The "My Favorite Collectibles: Part I - 1/18" Model Cars" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Going through some of the cardboard cartons in the basement and came across a box of metal 1/18 inch scale metal Corvette models.   Some were made in Thailand by the Maisto Company, some were made in Spain by the Mira Company, some were made in China and sold by the Eril Company in Dyersville, Iowa while some were made by UT Models with no country listed.  

Standing next to my 1987 Corvette.

It was in the late 1990s that my wife suggested we buy a bright red Corvette we had seen a few months prior since at the time I was having a few medical problems.  Within a week the bright red 1987 Vette was sitting in front of our house on Janet Ave. in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Before long My youngest son and I had begun entering the car in shows.  Took quite a bit of time preparing the car for the judging, but I had an entire shelf of trophies in no time.  

Magazine article in Vette Magazine.

Also submitted a story about the car to Vette Magazine and they published the story in the "Me & My VETTE" column.  As the months and years passed by I began to collect 1/18 inch metal model Corvette cars.  Had close to two dozen that I had purchased or others had purchased for me for gifts.  As time progressed,  the money we were spending for extra insurance, maintenance and entry fees for shows and contests for the Corvette was needed for other family projects as well as college expenses...so I did the unthinkable and sold my '87 Vette.  Sold it to my next door neighbor who allowed me to drive it whenever I wanted to so it eased the pain of selling it somewhat.  Well, the many models I had collected after getting rid of the Vette was what I found in the cardboard boxes in my basement.  

Carol and I with our '87 Vette on the Ocean City boardwalk.

Brought back the memories from the past as well as a few stories my wife and I shared from our years we drove the Vette on the Boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland to making yearly visits to the Carlisle, PA Corvette Show each summer.  Rather than put the models back in the boxes right away, I thought I would take photographs of a few of my favorites to share with you.  So, the following photographs are some of the model cars I had collected in the past.  Still hate to give them up...so they will go back in the boxes and head back to the basement.  That is except for a half dozen that will fill my office shelves as a reminder of past memories.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

1954 - the second year that Chevrolet made the Corvette.

1957 - Neat car prepared for racing.  Notice the large tires on the rear.

1957 - This one is more a stock model than the one above it.

1963 Split-window, one of the most iconic Vettes every made.

1978 Official Indianapolis Speedway Pace Car.

1995 Official Indianapolis Speedway Pace Car.

1996 - Reminded me of my car with a few changes.

1996 C4 Grand Sport with White Stripe and Red fender accent stripes.

1998 Official Indianapolis Speedway Pace Car