Portland Swap Meet

[dean from bozeman]

So I am in Portland this weekend to see my daughter compete in the NW Regional Gymnastics Championships. Then a friend asked if I was interested in antique cars. Well, a bit! He then told me about the Portland Swap meet at the Racetrack/Expo in Portland.

My buddy isn't an old car guy but he did walk the entire race track oval with me and then joined on a tour of the expo buildings.

I was really impressed by the quality of Model A sheet metal that was for sale. Not much in the way of Model A parts but there were some scattered here and there. Rusty Easter eggs. Also met a lot of real good antique car guys.

On this trip I didn't have any room for parts in my suitcase and I didn't really have much in my wallet. But to find out about a big swap meet and then in a few minutes getting there to spend a few quality hours going through the rust and grease....priceless.

P.S. Don't worry, I did get to see my daughter compete.

 

[Craig Lewis]

Portland's a good little swap meet.
There's some descent hotels around the meet with relatively good rates and a shuttle train service pretty much to the front gate.
The racetrack opens a day early and it's open to whatever mode of transportation you feel like. I bring a pedal bike like many others...but you'll see everything from scooters & atvs to golfcarts & plenty of antique bicycles.
...heck I saw 1 dude riding an electic beverage cooler!
...and another big ol boy on a motorized wheelchair towing a big heavy duty roll cabinet round the track with a bungee cord!
I didn't find it hard to put in a full day at the track, another 10 hrs at the expo to see the back area & buildings...and finally 4 hrs today to see the expo front areas.
There's NO wheeled or motorized transportation at the expo swap, shoes only.
My only gripe would have to be the $25xx charge to park your transportation vehicle outside the gates. You have fellas wandering around every diveway or parking area across streets and up the road even....these guys walk right up, pockets bulging with cash and if you don't pay $25xx to park on some grass or a maridian in front of an industrial site....then too bad, because the next guy behind you will.
I found a few things I needed ....and quite a bit that I probably don't .... but it's a fun time and the weather was mostly great!

 

[dean from bozeman]

Craig, it cost us $10 to park. That included a bus shuttle that would take you to the race track and Expo.

Don, I am a lucky guy to happen to be in an area when a swap meet is taking place. The Charlotte meet is larger and has more Model A parts. Finding a first generation u-joint cover for A495 at Charlotte last year was one of my favorite swap meet moments ever!

With the lack of a meaningful swap meet in Montana it is great to be able to attend swap meets when on the road. Now if I could only get to Chickasha somehow...

 

[Nuts]

Dean I wish I knew you were coming to Portland, I would have liked to visit a bit.

I had a 28 Special Coupe for sale on the West end of the race track.
Maybe we did visit?

And I can't believe someone didn't buy the 28/9 Panel Delivery.


Doug