Pomona Swap Meet, Sunday Oct 15

thinkfloyd14 · 10-11-2006, 03:27 PM

Hey there, there are supposed to be alot of Porsche's at this meet on Sunday, I'm planning on going with a friend, anyone else going?

My actual question is for people who have actually gone to it before. My friend wants to buy a 914, is this a good place to look. Also is there alot of other cars besides Porsche's and VW's because he also is looking at Datsun Z series too.

Any comments please.

Thanks

Sammy

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Sammy, If you've never been to Pomona you're in for a treat. First, get there early.....earlier than that.....whatever time you thought of! If you're there by 6:30 or 7:00 am you'll do fine. This will be one of the last Sunday's for awhile that will be warm so it will probably be crowded.

As you enter the Porsches and the VW's are to your left. But there is a whole section for early American iron and a special section for primarily Corvettes. Lowriders are thoroughly mixed through the American car section.

Bring singles because you don't have to wait in line for tickets if you have exact change.

I'll be there but I won't be bringing my car inside.

thinkfloyd14 · 10-11-2006, 04:07 PM

Thanks, I have been to Pomona since I go to Cal Poly Pomona but not the fair. May I ask why I should get there that early?

bmgmd · bmgmd's Garage

Sammy,

You need to go there early so that you're the first to look at the parts and cars that are out.

Parking gates open at around 5am. Bring a flashlight to inspect the parts/autos that are out but be aware that not all vendors have their stuff out at that time.

I went to the last one (last month?) and in my opinion, the parts section wasn't worth it. Five years ago, it was packed with many vendors including Dave from TRE. Lots of Porsche parts then.

Last month, the section was only 33% filled and most of them were VW parts. The weather was not a factor. The Porsche parts were what I call "slim pickings". But I did find a deal on Mobil 1 10W30...

I think it has a lot to do with the Internet. It's a lot more convenient for vendors to take pics and post them on Pelican For Sale, eBay or Craigslist. Plus they don't need to arrive at the swap meet at 4am to get up, unload, haggle with people all day then clean up 12 hours later.

If you've never been there, it would be great to experience it. There are P-cars for sale, but again, not as many as in years past.

This is just my opinion. I don't mean to downplay this historical event, but "it ain't what it used to be".

Brian

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Sammy,

Brian is right. It isn't what it was 6 or 7 years ago. But it is still worth going and going early. If you don't you'll be in line for a long time and park way out in the boonies. Additionally, whatever good cars/parts are there ...well? They won't be there anymore if you roll in at 9 or 10 am!

I still find occasional good parts but Brian's right, the Porsche parts are minimal in my opinion. Still and all, I never miss it. It is approximately every 6 weeks. Best to you, Dan

kycarguy 935 · 10-12-2006, 08:57 AM

Pomona was probably the best place on earth to find so many 911-930 parts up until 2000+-. I use to go to all them since 1982 and saw it get better and better, then took a turn for the worse. I guess like Brian says it isn't worth it and easier over the internet. I think alot has to do with the fact that most 996 parts won't update a older 911 and the decline started when the 996 came to market.

If you haven't been to Pomona before you need to go, especially if you like other cars also.

Evans, Marv · 10-12-2006, 09:09 AM

Good advice about getting there early. I haven't been for a couple of years, but I could see the number of people bringing parts to sell declining for some time before I stopped going as frequently. I used to leave from the San Diego area around 4 AM & arrive there slightly after 6AM, and I thought that was a little too late. You'll enjoy it though. There is also the general part of the swap meet, where you can buy various automotive related products along with everything else you can think of in the world. I was thinking of going sometime to look for a white gas fueled, 3 burner Coleman camp stove. I don't think they sell them new anymore.