Event Coverage Portland Auto Swap Meet 2024

We’re digging our new location in the 6000 section. You were right @Spooky, seems like a good area. Cool neighbors, and our old friends from our long-time previous spot are just a stone’s throw away. Had one big wind gust, but fortunately we know to anchor the canopies immediately, not wait for closing. A neighbor didn’t: he just managed to catch his canopy before it launched, but it was pretty damaged. Tomorrow is supposed to have gusts to 20 mph around mid-day. Us old-timers remember the year of a midnight storm that sent a lot of canopies flying while we slept. Vendors arrived to a lot of damage to some nice cars, broken parts, etc.

Heading over soon to open things up. Will try to post some picks when things slow down (too busy yesterday; I brought too much crap to deal with… er, I mean reasonably priced quality merchandise )

Sorry we won’t see you @41 GMC K-18, but there’s always Monroe. That’s the one drawback of the racetrack—it’s a long route, and once you reach the point-of-no-return, you are committed to a hike. Expo is a dense cluster, so you’re never too far from an exit/transportation. Of course, “cluster” is a word that has other meanings that sometime apply to Expo as well, but I digress…

 

Judging from what the boss drug home, there are a lot of goodies to be found this year-

 

I have one really bad knee, and two bad feet. At 74 I've spent too many years abusing my body so walking PIR or Expo isn't in me anymore. I began taking my mountain bike with a granny cart tied to the rack behind me years ago. It not only allows me to do the whole swap meet, but allows me to do it quicker. There are a number of places where I just sit on the seat and push myself slowly with my toes until I see something interesting to get off and investigate. But there's also large stretches I can pedal past to get to the next area, and not have to walk those extra steps.
I've looked at those 3 wheelers seriously, but not sure if they'd fit into the back of my '69 Suburban, or leave enough space for parts I buy? I think I'd have to buy one of those slide in hitch platforms to either carry the 3 wheeler, or parts?

 

I went to the Reno Swap Meet in the early eighties, apparently there had been heavy winds during the night, when we got there it looked like a war zone, pop up canopies, lightweight objects, and ANYTHING made of paper or cardboard were strewn everywhere.
I think those vendors learned something from that experience.

 

This sweet Mercury drove into the booth next to us last night. Nice buy at 5,800. Getting lots of attention.

 

So cool @ClarkH
That mercury meteor has a lot of potential.
I hope someone can see that as well, and give it a new home!
You can tell its cold down there as the people are bundled up!
Thanks for posting that photo.
Thanks from Dennis.

 

Hello,

It might be cold up there in the PNW, as it should, since it is much closer to the North Pole and the “COLD.” But, we in So Cal are just getting the last bit of cold rain. The whole Westcoast is going to get a reprieve for a week or so before the next big one arrives. So, the weather will hold up this week and into the weekend. NICE!

So, where to those nice Meteor sedans go? Well, I saw one in So Cal and talked to the owner for a bit.

I found out that it has its 2nd 289 OHV in this Canadian version of a 1962 Mercury Meteor model. The Meteor has been owned since 1991. It was purchased originally for his daughter as a daily driver. But in time, the owner has used it as his vintage surf car. Including a nice looking twin fin cruiser surfboard for the So Cal waves.

Jnaki

That for sale Meteor looks to be in great shape, so it might be a good source. YRMV

Plus, it is a two door and just ripe for a slight non-stock look. A slight rake, new wheels, etc. At 44k miles, it is just a teenager. As it goes for most, they are reliable, but are in need of constant guidance to do the right thing in this road ahead. (pun intended) YRMV

Nice find!

 

That is a great deal at just under $6k. Wouldn't be fast, but would make a great cruiser without a ton of expensive body and paint work.

 

Good candidate for a "sleeper" build!

 

Not going this year. I should swap my parts . Should of had my ‘48 F1 done , but nooooo. So a guy has a truck up for sale at Portland, told him if it doesn’t sale give me a shout .

 

I worked upper Swap again- Parts pickup area. The open stalls were 'paid for' No shows. Smaller this year- like 25 yrs ago with the parking lot open to, the public. Muscle car parts dominated. You had to hunt the old V8 fellows. Friday good weather. Still OK. Found top irons for my '32 phaeton !! Newc

 

I didn’t know you have a 32 phaeton, let’s
see some pictures of it? Thursday at the track and Friday at the Expo and this is the junk I gathered up. Saw a lot of friends and had a great time.

 

Hey Uncle Buck, how much for that Mullins Hub cap?
Sam

 

I a m s o o o o t i r e d
I turned a tidy profit and cleaned out a lot of stuff from the garages. This may the first swap meet where I didn't bring anything home...other than a fist full of dollars.

 

Another great Portland offering—at least to me, ‘cause I’m a wagon guy. Super super clean station wagon with exceptional paint and interior, plus unusual (for a wagon) bucket seats and 4-speed. $17,500. Has the 326. Not a bargain-basement price, but a heck of a value for what you get.

 

Hey @ClarkH
That is a very cool "Tin Indian Wagon"
That has to be a low production numbers model for that year.
I hope it went to a good home.
Thanks for posting that photo.

 

That wagon makes my pee-pee feel funny!

 

Makes you wonder if that wagon doesn't have a bit of PNW stock class racing history in it's portfolio. Most likely special ordered by a young family guy who wanted a Lemans hardtop or GTO but that wouldn't be practical with the littles. I'd say the price is fairly honest in what it appears that you don't have to do or spend on it to have fun with it.

 

Well guys, Portland 2024 is a wrap. Our group did well; hit our money target and—critically—got rid of a bunch of heavy large pieces that were taking up storage space. Also got myself a few good things; ironically my best acquisition was an eBay purchase (bit the bullet after I couldn't find what I needed at either meet).

Despite all the weather hand-wringing, it was pretty typical PNW spring. Cool and overcast with just a few serious cloudbursts that thankfully came late in the day and didn't last too long. I will say, Portland proves the old adage "There's no such thing and bad weather, just inappropriate clothing." I was quite comfortable with a broad brim hat, Gore-Tex rain coat, insulated pants, and heavy work boots. Everywhere I would see fools shivering in their sneakers, bluejeans and cotton hoodies. That cotton shit is good for about 20 minutes when the rain hits. I'll make it a point to post this as a public-service announcement in next year's thread.

I'll leave you with one last image. I call it "Waiting for Grandpa."



Note the PNW-appropriate clothing choice: Sunglasses and a rain jacket.

Now don't go feeling sorry for this little fellow. A moment later his grandpa came out and got in the cart. As it started moving, the little guy's arms shot up and a huge grin crossed his face. His carnival ride had resumed. He was flying!

 

My haul.

 

"Money has no value, unless it's spent"
Bravo @Hitchhiker , you have spent your money very well !

​

 

We called the rain Portland sunshine .
Went every year from Kalispell, MT
It was nice to see all that green country side.
At home the snow was melting with lots of mud and slush. Would buy a beer to have a cup for our beer when the beer police came around. Sure miss it.
I now live in South east corner of Kentucky.
Terry aka dirt t

 

made a little money over the weekend, dragged the big stuff home again. Was really surprised at how many vendors pulled out of the expo Saturday night. It was more of a ghost town then usual on Sunday. The building had quite a few empty spaces, alot of the big companies are just not coming anymore.

 

I have no idea how the awning on my trailer survived that wind shear Thursday night just after closing. We were sharing some good spirits with the guys from across the aisle when that gust picked up my canopy, slammed it into the trailer and then went back as it was. I guess it was built with a fail safe? It also did it when the rain got too heavy in the center, it would bow one side to let the water off and then pop back up. Cool. I made 2500 out there this year, I would have blown it all on a new canopy if that updraft had ruined it. As it was, I left with one small box of parts and one set of wheels that didn't sell. And, I didn't buy anything. Not even a hot dog. Did I mention it was a shit ton of fun?

@Kim Strobeck and I stayed on sight Thursday and Friday. The only bad thing about our stall location was a long walk to the bathroom plus a crawl over the concrete racetrack barrier. Do yer business before bed time! We ate well, we drank well, and most important we laughed well. Good to see @40FORDPU stop by the booth and say hi.

I will leave you with a photo of a golf cart reimagined as the Gilligan's island taxi that made the rounds all weekend at PIR. Not a great pic, but a pic none the less. To prove it happened.

 

I saw that throughout the day and not one time did I see Ginger or Mary Ann riding along

 

Well I went for the first time and we just walked the inside portion and rand out of money and time. Wasn't looking for anything in particular but found a few small items. I snagged a set of NOS green 'eye lid' aftermarket lenses for my Model A along with a Rex A Co. oil pressure gauge for her as well. OVer paid on the gauge but underpaid on a set of shop manuals for my truck. So it all evened out in the end I guess. Next up I believe is the Monroe, Abbottsford and MT. Vernon swap meets.

Mike