Thread: An observation

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Today we finished up attending our annual trek to the regional swap meet. I've been attending this in one form or fashion since the late 70's, and while this viewpoint isn't new, today ( or this weekend ) it was really in my face. And what was this reality?

Emptiness! What was once fields of people carrying some little treasure that they picked up from ordinary joes who didn't want to scrap every part and piece from a car they own(ed).. or in the 80's there were tractor trailer rigs of repro parts and speed equipment, dozens of them across the fields, and now??? it's more flea market than auto swap meet!

I've lost money the last 2 years and way to many open spots in the fields.. I guess it's over!

The times, they are a'changin'.....
You'd have no problem convincing me that I was born 50 years too late.
.

Originally Posted by techinspector1

The times, they are a'changin'.....
You'd have no problem convincing me that I was born 50 years too late.
.

Me too, I sure miss the 50's and early 60's cause after that it went to hell.

You are correct, eBay and Craigslist has replaced the good ole swap meet, but I remember 25 years ago I thought I had the world by the tail because I had some rare part, double hump heads maybe, and then after online sales you realized your rare part wasn't so valuable after all. I also remember rows of new parts vendors at NSRA events, now it's a 1/4 of just 10 years ago, one vendor said he can't compete with online sales and wouldn't come back. But we use to have customer service before wal mart also...

Yep, sadly even down here in little ole New Zealand we are suffering from the same sort of decline at our swap meets. One of our biggest each year which was a " Never miss affair " which people would arrive two days out from the official start day to set up camp and store, chill out with new and old friends, do the usual B/S sessions, and maybe trade some stuff even before the public arrived has suffered at the popularity of the internet sites. Our smaller swap meets held by individual Hot Rod Clubs that push the auto only rules is still popular as a mix and mingle and hopeful pick up that part one has been chasing for awhile. There is nothing like holding something in ones hand and deciding it is worth what the vendor is asking for it or negotiating a price that suits all concerned.

it`s all my fault . i have nearly completely lost interest in hot rodding .. i`ve not been to a car show in two years .. iv`e been looking at selling the pinto and the ford truck ( which i wish i had never bought ) and would even take a few tons of money for my stang ..

Demographics is a bitch................

Our "big" swap meet was a couple of weekends ago here in Des Moines. There were still a heck of a lot of old engine parts, fenders, radiators, wheels, tires, engines, and transmissions. A lot of race parts, but no where near the old sheet metal and car projects that I remember seeing as a kid. There were 3 big resto parts retailers there selling sheet metal and such. And like Mike said, there were 3 or 4 flea market type vendors. I have found that on my 40, I can't find much at a swap meet I can actually use for this project. Not many people have early Hemi stuff they want to sell, let alone affordably. Most of the stuff I need now is just new stuff or replacement. I know around 5 other friends in the same boat. Online sales/shopping has ruined the local swap meets. But on the other hand, you get the chance to buy stuff you never could find before thanks to the net. It's like a big catch 22 ordeal.

I did notice a lot of typical almost new prices on things there. People wonder why they don't sell stuff there..... I did see an awesome deal on a set of fiberglass 3" wider rear fenders for a 38-40 Ford for $100. But I already have a set and having a second pair means I need to find another car to build so I moved along.

Or, you could always take that second set of fenders to the swap meet and .......




oh, wait a minute! nevermind..