For the Love of Professional Car Models

For the Love of Professional Car Models

By: Mark Goodwin

My brother, Tom and I have collected model cars for as long as I can remember.  For the most part, we bought promotional models from car dealerships, depicting their newest models of Cadillac, Lincoln and Chrysler Imperial.  We also purchased diecast models of the same three brands, whenever possible, and in any scale possible.  We also collected the occasional Professional Car Model of ambulances, hearses and especially limousines.  Because these models were so hard to find, we only had a very small collections Of Professional Cars until just recently.  After the series of 59 and 66 were produced, we bought at least one copy each of the flower car, the hearse, both Landau, and Limousines Style, and ambulance in every color available.  These 1/18 scale models are highly detailed and with excellent attention to detail, fit and finish, and authenticity.  I know many members Of the Professional Car Society purchase these models, when they became available and they too will attest to their quality at a reasonable price.

The first Grand National Of the Professional Car Society that we attended, was in Burr Ridge, near Chicago.  It was there that we saw several people displaying models of Their Professional Cars.  We were amazed that we had somehow accumulated a copy of the most popular ones available.  After Burr Ridge, we started to look on eBay, and buy any Professional Car within our budget.  I’m happy to report that our collection has grown to one complete display case.  I freely admit, that I’m still jealous of Brady Smith and his collection in the three display cases, he has in his funeral home.  I am also envious of a collection in Decatur, Illinois at an ambulance service in that city.  One of the EMTs is a member Of the Professional Car Society and in fact, supplied the black 59 Cadillac shown in The First Ghost Buster Movie, before it was transformed into the ambulance, we have all grown to regret.  Ironically, the public is very fond of this version and relishes in hollering, “GHOST BUSTER” at any Cadillac, Lincoln, Chevrolet, Buick, or Pontiac that members of our society own.  I am guilty of this phenomenon too because I have two scale models of ECHO ONE, in our collection and on one Halloween Night, we took our one to one scale 88 White Lincoln end loader Hearse, put decals on the doors and handed out candy from the extended table in the back.  We put a flashing red light on the top and played that theme song, we all love to hate.  It was a big hit in the neighborhood, without one single complaint, or one Trick or Treater passing us by.

It was after this, coming out of the closet experience, as a professional car lover, that we displayed our Professional Car Models at our local library, during a share, your hobby Fall Event.  The cars were displayed in the main display case, next to the checkout desk for two weeks.  As part of our display, we prepared a two-page handout telling about The Professional Car Society and how to join.  A large part of this display was made up of Presidential Limousines, to soften the tone of the display, for anyone who may be offended by Hearses, Ambulances or Flower Cars.  This display, I’m happy to report was very well received.  However, since I am a retired teacher, I could now acknowledge My Interest in Professional Cars, without repercussions to my employment.  I live in a small town, in Illinois, where teachers are held to very high standards, no drinking, no smoking, no carousing and the only way you can use your hearse is as a prop for the homecoming parade, stating funeral services for the opposing team are tonight at 7 p.m. on the football field.

If anyone is ever near the Peoria Illinois area and is interested in seeing my brother and my model collection Of Professional Cars.  We would be very happy to show them to you, since we are only 50 miles Northwest of Peoria, Illinois, and a little town Called Kewanee.  We also have a couple display cases of regular model cars.

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