Readers of GSM share a universal lament, “wish I had more room.” Indeed, one of the most often cited reasons for not “having more” is the lack of space. While it typically refers to garage space and room for another money and soul-sucking car, the expression can also be related to automobilia display. Most GSMers who refer to their garage as their sanctuary have used the garage (walls, ceilings, tabletops) to display their collection of auto artifacts (signs, models, parts, posters, photos, badges, radiators…you know the drill). It’s part of the formula for continued harmony and happiness. Beyond the garage GSMers have displayed their collection in their offices, game rooms, bedrooms, man-caves, she-sheds… it’s part of the evolution of an interest that has no borders (or sensibility in some cases). And there comes a time, when, like the garage space, the “display space” also has its limits.
In addition to my passion for cars (shared with my brother, who supplies the wisdom in decision making), I also have an attraction for shiny objects (or things that used to be shiny). My environment (office, home, garage) has been decorated with mascots, Motor Meters, models, books, posters, signs, oil cans, etc. (all with stories of course). One of my earliest forays into collecting happened when I was a college student (back in the mid ’60s) where I stumbled across a genuine Dooling Bros. tether car at an antique shop. I was hooked and even though I had to buy it on the “lay away” plan, it has remained a prized possession after all these years. These “spindizzies” checked all the boxes, genuine historical pieces, numerous great designs, top workmanship, legacy of the returning veterans from World War 2 who created pastimes of speed, mechanics and competition. I collected a small group of both original and reissued (reproduction) examples in a variety of conditions. They were displayed in no dedicated setting or theme.
The American actor John Hawkes was fond of saying, “There’s a lot of skeletons in my closet.”
And while I didn’t have any skeletons in one particular closet of mine, it did have the accumulation of 20 plus years of stuff (clothes, files, magazines, long ignored fitness equipment) the usual things that if you don’t see them, you don’t have to deal with them. The inspiration to reclaim this closet came because of several particularly successful acquisitions at the 2024 Hershey swap meet. I scored some models (see the reference to shiny objects above). When I got back from Hershey, I wanted to display the new models. Much to my dismay there simply was no room, at least no room to provide an appropriate platform to give them space, lighting and visibility.
And while we’re all familiar with the expression, “coming out of the closet,” I realized I needed to embrace a new take on the quote, and realized I needed to “go into the closet.” I decided to reconfigure my closet into a display nook for my gas-powered scale model racing cars.
The first order of business was to clear out the closet (with the realization that I had to perform a “Swedish Death Cleaning,” go Google that). I then called my close friend (and accomplished contractor) Fred Vail to handle the alterations which included removal of the doors, installation of track lights, glass shelves, brackets, painting and applause. Because of the weight of the models, we opted for ¼-inch thick glass shelves and heavy-duty support brackets.
In addition to the cars, I also wanted to display individual miniature gas engines, antique cans of glow plug engine fuel, and other period artifacts. One of my personality traits is to try to display “everything,” which typically resulted in a crowded and unartistic presentation. I had to take several deep breaths and remember that it was the car models that had to take the stage and not be overwhelmed by anything that would serve as a distraction.
I will leave it up to the GSM reader to decide if the conversion of the closet was a success. It’s another suggestion that you should not be limited by your surroundings and to think “out of the box,” or in this case, “into the closet.”
For further information about tether cars and Spindizzies, the two definitive books are Spindizzies, Gas-Powered Model Racers by Eric Zausner and Vintage Miniature Racing Cars by Robert Ames.
