Thoughts on Hershey

[marty in Ohio]

Several years ago I went to Hershey with a friend. Had a great time and only bought a radiator cap gasket for my model A. (I think I paid .85 for it) When I got home I showed my purchase to my wife, and she asked me how much it cost. I sat and figured it up and I think it came to about $450.00. She said it was worth every penny as long as I had a good time. She's priceless!
Marty

[mhsprecher]

I wouldn't miss it. I was only there for Friday afternoon and the show on Saturday. I bought two items from guys in my Model A club, so didn't need to go there for that and a radiator cap for my Model T, something I could have gotten elsewhere, but you see stuff there you would not see anywhere else. It is a slog, but everyone needs the exercise, as long as you don't eat too much pizza or funnel cakes.

I have said before how much I love the car show. It is very crowded, but there are always cars there you won't see anywhere else. It is always a thrill. I am amazed at how many foreigners are there, too. The Greatest Show on Earth, IMO.

[Birchwood]

I can see both sides, I have only been to hershey a few times but I was hooked after the first time. I would meet up with a couple of guys from here and we would search the fields. Dave was a guy that had been into model a's since a very young age and had a knowledge that was unbelievable, and he educated me as we walked around. We lost him to cancer a few years back and honestly that's what I looked forward to the most , spending time and learning from a master.
This year my wife and I made reservations and was going for the week and a couple of weeks before we were to leave we had an illness in the family and could not go. I am already looking forward to going next year. Its a little over 600 miles from here but to me its worth it. I seen things I never seen before and things I will probably never see again. I met a lot of fine folks and even seen Wick a couple of times and wanted to introduce myself but he was busy, next year Wick.
I guess what I am trying to convey is there is a wealth of knowledge and experience at Hershey each year and to newcomers like me it is well worth the time and money. The most important thing I learned is buy what you need when you see it, look for bargains on Friday.

[brum1]

a few more pictures

[Jeff/Illinois]

Neat but don't go too much on those big signs in the one photo, like the Gulf signs, they aren't worth near as much as a smaller sign.

The old saying used to be the bigger the sign the smaller the price. Just a head's up here. The reason being, where in the world are you going to display a sign 8 feet in diameter unless you have a big old honkin' barn and then even then they don't display all that well.

Nice Coupe in the background I like that.

[brum1]

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more pics

[brum1]

more pics

[redmodelt]

This was posted over on the Model T Ford Club of America forum. It is some info about the 2019 swap;
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages...tml?1539815866

[Ted Duke]

Originally Posted by redmodelt

This was posted over on the Model T Ford Club of America forum. It is some info about the 2019 swap;
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages...tml?1539815866

I just read this link and it's encouraging. Maybe more car parts and less parked $70.000 diesel pickups.


I hope the RED field vendors actually improve their lot.

[ronn]

Well Jeff,
I want one of those big gulf signs and missed one 2 yrs ago for 600.
I see them now everywhere for 3000. and of course, I aint payin dat!

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by ronn

Well Jeff,
I want one of those big gulf signs and missed one 2 yrs ago for 600.
I see them now everywhere for 3000. and of course, I aint payin dat!

Wow, now that's big bucks I haven't bought any signs for at least 10-12 years, back then a hundred bucks was top top dollar for those big banjo signs and they had to be mint to get that.

I guess times have changed. The smaller ones were always more money I'm sure they went up too. I'm sure then that gas pumps and globes have gone way up also.

I don't think there is any hobby anymore you can get into that doesn't get real pricey real quick, the more you get into it

I'm glad I bought my neon Ford sign many years ago, probably couldn't afford it today. It came out of an old Ford dealership in NW Missouri. It's the one in my avatar. Mint condition almost flawless! New neon tubing and transformer.

[TerryO]

Well Jeff,
I want one of those big gulf signs and missed one 2 yrs ago for 600.
I see them now everywhere for 3000. and of course, I aint payin dat!

I was lucky to buy one a couple of years ago. I had been looking for a reasonable priced one for a quite a while.


TerryO

[Brendan]

it would be a big expense just to get there From Santa Rosa ca.
i see allot of you guys lice close by

[Ted Duke]

Just a couple of thoughts. I'm getting old, but love walking Hershey. This year was not much good to me. Thursday afternoon everything was covered (it poured) and Friday the wind sucked. Ordered a 1929 Roadster PU top and went home.



1-Last few years too much time and energy walking past nothing.
2-Just because I don't buy anything from a vendor doesn't mean they wasted their time.

(After 2016 show I placed a $700 order from a vendor in 2018 BECAUSE he knew his product and was willing to WASTE time with me when I told him I wsn;t read to order yet.)
3-Yes, I know if I don't want to go I can stay home. But I got wet and windblown so I feel free to offer my 6 cents worth.
4-Looking forward to next year at Hershey. Maybe I will camp out at a motel some miles away and wait for the NON-rainy NON-windy day. Or I could go early to find the hard to find stuff and Friday afternoon for the bargains.
Don't you love Hershey AACA?

Ted

[Wick]

Lots of good comments. When I attend Hershey it starts on Saturday for me now. Antique shops and a auction and two museums. Just putting Model A parts out for sale doesn't cut it anymore. Small signs move quick along with old bicycles. Anything oil related moves good, this keeps people stopping by.
I keep a journal of how sales go each day every year. I try to shop before 10 am then sell till 4pm then shop some more. Friday is sell all day long. Tuesday I try to visit Clem and Benny,Flop,Bob Powell and other friends.
On places to stay Air b&bs are very popular around Hershey now.

[divcoone]

Wick, after throughly examining the tank, I think I owe you more money

[Wick]

Originally Posted by divcoone

Wick, after throughly examining the tank, I think I owe you more money

No you don't. I'll make it up on the next one I find.

[TerryO]

I'm glad I bought my neon Ford sign many years ago, probably couldn't afford it today. It came out of an old Ford dealership in NW Missouri. It's the one in my avatar. Mint condition almost flawless! New neon tubing and transformer.

I'd probably double your $$$ on that sign.


TOB

[oliverguy]

This is my third year vending. I sell Model A and Model T parts. If I break even I'm happy. My stuff is priced to sell and I want it to change over every year. The show has changed a bit over the years and now is a smaller show - but the internet has changed everything so why not car swap meets too? Without vendors there would be no Hershey. That's why I decided to start vending. It's a fun week of swapping stories and catching up with friends. I could deal with less hobby doomsday negativity and grumpiness from the older guys but I guess that's to be expected. You can't take it with you so you might as well have fun now.

[Slotblog]

Originally Posted by oliverguy

This is my third year vending. I sell Model A and Model T parts. If I break even I'm happy.

I was shanghaied into penning the Hershey story for the 'Antique Automobile' this year and as part of my research, I 'interviewed' numerous vendors about their thoughts concerning the event.

Those of you who are AACA members might find my thoughts in the next issue of the club magazine of some interest.

I'll say this: for the vast majority of the vendors, it isn't about the money.