VIRGINIA BEACH March 12th

[Terry Bond]

Here is a link for info and a registration form - http://local.aaca.org/tidewater/swap_meet.htm

Tidewater Region AACA has been holding this swap meet for many years now and it has grown considerably and become a hobby staple in this area.  It's really the only automotive swap meet like it for miles around.  Last year we had over sixty vendors and there was everything from antique gas pumps and signs to brass lamps, Model A and T parts, street rod stuff, race car stuff, all kinds of memorabilia, and even some antique spark plugs for my collection.  It's become pretty well known and this year we've moved to an amazing new venu-we'll be at the Virginia Beach Aviation Museum, site of our AACA National Meet last year.   You can't do better than mix antique automobiles and antique airplanes.  This is an amazing place that gives us unlimited free public parking, plenty of vendor space with room to grow, and the added attraction of the fantastic Aviation Museum.  It's the largest collection of flyable WWII aircraft around, and there is a good selection of WWI aircraft as well.  Ton's of history with lots of aviation memorabilia.  We have inside spaces in one of the hangers and outside on either grass or blacktop. 

 

The old location was where these pics were taken but it gives you a flavor of some of the kinds of things.  We're maintaining our focus on automotive so you wont find craft or yard-sale vendors there.  No admission to the swap meet, museum admission is separate though.

 

It's a fun little swap meet and is our official "good-by winter" get-together.

See yu there.

Terry

[BearsFan315]

Good Info Terry... & back to the top for more people to see

 

I am Very interested to see how this years Meet pans out at the Military Aviation Museum.

 

I will be there Friday to assist with set up and lay outs.

 

Hoping for warm weather and Sunshine !! and yes Good Bye WINTER !!

Edited March 3, 2016 by BearsFan315 (see edit history)

[Terry Bond]

Well, our swap meet was a big success!   The weather man gave us unseasonably warm temps for a great event at our brand new venue, the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, which was the site of our National Meet last year.   By 5AM Museum volunteers had moved planes from the hanger to the ramp out front providing a great backdrop.   Inside and outside vendors began arriving before 7 to set up and before 9 everyone was in place and it was in full swing.  We had 25 inside spaces filled, and over 50 outside.  Everything from brass era to street-rod was available.  You could have bought a 1928 Packard in the car coral, and if you just came out for the day, you would have seen a 1903 Cadillac and numerous other fantastic antique automobiles wandering around.  Always trying to encourage membership, a local cruise-in was also an added bonus with loads of great cars in a special display area, and also a large group of boy scouts who were treated to hands-on lessons in vehicle maintenance and restoration.   This was always intended as just a local event where true hobby folks can clean out under the workbench and it kept true to form with many parts from Model A to Mustang turning up.  Saw lots of smiling faces from folks carrying their treasures thru the area.  if you collected antique license plates, this would have been an especially great opportunity as several collectors were there selling/trading surplus including rare early porcelain tags.  One of our good friends from nearby beamed ear-to-ear all day showing off his newly acquired (almost NOS) original 29 Chevrolet Eagle radiator cap.  I was thrilled to meet so many younger collectors of automobilia - everything from advertising material to motometers. One young lady was decorating her room with automobile themed sheet music.  We were treated to a visit from Natalie and Janice Weaver - Natalie is editor of the Model T Ford Club International magazine and Janice, her sister and proud owner ot two Model Ts promptly joined Tidewater Region.   I found some great treasures including a very nice brass headlamp and a couple of great spark plugs for the collections.  I also bought some early Model T literature and some gently used tools.  

 

Club members turned out and pitched in to help make this event a success.  You never know what kind of snags you may not have planned for or even thought of when moving to a new location, but it turned out great and we're already looking into next year's event.   The venu was great and the added attraction of the antique aircraft was a tremendous bonus.   I've attached a few pics so you can catch the flavor of the event.   Took these early in the morning while some folks were still setting up, and before all the good stuff was sold!  

Terry

[Terry Bond]

A few more pics -

[BearsFan315]

Awesome !!