Does anyone have date & time for what used to be called the "Strictly 43rd" show in the Chicago suburb of Countryside? Recently it had been at the end of March but I can find no information on a 2008 show.

No, I don't know anything about it, but I sure wish I could go to that someday. I remember hearing glorious tales about it many years ago.

Does anyone have date & time for what used to be called the "Strictly 43rd" show in the Chicago suburb of Countryside? Recently it had been at the end of March but I can find no information on a 2008 show.
the Strictly 43rd show in Chicago is dead... Last one was in 2005.

That's a little depressing.

I understood that the show's previous promoter had given it up but that a new promoter had taken over and is now calling it something different. That may be wrong, but if it has been revived by a different promoter, I'd like to go.

I remember going to this show as long ago as about 1990. Originally it was held in a hotel ballroom (I think a Ramada) on the northeast corner of O'Hare area. It was held then in conjunction with either a Ferrari or Bugatti (or both) club event. Later it moved south to a Sheraton in the Schiller Park area. Finally it moved to a union hall in Countryside and I last went to the show in about '03 or '04.

If anyone knows about a revival of this show, please advise.

The show is on for March 30 in Countryside, IL, a Chicago suburb. For more information go to: http://www.uniqueeventsshows.com/ and click on Countryside Collectors Classic and 1:43 toy show. I've been there the last few years and it is very worthwhile for the serious 1:43 collector.

Hey guys !

Do you think it's worth for me to attend this show on March 30th ? I have a bunch of French Press collection models for sale at around $15.00 each.

You mean fly over from France and sell toys? I am sure you'd sell a bunch since you would have things the other dealers didn't have, but you would have to sell an awful lot of toys to cover your expenses. That's a tough call.

You mean fly over from France and sell toys? I am sure you'd sell a bunch since you would have things the other dealers didn't have, but you would have to sell an awful lot of toys to cover your expenses. That's a tough call.

Oh yes, I understand sales can't cover all my expenses, but I'm still considering it as it is a good opportunity to meet people and to figure out what the US 1:43rd scale scene is !

Well then by all means you should do it! Given the current exchange rate, there may never be a cheaper time for you to make the trip. Bring a large suitcase full of "Europe-only" items and you should do OK.

Sorry I won't be there this year. The show should give anyone a good taste of the American collecting scene. Many of the handbuilt white metal models like Brooklin and Conquest are well represented by dealers as well as many diecast lines.

database43 - When this show was in its prime there were frequently European and English dealers in attendance. There were also dealers from all over North America. It was the show for 43rd and the variety was wonderful. It was probably easier for the people who flew in for the show as the hotel ballrooms used were immediately adjacent to O'Hare.

The area where the show is held now is not very pleasant and there is not much to do there except get on the road back to home, but if you could work in the day prior to go to the Chicago area hobby shops you could have a fun weekend. I'd say that the site of the show is about a 1/2 hour drive south/southeast of O'Hare and all the airport area hotels.

For me the show is about a 1,000 mile drive (which I prefer to dealing with the silliness of current airport security) and I tentatively am planning to be there again this year. On the way I will stop in Dyersville, Iowa to see what can be found at the Ertl/Johnny Lightning/Learning Curve outlet store.

I'll bring the fifty Euros I have from my last trip to Germany; maybe I can buy something from your stand.

- ranchero -

database43 - When this show was in its prime there were frequently European and English dealers in attendance. There were also dealers from all over North America. It was the show for 43rd and the variety was wonderful. It was probably easier for the people who flew in for the show as the hotel ballrooms used were immediately adjacent to O'Hare.

The area where the show is held now is not very pleasant and there is not much to do there except get on the road back to home, but if you could work in the day prior to go to the Chicago area hobby shops you could have a fun weekend. I'd say that the site of the show is about a 1/2 hour drive south/southeast of O'Hare and all the airport area hotels.

For me the show is about a 1,000 mile drive (which I prefer to dealing with the silliness of current airport security) and I tentatively am planning to be there again this year. On the way I will stop in Dyersville, Iowa to see what can be found at the Ertl/Johnny Lightning/Learning Curve outlet store.

I'll bring the fifty Euros I have from my last trip to Germany; maybe I can buy something from your stand.

- ranchero -

I just realized the Chicago show is the same day as the Techno Classica in Essen, Germany (something I can't miss) ! So, no Chicago for me in March, I'll try to make it in October.

Does anybody know if this is the same as LaGrange IL?

Oops, I found it....