6 Vendor Spaces Sill Available- This weekend’s 2025 BAKERSFIELD SWAP MEET

[NorthSouth]

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This premier west coast Brass Era PreWar event is "Good To Go".
Only 6 (of 180) vendor space remain available as of today, April 22, 2025.
Do not miss out on this wonderful annual convention of old car enthusiasts.
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Video Link:
https://youtu.be/qvrkO1i5hXI
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It's now official.
The 2025 Bakersfield Brass Era/ Prewar Swap Meet honoring Bill Bennett is a GO!!!

When; Friday and Saturday, May 2nd and 3rd.

Where: Minter Air Field Museum, Shafter, CA.,
a few miles north of Bakersfield on Highway 99.

How: The HCCA is backing the Horseless Carriage Club of Southern California to once again put on this premier west coast event.

Vendor set up Friday morning. Open to the public Friday and Saturday.

Time is of the essence. We need "everyone's" help to get the word out. Please contact anyone and everyone that you may know who has sold and/or ever been to this annual gathering in the past.

More details to come as they become available. Please post your questions.
Answers to questions asked here will reach a greater audience.
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Group Hotel info:

Holiday Inn Express, Airport
Quinn Rd.
Group rate: $97/night
May 1 - May 4
Group discount reference: HCCSC

Telephone #: (661) 387-1678

For further swap meet questions call; Steven (323) 497-0601

2025 Bakersfield Swap Meet
REGISTRATION FORM

Name:
_____________________________________________________

MAILING ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________


EMAIL ADDRESS _____________________________________________________


TELEPHONE #: _____________________________________________________

Include me in the 2025 Bakersfield Swap Meet Roster ______
Do NOT include me in the 2025 Bakersfield Swap Meet Roster ______

NUMBER OF SPACES: ______ Ist CHOICE SPACE # _______. 2nd CHOICE SPACE # __________.

*Please, if you will NOT be actually selling anything in your space, choose one on South ST. or on North ST. but NOT a corner space.

AMOUNT INCLOSED: $_________________________

Make your check payable to our swap meet treasure: Diane MacPherson.
And mail your check to: Steven Chase at 2066 Garfias DR. Pasadena, CA. 91104
Please include a self addressed, stamped return envelope.

Spaces will be assigned on a "first come, first payment received" basis.

[KimDobbins]

Great news!! Thanks Steven

[Erik Barrett]

Great news! I’ll be getting the word out.

[YellowTRacer]

Me too, and I'll be there!

Ed aka #4

[SurfCityGene]

Thank you Steven for your help with making this happen. We've announced the good news at our local club meetings!!

[NorthSouth]

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2025 Bakersfield Swap Meet location, Minter Field.

If you like war birds then Minter Air Field is a great little place to go. Not too many people, easy to get in and out of, and surrounded by rich aviation history.

The tiny airfield just east a few miles east of Shafter began operations in June of 1941 and by the end of the World War II in 1945 it had served in training 11,0000 US Army Air Corps cadets, before shortly thereafter being turned over to the County of Kern, which managed the airport until 1985.

Today the 1,206-acre site is operated by Minter Field Airport District -- a private group of local avaiation enthusiasts, dedicated to preserving the golden years of flight.

The main attraction for visitors is the airfield's museum, which is inside the ground's original fire station built in 1941. The building remains as one of the few original structures and houses numerous aviation and WWII artifacts, including photographs, uniforms, aviation headgear, radio gear, model planes and many pieces of aviation art.
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[NorthSouth]

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Group Hotel info:

Holiday Inn Express, Airport
Quinn Rd.
Group rate: $97/night
May 1 - May 4
Group discount reference: HCCSC

Telephone #: (661) 387-1678
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[NorthSouth]

Official Swap Meet Flyer
Click on blue link below.
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Bakersfield 2025.pdf

(383.72 KiB) Downloaded 127 times

[Scott Gilham]

How about a vendor registration form? Or will you be mailing one from the list of those who were at Famoso last year? I'd like to know size, that will dictate whether I need 3 or 4 spaces.

Thanks
scott

[NorthSouth]

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This email went out today. If you didn't receive it then your current email was not on the vendor list that we were able to find.

Dear B.B.A.P.W.S.M. Fans,

This year, the Bakersfield Brass Era/ PreWar Swap Meet is being brought to you, in honor of Bill Bennet, by our friends at the Horseless Carriage Club of Southern California.

The 2025 flyer is attached below. Thank you artist Mark Ceruti.

Non camping trailers stay within your vendor spot. Overnight camping will be offsite and first come first serve. Specifics to follow.

Vendor Spaces will hopefully be 20' x 40' however, due to venue constraints, may be adjusted slightly. Specifics to follow.

We do not have a complete Past Vendor or Past Buyer List. So, in an effort to notify all, please forward this information to anyone, old car club, or newsletter editor, etc who has been or may be interested in attending this event.

We are asking for your patience, and understanding. We only picked up the planning of this premier west coast event one week ago. The new venue was first visited only yesterday. It is a great spot. Perfect for our needs. The vendor space layout map will be coming soon.

The 2025 Bakersfield Brass Era/ PreWar Swap Meet will be a success in great part because of you. A lot of qualified people are focused on making this happen. Please go easy on them as the planning phase matures.

We are very much looking forward to seeing you all at the beautiful and charming Minter AirField in 77 days.

Regards,
Steven
Pasadena, CA.
(323) 497-0701"

[speedytinc]

No overnight in our swap spaces? That's a problem.

[Original Smith]

The airport was turned over to the county of Kern in 1949. It has a interesting history. Maybe we will make history again with our swap meet?
Thanks to all the work Steven Chase and others did to make this event happen,

[NorthSouth]

2025 Bakersfield Swap Meet
REGISTRATION FORM

Name:
_____________________________________________________

MAILING ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________


EMAIL ADDRESS _____________________________________________________


TELEPHONE #: _____________________________________________________

Include me in the 2025 Bakersfield Swap Meet Roster ______ Do NOT include me in the 2025 Bakersfield Swap Meet Roster ______

NUMBER OF SPACES: ______ Ist CHOICE SPACE # _______. 2nd CHOICE SPACE # __________.
*Please, if you will NOT be actually selling anything in your space, choose one on South ST. or on North ST. but NOT a corner space.

AMOUNT INCLOSED: $_________________________

Make your check payable to our swap meet treasure: Diane MacPherson.
And mail your check to: Steven Chase at 2066 Garfias DR. Pasadena, CA. 91104
Please include a self addressed, stamped return envelope.

Spaces will be assigned on a first come, first payment received basis.
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[NorthSouth]

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NOTE: Concern has been expressed regarding “overnight camping” within your assigned swap meet space(s). Overnight camping "will be" permitted on a large packed dirt area immediately outside the swap meet’s main gate. However, we will be working with the venue to “try” and get “some” of the vendors permission to sleep within their spaces. Please know that we are aware of this concern and are working on a solution. Your patience and understanding on this matter will be much appreciated.

Regards,
Your 2025 Bakersfield Swap Meet Team
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[Charlie_26_TT_Ccab]

Bump to the top and hopefully the “camp in vendor space” happens.

[Scott Gilham]

I had my regestration form all ready and drove by the post office this morning.....OLD hit me, closed. In the mail tomorrow.
And just to get my vote in, I'm another for in spot overnight camping. No party or carrying on just me watching the sunset.

[Charlie_26_TT_Ccab]

Bump to the top, looking forward to this
Swapmeet coming up.

[AndyClary]

Gonna bump this up. It’s pretty important for this side of the country for the Bakersfield swap meet to succeed.


Andy

[Kevin Pharis]

Save me a space! Will work on the details tonite…

[AndyClary]

Successfully made my reservation. Now I need to find something to sell for 206 dollars. The air museum is open 10 - 2 Fridays and Saturdays, so I’ll be taking a break around noon on Friday.

Andy

[Charlie_26_TT_Ccab]

Bumping back to the top for some sunlight.

[modeltspaz]

Any update on the overnight camping status?

[NorthSouth]

OVERNIGHT CAMPING

Hello to our fellow 2025 Bakersfield Swap Meet-ers,

First of all, we want to sincerely thank you all for your continued interest in, and support for, this premiere West Coast event. We are thrilled that you will be joining us. After only two weeks of reestablishing the 2025 Bakersfield Brass Era/ PreWar Swap Meet, over half of our 192 vendor spaces have been reserved and paid for. We have received equal interest from those enthusiast just wanting to show up, some as buyers and many just to be part of this social convention, to see old friends, and to help promote the hobby we love so much. We are off and running toward a strong gathering this May 2nd and 3rd at Minter Air Field. Please spread the word, far and wide, to any person, car club, supply house, or any other party that might be interesting

Now to the purpose of this email;
I have some "Good News" and, for a few of you, some disappointing news.

First the Good;
An entire two acre city block has been set aside for brass era/ prewar overnight RV camping just 150 feet from the Swap Meet’s Main Entrance. This area is flat and level, compacted dirt, ideal for our purposes. Map attached. If you wish to Google it; it is that complete block, kitty-corner from the Minter Field Air Museum, bordered by Vultee St. to the west, Piper St. to the east, Mitchell St. to the north, and Douglas Ave. to the south. Easily found by using the Google Maps address; 401 Vultee St, Shafter, CA.

You all are considerate RV-ers so there is no need to tell those first to arrive to establish an organized parking/ camping scheme and leave access and egress aprons free and clear for those rigs and trailers arriving after you. Those using this block will be collectively policing it themselves. Please do your very best to leave this field in a condition that is, at least, as nice as it is it was when you arrived. Perhaps even picking up debris that may have been left behind by others.

Now for the "we need to adapt" news;
We have finally heard back officially from Minter AirField management with their decision regarding overnight camping "within your Swap Meet space". Despite our pleas, and our assurances that we will cause no problems, they have denied our request for "on-site" overnight camping. We are sorry for those of you who lobbied so hard for this. Please believe that we made the best case possible on your behalf but they, and their aircraft tenants, just don't want this uncertain liability. However, please know that for next year, when we have the luxury of 10 months to plan, instead of only 10 weeks, this "on-site overnight camping" will be an up front and necessary component for our venue selection. But, for this special bridge year, we ask that you please keep your focus on making this year’s Swap Meet a success and know that if we all support it, it can only grow stronger in 2026.


And, as a final note, don’t forget that there is always this option;
The Holiday Inn Express Airport on Quinn Rd. is offering us a $97 per night group discount including breakfast. Group code "HCCSC". Telephone; (661) 387-1678
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[Erik Barrett]

I made reservations at the hotel. I have no problem with that. Steven went to a lot of trouble to secure RV camping near by. I would be fine staying there but I don’t have a motorhome like I used to. If this venue is a good one it will be worth playing by their rules.

[phidelt]

What time can the vendors show up on Friday to setup and what time are the buyers allowed to shop on Friday?

[YellowTRacer]

Friday is a set up and a swap day.......open for business! Saturday Swap meet and pack up and go.. Hopefully not much to pack up.

Ed aka #4

[NorthSouth]

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Vendors will be let through the gate at 6:AM Friday morning.
The public will be let in at 8:AM Friday morning.

Saturday morning everyone will be let in at 6:AM
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[speedytinc]

BTT........

[NorthSouth]

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The 2025 Bakersfield Swap Meet Committee is thrilled at the overwhelming amount of interest and support that this year’s Brass Era PreWar event is receiving. Thank you all for “getting the word out” far and wide.

As of March 17th, 160 ((out of our 192) vendor spaces have been reserved and paid for. And, we expect a couple dozen or more to go leading up to May 2 and 3.

Please continue to spread the word and if you haven’t yet, grab one of the remaining spaces. This will be a a lot of fun.
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[Original Smith]

Has this information been submitted to the AACA?

[NorthSouth]

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This is the image chosen for the 2025 Bakersfield Swap Meet's commemorative pin. Traditionally the year and make are stated below the car.

What is the consensus on the year of this Ford?
We need to be SURE so to hopefully avoid a long lasting mistake here.

We need to have this important detail nailed down in the next 24 hours in order to get the pins delivered before March 2nd.
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Illustration from The Ford Motor Co. Catalog

1909 Catalog Illustration.png (315.26 KiB) Viewed 8353 times

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[jsaylor]

That picture appears to be an early 2 lever T. Most were Red. A few aluminum bodied cars were black. The scroll bars along the top was only on the first very early Ts. I think Most had windshields.

[RajoRacer]

I've been around a few '09 cars and only one had an accessory windshield - 2 others had a drop-down windscreen.

[NorthSouth]

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Thank you both for your guidance. This is what we came up with.
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[Scott Gilham]

Very Nice!

[Erik Barrett]

After the meet we will have a trailer headed East to New York via I-80 with enclosed space for a model T or similar size machine.

[TRZim]

Should be a good antique car swap meet. I’m bring a 15 T roadster in perfect condition with all the goodies. Also have a 14 engine and complete 15 rear end. Almost all spaces are sold out.

[NorthSouth]

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UPDATE: April 17, 2025

Please print this update and bring it to the Meet. It has information that will help smooth your way.

Our event is less than 3 weeks away and all is set for you at Minter Airfield. Thank you for participating and getting the word out so far and wide. As of this email, more than 160 (of the 192 available) spaces have been reserved and paid for. There are also more "checks in the mail”. We expect the majority of the remaining spaces to be spoken for before May 2nd.

Note: For those who registered since our Update #1, please know that although we originally planned to, your Organizing Committee will not be sending vendor confirmation back to you in the mail. The team of volunteers at the main gate can handle all questions. Most of you already know your space number. Those who don't will be directed upon arrival. We were able to get everyone their first or second choice or a space very close to that.

Vendors will have Access beginning at 6 AM Friday morning. We are hoping that all vendor vehicles and trailers will be parked in your spaces before 8 AM at which time the public will be welcome to enter. Then, the next day, on Saturday, gates open for everyone at 6 AM. The Air Field Authority requires everyone, whether vendor or the public, to be off the Air Field before sunset both evenings.

Arrival Directions:
CA 99 Freeway,
Exit #37 Lerdo Hwy, Shafter CA.,
Proceed West for 1 Mile,
Right Turn at Traffic Light, Carver ST., You Have Arrived.
Follow our Swap Meet Signs to the Vendor Staging Field and then proceed from there when directed by Volunteers.
For Google Maps enter: "Carver St & E Lerdo Hwy, Shafter, CA 93263"

Three Food Trucks will be there selling Coffee, Mexican dishes, and Barbecue.

Potential Problem: When departing to go back home we ask that you take extra effort to remove all debris, especially anything big like car parts etc, and please take it with you so that the volunteers do not have to do this.

Overnight Dry Camping, (no hook-ups), is just 100 yards outside the airport main gate on the northern half of the dirt block surrounded by; Vultee St to the west, Piper St to the east, Mitchell St to the north, and a dirt drive to the south. You may use "401 Vultee St., Shafter, CA" to Google this location. You will be on your own here. Those RVs arriving first are asked to please position your rig in a logical and organized fashion in order to allow those arriving after you easy access and egress to, from, and within this area. Of course, we asked that you leave this field in at least the condition that you found it. Our Swap Meet Volunteers will not be part of organizing or policing this overnight camping area.

Two Wrist Bands will be provided with each vendor space. In order to help our team easily identify who has paid and who has not, please wear yours openly so they may see it with just a glance. Additional wristbands will be for sale at the main gate entrance for $10 each.


Finally, in an effort to have this gathering go as smoothly as possible, we are still looking for volunteers who might be willing to "fill in” from time to time and help with a few short-time needs. Please contact Steven if you might be willing to help us there for an hour or two. (323) 497-0601 NewNorthSouth@gmail.com

Otherwise, we are very much looking forward to seeing all of you in Shafter. It is shaping up to be another special Brass Era/ PreWar Swap Meet. All indicators point to a festive and rewarding two days together amongst all your rusty treasure.

Cheers,
Your 2025 Bakersfield Swap Meet Organizing Committee

[NorthSouth]

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This premier west coast Brass Era PreWar event is "Good To Go".
Only 17 (of 192) vendor space remain available as of today.
Do not miss out on this wonderful annual convention of old car enthusiasts.
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Video Link:
https://youtu.be/qvrkO1i5hXI
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Bakersfield 1.jpeg (29.53 KiB) Viewed 6562 times

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[NorthSouth]

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Only a week away.
All systems are GO!
12 Vendor Spaces (out of 192) remain available.
See you there.
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[NorthSouth]

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Spread the word. Only 6 vendor spaces remain.
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