PNW Swap Meets

[robertsjm711]

Last year I went to the PIR swap meet in Portland, has anyone been to both the PIR & the one at the expo center?

Accessibility, parking & quality/quantity for 47-53 parts?

Thoughts?

Going to get my red wagon out this week...

[Softpatch]

I Go every year (Fridays)
You can park in the PIR lot...... bring a bike it a big place.!
Then pack it up and head to the Expo and pay for street parking.(no lot)
They wont let you bike in the expo lot/building so you will have to leave your bike outside on the gate if your bike is worth stealing some one will.
So bring a throw down bike
Get repop chrome trim in the expo building for our trucks
it's dicy for 47-54 Chevy truck parts on an average about 3-5 % truck parts
you might get lucky tho.......

Rumor is prices are going to be high this year because of the trend

[mr48chev]

I haven't been to Portland for a few years and after spending a chunk of change on some parts I needed for one of my OT projects today I pretty well blew the money I would have taken to Portland.

Depending on what you are looking for any swap meet can be hit or miss.. There are better chances of finding parts at Portland simply because vendors haul loads of stuff from several states while some of the little swap meets like Yakima or The Tri Cities have primarily local guys. A guy did have a batch of nice AD doors for 35 each last year at Yakima. I didn't have my truck so I didn't try to buy them. The last couple of years at Tri cities it appeared that a few guys brought out their yard sale stuff with just enough car parts to be legal at the swap meet. Barely enough though.

I haven't been to Monroe for at least 30 years just because it is further than I care to do on an over and back trip.

I have been to the one at Centralia a few times but again it has been a long time. A group of used to go together way back when and have a good time and find some parts.

[robertsjm711]

Last year I wanted to find a transmission and with some luck found one at a reasonable price. I don't really have anything specific, even though I have a pretty large wish list. Just curious if the additional travel (shuttles, MAX, etc.) was worth it. I liked just having the ability to park near PIR and walk in.

I'll probably hit PIR on Thursday, and if I am super motivated I'll go to the Expo Center. Last year the weather was so bad it weeded out all the rubber-neckers. I just brought my Gortex and had a great time.

I defiantly will look into those other ones, I'm between Salem & Eugene so some of those northern ones might be a long drive just for a meet. Who knows, might get a wild hair...

[jweb]

I have had better luck with 47-53 parts at the Expo. I know this guy has a lot of parts
https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/...539739726.html.

The Truck and car shop brings a truck load of new parts. Plus it's nice to be able to go inside if the weather gets like last year.

[PDW HOTRODS]

I think the Expo has better stuff, I go to both every year. The PIR has a lot, but a lot of the people have booths there just so they can shop and party, and sell some junk while they are there.

[jweb]

Forgot to mention, PIR is Thursday-Saturday and Expo is Friday-Sunday.

You won't be able to do both on Thursday.

[robertsjm711]

I don’t think I would even try to do both in one day, my head would explode.
I do remember talking to a PIR vendor last year that only got a spot to get first dibs on stuff on Thursday, before the general public is allowed in.

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by PDW HOTRODS

I think the Expo has better stuff, I go to both every year. The PIR has a lot, but a lot of the people have booths there just so they can shop and party, and sell some junk while they are there.

I'd have to agree there even though we have only gone to PIR in the past few years. Last time I was at PIR on a Saturday I got run over a drunk riding one of those three wheel Skooters. Later in the day the mini bikes get pretty wild.

Still taking a small motor home and trailer with enough stuff to sell to justify being there and renting a couple of spaces is probably the way to go for several days. Having that cheap bike to ride up to Expo and chain to something and hope it is still there when you get back or a golf cart or what not would let you shop both places and run back and forth at least to one of the Expo gates.

[Softpatch]

this thread has me torn

[Softpatch]

Originally Posted by jweb

I have had better luck with 47-53 parts at the Expo. I know this guy has a lot of parts
https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/...539739726.html.

The Truck and car shop brings a truck load of new parts. Plus it's nice to be able to go inside if the weather gets like last year.

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I have seen this truck before
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Clicked on the link this is what I saw
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Question How can the same vendor be Based In two states .?
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(Anacortes) washington
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and
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clark/cowlitz county
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https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/c...518826371.html
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Clicked on this link and ....what do you know same truck
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[Softpatch]

If you never been both are quite the show and a Must see ...and yes i do both every Year

[Softpatch]

Originally Posted by PDW HOTRODS

I think the Expo has better stuff, I go to both every year. The PIR has a lot, but a lot of the people have booths there just so they can shop and party, and sell some junk while they are there.

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pictures of some of the "Junk" they where selling while shop and party.?
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I do both every year the PIR and Expo on a friday Bike the PIR and walk expo
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PIR = 11 miles
Expo =6.5 miles
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[mr48chev]

Quite often stuff that is for sale at a "want to see it gone" price at the Racetrack on the first day shows up in a booth at the Expo at a much higher price over the weekend.

Last time I sold at Portland I took a bunch of parts and little money, sold almost everything I took and went out and spent the money I got on parts that I took home. That has been my style when selling at swap meets since the early 70's though. Sell stuff to be able to buy stuff. I won't make it to Portland this year after buying a rolling chassis parts donator for my Model A last Saturday. I may have the left overs from that for sale at Yakima or Kennewick in the next two months along with some other pieces. I need to clean out the excess and pick up a few specific parts in the process.