MTFCA Forum

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Jan 25, 2026

Dear 2026 Bakersfield Swap Meet vendors and attendees,

BIG NEWS

The Bay Area Horseless Carriage Club has taken over our beloved 2026 Bakersfield Brass Era/ PreWar Swap Meet. May 2 & 3 in Shafter CA.

Further information and vendor registration can be found at CaliforniaRendezvous.com.

I hope to see you all there.

Steven
NewNorthSouth@gmail.com

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The 2026 Bakersfield Brass Era - PreWar Swap Meet is again being held at the charming WWII Flight Training Base with help from;
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Looking back to last year’s Bakersfield Swap Meet. Photos and comments, Click on the link below:
Link:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=47986&p=363136&hili ... et#p363136

Thank you Steve and all for keeping this wonderful swap meet going and doing such a great job. Your efforts are admired and appreciated.

I allowed myself two days this year thinking it would be as big as it used to be. For next year, I think I will leave L.A. at 5am and drive straight to Shafter. I'll spend whatever time is needed, and return to L.A. the same day saving me the motel expense.

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The MTFCA is the first to receive these. This is our hobby's premier west coast event. Even if you are not vending or you are not looking to buy, the Bakersfield Swap Meet is a convention focused on Model T Fords and their owners and just a lot of fun to attend. We really hope that you will make it.
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Steve and crew did an outstanding job last year. I know Bill Bennett would have been proud. Looking forward to this coming year. Dad and I will be bringing a load of parts this time. Thank you Steve and all for your efforts. Much appreciated.

What time will buyers be allowed in on Friday?

T4Tom wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 13, 2025 10:54 am

What time will buyers be allowed in on Friday?

6: AM

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Jan 9, 2026

Dear 2026 Bakersfield Swap Meet vendors and attendees,

For personal and practical reasons, it has been formally decided that I will no longer be spearheading the 2026 Bakersfield Brass Era/ PreWar Swap Meet. Therefore, all vendor fees received thus far, or by me in the future, will be returned via the self addressed stamped envelope that you provided with your registration. In effect this cancels the event as far as my direct involvement and leadership.

The prewar, brass era, and other antique car groups are hoping that someone, or someones, will "pick up the torch", take my place, and carry this premier west coast event though happening this year. Several of our ranks have done this important service in the past. Gill Klecan, the Kern County Model T Club, Bill Bennett, Jim Holquin, Michael Sullivan, and myself to name just a few. Planning for "this year's" swap meet is already at an advanced stage and most of the pre-meet tasks have been accomplished. Four months still remain if another is to take 2026 Bakersfield to the finish line. All 2025/ 2026 materials, resources, supplies, introductions, experience, and advice will be made available to any new leadership willing to take the helm.

My team and I hope that the 2026 Bakersfield Swap Meet survives under new, yet currently unidentified, leadership. And, we wish good luck in this search. Please feel free to reach out if I may be of any help.

Sincerely,
Steven
NewNorthSouth@gmail.com
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It would be great to see the national and local HCCA get behind this meet and give it ongoing support. Thanks Steven for your support past and present. I sure hope this meet will continue for the good of our hobby.

How can I help?

Kim Dobbins’ wish has come true.

As of Friday January 23, 2026, The Bay Area Horseless Carriage Club (BAHCC) has taken over leadership of the Bakersfield meet, and the local club is being strongly supported by the national Horseless Carriage Club (HCCA) president & board.

We plan to carry on the Proud tradition established by the Kern County Model T club, Bill Bennet, and Steven Chase. Without their past efforts we would not have this event at all. We hope to keep the flame they began and cared for burning.

I’m only posting this to ”close out” the “looking for new Leadership” thread, in case someone has not heard the news, or does a search on “Bakersfield”.

Look for more information on the Bakersfield meet under other threads in the Forum that include the new flyer and other information

Jim

Here is a link to the new forum thread regarding the Bakersfield Swap Meet:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=51718

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Thumbs Up.
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All - here is the link to the registration for Bakersfield: https://californiarendezvous.com/

This year will feature the Rag Time Racers: https://www.ragtimeracers.com/

There will be a display of early race cars!!