This is part two of a series of pictures and notes that I sent to Nancy Kelly who is working on documenting early hobby history.
In the early 1970s, customized models began turning up in photo shows. They often blew the competition away. Kathy Maestas did a booklet that she sold to hobbyists about customizing and showing. She was considered a top notch customizer as were Linda Leach (Hardy) and Sherri Cook. Prices for customs were about $25 and they usually came with a set of show pictures.
For $12 (a high price back then!) I was barely able to afford a customized Hartland by Sherri Cook, Pace's Hi Hopes.
That piece won ribbon after ribbon, championship after championship. Now, he's not competitive at all, but he most definitely is a valued piece of hobby history as one of the earliest examples of customizing that has survived over time.
(Stay tuned - there are five more parts to come!)
