Event Coverage Fall Jefferson WI swap meet -worth a visit?

Haven't done a US event as yet this year, and would like to try something different from the Fall Hershey/Carlisle shows. I happened across the fall Jefferson Show 22-24 September and wondered whether you guys could comment on what it's like, especially for used trad parts. Any other fall car shows you could recommend would be great too.

Thanks in anticipation for any replies.

 

Iola in July is way better and bigger for Wisconsin swaps.....and probably the best swap in all of the Midwest. Jefferson is to me, more of a scrap meet.

 

The Jefferson swap has changed over the years and now resembles a big yard sale with some auto parts.

 

It's ok if you are looking for snow blowers and four wheeler rims


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You just talked me out of going!

 

ah, I can't say that I totally agree. Yes, it has changed. Lots of junk for sale now, car corral has diminished. But there is still some great stuff to be found. The comment comparing it to Iola is not correct. Just ask those that went to Iola this year. It is also a good social event. If you decide to visit, please look me up.

 

I go every year. The spring show is better than the fall show for parts. I always find something i cant seem to find any were else you just have to look through all the junk to find it. I think carlisle is the best swap meet in the country. Its huge without all the junk.

 

Sometimes you find a little gold nugget, sometimes you find that one thing you have been looking for for years, and sometimes you find nothing. You can get all 4 seasons (spring, summer, fall, and winter) on the same weekend.

Have some good shoes/boots. Bring something to drink as you walk. Bring a backpack to carry the small stuff you need or will find. If your interest is in cars, look at them first, if your looking for parts, look for them first. Don't miss the chance to use a port-a-pot if there isn't a line, and have a Kent's Big Bar while they are still around. Gene

 

I went to both the Spring Jefferson and the July Iola. At Jefferson, I saw a lot of yard sale junk and a few late model parts. I bought a Mexican blanket, and left after a couple hours. At Iola, there were traditional hotrod parts everywhere. I found a bunch of parts for the project, including some that I have been looking for and didn't think I would ever find. Walked for 6 hours, didn't see the same booth twice.

 

If you are going be in the area, check out the Iron Invasion show in Woodstock, IL in early October. Worth the drive.

 

Good swap meets are defined by whether you find what you need at a good price. You won't know unless you go. Stuff has diminished and it seems to be more unrelated stuff for sale, but for me it's about the contacts and dealings with people of what might not be at the show.

 

Thanks to all for the useful replies -Re. the Iola show; I have been twice in the past, and have really enjoyed it as well as having bought some stuff that was too big to count as carry-on baggage on my flight home

This complete 350 four bolt "High Nickel" motor was very reasonably priced at Iola on the last day.

I will keep the Iron invasion in mind as well as the Jefferson show. Ideally, two big shows on consecutive weekends would be great. Have usually done that with fall Carlisle and Hershey, but would really like to try something different this year.

 

First time I've seen a small block Chevy in a Subaru!

 

Vendored for 16 years both Spring and Fall. Have not for a few years now.
Any swap with that many spaces should be gone to. The chances of finding good parts....or what are good parts to you increase with volume of sellers.
Those of us who attended either as sellers or buyers tend to notice downhill spiral of car parts and remember the pre-internet glory days of Jefferson but though the eyes of a first timer there may be treasures everywhere.
Visit and sort through the rubbish.There could very well be gold nuggets buried there.
Times 2 on the Big Bar. A must have even if it's 20 degrees and snowing.

 

I've been doing Jefferson for many years, usually spring but sometimes fall, and sometimes both.
Even if I don't find anything, walking with my son & now with my grandson among car parts is still better then doing whatever my wife would find for me to do. Sometimes its the right junk we are actually looking for...Gene

 

Jefferson has become the midwest's largest snowmobile & lawnmower swap meet

 

but ya never know till ya go. yah, lots of shit, but i always seem to get something cool for cheap. I won't miss it

 

Nowadays, you just have to look a little bit harder to find stuff. If a fender of a certain car sparks your interest, odds are the rest of the parts for it are somewhere else in the space. People just throw boxes everywhere and don't keep it grouped together. Sometimes, it's worth digging around to find something.
One of my favorite swaps was Greyslake. That still going on? if so, worth going.

 

Grayslake died a slow agonizing death. They have tried to revive Woodstock and supposedly it has replaced Grayslake. Skip is gone. So are the shows

 

Thanks again. I've got the flights booked for this show now, so I'm hoping it's not all Snowblowers etc. when I do get to Jefferson. If all else fails, at least I will get to try a Kent's big bar ice cream!

One question for any HAMBers local to the Milwaukee/Madison areas, Are there any boneyard/scrapyard type places around and about where I might find a set of 216/235 Stovebolt rockers? I don't fly back till the Tuesday following the show, so will have some spare time if I'm out of luck at Jefferson.

 

I used to go to the Skip's swap meets out there all of the time. I think I stopped going out there in the early 2000's. It was a good time. I never made it out to Woodstock though.

 

Jack's Auto Ranch is nearby. They vend at the Swap Meet. Send me a PM with what you seek and I will relay the message

 

I was going to suggest Jack's Auto Ranch too but Bobwop beat me to it.

 

I hope you look me up. Send me a PM and we can exchange contact information. I can help you get in touch with Doug and Jack at the Auto Ranch. I would be glad to assist while you are in the area.

 

It was great to meet Stueee today! And wonderful to see Verno30. As usual

 

Went today, I thought this was the best Jefferson in a very long time. I didn't take many photos, so here's the few I took...


Finally some cool Stewart Warner gauges to be had.










Here's my loot....


2 5/8" Stewart Warner smooth bezel curved glass crescent needle.




It was a good day.

 

It was great to meet up, so far, it has been a proper social event as well as a swap meet. But I'd really like to record on here my sincere thanks to Bobwop for taking delivery of a set of pistons for my current Chevy 4 banger project, and for getting me a Stovebolt rocker set which will also find their way into build of the same motor.

Only snap I've taken so far in the car corral was of this early Dodge six.



According to the ticket on the car, it runs and drives.

 

Thanks for pics

 

I was there Saturday. I would say probably one of the best in a long time! A lot of cool shit.
I actually found what I was looking for and saw more of what I didn't expect. If I only made a list...tempted to go back today, but I'm toast from walking around in the heat for 7 hours yesterday. Yeah, I'm getting old.
A couple of crappy phone pics:

^^Pretty cool and complete.

^^Nice, good for man cave or Gearhead living room.

 

It was hot, at least for an old guy.

Put in about six hours Friday, but crapped out after two hours on Saturday.

Got an oak cab rail / mount kit for the '36 for a fair price. Maybe that'll re activate that project.