'69 Camaro parts at Charlotte

[69Z28-RS]

Although I didn't have time enough (or maybe speed/energy enough)??  to see ALL the parts/cars at the Speedway last weekend, I did see some parts that I almost bought (although I didn't need them personally)..   One fella had an New never mounted GM rear bumper, and a barely used very nice front bumper (pair for $250), and NOS windshield MOULDING and roof rail mouldings for another $100 ...  It was tough for this old 'parts scrounger' to let them lie there, but I did.. (a minor success for me)..   

Oh..  I did buy a pair of new correct 15" 'peaked' Trico wiper blades for my Z28.   and LKQ (Keystone) was selling good strong 'folding parts stands' for  $20 ea (I bought 4 more), and I bought a large piece of 5/8" thick close cell foam standing mat (56" x 7') for $20 to put in front of my workbench... 

[BULLITT65]

Sounds like some good deals. I sent you a message regarding one of them.

[camaroboy68ss]

sounds like a lot better deals at that swap meet than out at the Portland Swap meet a couple weeks ago. Both cars and parts were way over priced. Not much in the way of early Camaro stuff either.

[69Z28-RS]

Prices for parts and cars were all over the place in Charlotte...   Purchasing cars (or even parts) at a large meet like this is almost a dice toss, given limited time/access to inspect the cars and or parts.  On Saturday afternoon at Charlotte, I did see several cars with SOLD on them, but one doesn't know the price they sold at... regardless of the high prices marked on the windshields..

[ds1]

I sold NOS RS headlight door covers for a 68.   That was all the NOS stuff.  I sold 2 cranks and some heads.   Sold a fair amount of small parts.   Turned out good,  just had a great time with family and friends

[Kelley W King]

Being a long time fan of the Autofair. I learned that a lot of dealers go very early and buy parts and cars from people who do not want to stay until Sunday and try to resale them during the weekend. I think that is what started the rule no open titles allowed. You used to find some good deals but most sellers now know what they have. In 94 I bought a 69 vert with a 350 auto and air with the protecto plate. Looked like brand new. Got home decoded the plate. 6 cylinder 3 speed car.

[camaroboy68ss]

Prices for parts and cars were all over the place in Charlotte...   Purchasing cars (or even parts) at a large meet like this is almost a dice toss, given limited time/access to inspect the cars and or parts.  On Saturday afternoon at Charlotte, I did see several cars with SOLD on them, but one doesn't know the price they sold at... regardless of the high prices marked on the windshields..

Yeah what they sell for is a mystery, but from what I looked at during the Portland Swap meet, everything was so high you couldn't even begin to make a reasonable offer. For example there was a 67 Convertible, Claimed true SS/RS 396 car and original, wouldn't let anyone open the hood so there was the first red flag, had a 68 RS grille in it, supposed to be Marina blue but was closer LeMans. Overall a decent driver quality, asking price was $49k, though with what you could see it was a high 20's maybe low 30k car.

there was also a 82 Z28 4 speed car with 1500 original miles that the guy was asking $37k. I don't think the third gens value has shot up recently. 

[68camaroz28]

Although I didn't have time enough (or maybe speed/energy enough)??  to see ALL the parts/cars at the Speedway last weekend, I did see some parts that I almost bought (although I didn't need them personally)..   One fella had an New never mounted GM rear bumper, and a barely used very nice front bumper (pair for $250), and NOS windshield MOULDING and roof rail mouldings for another $100 ...  It was tough for this old 'parts scrounger' to let them lie there, but I did.. (a minor success for me)..   

Oh..  I did buy a pair of new correct 15" 'peaked' Trico wiper blades for my Z28.   and LKQ (Keystone) was selling good strong 'folding parts stands' for  $20 ea (I bought 4 more), and I bought a large piece of 5/8" thick close cell foam standing mat (56" x 7') for $20 to put in front of my workbench... 

Bumpers were a steal IMO! That was a good deal for the purchaser.

[69Z28-RS]

Yes, it was a great deal and I *almost* bought it all, even though I didn't need them for my car...  I was thinking one of my 'camaro buds' could use them, but I've got 3 garages full of stuff like that now..  after 40 yrs of collecting...

I'm a recovering 'part a holic'... 

[BULLITT65]

3 garages full... thats a lot of buddies worth of parts!

[ds1]

Being a long time fan of the Autofair. I learned that a lot of dealers go very early and buy parts and cars from people who do not want to stay until Sunday and try to resale them during the weekend. I think that is what started the rule no open titles allowed. You used to find some good deals but most sellers now know what they have. In 94 I bought a 69 vert with a 350 auto and air with the protecto plate. Looked like brand new. Got home decoded the plate. 6 cylinder 3 speed car.

I call them "vultures".   They used to attack me before I got my stuff out of the truck.   I know most of them now,  so I do not bend on price with them.   I had people go through my boxes still on the truck.   I have even seen my parts for resale with my tags still on them.    Most of thr time I think to myself at least I sold the item.   Now they can take it home

[lakeholme]

Ironically, the reduction of vendor spaces, thanks to the new road course in the Blue Field, seems to have made a small "correction" in the market. There were fewer complaints about vendors and from vendors.
Just like we advise here, when you go shopping at a swap meet you need to do your homework about items and know their value.
The car corral this year appeared to be recovering in both number of cars and prices. The Spring car corral is always larger than the Fall. Prices do go down on Saturday.
My observation is there were several more First Gens for sale this year.

[69Z28-RS]

I heard several complaints from vendors who had been in the blue field for 20 yrs or more, who *lost* their spaces and others who got moved to less desirable spots.   

Also, the number of fences/walls/etc really disrupted one's 'flow' in trying to systematically go thru the swap spaces.

[BULLITT65]

I call them "vultures".   They used to attack me before I got my stuff out of the truck.   I know most of them now,  so I do not bend on price with them.   I had people go through my boxes still on the truck.   I have even seen my parts for resale with my tags still on them.    Most of thr time I think to myself at least I sold the item.   Now they can take it home

Well I can see both sides of this: As a vendor it is a little bit of a nuisance having them interested in your boxes before they are off the truck. AT the swap meets I go to, they will help you off load them into your spot so they can look through them right then and there. I have seen them purchase right away to "flip" them during the swap meet to someone else. They are educated on prices and does it drive the price up for the next guy. Now while I am not a fan of this method, if you do not find a way to do it that you can live with, Then you are the one they selling the item(s) to. So I ask the vendor politely if I can help them unload there items, they understand this is commonplace now. I am not at the same swap meet re-selling. BUT I continually purchase and sell items( as I purchase better or don't need them), and usually make a profit.
Turning a profit may be looked down upon depending on the item and situation, but the guy flipping is taking a chance on the item as well, and there are some guys that flip, that take bad chances or aren't knowledgeable enough and spend money on item they they will get the big bucks.
I think we all a story of a item we purchased, and then later felt taken. I have a family member that for years used to buy and sell all sorts of items, from garage sales, newspaper ads (not much automobile stuff) and the re-sell it the next week. I admired how well he was able to spot a deal, and then turn around and make money on it.
Just my take.

[ds1]

Making money is the goal.   But after all these years I see certain people I know are looking for a buy to flip.  One is a guy that sells intakes, and one is a Camaro parts dealer.   I tried to buy an item off one and made an offer.  You would have thought I shot him.   Folks like that are the reason I want mess with high end parts anymore.   I make more selling nickel and dime parts.   It cant be avoided.  The guy who left my tag on just flat out lied to me.   I have learned over the years.    I just chuckle to myself when I see them.