NNL

[XJ6]

Ok...Here is my Question....What does the NNL in NNL really stand for? (model car show).

[bobthehobbyguy]

Nameless National Luminaries. It was coined from comments that Mark Gustavson made when the first GSL didn't get attended.

Not sure of the origin of it being a display versus a contest though.

bobthehobbyguy

[XJ6]

Nameless National Luminaries. It was coined from comments that Mark Gustavson made when the first GSL didn't get attended.

Not sure of the origin of it being a display versus a contest though.

bobthehobbyguy

Thank-You for the reply.....But what does the GSL stand for?

Thanks and Cheers...Don aka XJ6

[Harry P.]

Way back when, Mark Gustavson wanted to create a new, national, "important" contest that would attract all the big names in the model car world.

Well, attendance at that inaugural contest was, uh, less than expected, and apparently Mr. Gustavson wrote a somewhat angry letter to a model car magazine complaining about all of the big name people who didn't attend his contest... he referred to them as the "national luminaries who shall remain nameless," or to juggle the words around, "nameless national luminaries."

So as a response to Mr. Gustavson's angry letter, a few of these "nameless national luminaries" decided to get together and sponsor the "anti-contest," where there would be no competition and no prizes awarded... just like-minded people getting together and showing off their latest work without the pressure or competitive aspect of a judged "contest."

The idea took off, and soon there were a bunch of "NNL" style shows being held. Unfortunately, most if not all of them completely missed the whole point of an "NNL"... and they all award prizes to the "winners," thereby completely disregarding what an "NNL" type event is supposed to be.

Tim Boyd wrote an excellent op-ed piece in Model Cars a while back explaining this very thing (Tim was one of those original "nameless national luminaries" who cooked up the NNL concept in the first place... so he should know what an NNL is supposed to be)!

Thank-You for the reply.....But what does the GSL stand for?

Thanks and Cheers...Don aka XJ6

GSL= Greater Salt Lake (model car championship).

[XJ6]

**** Harry P **** "Thank-You" very much for the wonderful information.. that is most interesting...I now feel that every Modeler who goes to a NNL Show will have the " True Meaning " of just what the NNL show is all about...and what it should really stand for..

I have printed the information you have posted..and for sure will take it with me to all the NNL Model Car Shows i attend...

Again :Thank-You....Cheers...Don aka XJ6

[Lunajammer]

Nicely put Harry! As many times as I've read the story of those events, this is probably as concisely as I've seen it laid out.

[Alyn]

Nicely put Harry! As many times as I've read the story of those events, this is probably as concisely as I've seen it laid out.

Exactly my sentiments after reading Harry's explanation.

Thanks, Harry

[Dr. Cranky]

Well, the biggest of the NNL is in the North East and if you ever go (every builder should go at least once), your head will explode!

[tim boyd]

Way back when, Mark Gustavson wanted to create a new, national, "important" contest that would attract all the big names in the model car world.

Well, attendance at that inaugural contest was, uh, less than expected, and apparently Mr. Gustavson wrote a somewhat angry letter to a model car magazine complaining about all of the big name people who didn't attend his contest... he referred to them as the "national luminaries who shall remain nameless," or to juggle the words around, "nameless national luminaries."

So as a response to Mr. Gustavson's angry letter, a few of these "nameless national luminaries" decided to get together and sponsor the "anti-contest," where there would be no competition and no prizes awarded... just like-minded people getting together and showing off their latest work without the pressure or competitive aspect of a judged "contest."

The idea took off, and soon there were a bunch of "NNL" style shows being held. Unfortunately, most if not all of them completely missed the whole point of an "NNL"... and they all award prizes to the "winners," thereby completely disregarding what an "NNL" type event is supposed to be.

Thanks Harry for continuing to set the record straight.

I don't recall us having the first NNL in response to Mark's editorial, but more in response to the overall championship model car scene back then which, shall we say, was not really conducive to modelers getting together, showing their work and enoying our great hobby in general.

As I recall, we sent invitations to most of the major winners in the MPC National Championship series, and, well, just six of us showed up. But the idea was good, apparently, and things built from there.

Of course, the fact that Mark's editorial had recently appeared was mentioned during our get together, as most if not all of us had been approached about participating and chose not to for various reasons. The fun loving spirit of the original NNL's was born on the spot.

Before we left Tom's garage that afternoon, the new "group" had christened itself Nameless National Luminaries...later shortened to NNL's.

Best,.,.,.TIM

Edited February 24, 2012 by tim boyd

[Guest Dr. Odyssey]

All this time I thought it was Numerous Nameless Luminaries, at least that what everyone I spoke to referred to it as...

[Harry P.]

Thanks for fine-tuning my explanation, Tim.

If anyone knows what an "NNL" is supposed to be, you do! There's nothing like hearing the story from one of the people who was actually there at the beginning.

[jerseyjunker1]

you know? i am so glad someone asked that question. i was never actualy told what it stood for so i just assumed that it was short for the word national. i guess i was close as i had one of the words right.lol

[XJ6]

Thanks Harry for continuing to set the record straight.

I don't recall us having the first NNL in response to Mark's editorial, but more in response to the overall championship model car scene back then which, shall we say, was not really conducive to modelers getting together, showing their work and enoying our great hobby in general.

As I recall, we sent invitations to most of the major winners in the MPC National Championship series, and, well, just six of us showed up. But the idea was good, apparently, and things built from there.

Of course, the fact that Mark's editorial had recently appeared was mentioned during our get together, as most if not all of us had been approached about participating and chose not to for various reasons. The fun loving spirit of the original NNL's was born on the spot.

Before we left Tom's garage that afternoon, the new "group" had christened itself Nameless National Luminaries...later shortened to NNL's.

Best,.,.,.TIM

Thank-You Tim for all you have done

[Jeff Johnston]

I look forward to NNL east every year. I get so excited that I have had dreams that I went to NNL east the wrong weekend, or that I spend to much time in the vendor area I missed all the models... and no I am not joking LOL

[weasel]

i love the NNL's...been to Jersey twice, met Jarius out there, purple koolaid or something?? lol been to Atlanta a handfull of times, even 'stole' a sign, sent Bob/zz a ransom note...lol been to my home NNL, Toledo about 10 times.... i've found that if/when you got to any of these, you need to have a BUDGET for the swap, if not, YOU WILL SPEND TO MUCH $$$$$ lol...

my 1st NNL East, i was just AMAZED at the number and quality of builds that were there, something like 1100-1200 models!!! biggest i'd seen was a Toledo NNL that had around 500+ models...

and seeing people that you only see at shows etc... stories...even met Auggie at Toledo one year, verrrrry nice, no airs kinda guy...seeing kids talking to the Biggins' about something on their model, not really a competition, more of a model show...

[Von Don Koolkat]

I concur with Tim's post, and Harry's synopsis of NNLs. I've never understood why the concept was so difficult to understand. So many people refer to NNLs as 'contests'.- even sometimes in 'Contest Annual' publications... After @30 years, the important thing is we have some great shows to participate in and enjoy!

[tim boyd]

I concur with Tim's post, and Harry's synopsis of NNLs. I've never understood why the concept was so difficult to understand. So many people refer to NNLs as 'contests'.- even sometimes in 'Contest Annual' publications... After @30 years, the important thing is we have some great shows to participate in and enjoy!

As usual, Don is being low key about this when in fact he was one of the co-organizers and participants of the first-ever NNL on the west coast, the infamous "NNL West" held in the summer of 1982 in Modesto, California. Don's co-conspirators for that event included some other names you would recognize, including our own David Dale and Rick Rothermel.

As for everyone else on this post, thanks for your understanding and "carrying of the torch" for the true meaning of the NNL.

Best regards...TIM

[tim boyd]

Thanks for fine-tuning my explanation, Tim.

If anyone knows what an "NNL" is supposed to be, you do! There's nothing like hearing the story from one of the people who was actually there at the beginning.

And thank you, again, Harry. Just hope my memory is correct! TB