A very good show this year. The crowd isn't as big as in November. There were some empty dealer spaces in the main hall but a good turnout none the less. Seemed to be more big ticket items this year.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090488.JPG
We got an early start this year. We met for b-fast at 7 a.m. and then drove to Kalamazoo. Something about my cushy back seat that puts people to sleep. My wife was nodding off as well. Thank god for satellite radio and the comedy channel.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090489.JPG
We went in and immediatly found a box stuffed with JL's for only $2. Kevin found the pink VW Ghia christmas ornmanent that I've been looking for. Well, I'll keep on looking....

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090490.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090494.JPG
Jeff from Motor City Toyz was there. Mark and him could talk Slot Cars all day long !.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090493.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090495.JPG
Nice condition and only $25.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090491.JPG
I found a black Tonka VW Beetle at a Antique Mall this week in the same condition for $8.....

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090496.JPG
Cool Aircraft Carrier. You have to look below as well as on top of tables.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090492.JPG
Corvair anyone?.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090498.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090497.JPG1960 Buddy L Country Squire Wagon with box $495.....
Cool looking

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090503.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090504.JPG
Some very interesting Tonka's available.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090505.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090500.JPG
Found a neat midgetoy racer and 2 VW split window beetles in the $1 bin.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090499.JPGThat's not my hand. As soon as I stepped back to take the picture some guy swooped in to grab it up and buy it. No excuse me or anything, just a gruff look like I was in his way.... Oh well, at least he found something he wanted and will enjoy I hope.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090501.JPG
This one is for Scott Moen.....

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090506.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090502.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090507.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090508.JPG
Someday if I build bigger cabinets in my basement.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090514.JPG
This was a deal....Franklin Mint Tucker with only a broken drivers door handle for $35 very nice for the money.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090509.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090515.JPG


http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090510.JPG
He asked me to take his picture...Neet Tootsietoys and a cool repo
display box.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090511.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090516.JPG
The "Leave it to Beaver" ambush game....and I quote the box..."Experience with Beaver the dangers and thrills of the wild west".....

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090517.JPG
Cool Airport

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090513.JPG
Saw a few of these at the show. Priced from $10-$15....

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090518.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090519.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090520.JPG

I'm on the hunt for Buddy L White/blue ski lodge bus. This was the only Buddy L VW I saw all day long. Too bad it's missing the "B" nose emblem. Dealer was willing to take $50 for it.

Well, after a hard day of toy shopping we made our way home. We have made it a tradition to stop in Lawton Michigan and eat at Brewsters in the Dykman building. Good food.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090523.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090524.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090525.JPG

Ozmont liked Bill's choice for lunch. He called it the "Angioplasty Special"...Bill almost ate it all. It looked good !

Almost forgot one more cute game I saw for sale.


http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090521.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090522.JPG

At least I didn't have my finger in my nose or was drooling.

At least I didn't have my finger in my nose or was drooling.

That came later on the ride home.....:p

:thumbsup:

Some day I will be finished with classes and be able to go to one of these!

Someday I'll make it there too Chris. Lots of nice stuff there Ron. Thanks for posting.

You guys have all the fun! You also have cool wives and daughters that will hang out and hunt with you too! Thanks for the pictures, I always enjoy them!:thumbsup:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1060137/P1090525.JPG



Gee Bill, did you have to stab it to kill it? C'mon what did that sandwitch ever do to yo...Oh, the cholesterol....nevermind...

It's a great show and I leave thinking I should have bought this or that. Oh well. You can see the "adjustment" to the economy. Same dealers, much the same product. The guys doing well seemed to be the guys cashing out. Lots of dealers go to buy others out at show end I'm told.

I talked with a gentleman there who was also from South Bend and hooked up with the HW's club in town. Now he paid something like 120.00 for his tables and came up the night before and got a hotel. So he has about 200.00 invested before he sells a single thing which isn't even considering his cost of product. He was selling JL's and HW's 3 for 5.00. At that rate he looked to have about 150.00 of product on the table and as I bought he did not replace the stock. I found the whole mind set there very confusing. I have no idea how anyone is making any money on HW's right now.

looks like it was a great show. I would have been there, but a very food friend of mine was getting married, that took priority. I'll be there for the fall one for sure!

Thanks alot for all the great pics VW Owner. I saw in one shot where it appeared like some ERTL JD tractors were for sale as well. Hope you made it back home with some cash still in hand!

Sir Crafty

Excellent pix:thumbsup:thankyou for sharing your day with us:)

I need that tootsietoy USAF Rocket launcher, I'm drooling over those Tootsietoys.

Thanks alot for all the great pics VW Owner. I saw in one shot where it appeared like some ERTL JD tractors were for sale as well. Hope you made it back home with some cash still in hand!

Sir Crafty

I picked up two comemmeratives for my collection that I needed, but I was holding out for the Buddy L Bus that I didn't find. I even passed on the Tucker which was the deal of the day in my opinion. So I did come home with some...funds !.

I need that tootsietoy USAF Rocket launcher, I'm drooling over those Tootsietoys.

We need to get you to come down to the show in November. Bring you Christmas money :p

Dredged up this thread to ask if anyone is considering going to the show in November. I havent seen a date but it usualy is the saturday after Thanksgiving.

Very cool pictures!~

Great photos. Thanks for sharing the show with us. :thumbsup: