NSRA Northern Swap Meet 2003
The not so
Southern/Northern (Ha Ha) swap meet marks the end of the Rodding Rod Run Season
for us in the UK. It is where we all go to get our much needed bits, to keep us
busy over the long cold winter months.. We go to find them much sort after parts
and hopefully some bits we didn't realise we needed and the more important
bargain that we might use one day..for some it is
also a way of clearing out the garage to free up space for that groovy winter
project.... Its all this and more... But lets be fair it is mostly a good excuse
for us to wring that last bit of time out of the Rodding Calender to meet old
mates and just have the crack about Rodding.
I set off at 5.50am Sunday with me old Mate
Pudzz, he will never own a Rod but he enjoys the cars the scene and the people
who do it, so he always enjoys coming to any Rod do. The Sun was shining by the
time we reached The M1 and for the first time ever we actually saw a couple of
groovy cars powering down the M1 to the swap meet. An 80's Stang and this errrr
errrrr go on 1950....errr errrr Ford? Holden? oh Sh*t I don't know, but it
looked great wazzing down the outside lane.....
We also saw this Legend Roundy Roundy race car, I love these
and nearly bought one once. We put two and two together and thought yep do the
swap meet then on to Sheffield Oval race track and see some legends race what a
cool way to spend a Sunday..............
We saw Reggie, Ray and young Matt cruise into the Swap meet
school yard and park, the guys who had traveled there in the roadster looked
fresh :>) The reception hall was packed when we got there about 8.15am there
was a definite buzz in the air, we made our greetings and had a
coffee or two as we waited for the doors to open.. It was a mad stampede
when the doors to the main hall were opened at 8.30am prompt, with everyone darting about eagerly
searching for that prize before anyone else got it. I bought some bump stops immediately
from Pop Brown so I had broke my duck as soon as I got in the hall always a good
sign...
1950 F1 was Ace..... Mad Ratty 27 was parked in front of another 27 but There was
always people stood by the other one so I couldn't get a shot of it!
Then it was Hi, Hi, Hi as I met people I know
from the e-mail group. Some who have become real good Mates, I stood and talked
while Pudzz rushed round looking for stuff to assist him in his Oval racing career
:>) There was a varied assortment of trade stands in the Hall but nowhere
near as many as there could be or should be. The ones that did turn up
seemed well stocked with lots of interest shown by the hordes of Rodders that
were there. I don't know why our hobby is so low key though, it is all very
relaxed and lacks the presence of some major suppliers, I would like to see
stuff like
interior trim or Paint supply and major Rod builders showing their wears,
stuff like that... I don't think we sell our self's to the general
public very well, the respect is slowly coming judging by a couple of
event we were invited to this season, but will we ever be looked at as being
more than a quirky hobby? That said though there were plenty
of People there, though most faces you can see at any Rod Run. A few I spoke to
made a weekend of it, staying overnight in Hotel's having a beer or three with
their Rodding friends, sounds good that don't it!
Two of the Rods for sale a steel A for £15K and a Steel Pop with pinto power
for £3.5K
I got some 4 bar bushes and that was me done, I met a guy
who had bought a brand new SBF electronic Dissy for a tenner WoW, I missed
that one Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.... Pudzz bought a couple of Bucket seats. I did meet
quite a few who had been busy buying stuff so hopefully it was a worthwhile
event for the traders so we get many many more next year.. I spied a cool
looking Supercharger, I dreamed for a bit then thought naa ;>) I really
was just there as an excuse to meet people and have a natter, to
keep the enthusiasm up, ready for the winter in the garage. It worked, I cant wait
to get stuck into my 34 and Truck... Nothing major just a wash and brush up for
em both I think..... The swap meet was drawing to end for me and Pudzz so
we opted to leave and find the oval track where the Legends were gonna play...
after the obligatory 4 stops talking to people as we made our way through the
hall that is.
Thanks go to the Traders who put on a great display and the
NSRA dudes who put all the effort in to making it all happen for us! Cheers
Quite a few used the swap meet as an excuse to give their rides an airing.
To cut a long story short we found the Oval track and it was Kak
and the Legends had gone to Essex Terrrrr should of twigged really. Why would
they be going to the race track at 7 .30am in the morning :>) Derrrrrrrrrrrr
We made some excuses at the gate and got our money back, which meant we got home
at a sensible time, so my misses had me sweeping up leaves in the garden
for my penance Grrrrrrrrrrrrr
If anyone reading this has any good Rodding Stories they would
like to share with us all send em to me Click
here and I will stick em on the web site to entertain us all... Have Fun.
Holmsey