Just rolled into town and set up in a hotel, waiting for the gates to open in the morning at the Portland swap meet. Anyone else going to be there?

 

Wish I was, but instead my wife's family rolled in this evening from Wenatchee.

 

Well I was suppose to. Multiple vehicle breakdowns didn't allow me enough time to drag out my crap, get my cars I was sellin ready, and get it all down there. In turn I own a $175 piece of grass at the racetrack. Add to that my computer got bombarded with several Trojan viruses earlier this week. Had to call on my brother to revive it. Took him a couple days but as you can see it's mostly back up and running. Been a cruddy week. So with all of this going on, i just tossed my hands up a bagged the swap meet this year. First time in years I've missed it.

 

Oh c'mon! The swap meet would be therapy for you and a place away from all of your problems.

 

Hahahaha! Yeah well every time I go I seem to drag home more crap i don't need. And every year I buy a new project rig too. Time to get some things done around the house I've been neglecting for some time now. There's an All-Ford swap/car show in Hillsboro, OR in June sometime and the two in fall, Chehalis, WA and Canby, OR I normally attend aswell.
The change this year will be the fact i FINALLY have something worth taking to a show/cruise. Been quite some time ('03) since I actually had something to drive. Also have "Rod Run to the End of the World" in Long Beach, WA, one at Seaside, OR and also our infamous "Crusin the Gut" here in Vancouver.
To be honest, just crusin around in the '56 has been awesome therapy! The hood isn't on it yet as I have a few more things to wrap up, but i've put over 50 miles on the thing already. My first day out i put 40mi on it alone! I didn't wanna stop driving it!!! I don't think you could have wiped the smile off of my face, even with a baseball bat, that day.

 

One of these years I'll make it too. Our son and his family live in the city just south of PIR so it'd be a short drive up there. I've been to the All British show and to a CART race (back before the IRL), but never been in town the weekend of the swap meet. Someday. Stu

 

Is it raining there today?! LOL, I used to spend a lot of time in PDX for work, seemed like any time there was something good to do, it was raining.

 

I went yesterday with a couple of friends. Was at the PIR gate at opening and left at the 7pm closing. We all had a good time and picked up a few pieces for our projects.

I saw almost nothing for 48-52 trucks. One guy had some 51-52 fenders (upper and lower, plus the inners, for $30 each - wish I could have gotten them just to have around, but they wouldn't fit in the Honda for the 3 hour trip home). Another had 3 of the 4 hood strip strips for my 50. He wasn't at his booth, and when his friend called him for me, he turned down my offer and didn't even counter, so I walked away.

Only one complete truck there, and it was a big truck (I think an F4) up by the main building.

Weather was nice until early evening, when it rained a while. But, unlike last year, at least it was warm and sunny most of the day (and the weekend is supposed to be very nice).

Prices seemed overall more realistic than last year.

Have a good time - we did (beats work every time).

 

I wish I was. It's just fun to walk around and look, if nothing else.

 

Owen - now that you're back in the mid-west, you might want to think about going to the Iola show this coming July 12-15. Having never been to the swap meet at PIR I can't say if Iola is bigger, but it sure is big. I've tried to do it in one day before but think it's really a two day deal if you want to do it right. Stu

 

Well, I made it home alive. I walked all around the race track and the fairgrounds in one day. I was hoofin' it pretty good, and my legs are still telling me about it. As noted above, there was very little 48-52 stuff. I did manage to find a good vacuum wiper motor and control from a '52 that'll make a good spare, and a set of really nice upper rad hose pipes and water necks. I almost brought home an original V-8 rad and shroud, too, but passed. Probably would have if my accountant hadn't called me the night before with my tax bill.

The good part was no rain. First time in several years i didn't get wet there. I even got a little redness on the top of my head. Never would have guessed I'd have needed a parasol instead of an umbrella at Portland in April. ;-)

 

Right on! Glad to hear the trip was worth it. Last year it rained a bit on Thurs eve, but was dry the rest. Dry Portland Swap meets are rare, that's for sure. I should have my ducks in a row for next year, will be buying a space or two for next year for sure.

 

I don't know if you have a bunch of friends you do that with, but if you have room, keep me in mind. All of my swap meet pals have retired, and I wouldn't mind setting up shop and helping out again, if everything works out.

 

Oh, this year i ganged up with a couple other guys. They bought one stall, i bought the other. Seems its hard to find someone to "go in" with ya on a stall. Most the guys don't want to dedicate the whole weekend and I'm not really in the habit of selling their crap for them! My problem is i like to wander off and treasure hunt rather than sell the stuff i brought! My friend john, guy i split the booths with, wanted to do it again, either way I'll have another one next year and you're more then welcome to join in. I'll be sure to order enough vendor passes and whatnot for everyone. I usually get the old man down there with me. He doesn't go far as his legs have all but given up on him.

Do you go to the Harvest swap meet in Chehalis, WA? It's in the late Sept./early October time. That's another one I like to do. Didn't sell last year as i had just gotten over a nasty cold and still felt like trash but went to browse with dad anyways. The year before a friend and I went up there to sell, and we made a killing! I drug my project '55 F100 up there that year to sell.