Went to the York NSRA meet yesterday. It was absolutely beautiful weather. I only took a few photos which I still need to upload, but it was a "Street rod" meet with some nice, but not HAMB cars. A few random thoughts: The flea market seems to be an after thought-pretty lean pickings The exhibit halls are now an absolute joke.-very few auto related vendors Orange has become a very popular color There were many more cars than the last few years, even pre-pandemic. That was great I truly do not get rat rods, especially one's that are air bagged down to the ground. Admission is still $18 for old people, foods up a bit-figure it's a $75-85 day out.
I was a vendor at the York show selling my chassis and parts for about 15-16 years from I think 95 to 2011. I always did good at that show. Long drive from Nebraska dragging my 40 ft trailer. Back then the swap meet always had some treasures, the exhibit buildings were full and it was good. Usually went to Winters to pickup rear ends, went out one evening with Vaughn Winters Jr for dinner. Over all a good experience This show is dying like many other shows and the return on investment doesn't work for most vendors. I talked to a friend who was a vendor at Springfield and it was a similar situation.
That's too bad. We went to York every year until it turned into a Mustang, Camaro, Try-Five show. Sure there are still some nice hot rods but not like before. At one time the exhibition halls were packed with hot rod related items and when I was building my cars I could always purchase most of the items we were looking for. Oh well.
I was there in 1974 just before they left Timonium and haven't missed but a couple in the 50 years since. Got up this morning, thought about going, (it's a 100 mile drive) and decided it just wasn't worth the time, money and effort anymore. Hope to make it to Good Guys at Dover, Delaware next weekend though.
I used to be a vendor at the NSRA York, Pa. flea market. It used to be my best flea market. It was a great show when the turnout was over 4,000 hot rods and street rods. I used to drive down from Connecticut, stay Thursday Friday, and Saturday nights, and go home Sunday. When NSRA started letting in post 1948 cars, things changed, and not for the better as far as I am concerned. I understand why they did it, DOLLARS in NSRA's pocket. I think it is not what they expected, low car turnout, advertised on local radio and television as 3,000 cars. The flea market is a joke. It is smaller, and less of the parts that we look for. I now live in Pennsylvania about 1 1/2 hours away, and I wont waste my time, or gas to go to York as a spectator or vendor. Times change, and not always for the better.
.........I think it maxed out at one point with about 5,500 cars registered. Those were the heydays when tractor trailers of vendors were everywhere and the buildings were filled. Coker Tire, Bob Drake and many others were always there. I get it, online sales and fuel prices have killed that, but from what I understand, NSRA kept raising the fees to vendors even as this was happening. The prize program is just a shell of what it once was. Remember when they gave away an S-10 pick-up, SBC engine, transmission and tons of other goodies at each satellite event?!! Those days are long gone. Sad..
I remember speaking with Dick Spadoro ( RIP ) many years ago when I asked him why he no longer set up at York. Dick told me of the raising cost of his spaces, fuel, tolls, motel rooms, meals on the road, his helps salary, and Dick's time away from his business in Altamont, N.Y. was at least $ 3500.00. This is before he sold anything. It took a lot of sales to make up that deficit before making a profit.
I think post Covid, everyone is afraid to spend money on advertising. I remember a few years back, seemed like I got an O’Reiley’s hat or two at every show, now I don’t even get discount coupons. That’s why the non automotive folks are moving in and setting up at our shows. The show sponsors need them and their money. A lot of folks got pissed when the cutoff date was raised, so they no longer go. Times are a changing. The big shows are dying down, while the smaller , more multi event types seem to be growing with fresh new faces. Us old farts are being pushed back on our scooters while the young guns go smoke tires. I guess we change or get left behind?
I was at York yesterday and had a great time. Is it what it once was, nope but it beats sitting at home and complaining. There were plenty of "HAMB friendly" cars there. Here are some of my shots from yesterday.
Sad, but true. The swap meet is a joke. When the kitchen freshen-up folks move into your prime inside vendor space- goodbye. Yes, still a ton of nice cars. Most are there every year- parked in the same space. Great weekend if you want to sit behind your car and watch people walk by. Bring sunscreen. Meanwhile, 40 miles away is the Carlisle Ford show. An absolute ass-ton of Mustangs. But a large swap meet that is actually car (Ford) related. They managed to get Ford to bring the 1963 Mustang concept. The Blue Oval knows this event is important to their brand. One event is professionally run and adjusts to a changing landscape. One is a bunch of good memories.
Thanks for the photos. Lots of the cool kids were there. I think I spotted Larry Rhodes 33 coupe in one of the pictures?
A Very likeable all 'round source. Thanks Troublemaker427 for the pics. Used to go a lot. One year tried both, Ford Carlisle and York. Went home hungry for more time
Nice pics… you even got one of my car in there. York was very good this year, perfect weather and lots more cars than previous years. You guys whining about newer cars will be happy to know you could have counted newer Camaros and mustangs on one hand, not that it mattered if there would have been twice as many. Lots of great hot rods, people cruising all day and plenty to take in. Even scored a few choice pieces at the “pathetic”swap meet. This stuff is what you make it. Get your car and come out to these events that still take place, or stay home bitching about how much better it used to be. For me it was a great 3 hour blast in sunny weather and was awesome to get to spend a weekend hot rodding with my brother and my friends. I know I’d rather be one of the ones making these shows survive, and will continue to do so. We're off to Goodguys in Dover DE next weekend and looking forward to it. I’m sure many will stay home and hate on that one from afar as well…enjoy another weekend on the couch. -Jb
100% had a blast at York with my brother and close friends this year just like we always do. The weather was absolutely perfect, didn’t have to wipe the car off once, and I was fortunate to snag a gem in the swap meet. Y’all are sleepin’ if you’re staying home instead of coming out. You never know when your health may deteriorate, or your friends or family might be in an entirely different situation. Life is short and uncertain, when you’re well and able and are lucky enough to own a hot rod that runs, cruise that MFer before you lose.
Thanks for the pictures It was a beautiful weekend. The weather was perfect. The best part for me is to hang out with old friends. The Hot Rods are just the icing on the cake. I can add a few more pictures.
The Jalopy Journal
