If you can get there do it. This is the biggest swap of the year in Cali. Last weekend of this month. Start on Friday.
Don't forget beer and booze. The weather will be awesome. I will be there again, lots of socializing.
woo hoo just spoke to my good pals Adam and Bill to fine tune the BBQ plans for Saturday night and now I'm excited.... I get in Thursday at 8PM so I'll be there bright and early Friday morning and get to drive Bill's pristine 57 in since he'll be at the helm of the motor home. Oh yeah, and my dad is coming too all the way from Joplin, MO. How about that? Can't wait to see my SD brothers and sisters AND I have a new project to scrounge for bargains for, not to mention, BenD waiting in the wings to haul it all back east. Life is good... There's going to be more Good Times than JJ Walker could shake a stick at..... Just look for the big bald guy with the ear-to-ear grin in space ED 21 and I'll buy you a beer.....
I'm on the starting blocks, gonna air up the tires in the swap meet wagon in the morning and head out Friday. I'm hoping that the 'economic downturn', spelled R-E-C-E-S-S-I-O-N, is going to get serial hoarders to bring stuff out into daylight for the first time in 20 years. I am planning on bailing out a few sellers by acquiring 100% equity in their hidden treasures at depressed market prices.
Don' mean to hijack the post.... but if any one ends up not being able to make SD... come join use for at Lake Castaic. See my signature for details.
Just got back from 12 hours of "swapping"........ Just a REMINDER - be sure to thank the old timer that you bought your parts from. He took the time to drag his stuff out so you could buy it. Some of these guys served in WWII and may not live much longer. I heard from some AACA club members that next years Big 3 will be the last.... too many of the 3 club's members are getting too old and have lost interest....too many lawsuits caused by idiots in the past have made the swap meet become something different today. They are really enforcing the rules and not letting people in till they open the gates. It's a good swap meet this year, plenty of deals to be had, get down there and enjoy the next 2 days.........
I was there all day too - they let me weasel my way in at 11.00am - an hour before the official gate opening. Didn't really see any difference from previous years - attendance is good although I am expecting to see a few empty spaces fill up tomorrow, prices are not really down yet. I am going back tomorrow - worth a second look.
Just got back. Interestingly enough, for the first time in a long time, cars and parts are priced to sell instead of to keep. Lots of empty spaces..surprised at the number of people that took the trolley. I did and saved $7.50 on stadium and walked right into the meet.
After two days I agree that prices are generally a little softer, but premium items such as real magnesium wheels, open '32-'34 Fords, 3 W coupes are still at a premium and firm and I guess the small S.C.O.T blower at $7500 did not find a new home. I didn't think vendor attendance was off more than maybe 5-10% from last year. Gas prices being lower may have helped more people make the long distance trip. I made a couple of acquisitions from out of state sellers.
I had a blast was there for bout 7 hours... a lot of very nice priced cars.. of course when I dont have the cash!
Spent both Friday and today out there. Found a pair of '40 Ford pickup rear fenders that I have been looking for. Not much fat fender stuff, lots of Model A.
i was there all day saturday. saw a lot of cool stuff. picked up some gauges and extra grill teeth for cheap!
I went on friday. I was there from noon til 4:30 and I didn't find any parts I needed. But I did score a Craftsman belt/disc sander like new for 40 bucks. So I guess it wasn't a total loss.
Just wanted to p*** along something a friend mentioned, don't know how valid it is, but he's reliable. They changed the rules again! The sellers can't leave until after 5PM! This may sound good to buyers, since they will get to see everything even if they sleep off that hangover, but it messes up the vendors and creates a huge traffic jam at 5. Every change seems to create more jam ups. First the parking fees, then the late gate opening, now this.
I have been going there for many years. Big fire and tri-tip. NM26 is my space and right under D-4 on the light pole. I wish I had seen this thread. I would have bought you all beers! I will be there in 2010!!!!!!! Already paid! It is a huge social event with a better variety of stuff than Pomona with much fewer professional store front venders. Prices are always better and you find better antiques. Not so much hi-po stuff as Long Beach. We party long after they shut off the lights. Read the rules and plan ahead. It is very manageable. Stupid mishaps have made some seemingly absurd rules, but you can deal with it if you know the details. I witnessed the stupidity first hand, so it seems necessary to the management. The rules are pretty-much insurance company mandates.........if it weren't for these consessions, the big three would have been ended a few years ago.
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