News
June 21, 2023
The GSL Finale was a phenomenal success. There were over 750 models entered in the competition, the Contest Hall overrun with great modelers and attendees for days, there were four seminars, tours of the Museum, a Trade Show and the famous Museum Benefit Museum. Three Judges (Mark S. Gustavson, Jim Fernandez and Bob Wick) worked for 13 hours each to judge the great entries! And an overflowing audience for the Sunday morning Awards Breakfast. And, the phenomenal Lynx Project – 38 years in the making – debuted to a wild crowd of enthusiasts.
More details on the Finale will be uploaded soon.
April 23, 2023
Greetings GSL Attendees:
As we informed you yesterday, the Sheraton Hotel no longer offers a shuttle service from the Salt Lake City airport to the Sheraton Hotel or back to the airport.
The impact upon our valued attendees is obvious: you’ll need to bear the burden and expense of arranging transportation to the Sheraton and back to the airport. We feel obligated to notify you of this situation so that you’re not surprised when you arrive at the airport.
In addition to the previously mentioned Uber, Lyft and Yellow Taxi services, there’s another option and it’s inexpensive and available for many hours of each day: Salt Lake City runs a light rail system known as TRAX Green Line, which runs between the SLC airport and Downtown Salt Lake City on a regular schedule – roughly every half hour throughout the day. The closest stop to the Sheraton is the Courthouse Station, about a block and a half away. Fare is $2.50 each way, $1.25 for seniors.
The full schedule for the TRAX Green Line can be found here: https://www.rideuta.com/Rider-Tools/Schedules-and-Maps/704-Green-Line
More information on transportation options can be found here: https://slcairport.com/parking-and-transportation/ground-transportation/
See you in early May!
Our best,
GSL Board of Trustees
March 27, 2023
The GSL Board of Trustees are pleased to post the current draft of the GSL Championship Finale Schedule. Please read the details carefully.
See you on May 4, 2023!!!
March 8, 2023
We are pleased to announce that the Adult Pre-Registration form is now available here in PDF format. Simply fill out the form and mail it to the International Model Car Builders’ Museum address shown at the bottom of page two of the form.
Adult early registration is ONLY available by mail — no text/e-mail/voice mail registrations are accepted. You must also pay the cost of your participation (see the form on the second page) in full at the time you send in your registration by check or money order (NO CASH), payable only in US Dollars.
We offer “early” adult pre-registration to give early registrants access to the special premiums offered for such early registration.
If you prefer to register as an adult competitor at GSL, your application will be accepted in the numeric order of your registration when you arrive.
Regardless of whether you pre-register as a competitor by mail or register at GSL, only at the registration desk will you be able to enter your models, and designate into which Classes they’ll be placed (there will be “GSL Proctors” there to assist you).
Note that there is a $25 fee for adults to participate in the GSL Finale if you don’t compete. Junior entrants (17 and younger) compete at no cost.
We have great four days planned –it will memorable! Very soon, we will upload the tentative schedule.
Finally, note that all of the allotted Sheraton Hotel rooms have been reserved (see the notes, below, under the February 27, 2023 date, for information about alternative lodging for GSL participants).
See you in early May!
February 27, 2023
GSL Trustees have been genuinely surprised by the fact that all of the allocated GSL room at the Sheraton Hotel have been reserved by GSL attendees. Therefore, we have prepared a list of alternative hotels and motels — all within a short walk from the Sheraton. Go here to get the chart of those hotels.
(Note: You can register for a room at the Sheraton, but the room cost discount is NOT available — You’d pay around $278 or so per night.
December 31, 2022
There has been a bit of controversy among entrants who are building a 1929 Ford for the COMMON KIT Class, GSL Trustees amended the text to clarify the requirement that qualifying entries may use a 1929 Ford body from any kit ever issued by any kit manufacturer.
The text below, which includes the italicized text which constitutes the clarification, is verbatim.
COMMON KIT
The Common Kit for GSL-XXVIII is the Revell 1929 Ford Model A Roadster (kit #RMX854463). The intent of this Class is for each entrant to start with the same kit, then display their widest array of individual creativity, craftsmanship, building skills, and technical innovations. The entrant may build the entry in any style or vintage. Regardless, all entered models must be based upon the parts from this kit. Entrants may also: I) swap parts from any other kit(s); ii) use any aftermarket parts; iii) use any body from another 1929 Ford kit but may not use a complete aftermarket resin body; and iv) use any building materials, techniques or technologies without restriction.
November 2022
GSL Championship Hotel: Sheraton of Salt Lake City, Utah
We are pleased announce that the GSL Board of Trustees has signed a contract with the Sheraton Salt Lake City Hotel to hold the Finale at this famed and very hospitable hotel; this will be the sixth GSL Championship that the Sheraton has hosted for us. .
Sheraton Room Rate:
As part of the Trustees’ work for the Finale, a special “GSL Rate” of $129.00 per night has been negotiated, plus room tax, at the Sheraton Salt Lake City Hotel.
You can make your reservations immediately by calling (888) 627-8152 and requesting the GSL rate for May 2023. It is essential that you use the phrase “GSL” and give the date of May 2023.
The reservations must be accompanied by a first night room deposit or guaranteed by a major credit card: the Sheraton will not hold any reservation unless an acceptable first-night deposit is made.
Reservation Cut-Off Date: Reservations by GSL attendees must be received on or before April 12, 2003. Reservations after that date are accepted only if the Sheraton decides to release additional rooms – GSL attendees are strongly encouraged to make their reservations as early as possible.
Here is additional information that you will need when you’re considering what day to arrive:
GSL Start Date: Thursday, May 4, 2023
GSL End Date: Sunday afternoon, May 7, 2023
Last Day to Book Reservations at Sheraton Hotel: Wednesday, April 12, 2023
We can tell you that more people, as of this Update (November 23, 2022), have registered for rooms than at any time previously, even 10 days before the actual previous Championship. The GSL Trustees heartily recommend that you make your reservations promptly.
Miscellaneous Hotel Information:
Check In and Check Out:
Complimentary late check-out (2:00 PM) on Sunday, May 7, 2023, for attendee rooms. Complimentary early check-in at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, unless Hotel occupancy exceeds 90% on Tuesday 2, 2023.
Shipping and Storage:
Complimentary storage for packages shipped in advance of conference. Price for receiving packages: first five (5) packages are complimentary, additional packages at $5.00 each. Crate charges not included. The Sheraton does not have storage space for crates, pallets, or large shipments. Any materials to be sent to Hotel may not arrive earlier than 2 business days prior to arrival. (Call the Hotel at 801.201.4000 to inquire after charges).
Food Discount for GSL Attendees:
Attendees will receive a 10% discount on food ordered in the in-hotel 5th Street Grill. Discount not applicable to alcoholic beverages. Proof of conference affiliation required to receive discount.
Publicity:
The GSL Trustees are grateful for the extraordinary efforts of Steve Roullier who maintains a mega-email list (governed by Mail Chimp) through which nearly 900 people have been kept generally update on GSL Finale details. Thanks, Steve, for your extraordinary effort!
Seminars and Other Activities at the GSL Finale!
We have several seminars and presentations scheduled for the Finale; checkout this stellar listing!’
1). Jeff Jones’ presentation on his construction of a 1:1 replica of Ed Roth’s iconic Mysterion (his clone is the only truly authentic 1:1 replica); Jeff will present a special seminar (“Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Mysterion”) on how he constructed his incredible 1/8 scale scratch-built model of Mysterion. Jeff cloned the real car in 1:1 scale and built what critics and enthusiasts agree alike is the greatest and most authentic of all clones of one of Ed Roth’s epochal designs. See the photos of his 1/8 scale Mysterion.
2). Master builder Mark D. Jones will fulfill a long-standing tradition by presenting a seminar on how he built his Best of Show model from 2019. His “Gulf” Left-Hand Drive Super Seven model is truly one of the great examples of sophisticated craftsmanship that has ever appeared in the GSL Championship. See the great pictures of his 2019 Best of Show winner.
3). The Lynx Project will showcase a 38-year effort that speculates on what Lincoln-Mercury history would have been like if the LM Division had designed and marketed an upscale version of the Ford Mustang. The Lynx Project is a almost a four-decade effort that has produced a breathtaking faux history backed by dozens of precise scale vehicle replicas and sophisticated dioramas from four of the hobby’s greatest dioramists.
Involving sixty of some of the best craftsmen in the hobby, the presentation of this Project (that will be covered in the hobby media, and in at least one major publication), will start Friday morning and run through Saturday mid-day: (To learn more about The Lynx Project, check out this website which will be shortly updated: Lynx Project participants hail from the United States, Canada, Finland and Turkey.
4). Importantly, there are plans underway to present a seminar on the history of GSL replete with photos, artifacts, ephemera and other details. We have uncovered a lot of “lost” artifacts from the history of the Championship that you can see and enjoy!
5). Of course, there will be a seminar on the collection at the International Model Car Builders’ Museum, and a tour of the Museum on Saturday afternoon. There have been some great developments in the Museum that you will learn about including the establishment of a Building Fund!
6). We hope to set up a display of some original Fisher Body Craftsman Guild models, along with other vintage artifacts from the history of the hobby since 1968.
7). Of course, the traditional Trade Show and the Museum-Benefit Auction on Saturday night will be presented. And there will be a very special Sunday morning awards presentation that will tie the entire Championship series together.
8). Additional features and events are still under development that will make the Finale especially meaningful and memorable. As these plans gel, we’ll make you aware of those events – you’ll enjoy the activities! There may be some surprises!
GSL Digital History
The GSL Championship is pleased to announce that dozens and dozens of video films of past GSL Seminars, Awards Presentations and other activities are now available here. The Championship and scale auto modelers everywhere express their thanks to the exceptional hard work of Steve Roullier and Dave Hadley for securing and uploading these videos..
GSL Library:
Please also visit the GSL Library to see videos and related presentations not available anywhere else.
GSL You Tube Channel:
Enter” GSL Championship” on YouTube and enjoy a number of videos, including a few from The Toy Man!
Championship Modeling Book – Free Download
In 2011, Mark S. Gustavson and Robert A. Wick published a major tome on championship modeling building: “How to Build Championship Scale Vehicles.” This long out-of- print book is now available as a free download.
Pay Attention To The Rules for Two Classes!
please check out the text, below, regarding the two special Classes at the GSL Finale: Group 22 and the Common Kit Class. Please carefully read those rules so that your model won’t be disqualified from the intended Class(es). .
Group 23:
This Class is intended to revive and celebrate vintage kits and building styles, and to celebrate the way models were built in the “good old days” by creating a low-key, fun and challenging forum for creative and enthusiastic building.
For GSL-XXVIII, the “Group” kit is the vintage AMT/Round2 1949 Ford. Entries may be built from any original or reissue of the Round 2/AMT kit, in any style, with the skills and craftsmanship you have today, but using only parts, materials and supplies available 35 years ago (1987 or earlier); note that you may use current putties, adhesives and paints . There are just three additional limitations: no one-off machined or photo-etched parts not fabricated entirely by the entrant; no aftermarket products not available in 1987 or earlier; and no resin bodies or resin body parts (regardless of who made these resin parts). Bare Metal Foil may be used.
Fourth through First Place Awards are selected by popular-vote ballot, and announced during the Awards Presentation on Sunday morning. No entry in this Class is eligible for any Master Award. A model entered in this Class may not also be entered in another Class, but a builder may enter any number of 1949 Ford models in this Class.
Common Kit:
The Common Kit for GSL-XXVIII is the Revell 1929 Ford Model A Roadster (kit #RMX854463). The intent of this Class is for each entrant to start with the same kit, then display their widest array of individual creativity, craftsmanship, building skills, and technical innovations. The entrant may build the entry in any style or vintage. Regardless, all entered models must be based upon the parts from this kit. Entrants may also: I) swap parts from any other kit(s); ii) use any aftermarket parts (except for complete aftermarket resin bodies); and iii) use any building materials, techniques or technologies without restriction. Here’s a picture of the kit which is, as of the end of March 2020, available widely in hobby stores and on line.
The GSL Trustees are pleased to refer here to model car journalist and noted builder Tim Boyd’s incredible Fotki photo array which includes a wide array of building tips for this model. Tim’s photos, and permission to reference his Fotki images, appear here with his express permission and endorsement.
Thanks for your support of the GSL Championship. The Finale will be the event for the Ages!