Event Coverage Charlotte Auto Fair

Anyone attending this year? It should be "interesting" to say the least. Last year there were a lot of empty spaces. The entire Blue field has been eliminated, so not sure how many got re-located to the grass. I'll be dropping anchor as usual in the Red field on Thursday.

 

We had been set up there for 35 years, then covid. Then they kept my five hundred dollars for spaces and I was pretty well done anyhow so they will get no more from me. There is a nice show this weekend in Denton. They have picked up a lot of vendors who quit Charlotte for the same reason. https://dentonfarmpark.com/2021-fall-carolina-pickers-antique-festival-swap-meet/

 

I've only been twice.Lots of clubs having problems with the site ownership-like Hershey having to change days because HersheyPark got greedier. Who kept the site deposits-AACA or the race track? Seems illegal.

 

They have since changed their policy with regards to canceling the event; doesn't change the past. No clue who kept the money.

 

With a lot of previous vendors not setting up at Charlotte this year, is the swap meet even worthwhile going to this year? Looking for HAMB friendly stuff, Model A parts, Early V8 and 1932 Ford, flathead speed parts. Any of this stuff still at this swap? Most of the swap meets here in Ontario Canada have become a complete waste of time, no early parts at all, just a lot of tools, junk and stuff you could buy in a store.

I was planning on going this year and was there before Covid. The swap meet was good back then with a good mix of parts that I was looking for. Is spring Charlotte still worthwhile to attend?

 

I can't say, I have not been to the spring or fall since covid. I have several friends who won't return due to the funds lost. But the parts are drying up everywhere here in NC.

 

Was a vendor last Spring; it was pretty thin where I was; I saw more than a handful of swap spots used for parking spots vs selling. I think all of my stuff was / is HAMB friendly, with the occasional oddball part thrown in. I did well, all things considered. I can't compare to the Fall event; I only do the Spring.

 

Not going this year, for the first time in a decade. Lots of reasons, but once I saw they gave half the swap meet over to RE ( some kind of drifting BS?)- that was the clincher.
I’ll wait for Spring Carlisle- a swap meet owned and operated by a guy who actually enjoys swap meets.

 

went last year and their was a lot of HAMB stuff their, But some big named venders were not, we did not see Ford barn, Holly, and some other. Will it be better or worse I don't know. I have heard and read that Covid and money have a lot of venders not coming back. We set up in the orange field and had a great weekend moved some stuff and found parts for the 58 panel. I think it's like a lot of other stuff it's going to rebound as time goes. Venders and looking to seal and builder and people in the hobby and going to meet and buy parts. There will all ways be someone with negative and positive comments. As for my self a bad swap meet still beats a day of work, Have wagon and tent ready, will see you their if you are their.

 

I went last year spring and fall (I live fairly close) of the 2 the spring is biggest but both seemed to have smaller vendor turn outs anymore. I'll go again this year; the car club displays and the AACA Spring Regional Meet (held in front of the speedway on the parking lot to the left (looking at Hwy 29) of the gift shop entrance. Both are worth the trip the flea market is a bonus. This year all of the car clubs will be on the front stretch of the speedway either in the grass or along the front stretch where the car corral used to be. The car corral will start around turn 1 and continue around the speedway. No more looking for car clubs up behind the grandstands.

 

Heading up from Florida zero dark thirty Wednesday morning. Will be with my buddy Cliff in the Orange Field against the back stretch fence next to the tunnel. Look for his big motor home. It's a nice upgrade from the Turkey Run swap where I usually sleep in my truck. I'll have some early Ford parts, even a little '32 stuff. Weather looks good except rain on Friday. Stop by and say howdy.

My neighbor just added to the parts pile. All sbc parts. Summit aluminum heads, complete 2x4 intake set up, another aluminum 2x4 intake, wiz bang electronic distributor, single 4 aluminum intake and carb, plus a few other pieces.

Lee

 

Hope it's great. Drive safely.

 

I'll be there on Saturday.

 

Come see me in the Red field. Plenty of tent space to dodge the rain.

 

We've had two good days. Great weather Thursday, today was supposed to be rain all day but we had on and off rain -mostly off. Actually sold quite a bit of my junk. Amazing what happens when you negotiate just a little on prices. Tomorrow's weather looks good and I've only spent $40 on stuff to take home. Win Win Win.

 

Just curious. What was the swap meet like now that the Blue field was taken back? Were the two fields out back filled? Pictures would be nice!

 

It was better than last fall, But the vendor turnout was way down from past spring shows. Didn't see hardly any of the new parts vendors, and Far t0o much time spent walking past empty spots. I've been to every one of them for the last 27 years, and I think this may be my last visit. Carlisle isn't a whole farther for me to drive and they haven't screwed that event up.

 

any pics?

 

Thanks. I felt a bit odd not going to Charlotte, but it’s been going in the wrong direction for the last 6-8 years; and the hotel rates just keep going up. Instead, I drove 2 hours to the swap meet at the Classic AutoMall in Morgantown, PA. I was in and out in 2 hours and bought some nice stuff. Heard a lot of chit chat about Carlisle coming up this week. Apparently the vendor spaces there are approaching a sellout; and the good weather forecast sets things up for a good event.

 

I wish I hadn't used my off time this weekend, because I would be headed up for Carlisle.

 

Ive been every year since probably 1997 . However when I went last Spring I was so disappointed in the lack of vendors and good parts across the board I told myself that unless someone dragged me there this Spring I probably wouldn't go and I didn't. I hate to be that guy who says ,"back in the olden days it was better" but I find myself saying that more and more everyday.

 

The Blue filed was gone and yes their was a lot of empty spots. But it was better than a day of work, I found some good deals still, I've hear and read all the talk about how their are less people and vendors, but to every one that said they did not go because of changes, well they help make the changes and if you don't go that is more empty spot for every one to talk about. I do not like change no more than any one else but we are also the ones that make changes are self. With that said I will still go unit there isn't any one else there. No place else to look for old parts and talk to people I do see very often. Well maybe we all can get on Face book market place or some other on line spot and sell and shop for parts.

 

There was a lot of foot traffic, and people were spending money. I would guess that there were just as many empty spots as there were spots used strictly for parking. I don't get to wander around much during the day (didn't even get to take any pic's) but I will say that the Red field was pretty much a ghost town by the end of Saturday.

 

It was a good weekend, even with the Friday rain. My buddy Cliff and I both did well selling off our treasures. Then there was the 10.5 hour drive home yesterday. This is the only picture I took, Cliff's spaces. That's my junk on the left.

 

So resurrecting an old thread but planning on going to Charlotte swap meet this coming week, haven’t been but once in 2004. Made most spring and fall Carlisle meets since the very early 80’s.
Motivation is that I have recently acquired my first prewar car and aiming to get it on the road this summer (spring?) . Right now my plan iz to leave western PA early Thursday morning, that afternoon and Friday at Charlotte. Continuing on toward Atlanta to visit family either Friday or Saturday afternoon depending on what I see / find. Probably Friday.
Thoughts? What has been your experience at Charlotte recently? I see and hear a lot of “it’s not what it used to be”. Comments on which days?
Looking primarily for thirties thru fifties vintage stuff. Also desperately need upper windshield stanchions for a 1930 Pontiac open car. Hoping to rub elbows with some of the AACA folks there who are into Pontiacs in case someone knows someone.
Thanks!
Al

 

Gents, thought I’d try bumping this thread. Not sure if there was a lack of interest / participation in this event or it got lost due to activity on a holiday weekend? Possibly I shoulda started a new thread? Comments on how I might have managed the question are welcome.
New guy!

 

Since i'm the OP... I'll be there (as per usual) in the low-rent district Red Field GR 14/15. Last year was so-so. I did well, but there were a lot of empty spots and more that were purchased for parking vs. used by an actual vendor. I only attend the Spring, so can't speak on the Fall event. There's a lot of rumors and facts with regards to Auto Fair as a whole - opinions will vary, but facts are facts. covid (and what they did with people's money) turned a lot of people off, with some big players vowing to never return. That, and the elimination of an entire field in the infield didn't help. It's a 2 hour ride for me, so I go to spend the weekend and see some old friends and make some pocket coin. I usually drop anchor on Thu. mid-day. Stop by for a cold one!

 

Hey Timchek, I was just checking for Charlotte swap threads and saw you brought this one back up. I just came in from loading some heavy early Ford quality parts in my truck with the help of my son. Will finish loading tomorrow and hit the road at 0-dark-30 Wednesday. That motothome picture 4 or 5 posts above is us. My buddy Cliff's bus and Swap spaces. I be living in high cotton for the weekend on the couch. His spaces are in the Orange field up against the back stretch fence and the tunnel fence. I forget the space numbers but it's around XX0- 24-25, between the tunnel and the new back stretch chicane. It's hard to miss the bus. Stop by and rest your bones for a few.

Lee

 

Hi Grandadio, thanks the feedback. So it looks like now I’ll start my drive now on weds, get close to Concord and have a full day on Thurs and most of the day on Friday. I’m gonna make an attempt to look you up while I’m there. Looks like the weather’s gonna b good. Lookin forward to it.
Al