One week to the Portland Swapmeet!!

[Coley]

....just wondering if anyone has any plans to attend the Portland Swap meet next week?
I believe it 'unofficially' opens to Vendors next wednesday...although a lot of guys start to drift through on that day looking for early bargains. Then on thursday it opens up full force for three days.
I'm not going this year due to current condition recently of the Canadian dollar and some time/commitment constraints but I will be there in spirit....lol.
Typically, in the past, a buddy of mine and me would head down and combine a great road trip (about 5 hours from here) with a full soak automotive/parts hunt weekend.
We both found a lot of great chevy stuff in the past but everyone's experience is always different.
Remember there are (2) close proximity locations...the Expo site (slightly nicer, cleaner area) and the P.I.R (raceway) site...bit more of free for all. That said, I think the P.I.R is probably the better place for finding something hidden that is a really great bargain...for the very reason of its 'free for all' factor. There is a serious amount of stuff there.
There are some dedicated truck parts vendors...but I simply check out their stuff....they are definitely for turning a profit and you are unlikely to find a swap meet bargain with them. We tend to find our bargains....and a lot of them....rolling around in the non-descript booths and vendors.
For those of you that are going....get on your walking shoes or runners....because it will take all of 3 days to do it. Don't hesitate when you find something or you will never find it again...or it will be sold if you come back the next day....trust your instincts!!...lol
All Good
Coley

[OregonNed]

I'm hoping to go...

[Blue/72]

I will be there with my dad Scotts72heavyhalf

[67 cst swb]

Next year!

[snj8198]

I've been wanting to go to both the Portland and the Seattle swap meet for years but it never seems to work out for me. Good fun im sure and I'd like to meet some forum members. Now i'm off of work for spring breakup but i have the truck tore down. Poor timing.

[fourspeedwagon]

Been going to Portland Swapmeet for 25+ years. Love it. "Always in April!"
What's the Seattle Swapmeet?

[PDXcheyenne]

First year thinking of going... Is it worth going to Wednesday??

[TBONE1964]

This will be my first year going as I just moved here from Michigan. I will be joining (tll74) Tom, so stop by and say hello. I have no idea where we will be on the grounds but we will be there Wednesday morning thru Sunday.

I plan to bring some cluster parts and also by some cluster parts.

Praying for decent weather while we are there. Hope to meet any of you that are attending.

Take care,
Tom, aka Thomas from DLTruck1973

[Livrat]

Originally Posted by TBONE1964

This will be my first year going as I just moved here from Michigan. I will be joining (tll74) Tom, so stop by and say hello. I have no idea where we will be on the grounds but we will be there Wednesday morning thru Sunday.

I plan to bring some cluster parts and also by some cluster parts.

Praying for decent weather while we are there. Hope to meet any of you that are attending.

Take care,
Tom, aka Thomas from DLTruck1973

Tom, A little hint from a NW native, Even if its sunny and warm, Bring a coat and an umbrella

[67 cst swb]

Originally Posted by fourspeedwagon

What's the Seattle Swapmeet?

Ditto ???

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by Livrat

Tom, A little hint from a NW native, Even if its sunny and warm, Bring a coat and an umbrella

I appreciate that Mark. Don't leave home without it

Take care,
Tom

[Coley]

You guys will have a blast...
Don't forget to take some walkie talkies if you are going with a buddy or two and maybe your gps marker.
The collapsable cart is something you will put to work with the first hour....so it might be a strong consideration. Backpacks probably won't cut it in my opinion...unless you are just there for a couple of hours.
If you have bigger stuff there are kids cruising around with wagons that will haul the bigger stuff to a common/ticketed storage area for you to pick up at the end of the day. Its a good little business for them and damn helpful for the buyers.
Your going to love those school buses....lol....they are just part of the fun actually.
I'll say it again....be prepared to walk....because the size and the ground to be covered will be overwhelming in a great way.
There is one vendor in the main lot at the expo center selling late 60's Chevelle/Malibu/Chevy stuff....hilarious. Everything in his booth is marked at about 3-4 times regular pricing...way out there. He is the only guy who has the same amount of stuff on the last day as the first.....lol....but he is determined to hold at that pricing. Luckily I just visit his stuff for entertainment....lol
All Good
Coley

[SeniorVerde]

Heck yeah, been countin' the days for almost a year. This event is my Christmas. Even Scheduled my wedding around it one year.

FYI for those that haven't made it a religion yet: There's actually 2 swapmeets going on, the one at the PIR racetrack, and the one at the Expo with a shuttle between the two- different admissions, different rules for each.

Expo opens to the public that Friday and you can only get in with a vendor pass Thursday.
PIR is open Thursday to the public.

PIR allows bikes, the expo does not. We used bikes to shop the racetrack then ride to the expo and lock them up along a fence.

Prepare to see some crazy crap! Can't wait

[SeniorVerde]

Some more nutty stuff from years' past to start the holiday season...

[ptc]

Portland? Rain?????? ..... Duh!

Used to race at PIR... even in the rain! still was fun!

[HeavyD]

Meet is worth every penny to get there. I bought a mint tailgate for 800, have never seen a nice one ever up in my area. So many old wheels it was unbelieveable...must have seen 200 sets of slots, all car pattern of course

[Coley]

...2 more days till the big meet.....damn, wish I was going, I can almost taste it...lol
For those going....keep us posted on the finds.
All Good
Coley

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by Coley

...2 more days till the big meet.....damn, wish I was going, I can almost taste it...lol
For those going....keep us posted on the finds.
All Good
Coley

My first Portland and very excited about it. We are heading out of JC tomorrow evening. I think we will be in spot 5100 and the 3 before it??? If anyone is in the area, stop by and say hello. I will be with tll74 and DLTruck1973 and of course will have some TBONE1964 Classic Gauge and Cluster parts to sell. I will have business cards out as well.

I am hoping to find some good deals on gauge cluster(s) and parts while I am there.

Take care,
Tom

[CG]

This is gonna sound weird, I've been to this swap meet a couple of times ... Its just too big for me (told you it was weird lol).

[HeavyD]

Just need a golf cart to make it easier! Carrying a tailgate 1/2 mile back to the truck blows

[Coley]

Originally Posted by HeavyD

Just need a golf cart to make it easier! Carrying a tailgate 1/2 mile back to the truck blows

Thats what those young kids running around with their wagons are for. I think they charge $10 a load or something to take the heavier/bigger items over to the 'day storage' area. (...at least up at the Expo site. I'm not sure about the racetrack?)
Its a good deal and helps these kids with some junior business money...excellent stuff and great to see them out there running around....saving a few backs and muscles of the old guys...lol
Coley

[fourspeedwagon]

Originally Posted by CG

This is gonna sound weird, I've been to this swap meet a couple of times ... Its just too big for me (told you it was weird lol).

I can understand that. My Dad would complain the same thing (and other complaints) but he'd still go there, and Hershey and the big one at Los Angeles...
It is big but man is it awesome. Wish I were there this year.

[TDAWG]

Heading down for the first time with some guys from work. Bought a 68 C10 in Portland in October. Can't wait to get some new parts.

[TBONE1964]

Currently at the meet. Anyone coming stop and say hi. We are 5100 at the Expo and 2154 at the track. Most of our set up is at the track.

Looking forward to meeting all who can come out.

Take care,
Tom

[TBONE1964]

Portland swap was a blast. Had a great time and to all of you members I met, it was very nice to meet all of you.

Still wore out and tired from the week but it was worth it. What a great event.

I will certainly be back next year.

Take care,
Tom