This is really and excuse for me (and probably everyone else) to go meet up with mates who you can talk Rodding with, catch up on the gossip and hopefully source & buy some much needed bits you cant buy off the shelf in ya local parts store....
Me and Young Jason (Age22yrs and owns the ex Snake Pit BBF Powered 1958 F100) set off a little after 6am and after a leisurely drive round the twisty twiney lanes they call the A65, we arrived (no thanks to the road planers who did Leeds City Center) at the NSM at 8.30am. I am never to sure why it takes me so long to get to Sheffield from here, as its only 130miles away??? I thought it must be further but my odometer and AA Route planner agree its 130miles?? Though we did stop and have a large Coffee.
I took a few photos of the motors already there that were of interest, but there was no rush eh, the doors don't open until 9am do they... or is it 10am??
The sight of someone walking past me with what looked like a set of cherry A fenders, should of given me some kinda clue, but I was taken aback to see the entrance area of the school, were the swap meet is held was devoid of eager Rodders, chomping at the bit to get their self's into the swap meet itself. I enjoy the pre-meet natter over a coffee, but everybody was already in the swap meet. It was decided that the entrance hall was getting so full, to save a riot happening ;o) the doors should be opened early and also the weather didn't look to promising either!!
The main hall was pleasantly filled with Professional Rod traders, with the likes of Geordie Paul, Kerry Tate, Reality, Jon Golding & Kris Brown catering for most needs with Rod and Truck Parts. American Auto Mags had a fantastic display of mags and books for all tastes, almost dare I say to much of a choice, I was bewildered what to buy. Gaz O'Conner and His Miss'es had Rod Kult clothing there and Shaun Wilson and a few others I am not sure who they are, filled the remainder, inside in the dry..
Outside seemed pretty full of Rodders selling off their unused and unneeded parts, with a couple of regular Rod traders preferring the outdoor pitches, like Pop Parts & Dooster, there were a few Rods, Kustoms & Yanks for sale, some real tasty stuff to, I'll take the 46 Chevy Pickup ta!!
I managed a decent look round before I got talking, Al Barnett had brought me my nuts from Maurice Takoor saving me some postage Ta Al ;o) So I didn't have a wasted journey. I really wanted or hoped I may find some part to help the next bit of my Truck build but it wasn't to be. I am surprised nobody does go with bits like brake pipe and exhaust pipe, or is it just me who finds bits like this hard to source? I saw loads of bits I need for later in the build.. but I resisted as I need to do Brakes and exhaust next so until then all else must wait.
I had a great time talking with people I consider to be good mates and I also met others I have got to know through doing this web site, chat room and e-mail group I hope will become good mates in the future... Well that was about it, really, after a good natter with a few in the main Hall me and Jason decided one last look round outside just in case we missed anything was in order. But we were to be greeted by a wall of rain and the traders packing up.. Shame!
Well I hope it was worth the effort for all those traders who made the journey there, thanks go to the NSRA guys & galls who make this event happen for us... and Roll on next season. Have a good one!
