Event Coverage: The 2009 Big 3 Swap Meet in San Diego, 110 PhotosBy Chad Posted 03/01/09
On Friday, February 27, we took a drive down to San Diego to have a look at the Big 3 Parts Exchange, an annual swap meet in San Diego, California. It's called Big 3 because it is run by three clubs: the Antique Auto Club of America, the Horseless Carriage Club of America, and the Early Ford V8 Club of America. That makes it sound like it's all about a bunch of Model A parts, but it's really much more. We saw plenty of hot rods, but also musclecars, cool trucks, and lots of the 4x4 and sand-dune stuff that's popular in San Diego.
The Big 3 meet is huge, but a little tough to get around since the lot where it's held curves around Qualcomm Stadium and there are few aisles logically set up in a straight line. Both the Pomona and Long Beach Swap Meets are easier to walk. The Big 3 probably has about as many parts vendors as Pomona, but fewer cars for sale. On the Friday we went, there were even fewer cars for sale than Long Beach usually has.
But it was a cool day with lots of great gearhead sights, anyway. See our gallery of 110 photos here.
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Written by carjunkiechad
Mar 02 2009
[quote author=mustang13 link=topic=10289.msg202865#msg202865 date=1235957708]
Violation game on the IH Scout- its a 2-wheel drive!!! I loved the blue Tonka Van. Never seen one of them before. GREAT JOB guys. Us east coast guys so envy you left coasters. ;D ;D ;D
[/quote]
Good catch 13. There were so many violations on the IH, but the most horrid was the front tube axle with no diff. Some people are just wrong. Save the black paint dude, and buy a Dana.
Written by Blazerteam Mar 02 2009
The road race vette made my day 8) ;).So many cool cars.Only in America.
Written by Monk Mar 01 2009
Chad
How were the prices?
Curious if the current economy is taking a toll
on the swap meet stuff.
Written by ecniv Mar 01 2009
I missed out on the swap meet this weekend, was working on the lemons car. Next time, let us know, I'd have met up with you for some beers or something down by the stadium.
Written by Rebeldryver Mar 01 2009
Oh, man. First, cudo's for driving to San Diego on a Friday. I think you walk faster.
Second. Oh man, I want too many of those cars, the patinaed 63 Nova, the Model A five window, the road race vette, the untouched duece 5 window......
That $7500 asking price for the SCOT blower was a deal. The last three I saw on ebay went for $14k plus.
Written by TheSilverBuick
Mar 01 2009
This looks familiar, or is it my imagination?
[img]http://www.freiburgersjunkyard.com/assets/galleries/1196/2009_big_3_swap_meet_087.JPG[/img]
Written by mustang13 Mar 01 2009
Violation game on the IH Scout- its a 2-wheel drive!!! I loved the blue Tonka Van. Never seen one of them before. GREAT JOB guys. Us east coast guys so envy you left coasters. ;D ;D ;D
Written by FreiburgersJunkyard Forum Admin Mar 01 2009
http://www.bangshift.com/blog/Event-Coverage-The-2009-Big-3-Swap-Meet-in-San-Diego-110-Photos.html
A couple of you have asked about prices, and to be honest it seems to depend on what it is that's for sale. Parts seem to be coming down a little. For instance, there were several good intakes at the swap that you could have for $30 to $50. Holley Street Dominators were at one spot, and they were $40. That would normally be a $75 intake.
Cars are hit or miss, but the Scrambler and a couple others were killer deals. Dune buggies were a rip off as usual.