Neil Van Zile, Jr.

Email: neil@zile.com

 

Nickname: "Zile", "Nitro Neil", "Mr. Attitude", and a couple that my wife gave me that I am not going to share with you.
 

How long have you been building models? Since I was five years old. My first model was a 1/72nd scale Red Baron Fokker Triplane. I couldn't read, but I could follow the pictures on the instruction sheet.
 

How long have you been a member of MassCar? I am the founder. Since October 1988.
 

What do you usually build? Cars, racing planes and figures.
 

Where do you usually build? At my modeling bench in the cellar.
 

How many built models do you have? 20

Do you ever take built models and run them around on the table or floor making "Vroom, vroom" noises? Not the cars, but I do take the planes and fly them around the room making "zoom" noises, and I take my monster figures and make "grrrrr" noises.

How many unbuilt models do you have? 100 or so. I used to have over 800.
 

What are your favourite 3 models you have built? Frankenstein (when I was a kid), Fiat Altered, Gee Bee air racer.
 

Have you ever won an award for building a model? Yes, many.

Are you bitter about it? No, want to see them?
 

Did you take your medication today?  Yes.

What do you drive now? My wife's car.

Are you bitter about it? Yes.

Are you saving your pennies for something fun to drive? I don't have any extra pennies. I was hoping the club might take up a
collection...

With an unlimited budget, what 10 full size cars would you have in your
garage? 1997 or newer Corvette, 2000 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, 1970-1972 Camaro, 1969 Chevelle, Ferrari 250 GT, 1957 BMW 507, 2001 Volvo V70 XC, 2001 Subaru WRX, 1937 Chevrolet Street Rod w/ A/C and a good stereo, a beater pickup truck to take stuff to the dump.

What (if any) person (living or dead) in the 1:1 automotive world would
you like to meet? I have already met most of them - Don Garlits, Shirley Muldowney, Ed Roth. The one that I have not met that I would like to is Mark Martin.

Do you go to car shows? Yes, but not in a long time.

Do you go because Tony makes you? No one MAKES me do anything expect my wife.

What are your favorite car shows and why? The Old-timers Meet, it is very laid back, and the public doesn't go to that show because it is on a work day.

Do you have kids? No.

Essay question: What else should you tell us?
What SHOULD I tell you? That's a tough one. There are many things that I SHOULD tell you, but I am not going to. All I can say is that God
doesn't always give me everything that I want, but he does give me everything I need, and Thank God he doesn't give me what I deserve!

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