"Mike Zarnock at the 2009 Die Cast Space Super Convention in Las Vegas.
The coolest part is that I get to meet people that I never actually thought that I would ever get to meet.
As a kid growing up in central New York, I only saw these people through TV or in magazines.
I idolized them and their creations and dreamed of maybe someday seeing their creations in person,
let alone meeting them and having them as friends that I could call on the phone and talk to....
On this page are some of those friends that I got to meet at the Diecast Space Super Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.
How cool is this? Here I am with George Barris!
Sitting next to him talking with him about all those great cars I grew up watching on TV....
Luis Tanahara, Chris Zarnock, Mike Zarnock, George Barris
George Barris
Autographed photo of the Batmobile!
You know this baby is hanging on my wall....
Check out all the Barris Kustom Kars at www.barris.com
I got to meet and hang out with Tom Daniel, another one of my all time favorite car designers!
I got Tom to autograph the 1970 Hot Wheels Annual.
Below is a good shot of it.
Mike signing a book to Tom Daniel
If you didn't already know, Tom is the man that designed the Hot Wheels Red Baron, Paddy Wagon, Sand Crab, Ice "T" and The S'Cool Bus!
He also did about 80 other different cars that were done as Monogram Model Kits.
Check out all of Tom Daniel's creations at www.TomDaniel.com
I got to see my good friend Carson Lev again!
I meet Carson when he was in charge of Hot Wheels design at Mattel.
He is the man responsible for making the Twin Mill and Deora II coming to life!
He is now VP of Foose Design (Chip Foose) and owner of Redphin Productions.
Jeff Glasson, Carson Lev, Mike Zarnock
Carson Lev getting his award to the Die Cast Hall of Fame.
Here is one of "Mr Hot Wheels" Larry Wood and me.
Another of Larry talking at dinner.
Larry has been a designer with Hot Wheels since 1969 and is responsible for countless Hot Wheels castings!
Larry Wood, Bob Parker and Mike Zarnock talking Hot Wheels!
Can't have a convention without a photo of Mike Zarnock and Bob Parker!
Hot Wheels Author Bob Parker and I had to work off our Coffee and Doughnut debt at the Super Convention!
Bob Parker receiving his award to the Die Cast Hall of Fame.
Bruce Pascal and I together at dinner. Check out Bruce's Hot Wheels necktie!
Bruce and I signing posters for the Super Convention.
Bruce is the owner of the $72,000.00 Pink Rear Loading Hot Wheels Beach Bomb.
"Big Lou" Tanahara getting his award to the Die Cast Hall of Fame.
Mike and Dennis "Lil Daddy" Roth (son of Ed "Big Daddy" Roth)
Very cool guy!
No, Dennis "Lil Daddy" Roth is not describing at girl he met....
He's telling Mike a story about Von Dutch coming over to their house and hanging with his dad Big Daddy.
Dennis drawing on a "Zarnock" T-shirt for Cody Zarnock
Dennis with Die Cast Audio's Jeff Glasson
Check out Dennis Roth's site "Who's Yer Daddy"
SIGN MY GUESTBOOK!
Watch some Hot Wheels Commercials from 1969 to the 1980s