hundreds of miles from other states to meet up with old friends, make new ones, shop the vendor swap meet area and compete for the many trophies offered in various categories. Both LIARS members Rich and Andy again picked up more trophy hardware at this Massachusetts show, and I had another good day of selling engine kits, wheel and tire sets, and various other model car parts to hundreds of happy show attendees.
I also got to exchange handshakes and smiles with HRW forum member and NE Massachusetts area resident Jeff (dge467) and his Dad at the show. That's the part I enjoy best about doing the shows, actually meeting and talking with other people involved in the hobby, face to face. Jeff was nice enough to bring his father's original two MINRA rule and membership booklets from the early 1960's for me to check out for myself. That was very cool carefully turning those old black and white glossy pages, looking back into the history of our hobby. Thanks again Jeff, for bringing those booklets and for giving me the chance to meet and talk with you and your Dad. I hope you both enjoyed the event.
I even picked up a few things for myself, including three Monogram Indy Roadster kits, all destined for the slot car track (though in a buddy's racing stable, not mine). My good friend Bob "Mr. Aurora" Beers was also working with me at this event, and he sold out his entire bin of HO slot car bodies (ya see, slot car guys DO go to model car shows!), as well as some of the vintage 1/24-25 scale model kits he had brought with him. I spent Monday at his place in Connecticut checking out all sorts of cool HO slot car stuff and recuperating from a long weekend of driving and model car show fun. It was nice to get on that last ferry out of New London, CT Monday evening. I arrived at Orient Pt., Long Island headed for a relatively short 90 minute ride home at the end of those three long, fun filled days!
Man, did I sleep well that night... Ernie :>)

PS - Thanks to everyone who took the few minutes to read though this post. Attend a model/slot car show, you'll enjoy it !!

[dreinecke]

Sounds like a fantastic time! I am jealous of all these shows!

I do get to go to the slot car swap meet at Colpar Hobbies in Denver this Saturday. I'm pretty excited about that!

[TuscoTodd]

Sounds like a good time!
Would love to see some pics if you have any to share! :D

[dge467]

Nice meeting you too Ernie!

[BIG E]

David, I went to the Denver Automotive and Diesel College in September of 1971. I remember cruisin' Federal Blvd., and doing the "idling over the speed bumps parade" in whatever big shopping center that was in the middle of town! Denver was much smaller then, and I've never been back since. Used to be able to street race on one of the Interstates intersecting town, I can't remember which one. We'd drive to Continental Divide Raceway to use the drag strip. I believe Indy Cars used to run on the oval there, I've got a program from '68 or '69 showing my man, past champion A.J. Foyt on the cover.
I know it's a different town now. -- Ernie :>)

[vins123]

Hi Ernie
it seems you had a really nice weeked, lucky you are to have, Mr Bob Beers Mr. Aurora as a friend
btw did you find the Vette you were looking for?
Sylvain

[dreinecke]

[BIG E]

David -- Thanks for the update on how things had changed in a dozen years or so.
Did you ever see one of the Formula 1 races that were held in Denver? -- Ernie :>)

[BIG E]

Sylvain --
Still no luck finding the 'Vette body, and my ad is about to turn 500 hits in the "For Sale / Wanted To Buy" forum!
Thanks for keeping an eye out for me. -- Ernie