greenie

You wouldn’t know it while walking the car corral at Hershey. Everything has its day in the Sun, and then declines. Look at the bright side, those of us still alive in 10 years will finally be able to afford a full classic- our kids can prop us up in the seat while we dribble all over the aged leather hides!

Somebody has to complain, so let me start. First: I had so many customers and made so many sales, I couldn’t get away from my spaces to walk the fields until Saturday at noon. Second: The Sun was so bright I came home with a wonderful sunburn. Third: Between the Hershey Chocolate and the new food choices, I gained a few pounds. Yeah, not going back there for at least 358 days!

My son HAD a 2017 Jeep. Just barely out of warranty, it’s sway-bar end links failed and the front brakes had frozen calipers and one pad worn out. My mechanic said it was apparent the sway bar links and the caliper pins were assembled without lubrication. It’s gone now.

And the Region has aerial photos of the swap meet field for many years, but has stopped recently. There was a helicopter over the show field Saturday. Perhaps someone was taking pictures. Thankfully, no drones were seen.

It was a treat to see; and see all the cars guys pause to see and hear the flight show. In addition, there were pairs of A-10 Warthogs flying across the park most days. No doubt they are Air National Guard pilots getting their hours; and enjoying a view of us!

It’s not all bad news. On Friday, an elderly man passed by my vendor space. He was pushing his walker and obviously struggling a bit. But he was going to shop the swap meet field just like he has for Lord knows how many years. Yes, try to limit the proliferation of motorized vehicles; but always remember that many of us have compromised mobility.

No, sorry.

Thanks!

Looks to be late 30’s into the early 40’s. Must have been a replacement part as the odometer is nearly at zero. Any ideas? Thanks.

Just about finished. Trailer full of 1937-46 Chevy and GMC parts. At our same location in the Green Field: GAI 18-19, or look for light pole 118. That’s out front, near the car corral and the Mark Hyman encampment. Tuesday thru Saturday!

Chances are the least expensive is USPS Retail Ground; and you’ll spend most of what you made on the shipping. My suggestion is to charge the buyer for shipping and let the eBay shipping calculator figure the amount based upon the real dimensions and weight of your box and the buyer’s location. If you must offer free shipping, I figure the shipping in advance to the opposite coast and price it accordingly. I always offer a discount for local pickup: they do you a big favor picking it up and usually buy something else when they arrive! eBay and PayPal fees; and the high cost of shipping are making swap meets attractive again. How ironic. See you at Hershey!

I never thought I would see the word “ bitcoin” used on this forum. What’s next, NOS Tesla parts at Hershey?

The stick/seat combo looks like a great idea, and a thoughtful gift for any guy or gal on the back side of 50! However, this is a CLUB. If any member or visitor comes to my space and needs to sit in the shade for a bit, that’s great. We can certainly shoot the bull for a while. We take along an extra chair or two for that reason. If you’re in the green field, just look for GAI 18-19; near Hershey light pole 18. I bet plenty of other vendors feel the same way. The hardest part is asking. Once you do, you find out you have a lot in common with everyone here.

Not to start a rant, but the antique car insurance companies don’t allow drivers under the age of 25. My kids loved my cars; and if they could drive them at 16, providing the over 25 insured was in he car, the experience would have been better. For several years, I had a son who was an officer on a nuclear submarine- when he came home he couldn’t drive my antiques. Now he’s 27 and likes BMW’s. Go figure.

When you walk onto the swap meet field, but the event directory from one of the charming volunteers. Then simply open to the listings and look under “A”. Your feet will thank you later.

Let’s take a break in the bashing Carlisle exercise to set one thing straight. Carlisle has numerous and exceptional bathroom facilities. It has three permanent buildings with free shower facilities for vendors. There are permanent toilet facilities in another 2-3 locations. As far as portable toilets, Carlisle has no equal. They have loads of portable toilets and also the foot pump hand washing stations. Hershey has few permanent facilities that are open to vendors; and they no longer have shower facilities. We have used the small building in the food court area of the Chocolate field for impromptu sponge baths using the sinks. Bill and Chip Miller built the Carlisle facility with the vendor and visitors in mind. From the food service to the bathrooms/ it has no equal. Yes, you have to pay to get in and you have to pay to park (have you priced parking at the Fall Meet lately?)- but the experience is well worth the price of admission. If you see Bill Miller at Hershey, he will be honored at The a Night at the Museum (along with the late Chip Miller)- thank him for all he and Chip did for this hobby.

Our Green Field stickers arrived this week. This will be our 20th year as vendors selling 1937-46 Chevy and GMC truck parts. Over the years we have made good friends with customers from all over the US; and great folks from outside the US- most notably Canada, Great Britain, Northern and Western Europe; Argentina, and many other countries. We may struggle with the language barrier, but they know you have the right part when they get it into their hands! Below you see our spaces last year, as a impromptu rickshaw rides off fully loaded to Ontario, Canada; and then our trailer now fully packed for 2019. See us at GAI 18-19. Many thanks to the Hershey Region for all they do to make our annual pilgrimage delightful!

Geography plays a role on Saturday. So many people park on the north side of 39, then cross the highway directly into the green field. We have found that vendors in the green and orange fields can make sales to folks on their way into, and out of the showfield. We need more green and orange vendors to stay open so Saturday folks add shipping to their routine.

Not sure when this started. I recall coming to Hershey about 1980. We had jobs, so Saturday was our only day. We would walk the entire swap meet in one day and still have time for a brief spin thru the showfield- which was on the large paved lot now occupied by the red field by the stadium. I don’t recall a large number of empty spaces or a mass exodus. Folks who come for the car show will shop on their way in and out- but we have to be open and obvious. You have 360 days to rest and recover- and dream about Hershey 2020.

Simple: I have a Hershey vendor space or three. I will take antique auto parts and display them for sale. Parts left for self service will suffice. Wait, here is the tough part. I will open on Saturday morning for the poor working stiffs and remain open until noon. Don’t tell me you can’t because there are no buyers. People stopped shopping on Saturday because we all closed up Friday afternoon. We will be open on Saturday (weather permitting, of course); and will remain open until noon. GAI 18-19. Chevy and GMC truck parts, 1937-46. Who wants to join us?

Thanks, we got kind of absorbed in the swap meet and didn’t know the show was moved out front. Looks like a nice turnout. Next Spring, we’ll be sure to find the Show.

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Nice dark green original. One small split on one end cap easily repaired. Price is $75 plus shipping; or pick up near Westminster, MD; or free delivery to Carlisle or Hershey.

Nice dark green vinyl dash pad. Small split on one end cap could be glued. Otherwise, unblemished and ready to use. Send your zip code for shipping quote; or pick this up at my vendor spaces at Hershey. $75, price reduced for AACA member. Also have the bare dash frame available.