Some of you who do not "do Facebook" and have not kept up with the LASCM page there (www.facebook.com/losangelesslotcarmuseum) must have wondered what ever happened to that promised museum in Los Angeles, a project began in 2006! Well, it turned into the most complex, crazy, insane and fantastic endeavor, and is now so close to be at last, completed.
What happened is that the new building, that literally replaced a hill on the side of a posh street in a rather expensive part of the city, had to be connected to a house that is located towards the top of that hill, requiring putting that house on stilts while 4 new floors were dug and built, one at a time... under it, the two lower floors connecting with the new building. Yes, a bit crazy.
This museum is a big "man cave" with a collection of two dozen full-size vintage sports and racing cars, racing motorcycles, vintage go-karts, skateboards, bicycles... and what is likely the largest collection of American and American inspired slot cars and related parts in the world. Very different in its purpose than Bernard Sampson's very eclectic museum, there will be very few "toy slot cars" on display, as most of the collection is focused to cars and kits used at commercial raceways from 1960 through 1970, with some older and younger models in minority.
The museum display room for the slot cars and plastic model kits dealer displays is located on the third floor from the bottom of that monument, and has now been fitted with its flooring and its electronically lighted glass shelves on which a stainless steel lip reflects light on the displayed item without blinding visitors.
It is an extraordinary project, I cannot even begin telling you the cost of all that, but it goes like this: "if you have a million-dollar collection, you need a million-dollar setup to display it.
Add pocket change for the actual displays! 
So I enclose a few pictures of the 1500 sq/ft room, and just a couple days ago, we had to"park" some of the items that were inside temporary glass cases inside the new building. This is also temporary of course as we are now going to complete the installation of the glass, especially around the four large concrete columns supporting the house (!!!) and finish details such as the access stairs etc.
Once all this is done, we are going to do the final installation, the top will have original artwork all relating to slot cars, while the shelves will be filled with items by groups that will make a visit as rational as can be.
Still another 2 months of work in my opinion, maybe more...
One of our first visiting guests will be familiar to many of you, as George Kimber will drop by in October.
Lighting is indirect and all done with LED ribbons hiding behind the polished stainless-steel shelf fascia.
Since it is on private land, it cannot be a "public museum" and visits will have to be arranged by appointment. The LASCM website will have all the instructions once everything is ready. Hopefully some of you will be able to make the trip, and for the others, the website will be expanded to the point when some day in the future, the entire collection will be visible online too.
