The Ford Barn

Bob56 · 10-14-2019, 06:02 AM

Is there anything like Hershey on the West Coast?

Bob NH · 10-14-2019, 06:30 AM

I had a chance to go to the Pomona swap meet one time and thought that to be great

Terry,OH · 10-14-2019, 06:39 AM

Hershey, in size, is unique. There are some large swaps on the west coast.

TJ · 10-14-2019, 08:24 AM

Portland Swap Meet in Portland, Oregon. It happens in April.Never been to Hershey, but Portland can take 3 days to see it all. There's a huge outdoor area at the race track and a big indoor area at the Expo. I've been going since 1980. In total it's a five day event. The second biggest in my opinion is the Big 3 in San Diego in February. It's a three day event. Haven't been to Pomona in the L.A. area in a long time, but I recall it was only a one day event. I do recall it was a big swap meet.

Charlie Stephens · 10-14-2019, 09:58 AM

Ten years ago it would have been the LA Roadster show on fathers day. Then the club sold the rights to the swap meet to a businessman and it went to hell. Last year the club managed it again and it came back some. I expect it will be good in 2020.

Charlie Stephens

GB SISSON · 10-14-2019, 10:22 AM

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I'm with TJ on the Portland meet. A buddy and I go for the four days, and according to his little device, we walk 10-15 miles a day. Have made some real nice friends there as well as meeting up with the old friends. Never been disappointed.

bobH · 10-14-2019, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

Ten years ago it would have been the LA Roadster show on fathers day. Then the club sold the rights to the swap meet to a businessman and it went to hell. Last year the club managed it again and it came back some. I expect it will be good in 2020.

Charlie Stephens

I'm with Charlie on this. But note... There's Pomona, then there's Pomona on Father's Day weekend. The two are not the same. So, my recommendation is to consider Pomona on Father's Day weekend. For 2018 I thought it was very poor. But, as Charlie said, it came back some for 2019. We hope 2020 will be another good one.

Ronnieroadster · 10-14-2019, 07:11 PM

Hershey is over 36 miles of vending rows the simple answer to your question is NO

51504bat · 10-14-2019, 07:30 PM

Big 3 Swap Meet in San Diego late February every year. Great unless it rains. Turlock in January is big also. There is also one in Bakersfield at the drags in April. Mr. Google can help fill in the dates, etc. unless someone chimes in with more info. IMO Pomona isn't worth the time and expense. Lots of toys, yard sale crap, and cheap off shore tools. One more, Long Beach several times a year. Good hunting.

expavr · 10-15-2019, 12:23 AM

IMO the only West Coast event that comes close to Hershey in terms of number of vendors and quality of parts is the Portland swap meet. The 1940 Tonner followed me home from that meet.

“Hosted annually by six Portland Oregon area antique car clubs, The Portland Swap Meet is the largest auto parts swap meet on the west coast with approximately 3,500 vendor stalls and over 50,000 shoppers each April at the Portland Expo Center.“

I’ve been to San Diego, Turlock and Pomona swap meets and doubt any of the three have more than 1,000 vendors. By comparison Hershey advertises 9,000 vendor spaces.

Frank Miller · 10-15-2019, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by expavr

IMO the only West Coast event that comes close to Hershey in terms of number of vendors and quality of parts is the Portland swap meet. The 1940 Tonner followed me home from that meet.

“Hosted annually by six Portland Oregon area antique car clubs, The Portland Swap Meet is the largest auto parts swap meet on the west coast with approximately 3,500 vendor stalls and over 50,000 shoppers each April at the Portland Expo Center.“

I’ve been to San Diego, Turlock and Pomona swap meets and doubt any of the three have more than 1,000 vendors. By comparison Hershey advertises 9,000 vendor spaces.

Hershey is 9000 vendor spots and approximately 200,000 spectators. Probably have more countries represented than any other meet. So there may be extremely large multi day events but Hershey still rules.

Krylon32 · 10-15-2019, 10:18 AM

While the LARS swap is not the largest, in my opinion after going for over 25 years it seems to have a good selection of rarer hot rod and vintage parts you don't see at other shows.

expavr · 10-15-2019, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krylon32

While the LARS swap is not the largest, in my opinion after going for over 25 years it seems to have a good selection of rarer hot rod and vintage parts you don't see at other shows.

Same is true of Turlock. There are still a few vendors who show up with some decent vintage iron.

frnkeore · 10-15-2019, 01:05 PM

I also go to the Portland Swap Meet. I'm lucky to live within 270 miles of it.

It's a pretty large venue and has 2 area's, the fair grounds buildings and adjacent area, plus the race track Portland International Raceway (PIR), where the Indy Car race is held. They use the two pit areas and a lot of the track, itself. It's a great little track (1.9 mi), I used to race there (SCCA).

I does take at least 3 days to cover it fully but, when I go, I'm looking for something specific so, I go for one day and don't cover areas outside of my interest, like restored cars. I usually find other things, that I can't live w/o too!

My head, hands and feet, never stop moving, from open to close. I've seen things that I never thought I'd get to see and touch, too! And talk about being tired, at the end of the day!!!

http://portlandswapmeet.com/information/info.htm

Bob T · 10-15-2019, 08:53 PM

Been to them all. Nothing compares to Hershey in size and rare items.

Bob56 · 10-16-2019, 09:54 AM

Thanks all for the replies. Portland is on my calendar for April

TJ · 10-16-2019, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob56

Thanks all for the replies. Portland is on my calendar for April

Bob, get your motel room as early as possible. They fill up quick around the swap meet area.

mobileparts · 10-16-2019, 08:52 PM

The Top Five in terms of actual size are:
# 5 -- Charlotte, North Carolina (the one in spring, not fall)
# 4 -- Carlisle, Pennsylvania (Spring & Fall)
# 3 -- Pebble Beach, California
# 2 -- Daytona, Florida (the Turkey / Thanksgiving show)
# 1 -- HERSHEY, Pennsylvania -- the absolute greatest show on planet Earth!!!!!

Gary in La. · 10-17-2019, 07:59 AM

Don't forget PATE in Fort Worth, Tx. Spring & fall.

trulyvintage · 10-18-2019, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob56

Is there anything like Hershey on the West Coast?

Take the top 5% of the Best Of Hershey.

That - is Bakersfield Swap Meet in April.

Hosted by HCCA and MTFCA.

The Spring Kickoff for the year.

Family Reunion Time.

Vendors get in line early Thursday afternoon - you can camp in vendor spaces.

Decent showers - food tent.

Kern County Fairgrounds
1142 South "P" Street
Bakersfield, California
Friday, April 17th and Saturday April 18th...Gates open @ 7:00 AM
Contact: Tom Lane
Phone: 661-706-5263

Jim

10-14-2019, 06:02 AM	#1
Bob56 Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 92	Hershey on the West Coast Is there anything like Hershey on the West Coast?

10-14-2019, 06:30 AM	#2
Bob NH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Meredith, N.H. Posts: 766	Re: Hershey on the West Coast I had a chance to go to the Pomona swap meet one time and thought that to be great

10-14-2019, 06:39 AM	#3
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,743	Re: Hershey on the West Coast Hershey, in size, is unique. There are some large swaps on the west coast.

10-14-2019, 08:24 AM	#4
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,023	Re: Hershey on the West Coast Portland Swap Meet in Portland, Oregon. It happens in April.Never been to Hershey, but Portland can take 3 days to see it all. There's a huge outdoor area at the race track and a big indoor area at the Expo. I've been going since 1980. In total it's a five day event. The second biggest in my opinion is the Big 3 in San Diego in February. It's a three day event. Haven't been to Pomona in the L.A. area in a long time, but I recall it was only a one day event. I do recall it was a big swap meet.

10-14-2019, 09:58 AM	#5
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,030	Re: Hershey on the West Coast Ten years ago it would have been the LA Roadster show on fathers day. Then the club sold the rights to the swap meet to a businessman and it went to hell. Last year the club managed it again and it came back some. I expect it will be good in 2020. Charlie Stephens

10-14-2019, 10:22 AM	#6
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,911	Re: Hershey on the West Coast Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I'm with TJ on the Portland meet. A buddy and I go for the four days, and according to his little device, we walk 10-15 miles a day. Have made some real nice friends there as well as meeting up with the old friends. Never been disappointed. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

10-14-2019, 07:11 PM	#8
Ronnieroadster Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Coast in CT Posts: 1,523	Re: Hershey on the West Coast Hershey is over 36 miles of vending rows the simple answer to your question is NO __________________ I use the F word a lot no not that word these words Flathead , Focus and Finish. "Life Member of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club using a Ford Flathead block" Owner , Builder, Driver of the First Ford Flathead bodied roadster to run 200 MPH Record July 13, 2018 LTA timing association 200.921 in one and a half miles burning gasoline. First ever gas burning Ford flathead powered roadster to run 200 MPH at Bonneville Salt Flats setting the record August 7th 2021 at 205.744 MPH

10-14-2019, 07:30 PM	#9
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,007	Re: Hershey on the West Coast Big 3 Swap Meet in San Diego late February every year. Great unless it rains. Turlock in January is big also. There is also one in Bakersfield at the drags in April. Mr. Google can help fill in the dates, etc. unless someone chimes in with more info. IMO Pomona isn't worth the time and expense. Lots of toys, yard sale crap, and cheap off shore tools. One more, Long Beach several times a year. Good hunting. __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.

10-15-2019, 12:23 AM	#10
expavr Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hansville, WA Posts: 776	Re: Hershey on the West Coast IMO the only West Coast event that comes close to Hershey in terms of number of vendors and quality of parts is the Portland swap meet. The 1940 Tonner followed me home from that meet. “Hosted annually by six Portland Oregon area antique car clubs, The Portland Swap Meet is the largest auto parts swap meet on the west coast with approximately 3,500 vendor stalls and over 50,000 shoppers each April at the Portland Expo Center.“ I’ve been to San Diego, Turlock and Pomona swap meets and doubt any of the three have more than 1,000 vendors. By comparison Hershey advertises 9,000 vendor spaces.

10-15-2019, 10:18 AM	#12
Krylon32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,455	Re: Hershey on the West Coast While the LARS swap is not the largest, in my opinion after going for over 25 years it seems to have a good selection of rarer hot rod and vintage parts you don't see at other shows.

10-15-2019, 01:05 PM	#14
frnkeore Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 782	Re: Hershey on the West Coast I also go to the Portland Swap Meet. I'm lucky to live within 270 miles of it. It's a pretty large venue and has 2 area's, the fair grounds buildings and adjacent area, plus the race track Portland International Raceway (PIR), where the Indy Car race is held. They use the two pit areas and a lot of the track, itself. It's a great little track (1.9 mi), I used to race there (SCCA). I does take at least 3 days to cover it fully but, when I go, I'm looking for something specific so, I go for one day and don't cover areas outside of my interest, like restored cars. I usually find other things, that I can't live w/o too! My head, hands and feet, never stop moving, from open to close. I've seen things that I never thought I'd get to see and touch, too! And talk about being tired, at the end of the day!!! http://portlandswapmeet.com/information/info.htm __________________ Frank '35 Ford Model 51 '48 Ford F3 '54 Ford Tudor Mainline

10-15-2019, 08:53 PM	#15
Bob T Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 123	Re: Hershey on the West Coast Been to them all. Nothing compares to Hershey in size and rare items.

10-16-2019, 09:54 AM	#16
Bob56 Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 92	Re: Hershey on the West Coast Thanks all for the replies. Portland is on my calendar for April

10-16-2019, 08:52 PM	#18
mobileparts Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: West Hempstead, New York Posts: 167	Re: Hershey on the West Coast The Top Five in terms of actual size are: # 5 -- Charlotte, North Carolina (the one in spring, not fall) # 4 -- Carlisle, Pennsylvania (Spring & Fall) # 3 -- Pebble Beach, California # 2 -- Daytona, Florida (the Turkey / Thanksgiving show) # 1 -- HERSHEY, Pennsylvania -- the absolute greatest show on planet Earth!!!!!

10-17-2019, 07:59 AM	#19
Gary in La. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Louisiana Posts: 866	Re: Hershey on the West Coast Don't forget PATE in Fort Worth, Tx. Spring & fall.

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