How I spent a ton of money going to the swap meet...

"Takuro Spirit" (takurospirit)
04/28/2014 at 11:10 • Filed to: None

And not a DIME on car parts.

So this whole Swap Meet / Car Show / Car Corral is kinda new to me. I never really had a classic car that I cared about repairing/restoring until recently, so I only went to car shows to oogle what might be.

Well what might be is what is now, and I need parts. So when Spring Jefferson showed up on the calendar, I went.

But I went on the completely wrong day.

Spring Jefferson, as many car shows and swap meets do, ran all weekend. Friday, Saturday, and most of Sunday (till 3PM). I had to work all day Friday, and my wife was out of town doing wedding things for her BFF for whom she is a bridesmaid. So I had the kids. I also had !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! since it was nice out.

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The kids were happy playing inside/outside, and I promised to take them to the park later, when amazingly, it god cold as balls and windy. But we had fun.

So Sunday morning we all wake up early and hit the road by 9AM, as Jefferson is a little over an hour drive. We get there shortly after 10, park in the $5 lot across the street, and make our way to the main gate. $8 per adult, kids are free. $21 gone and I haven't seen a single car part for sale. Just lots of cars, like the GMC in the lead image.

It's cold, it had rained the whole way, and the wind is bitter. The young'n, 6, is FWEEZING. The 8 year old is having fun, trying to make the best of the situation. It's hard to get girls into cars, especially when its as nasty and muddy as it is. So I promised them toys, if we found a toy vendor.

It worked.

I spot a few vendors, mostly either really old stuff, or really new stuff. Lots of junk. Some overpriced junk. LOTS of tires and wheels. Nothing I was even tempted to bid on. Sunday, last day, no human traffic, good day to make a deal, right??

I spot some F-body seats, but they're early 70's, and FUGLY. Pass. I spot some late 70's interior. Seats, AND door panels! But they're rough. And blue. PASS. I see lots of odds and ends, but its all stuff I already have. My wife asks " What do you need? Do you have a list? Can I help?" Nope, babe. The list is in my head. Hood, dash, and seats are the priority. And an LS motor if anyone has one cheap. "You're not putting an engine in the back of my CX-9."

Okay.

We also spot a '77 Trans Am that looks to be for sale in the vendor area. Hood's up, windshield is missing, and from far away it looks like its the same shape as my car. Up close it is not. Lots of rust, lots of missing body parts, but the engine and interior is there. There's also a bigger crowd around IT than all the other project cars for sale in the vendor area. Monte Carlos, El Caminos, a sweet late 70's Malibu wagon, and a Cyclone even.

So it was mostly a bust. The kids found some toys. Again, overpriced, junky, but they're happy. See??

And the wife is happy. Why? Well, on the way to Jefferson WI is a place called Johnson's Creek, WI. What are they known for? OUTLET STORES. What outlet store did I promise to take the wife to? THE COACH OUTLET STORE.

So dammit, I'm taking some pictures. But there's literally NOTHING left, as it is now noon.

Near the gate, where there is now NO ONE CHARGING ADMISSION (coulda got in for free, dammit) was some Stef Bait:

And some Torch Bait:

Some ME Bait:

Some sacrilege:

And oh yeah, some WTF from inside the swap meet:

So..... we left. Went to grab lunch, at a place that also made and sold treats and desserts. Left there about $80 lighter.

Then the Coach store. $300 and $400 purses ABOUND. But hey, 40% off!

Made it out of there with only buying the wife a clutch. No, not the car kind. $60.

Oh, and while we were there, the kids needed new shoes so we went to the Famous Footwear outlet. Cha ching, another $80 gone.

Nope, I didn't need a purse, or shoes, or dessert (but lunch was yummy), so technically I didn't get anything I came for. But I'm okay with that. I know for next time. Go early, when the weather is nice.

And leave the ladies at home. :)

DISCUSSION (9)

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Takuro Spirit
04/28/2014 at 11:19

Kinja'd!!!

Zoidberg: "I'm acting astonished!"

jkm7680 > Takuro Spirit
04/28/2014 at 11:20

You should head to Carsile in Pa. Their swap meet is great. Lots of Corvette/Trans Am parts usually.

shop-teacher > Takuro Spirit
04/28/2014 at 11:36

I forsee myself having days like this in the not too distant future.

Takuro Spirit > jkm7680
04/28/2014 at 11:51

I don't like to travel.... unless I'm already travelling.

Bandit > Takuro Spirit
04/28/2014 at 16:39

The door panels I'm using I bought for $30 and they had been sitting outside for who knows how long. I just had to repair and replace the cardboard back since the fronts were in decent shape. Interiors can be painted, just remember that. You just have to buy the spray paint made for vinyl or something (it has flex additive in it). Pro tip: drivers side arm rests are super expensive and are easily broken by people shutting the door! It took a while for me to find a decent set of non broken arm rests for my car.

Takuro Spirit > Bandit
04/28/2014 at 17:33

The panels I saw were sitting face down. Once I picked them up I realized why. The vinyl and carpet was worn and stained and sagging, and there was no armrests or door handle trim or anything. The backings were actually in decent shape.

I'll be going to other swap meets, I will find a set to my liking eventually. I have time.

Bandit > Takuro Spirit
04/28/2014 at 19:25

Yeah those are practically trash. I have a set of standard door panels that I think are from a camaro that are in crap shape but I don't want to throw them away.

Takuro Spirit > Bandit
04/28/2014 at 19:50

There's a NICE set of red panels on eBay, the correct interior color for my car but the starting bid is $275. Yikes. Arm rests are another $150 in mint condition. Plus door handle bezels. And, and, and.....

Kinja'd!!!

Bandit > Takuro Spirit
04/28/2014 at 19:59

Don't go red. That stuff fades inconsistently and looks like crap after a few years. Black and tan are much easier to live with. I got handle bezels, arm rests, and the power window delete badges for free from a guy. "Teenager discounts" are awesome.