MTFCA Forum

Sooooo where is all the pics of the Tulare Swap Meet that everyone was raving about ??????

I went there but only stayed for a while. When I found a good side for a 20 hood for $20. I have been looking for one for quite a while. When I found it I bought it and left. We were on a trip to Washington with a SUV and with all our luggage, I was able to fit it in. Two people I knew who were there (actually 4) Glen Chaffin and Eric Sayers with his two daughters. Being that there was another swap meet in Arizona the same date, mostly only California and west coast people were there.
Norm

Search Luray or is there also a Tulare?

Dave H, Yes, the Tulare meet was in Califunny, the same day as the new Arizona meet, both wanting to fill the void left by discontinuing the long running Bakersfield meet. The Luray (Virginia I think?) meet was about a week or so later, but I didn't check the date.

I really want to see a lot of photos of both the Tulare CA and Arizona meets! I couldn't go to either of them. I know there are some hurt feelings due to bad timing of the two meets in the West on the same dates. The timing was not intentional, and both meets were hurt by it. I suspect that the problem MIGHT have been avoided, however, both efforts were working behind the scenes at the same time and needed to commit to the available option on short notice.
I hope people can accept the snafu as just another annoyance of the past year, and then move onward. The West could use a couple good prewar swap meets every year! Hopefully, the two can coordinate for future events to not conflict with each other or other good prewar shows and events.

Still not too late to post pictures!

Agree on the photos. I had a friend who took loads of picks each year at Bakersfield, even posed a couple of video clips on you tube. It's how we decide to travel of not. I have no probs driving a few hundred miles for a good swap meet, and it's often easy to include just such a side-trip along with another adventure someplace. But-with nothing to judge the event by, it's a pass.
Terry

While there were some ruffled feathers over both same date, I am sure that just because they were more or less west coast (but down south), a fair number of us would have not gone to ether anyway. Still pictures are good, none have been posted from ether event! Just waiting for the Portland Swap meet to start up again! Heck Portland to Tacoma is at least only a day trip, which in my OP is the range that many swap meet goers would prefer to do anyway.

I did a google search for some photos and searched "Tulare swap meet." What I saw looked like a big yard sale.
Terry

My best guess is; the grounds are used for flea markets too and most of the photos on line are of those. I am not seeing really any of the car parts swap meet even when following a link over to H.A.M.B.. Lots of post showing the flyer, but not the event itself.

The best way to promote future events is to report on the most recent one with lots of photos, positive vibe, etc. Perhaps with all the stuff going on they forgot to give someone the job of reporting on it. Maybe next time. I've not looked for info on Bakersfield yet.
Terry

My understanding is that in order to make the Tulare meet happen, for this year, they had to piggyback onto the 'yard sale' that already had the fairgrounds. My understanding is, that this move was necessary to get a 'foot in the door' with the fairgrounds in order to be able to get (at least hopefully?) a separate date in coming years. The plan was that the antique car parts meet would be off to one side, but since I didn't go (couldn't due to family reasons), I didn't see how that worked out. The Auburn CA swap meet is less than two weeks away now. I should be able to slip out for a few hours, and hope to talk with a few people I know were planning to go.

I'll add a few comments about the Tulare Swap Meet on this thread. I'll post additional information later this week on a new thread. By the numbers: there were a total of approximately 900 swap spaces sold to vendors. About 400 were designated for the Pre-War/Brass-Era "grid". All spaces were advertised as, and for the overwhelming majority were, automotive related. Total paid attendance was approximately 10,000, both vendors and buyers. For a first time event, I would consider this a resounding success!! Were there a few problems? Of course there were. But they were mostly very minor and easily corrected in future events. As for future events, A Swap-O-Rama is already scheduled for October 2nd of this year. The 2022 event will be held in conjunction with the California Antique Farm Equipment Show. That show will be held the week-end following Easter Sunday as it has been for the last 27 years. There is no way this swap meet could in any way be considered a "big yard sale". As far as the conflict with the Phoenix event, as I stated several times, there was nothing I could do about that. Both events were held and I would sincerely hope they were both considered successes. That issue is behind us now and as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't need to be addressed further or again. I had a great time at Tulare, I just wish someone would have taken pictures to "advertise" for future events. I was simply too busy to walk around. I look forward to seeing many of you at future events in Tulare. With many kind regards, Bill Bennett

For what they're worth, here are a few that I took.

Great and thank you! Keep the Ruckstell's, I spy with my little eyes what I would have liked!

Some of my own haul.

What were they asking for the Fronty head?

Tim

Great! Looks like some neat stuff.
Terry

Tim, I'm sorry; I didn't find out what they wanted for it.

Not sure about the Fronty in the pic above... but there was a SR Fronty there for sumpin like $1500...? It had a rough life up to this point, and was going to need a bit of attention to make it into something more than just a paperweight

I went to the California Antique Farm show web site and did not see anything about old car swap meet. Only farm stuff. Was I at wrong place? Can someone post correct info for next year? Thanks Dan

Hi Dan, We're still putting all the details together about the combination of the swap meet and Antique Farm Show. I'll have most all of the important details by the end of the week. At that time, I'll start a new thread about what's happening so we can all be on the same page with planning. I hope this helps. Kind Regards, Bill Bennett

Thanks. I will watch for it.

Who has the Aluminum RHD transmission cover? Please contact me.

Thanks

Richard