missed last year so this was the first trip to the new site.. or sauna...

things I liked...
lots of neat trucks (but too many 65 and ups... and why would you raise the hood on a new f250 at a vintage truck show ???

good swap area... saw lots more parts than you ever saw at the Grand site

put some faces with names... Donald, Lanse, Harley, Nighthawk and others... an all together handsome bunch of gentlemen... but I had been out in the sun for a while...

more vendors with good stock this year... spent ALL my money and some more.

things I didn't like

10 bucks a head for admission... 3 days would be 60 bucks !!!! and that doesn't include a stage show !!! and half of that for a wife who's really not into trucks... it was cheaper to pay for registration and get 3 days of parking for 40 bucks... 10 bucks a carload would be more than reasonable... I've never paid admission before I don't think and walkins should be free

parking... not enough... by 10am it was full to overflowing...

heat.... that asphalt does generate/reflect some rays.. by lunch time we were all cooking... even the canopy dwellers... I did spot a cool place down in the shade by the creek...

restin places.... wife requested some benches, milk crates, something to sit on and rest a little... there was absolutely no where to rest your dogs inside the show.... except for a trolley stop on either side of the show... which meant walking out and back maybe build/rent a few benches and put them in strategic places... a happy wife makes for a much more pleasant day...

traffic backup... seems that the guy at the bottom of the hill had to have a long conversation with every car.... took over 20 minutes to get from Treaster Rd (the turn in) to a parking spot.

Ill go back tomorrow for some forgotten items...but it will be early while it's cool... and in and out...

you guys with trucks there.... not a loser in the bunch... all nice rides... someday mine will be there with yours... and with todays major purchase it will have one piece smoked glass in the doors.... just tooo cool.

later
John

 

John, it was good meeting you. I didn't realize you were the John that lived near me in Hueytown. Heck, I grew up in Pleasant Grove. We'll have to meet up some time!

Very valid points about the show too.

 

Any good looking 53-56 hoods at the swap meet for a reasonable price?

 

I would say the hoods and fenders were all still marked at retail price...as far as I could tell. I saw one guy that had two new (most likely China pieces) 53-56 fenders priced as a "show special."

"show special" was $698...."show special????" really?!??!

But I wasn't there at the start of the show, so maybe some good hoods went for good prices that first day...

 

Very valid points, John. I made the show the first year it was back in Pigeon Forge, so I knew there would be "growing pains" but it sounds like parking and gate admission has not changed. I thought it was ironic that I paid $20.00 for my Wife and I to get in the gate and later that same day went to a Tri-Five Chevy show down the street to pick up parts for a friend and it didn't cost a thing to get in. Also parked for free. Free is good = more fans of F-100's. Just my thoughts, Steve

 

Sy with Mid-50 had two outside her tent... one was decent and already stripped, the other was in much worse shape.... front lip had a good bit of rust thru and the drivers side lip was rusted thru. Both were together "ONE" hood..... she let them go for 300 for the pair.. I didn't see them there when I left Saturday afternoon.

john

 

I don't think I'll be going back any time soon. Too big and too hot. The traffic in Pigeon Forge was horrible. Not my idea of a good time.

I think I'll be sticking to the smaller shows from here on out.

-DV

 

I agree on the location.. I've always wanted to go to the Nationals...
We went to the Smokey Mountain F100 Fun Run a couple years ago now, and the same conditions.. Hot, Humid, terrible traffic, poor hotel conditions.. I enjoyed meeting some of our FTE members, but the rest was just not enjoyable.. I can sit on hot pavement here.. and not have to drive 1000 miles each way.

Sam

 

Well I started out Wednesday I got just into Kentucky and fuel pump started to go (A/C) also quit before I left and wipers stopped when it started to rain. Stalled 4 times before I could get off . Stopped at Ford dealer to see if I could get some help. Four older guys knew what it was but management said they could not work on it. Sent next door they didn't want to do it. Older guy gave me the phone number for a antique car dealer. Got fixed a day later for just $450.00.

Got to Pigon Forge and Motel said elevator was out of order took room anyway. Went to show Friday parked truck opened hood and watched fuel pump leaking gas at line seems he stripped threads on the line or the pump. Oh forgot entering show power steering pump stopped working. Lucky for me my daughter came up from Georga to see me for a few days. Left truck in melting pot to find a trailer. Another $453.00 and we were finally on are way home made it after 12 hours. Setting that show in the middle of a parking lot with no shade is not a good thing. Last one for me.

Chuck

 

One thing that needs to be pointed out is the fact that Spring came very early this year and was long gone before May. We had a very mild winter as opposed to the year before. I went to the Supernationals last year, and it was actually pretty nice. Yeah, it was sunny, but not obviously as hot as you guys experienced this year. I imagine the whole summer is gonna be exceptionally hot this year.

As far as Pigeon Forge traffic goes, I can show you guys some pretty nifty short-cuts I've learned over the years.

Maybe we ought to consider an FTE get-together on a small farm in the sticks of KY with 2 fish ponds, lots of shade, a shop (with lots of tools), a barn, and acres and acres for the kids to play on. Only problem is the nearest hotel is about 10 miles away if a person didn't want to camp.

 

Man, that's just wrong. Sounds like you had a miserable experience. Sorry to hear that.

 

And I just sold the motorhome. First question are those crow miles or road miles ? ,,, not that it makes any difference. Sounds like a plan. Tell us more.
And I'll just throw this in FWIW. I've been playing with collectable type vehicles for quite a few years and I find the small meets have been the best. Location does make a large part of the successful meet.

 

Road miles. Very curvy two lane road miles. I have 2 houses on the property. Running water and electricity obviously at both. I also have power to both my shop and barn. Plus I could probably rig up a power board for campers, etc. It's in a place called Blackey, KY. Before this discussion goes any further, realize my place is well off the beaten path (nearest Interstate is about 90 or so miles in any direction). There are 2 hotels (an independent and a Super 8) in Whitesburg and quite a few in Hazard, KY.

 

If we have a hard luck award, you certainly are in contention for it. Sounds like the trip to hell.

 

Love the sound of it Doc, and I do have a camper and we love to camp. I don't know if we'd be able to make it all the way up to kentucky though. The 200 miles to pigeon forge is kind of the upper limit for me.

That truck fest in townsend in september sounds like a good arrangement. September is a busy month, but then again every month is a busy month these days.