What's everyone's favorite swap meet to attend and when are they? I usually try to hit the Greenfield, IA swap next weekend, Peoria, IL in January and Cedar Rapids both spring and fall. What's your favorites and the dates to be there? Thanks, SPark
Charlotte NC(Lowe's motor speedway) first of April......(only cause I haven't done Hershey...yet) Favorite used to be Pate TX when it was out on the farm...
I go to the Portland OR one in the Spring. Pomona CA(every other month) and Long Beach CA (monthly) are still my favorites...
Pe*** Jean Mountain Morrillton, Ar. Spring Swap Meet on Fathers Day Week End Fall Swap Meet in September
Long Beach swap (only because I live across the street from it) and the one at the LA Roadsters show. The Pomona swap is great if you are looking for Chevy parts.
Amherst NH always good, seldom find what I'm really looking for at the time but usually find a good deal on something I will be needing and using later. April and Oct usually the best but all worthwhile when I can make them. Thompson CT in early Nov has also been very worthwhile, lot of hard core race stuff, shop equipment, tools, etc. Lot of good used USA stuff available [my preference] as well as the usual global offerings. Ed
G'day, Went to the Pomona swap meet last August. Spent the day and didn't see all of it. Bought a turbo 475 there and the seller tore it down so I could pack the pieces in my luggage to fly home. Still wonder what TSA thought of it. ms
I always enjoy the Springfield MO swap you never know what you will see. I've not made it to any of the really big swaps like Hershey but its on the list of things I gotta do. Grumpy I've heard Pe*** Jean mtn swap is incredible . They say people pull stuff out you would swear was all long gone!
I agree with RidgeRunner that Thompson Raceway, first weekend in November, is a good one to find stuff. Long walk to do the whole thing twice. Other one that is great is the Early V8 Club swap meet at Fitchburg Airport in April. This is an ice breaker and tons of cars come out and line the taxiways. So great car show and good swap meet. Of course the evilbay has changed swapmeets in New England and I expect everywhere. It is harder to find vintage speed equipment and the like and when you do the vendors ask California prices, having scoped out sales on the net. But you always meet guys you haven't seen in a long while, get a lot of exercise which at my age is good, and you never know, you might just get a real score! Like the Silver Springs, PA meet (now gone, land sold) where I found a real quarter midget steering wheel for 50 cents and a McCollugh go kart engine with aftermarket parts for $10. That was a great swapmeet, no charge to lookers, very performance oriented as it was a lot of sprint car guys, but lotsa fun.
I do my best to make Greenfield every year also. I go to spring and fall Des Moines since I'm close - unfortunately DM seems to be very hit and miss. I enjoy Cedar Rapids even though it seems to be cold and wet every time I go and also pretty hit and miss IMO. I made Iola, WI for the first time this year(I'm about 8 hours away) and it was definately worth it. My Dad and I stayed up there so we could have 2 nearly full days and it still was not enough time... I'll definately be back. P.S. saw the Futureliner at Iola and WOW... anyone who has a chance should definately check that thing out.
If ya never been to the Pe*** Jean swap you owe it to yourself to go! It has fallen off the last couple years but still worth going to. Fall swap meet is less than three weeks away, Sept. 22nd-25th...
In Ontario Canada it has ti be Waterdown, lots of early Ford stuff and no foreign exchange students selling recycled undergarments.
Greenfield, Iowa next weekend is always good. This is one of those swap meets that always seem to have a few surprises. Its one of those meets you will find that thing you never knew you couldnt live without!
Iola's the biggest one I've been too. The Pantowners show in St Cloud, Mn in pretty good for a medium sized show.
The only one even close to me is in Wichita the beginning of Feb. I never hear about any others remotely close.
Well here on the East coast Carsile, Pa. has some really good shows and swap meets but if you can only make it to one , Hershey is the best by far . I will have my walking shoes on for early OCT ! It's worth the trip but make sure you stay for the whole time it's open . You can't see it all in 2 or 3 days either ! Just to see the cars for sale is something to see . Free to get in but you have to pay to park . Retro Jim
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