A Scranton man who develops as much energy as a Stutz Bearcat engine has parlayed his personal bobby into a far-flung business, known well in Honolulu, Alaska or Florida as it is in its own home town.

The man is A. J. (Tony) Kovele'ki. The business is the production of miniature antique automobiles, a building hobby that has caught the fickle fancy of model-makers all over the United States.

Tony Koveleski was born and raised in nearby Kingston where,
when he was a youngster, relatives and neighbors despared of him because, as they put it, he was always "fooling around with crazy hobbies-making airplanes and aII that sort of thing."

A few years later, when young Koveleski graduated temporarily from model airplanes to the real thing, he occasionally buzzed the neighborhood, which led one unbeliever to remark: "See, I told you that Koveleski wouIdn't amount to anything. That's him flying that airplane."

Suddenly, with an almost ironic twist in direction, young Koveleski opened a grocery store in Moosic - a far cry from airplanes, and model hobbies. But the urge for buiIding apparently never was to be put down. As a sideline, Kovelesk! sold model airplanes and other hobby crafts that were popular in those days. Gradually the oranges, potatoes. and canned goods began to make way for model engines, trains and airplanes. Finally, the groceries gave way altogether.

In 1941, Koveleski put all his model materials together and moved-"lock, stock, and barrel" - to Linden St. in Scranton, only around the corner from the present Adams Ave. site of his Scranton Hobby Center.

Meanwhile, the Koveleski urge to build, collect and store mechanical things was running full blast, impelled by the driving energy that even today makes Tony" Koveleski a human dynamo, hopping from Scranton to Chicago, Florida, Philadelphia, Washington, D. C., New York City, to hobby shows, then to a multitude of nearby and faraway towns in search of-genuine, full-size antique-automobiles.

Koveleski is the beaming owner of a brilliant yellow Stutz Bearcat, which during 1951, he drove to Chicago to attend a modelers convention. He also has a "good old-days" Model T Ford and an imposing personal collection of fantastic carbide lamps, bulb-type horns and myriad other items used in the roaring days when an automobile delighted one-half the population and frightened the other halt out of its wits.

Four years ago, his energy still pouring forth with all the power of a Stutz Bearcat engine, Koveleski began to mass-produce his Hudson miniatures - brilliant, exact, scale-model replicas of ancient automobiles. They are produced In kits, the products to be finished by the model maker.

From his plant at 626 Race St., in the Green Ridge section, 17 workers produce 16 various models in kit form. They include models of the old Columbia Electric, a "ladies favorite" in its day; the Mercer Rnceabout, a rugged, speedster equipped with a sideseat such as is commonly found
on a motorcycle; the International Harvester, a rarity, since few people know this company ever made an automobile; the Oldsmobile, immortalized by Gus Edwards' song, "In My Merry Oldsmobile," in 1905. And there are many others.

Last year, Koveleski presented a full display of all 16 models to the famed Smithsonian Institute at Washington, D. C., the country's foremost historic museum. They are on permanent display therean ingenious and colorful record of the early automotive history of the United States.

On Feb. 16, a similar display was presented to the Franklin Institute of Mechanical Arts in Philadelphia. Museum curators are especially drawn to the Hudson miniatures because they are so exacting-and perfect in detail. They almost fill the bill where it would require far too much space to display the actual fuII-size automobiles.

The average Scrantonian probably never has been aware when walking into the Hobby Center that a bee-hive of activity is below. There are at least 15 workers on a lower floor engaging in the packaging and mailing of a huge wholesale business, in addition to over-the-counter retailing and repairing - and, of course, the dispensing of free advice to model makers who flood into the establishment wtih this or that problem of construction.

In all, some 30 people are employed in the combined Hobby Center and Hudson Minatures operations.

"They work with me, rather than for me," Koveleski explains "This is the kind of operation where the people like what they are doing and where they share in the creation."

A survey has shown that 80 percent of the consumers of the miniature automobile kits are adults. Why? *

Koveleski believes the reason is that the tired businessman, the professionai man and others find relaxation, education and recreation in model making.

No special skills, according to Koveleski, are required in the construction of the miniature autos from the Hudson kits. "Taking things one step at a time is the answer," he says.

Nor are special and expensive tools necessary. An investment of $1 will buy more than enough tools to build the miniatures. These tools are a single investment, made only once, and can be used indefinitely.

Koveleski believes that every mature person "is born with a desire to create materials with his hands." Today, that urge to create has become a $50 million manufacturing business in the United States.

Koveleski is one of the principal operators in that big business. He puts it this way: "I live for my hobby, and my hobby is my living."

He credits his staff with supplying the extra drive needed-especially Doris Hudson, general manager, and Carmin Castellano, Hudson Miniatures plan manager, designer and production supervisor.