One person's trash is another person's treasure. My wife can attest to that. Like most custom-truck enthusiasts, I can't discard any of those hard-to-find early model parts that are neatly inventoried in my garage, along with a valuable library of back issue magazines.
When restoring a stock or custom early model truck, swap meets can be a valuable source for discovering rare parts for that never ending project in the garage or shop. Before attending the swap meet, it is best to jot down a priority parts list.
Also remember, if the seller you are currently working with doesn't have your desired part or parts in his pile of relics, he may have other items back at his storage facility or shop. Vendors network among each other. Swap meets are like a fresh-air E-bay, the difference is that here you get to handle the merchandise before throwing down a fistful of cash.
Religiously, one Sunday a month, like thousands of other gear heads, I get my exercise strolling the endless aisles at one of many local automotive swap meets in SoCal-rollin' out of bed at 4:00 a.m. The first stop is the nearest convenience store, for a mega-size coffee. With some much-needed caffeine in my veins, I begin my journey this time to the Fairplex in Pomona, California, a bi-monthly event.
George Gross began this bimonthly shop 'n' swap in 1975, initially with 200 vendors and a budget of $100. The Pomona Swap Meet has grown to become the West Coast's largest collection of domestic and foreign antique car and truck parts and accessories for show and sale. This year marks the 30th anniversary for George Gross' swap meet happenings.
The swap meet now attracts 75,000-plus shoppers, 2,700-plus vendors, and some 4,000 show cars, many of which are for sale. If you walk every aisle of parts and rides, you would have strolled 15-miles. You've heard the saying, "shop till you drop." After hiking Pomona's treasured aisles you should receive an "I Survived the Pomona Swap Meet" badge. If you can't find it here, they don't make it. Many scavengers shop in teams, communicating by cell phone or radio. And just as unique and rare as the parts are the shoppers and vendors, is the cross section of America's automotive/truck culture.
Remember when searching for those hard-to -find parts for your project vehicle, attend a local swap meet near you. I guarantee you'll drag something home...just ike the family dog.