BROOKLIN AND THE ILLINOIS TOY SHOW

Some twenty five miles west of Chicago, Illinois, along state route 38, lies the small town of Wheaton. It has the distinction of being the county seat of Du Page County. Of greater importance to Brooklin collectors is the fact that Wheaton was the site of the Illinois Plastic Kit and Toy Show, held on February 26th, 1989. Sponsored by George Pekarik, this was the 13th Illinois Toy Show and was commemorated with a 1949 Buick Roadmaster, the 5th and final Brooklin special to be commissioned for this show. One of the best toy shows in the mid west, the Illinois Toy Show had its modest beginnings on December 1st, 1981, at the Willowbrook Holiday Inn. The first show consisted of 55 tables and featured plastic model kits, dolls, tinplate and diecast toys. Held annually from 1981 through 1984, the show's popularity and reputation grew along with the increasing interest in toys and collectables, necessitating a move to larger facilities. The show became a twice annual affair beginning in 1985 and moved first to the Oakbrook Marriot Hotel, then to the Du Page Fairgrounds. George Pekarik commissioned the show's first Brooklin special in February 1987 for the 9th Illinois Toy Show, a 1937 Chevrolet Coupe which sports no decals. This was in line with George's belief that the models are bought to commemorate the Toy Show or as 1/43 scale reproductions of an actual car that the collector may remember. Either way George felt that the collector would not want decals defacing the original beauty of the automobile. In lieu of decals, the Illinois Toy Show models have a serialized base plate engraved with a number with matching serialized Toy Show certificates, hand signed by George Pekarik.

The show's first Brooklin special was commissioned in February 1987 for the 9th Illinois Toy Show, a 1937 Chevrolet Coupe in medium blue, with very light beige interior, beige wheels and yellow license plates. Limited to 100 pieces, the Chevy sports no decals, but the base plate is engraved with a number between 1 and 100. A few are known without number. This is the only Illinois Toy Show special that is not an authentic factory color.

The show's second Brooklin special was made for the August 1987 Illinois Toy Show, a 1956 Ford Thunderbird in ivory with red interior, limited to 100 pieces. The Illinois Toy Show specials are clearly identified as such by the gold label on the box and each has a numbered certificate, signed by George Pekarik.

The 3rd Illinois Toy Show Brooklin special was a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette done for the February 1988 show. Done in red, with black interior, these models are certificated and have silver baseplates engraved with numbers 1 to 100. A few models exist not numbered.

The show's 4th Brooklin special was commissioned in August 1988 for the 9th Illinois Toy Show, a 1949 Mercury Coupe, done in metallic blue with grey interior. This model has a serialized base plate, engraved with a number between 1 and 100, with matching serialized Toy Show certificates. The production was limited to 100 pieces.

The 1989 Illinois Toy Show special was the 1949 Buick Roadmaster, done in maroon with grey interior, limited to 100 pieces. A few models exist not numbered.

Author: Gianluigi Cappi

You may find more pictures and information on this model plus many other Brooklin stories in the Brooklin Models Collectors Guide.