Money spent on this hobby

[AC Norton]

...look at the money spent on the hobby in this way....I was just recently at a retirement party for a guy that turned 65 last month, and, when all attending his bash cheered and yelled for,, SPEACH, SPEACH, SPEACH,,,he took the floor by saying..you know, I have had a great life, and spent every cent I earned thru the years on booze, gambling, and prostitution...and the rest of the money I totally wasted...the ace...

[Krazy Rick]

Harry, I get that in a big way! Those of us who see our modeling work as our art would like to know that our work does get appreciated past our lifetime!

I've done some work with the International Model Car Builders Museum in helping them acquire a model or two from guys who have passed away. The museum does want work from known modelers, especially vehicles that were trend setting or had magazine coverage. A lot of people haven't given this any thought, and it has been a challenge to approach heirs, especially after they've been accosted by a hobby ghoul or two! Mark Gustavson has said that when he's at the museum late at night, he can feel the presence of modelers past whose work is within those walls. That's cool and I would like to rest there myself someday. My wife does know which models go to the museum.

I also have a few pieces in my collection from friends who have died. It's just nice to have that model on the shelf to remember them by. I hope someday people feel the same way about my work.

Nothing against what you believe to be a good cause Tom, but .....I have a couple of concerns regarding the museum .... firstly, I am deeply put off after hearing from two close friends that donated to Mark; shortly after the opening; neither received any form of thank you, not even a note; or message or any recognition of any kind that their models arrived there at all, which I think is really rude. Secondly, it seems as though the museum has very limited access to the public, ( any museums I have visited are open at least 6 days a week & have regular visiting hours ) ;also, I don't understand why the website wouldn't contain all of the "donations" clearly for all to see ( in a more transparent manner ) & be set up in a way that all could visit & enjoy ( especially because of the very limited access. ) & be updated on a regular basis ( It states on the home page that it was to be updated May 2015, unless I'm not navigating properly, I don't see any type of virtual tour in any form, or any improvement of the site in any way at all . My third point, is regarding future ownership of the museum, what happens to the contents; once Mark & Jim - ( "the trustee" ) pass away ? Is there 100% guarantee that no donations will ever be sold ?

Edited July 11, 2015 by Krazy Rick

[DaveM]

I have been involved with RC planes. Same issues there. I scratchbuild, so I understand the concerns. I have seen whole garages full of RC planes end up in a dumpster, and I have been told by a widow that she is selling a small plane for $1500 because she saw a plane of the same color listed on ebay for that much.

If you care about what happens after you die, make those plans now. I have a list ,that Cathie will get upon my death, which outlines the big money kits and projects, and tells her how to list them. Hopefully this will keep her from selling the kit boxes with resin, photo etch and decals for $3 at a garage sale. I have decided to reduce the stash quite a bit before then. I could get more built if I had fewer distractions. Unfortunately, I think I am just making space to fill up with new models.

Reminds me of a T-shirt I saw once that said, "When I'm gone, I hope my wife doesn't sell my guns for what I told her they cost!" Same things applies to models, planes and slot cars! (Even a couple of my fountain pens fall into that category.

[Tom Geiger]

Nothing against what you believe to be a good cause Tom, but .....I have a couple of concerns regarding the museum ....

Rick, this isn't the place to take up what will no doubt become a debate about the museum. I am involved, it's no secret that TSSMCC / NNL East is a visible contributor and supporter of the museum. I hold no office there, but am involved in a number of issues. Some of your concerns are valid and are being addressed, or are in planning stages right now. It's not my news to announce so I can say nothing. I attended meetings out in Utah during GSL that addressed many of these issues. If you are interested either PM or email me.

The thing that the museum does do very right is investigate and record the history of our hobby. The focus is on the history of the art of model car building and the builders, rather than commercial company and product histories. You may have read on this board that the museum has acquired the Bob Nordberg collection. Here's a quote from an email that was received from Mark:

"Among nearly a dozen Car Model feature models, Steve (Bob's son) sent along the Ford COE that shared the top win.

This is an ENORMOUSLY significant acquisition for the Museum, up there with the Hiscano models, and the Mike Johnson donation of the Pegasus that won the top adult award in the first Revell-Pactra contest.

THIS is the reason the Museum exists -- to gather and preserve, in perpetuity, the history of this grand hobby. Without the Museum, the history of our hobby would be lost forever. "

I think that explains it. The museum has done an extremely good job of hunting down and either acquiring, or getting on loan, many of the significant builds of our history. The Dave Shuklis collection was saved from the basement of his parents home, that was to be demolished as part of an eminent domain public project. And it's safely in the museum today.

Edited July 12, 2015 by Tom Geiger