4 Friday, January 29, 2021 brooklintowncrier.com Brooklin Heritage Society Where model cars began By Jennifer Hudgins Brooklin Models is a world renowned manufacturer of scale model cars. And they're called Brooklin Models for good reason: they originated in Brooklin. John Hall, a design engineer, decided to turn his lifelong interest in classic American cars into creating tiny models. He and his wife Jenny had immigrated here from London, England, in 1965. He worked for several companies to get experience in casting techniques before going on to teach at the University of Toronto which he left in 1974. That was when he converted his basement on Robmar Street into a small factory where he and two employees built 1:43 scale models for himself and other collectors that he sold for $20 each. Early model cars were made from resin and John used ice cream sticks to strengthen the base plates. The models were crude and lacking in detail. However, by 1977, he'd found a substitute for the resin that was stronger and easier to work with. Each model was made by hand using white metal. Details were added such as plastic windows, rubber tires, license plates and side mirrors. His first model was a tractor with a plow that he made to sell at the 1975 International plowing match in Oshawa. John also featured milestone cars such as the 1930 Ford Model A Coupe and the 1934 Chrysler Airflow along with rare models, like the 1936 Stout Scarab and the 1938 Phantom Corsair. As the demand for his models increased, John decided to "tool up" and expand. He approached the Canadian government for a grant in 1979 except that, at the time, the government was not friendly toward home-operated businesses. So he with his family moved to Bath, Somerset, England, where he set up a factory. The impact of this move led to an immediate distinction between his earlier models and the new British ones, making the Canadian Brooklins more valuable and sought after. He stayed in touch with the Canadian Toy Collectors Society, with whom he was a founding member. In 1994, he donated one of three 1952 Ford F1 panel delivery and horse trailer sets, with the Ontario Provincial Police Mounted Division logo, to the 25th Annual Greatest Collectors Toy Show. His model won first prize and the funds raised from the auction went to Canadian Children's Charities. Where other model makers have come and gone, Brooklin, one of the earliest in the collectors genre, not only perseveres but thrives and is recognized world-wide. Models sell for $150 and more. John sold Brooklin Models and retired in 1998. He and his wife Jenny passed away on December 20, 2016. Today, Brooklin is home to a major collector of these models, Glen Franks. His father bought him his first one when he was 10 years old and he now owns 200. (Brooklin Models web site: brooklinmodels.com) 905.655.6200 www.brooklineyecare.ca