After attending many car shows this summer with picture-perfect vehicles, attending a car parts swap meet is a good reminder of all the blood, sweat and tears (not to mention time and cash) it takes to bring an old car or truck back from the brink of extinction to an operating vehicle. People who attend swap meets like the one sponsored each year at the Ranch Special Events Center are definitely the "built not bought" crowd. So whether you are piecing together a rat rod, restoring a classic or building a street rod, there is something for everyone at the Poudre Valley Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Swap Meet.
As they have done for the last 44 years, the Poudre Valley Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) again sponsored an annual swap meet. For the past several years, the Swap Meet has been held at the Ranch Special Events Center in Loveland, Colorado. Poudre Valley Region AACA is the local chapter of this national car club, serving Northern Colorado and Southern Wyoming. Collectors seeking cars, bicycles and parts won’t be disappointed with all of the “stuff”, as in acres and acres of stuff, that vendors and other hobbyist have for sale at this swap meet.
Poudre Valley Region AACA recognizes cars and trucks from all eras of automobiles, from Model Ts to Mustangs. You don’t need to own an antique or classic car to be a member of AACA, just an interest in preserving a part of automotive history. The PVR chapter meets on the third Saturday of each month. You can learn more about the Antique Automobile Club of America at their web site, www.aaca.org. View the web page for the grand-daddy of all auto swap meets, the Hersey, Pennsylvania ACAA meet, which is held in October of each year: http://hersheyaaca.org/fallmeet.html.
To learn more about the local Poudre Valley Regional chapter or to receive a copy of The Poudre Horn, their monthly newsletter, go to: www.pvraaca.com. You can write them at: PVRAACA, P.O. Box 589, Ft. Collins, CO, 80522 or e-mail them at: pvraaca@hotmail.com.
This week’s Trivia Question: Where was the first report of a stolen car in the U.S.?
Answer to last week’s Trivia Question: Sears sold both a car and various scooters, mopeds and motorcycles which could be ordered through its catalog department. A car was offered in 1952 and 1953 as a re-badged Kaiser Henry J, called a Sears Allstate. Scooter offerings in the 1940s through the 1960s included the Vespa and the Cushman. A re-badged Puch moped was called an Allstate and later a Sears. A Gilera motorcycle was offered as a Sears from 1966 through 1969.
Upcoming events: Timber Dan Antique and Collectible Toy Show and Sale at the Ranch in Loveland, Saturday, October 5th, 9:00 a.m. – 3 p.m. (lots of toy cars and trucks)
