If you had to rank the top Six West Coast swap meets what are they? I went to the Long Beach T Swap Meet back in the 1970's and is was unlike anything on the East Coast. LA Roadster Show is on my bucket list, what are the other great ones and the 2010 dates?
LARS. pomona, long beach, any of the model T club swap meets are cool. (little league field in devore or the soccer field)
Big3 in San Diego, Long Beach and I'm told Turlock although I've never made it. Pomona is ok if you happen to be in town but I wouldn't make it a priority.
Pleasanton Swap meet is a must. Turlock swap meet is a must also. You will get more car parts and race car stuff and real swappers at Long Beach swap meet plus less flakes selling China tools, wax and other junk. Pomona is a biggie with a lot of overpriced cars left if you don't get there early or on Saturday. Has a lot of stuff but also a lot of the same junk - aisle after aisle of China junk tools, aluminum polish and stuff guys have pulled from the pick-a-part and trying to make big money on. Love that LA Roadster show but this year was kind of a bust with low turnout - I figure due to bad economy.
Portland, Oregon the first week in April is huge.Actually two swaps running at the same time.(racetrack and the expo.) Turlock,Ca. (January meet) mostly pure parts and less flea market junk.
Turlock is a real good one in January. I almost ripped the whole front end out of my vintage radio flyer one year I had so much junk bungeed on it. I barely made it back to the car.
A couple of years back, the "Hot August Nights" swap in Reno got taken over by new people. So the original swap promoters (and their vendors) moved down to Sacto. It was a GREAT swap. This year it was twice the size and even better -- especially for HAMB-happy junk. The August weather sure beats the Turlock swap, too.
Hey, The Long Beach Model T Swap Meet, not to be confused with the Long Beach Hi-Performance Swap Meet, has been on its' deathbed for some time now! It has been held at several different locations over the last decade with smaller and smaller vendor and buyer crowds! And please leave your cutezee swap meet wagons and carts at home! If you can't carry it, don't buy it! Nobody wants to get stuck behind you pulling your damned cart whyle shopping! Swanky Devils C.C. " Your head would look good on a pike"
The best swaps I went to this year were : LARS January Turlock Big 3 San Diego Long Beach Model T club swap is ok, not as good as it has been. no need to be a 2 day event now. Pomona is something to do if you've never been, but if you are looking for anything that was made before 1950, you probably won't find it unless it is a modern up grade or a street rod part. I prefer the local Model A and Model T swaps that are held in High School parking lots. But they are not worth traveling across the country for them.
Shheee.... I had a blast there, made some money drank a beer or three with some old crazy farts and made new friends. A friend of mine bought a clean 29 roadster body for under a grand. It did rain that weekend though I think . The old fart that runs it love the "kids" with the hotrods to show up too? Vet's stadium was trying to push them out it sounds like or just plain charge too much for the event because it was competing with the hi po swap? . Better to move it than kill it I guess. One of the old timers gave me some 29 rpu doors other sheetmetal. I gave him some T stuff in return . D
Pomona is always decent. Long Beach is ok. I was disappointed with the Big 3. The LA Roadster show was good with a good swapmeet.
I like the Turlock ones, close, and usually a good mix of stuff, Jan. Model A club one is a 2 day deal and almost always rains one of the days, Spring and Fall ones are real good, I usually sell at those. Fall one is Oct. 25 little over a week, I'll be there...
I go to Long Beach almost every time. I dunno if it's a bucket list show. I'd definitely put Pomona on there though. It's like a circus, you can't possibly see everything in one day, I think it's huge fun. Yes lots of new parts, lots of overpriced cars, 'pro' used parts sellers. This is an ebay world today. It's like a huge parking lot filled with all the vendors that advertise in hot rod magazine, and you can check out the goods before you buy and save time and freight charges. I always manage to empty my wallet there. If you want the best deals on the used parts, go early, as in bring your flashlight with you early. I went to long beach at the opening bell this last sunday and I'm glad I did, that's the best time to go.
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