Epping Antique Auto Flea Market

Joe K

Joe K

Well-known member
Epping Antique Auto Flea Market today.

There at 6:45 a.m. to about four rows of cars parked, but an active crowd.

Gentleman entering at the same time I was was smoking my father's cigar - the year about 2000 since I've smelled that. As I said to him "Cigar smoking not too often seen anymore in public - thank you for reminding me of my father."

"My apologies" he said with a smile.

As to the selection, only about four sellers had anything of Model A. Almost more Model T stuff among those.

About half the tables were parts for (what I consider) late model cars (i.e. cars of production during my lifetime) The other half was primarily "ephemera." You know these - the oil cans, 6v, 12v and 120vac "finger cutter" fans. Some grinders, air compressors, drill presses of the Harbor Freight variety. Small Hot-Wheels type cars. Plastic Models.

I didn't see my usual contacts. Honest John Bradley was not there nor the Lexington, MA gentleman (Ken.)

3-1/2 rows of active sales - but a lot of sitting. Not too many parts seen in wagons or two-wheelers. One gentleman and his son had the radiator and cover for a 28-29 car. They were seen asking about other parts from those sellers who had ANY Model A parts.

I ended up buying a plumbers "acetylene tank & torch" for $10. Mostly interested in the tank as a spare for my Oxy-Acetylene setup. The hose and torch are trash. The tank is coded (i.e. no gauge on the bottom) and "modern."

I left about 8 a.m. By this time the parking lot was about half full - perhaps 10 rows - with a lot of gaps close in from the departure of early arrivals (like me.)

I suspect the early and non-standard date for the show is affecting. The Epping show USED to be held always the last Sunday of the month. This year they announced early to "watch their website for upcoming dates." August 10 is the earliest date in a month. Plus summer (heat) tends to cut into the show.

Perhaps September & October will offer better? September 14, October 12, November 9 will be the dates.

I heard Taunton (MA) mentioned as the next "good" show. I'll have to check the Internet.

Joe K
Live Free or Duh
 
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Nope,not the same.But,when I started going up there in the early 70's it was a place for antique car parts.Now you could have the antique parts sales on your front lawn.Just not the same market anymore.There was virtually no hot rod stuff being sold there back then.A friend just stopped here with his 30 Fordor on his way home from the dragway meet.He didn't really find anything there,but he bought a few things from me today.I had an early 30 popout switch that Mr.Crabtree had done a few years ago,he had been looking for a core to send out,so he was happy to find a nice plug and play switch.He also bought a pair of early 30 forged front fender braces,and I gave him a timing gear cover and a valve chest cover.For some reason I have those stacked up like a row of sliced bread.
 
I really need to go there and sell, have lots of stuff I will never use. Getting up real early is not as much fun as it once was.
 
For close to 40 years I would get up,drive the 39 miles to Amherst,and be there before six.Now with the dragway less than 3 miles from me,I don't even bother to go.I just don't need anything.I'm really thinking about gathering up everything,and selling it all off.I have three A's on the road.but I only drive one at a time.I'll keep my pickup,as I've had it since 1968,when I was 12.I'm going to sell the Phaeton and the Coupe.I just went out for ice cream,and put just over 40 miles on the Coupe.Hurts my shoulders to drive it.The Phaeton doesn't bother my shoulders,but there is no room for my left leg because of the left hand parking brake.I have to fight that thing just to put my foot on the clutch.
 
I heard Taunton (MA) mentioned as the next "good" show. I'll have to check the Internet.
Click to expand...
A quick check of the Internet reveals that the "Taunton" show is no more. The show grounds are listed but "no longer in business" attached.

For seacoast NH/Southern Maine, Todd Farm in Rowley, MA seems the best next option. August 29 - 3pm to 7:30pm.

https://thetoddfarm.com/auto/

Joe K
 
I have been to the swap meet at Fitchburg MA airport a couple times. It is only once a year in May, and there is more muscle car stuff than pre-war. Definitely worth the trip
 
We did Amherst for quite a few years driving up from Rockport. Loading truck on Saturday driving up there with two kids so four of us in the pickup, doing the flea market, I had two spaces if I remember correctly and driving back home took a lot of effort. Kids would sleep on the way back home so they would be raring to go but I would be comatose. It was a lot of fun wandering around with Fred Page, and educational. As far as Todd farm I was not aware there was any car flea market going on.
 
I never knew the Todd farm did old car stuff either.But,a friend sitting here said sure,they do a show a couple of times a year.He goes to it,and said there is one this month.
 
It looks like the Todd "big show" is in October.

August 29 will be limited to post 3:30 pm, which I imagine might hold it back. While Saturday October 18 will be from 10am onward.

Its a short drive from here.

Joe K
 
John Bradley was at the Waterbury, VT meet this past weekend. He brought a Deluxe Phaeton for sale that needed a full restoration.
 
My friend was looking for John at the dragway this weekend.He bought a used engine from John months ago,and put it in his 30 Fordor.He wanted to show John how nice it ran.
 
A closing to the 2025 Epping Flea Market season.

I drive over and take the exit off of Route 101 and set up to pass over Epping Road into the flea market parking area. As I am about to continue, I notice there are NO cars in the parking lot which normally for a flea market should be 1/3rd full.

And there is a sign at the road entrance.

And there are "hernia blocks" blocking the entrance to the flea market area.

And the people who were stopped alongside me and continuing across were all turning to the "right" - more as the Raceway people do. One imagines that they will be racing later today.

So I gave it up - came home.

I checked to see what the New England Dragway site indicates for schedule. There have been "last minute" changes in the past.

No change. Well, maybe one. One of the various online notifications by NEDW indicates the flea market will be held SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8.

Um. This is Sunday and today is the 9th - at least on my calendar.

Granted, I will say that the New England Dragway folks have been "irregular" in the past. As I have said here it is VERY USUAL for the flea market to be cancelled due to rain. Something about their field which floods VERY easily. A quick shower can result in 2" of water.

So generally, if it has rained the day before, the flea market is likely cancelled on principle. Most who go regularly to Epping know and understand this.

But it quickly showered yesterday, the afternoon was dry and sunny, and today it is cloudy and rain is predicted for later today - after the flea market is done.

I could only sum this up for my wife and say "They're a little loose jointed over at New England Dragway."

Oh well. There is always next year. It will come for New England Dragway too - if they mark their calendar.

Joe K
 
Joe,all events are ended for the season,and today they are letting the cars park where the race guys usually operate.During race season there are race guys in there 7 days a week,they all rent the track for testing,tuning,etc.I always get a couple of A guys and a sign collector stopping by after they leave there.The two A guys made hauls there today.One called and needed a truck to get some stuff out of there.He needed two pickups but only had one.His girlfriend came over,took my truck,and went to get a load.They piled up a load of fenders,hoods,running boards and splash aprons in my yard to come get this afternoon.Said he bought the stuff from street rod boys that didn't want to store the stuff over the winter.The other guy showed up just to brag about the nice windshield frame he bought for $100.I'd brag about that one too.They were done shopping at 7:30 too.
 
Good to know I simply misread the indications.


The field and its flooding problem does require attention.


Joe K
 
That whole area is clay.The parking lot is at the bottom of that bowl,with no place to drain to.That place was built on a dozen different deeded lots,it was all cut up in the days of woodlots.It was junk worthless land back then.There are still a dozen different deeded lots around the place,and the dragway would have to buy a few of them to get a place to drain the water too.My friend owns a 10 acre parcel surrounded by the dragway now.Looks like an island with the trees still on it out there.The dragway people thinks it is worthless land to anybody but them,because it is landlocked.It was a shady crew that consolidated all those parcels and sold the whole thing that is now the dragway.Somehow the deeded right of way to my friends parcel disappeared when that deal was being put together in 1965-1967.She is now adamant that there will be no drainage across her land.
 
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