Mini Me Broughamage in Countryside

Warning: Excessive diecast car content

On October 20th I took what is almost certainly my last long-distance excursion before next spring: the twice-a-year model car show in suburban Chicagoland.

Initially I hadn’t planned to go, as I usually go to the one held in March rather than October. But then it occurred to me: as it was a Sunday, my folks would definitely be watching football all day.

So, I might as well go, since I have below-zero interest in all forms of sportsball. Plus my friend Jim would be there, as usual, with a table full of promos and model kits.

And as usual, it didn’t disappoint. The only disappointments I had was being a little slow on the draw on two models. My friend Tom Beauchamp, who does fantastically detailed model kits, had a gorgeous Opel GT in a light sage green metallic.

I had it in my hands! But then I walked over to Jim to chat awhile, and in those 2-3 minutes someone else nabbed it. D’oh! Though he was another friend of Jim’s and his folks had a real one back when, so I wasn’t too sad. But if I could redo it, I’d have bought it right freaking then and there!

Also: Jim had a beautiful light green metallic 64 Electra 225 promo, in mint condition. All I had to do was say, hey, Jim, I’m interested, can you set that one aside and we can do a deal later?

But I didn’t, I got too complacent. And upon returning from my fourth or fifth circuit of the building, noticed it was gone. “Oh, I sold it.” Dammit! But! It was my own fault!

That didn’t keep me from finding all sorts of cool stuff though. Like this mint green ‘58 Buick Special!

And one of the vendors, a super nice guy whom I’ve chatted with for years, but whose name escaped me, had a bunch of great 1/43 scale diecast, so I bought out his VW inventory. These were all without original boxes, but VERY attractively priced. I couldn’t resist!

Plus, my dad had a ‘54 VW back in the early ‘70s, with the oval rear window, and when I noticed the Beetle sedan, I decided to get it for his birthday, which was the following week.

I also got this awesome Seville Elegante. I’d stopped and gawked at it several times during the show. About a half hour before the show ended, I asked the seller if he’d take 70—it was marked 75. He said, how about 50? Sold!

And by the way, these models, by Neo, were over a hundred bucks new. Resin, and super detailed, so I got a pretty good price. As Jack would agree—Bustlebacks 4 Lyfe! LOL.

All in all, a great day, and I had to stop in Geneseo at my favorite supper club, The Cellar, for surf and turf!

Until next time!