Swedish Wheels Magazine article covering the Pomona Swap Meet

 

Thanks to Bo Bertilsson for covering the Pomona Swap Meet for Wheels Magazine and writing the above article. Below is the translated article.

Most Swedish car enthusiasts who are going to visit California plan to visit the Pomona Swap Meet to locate parts or check out cars for sale. The Pomona Fairplex, where the swap meet is held seven times a year, is only about twenty five miles east of downtown Los Angeles. It is also the same Fairplex where NHRA currently runs both the Winter Nationals and Finals.

The Pomona Swap Meet is large with over 3,000 cars for sale or for show and nearly 40 long rows of parts from different vendors. The sale of aftermarket gadgets has increased in recent years, but there are still plenty of used parts to plow through. The organizer has calculated that the swap meet is about 14 miles to walk every row of parts and cars, so comfortable shoes are a must. Most of what may be needed is available there. There are plenty of toilets, ATMs, fast food and hospitality tents, where you can also sit down and eat under a roof. Some prices are a little extra, parking (ten dollars) and the food is a bit expensive, but with the dollar around seven crowns, it is still cheap for us.

How do you make the cut here?

Finding the most coveted old Ford parts is difficult at all the swap meets today and that also applies to Pomona. But buying cars at a relatively good price can still be done here. When buying a car, it is important that the seller’s name is on the “pink slip” (registration certificate) so that it doesn’t become a problem when the car is shipped home and recorded. If you are keen on a car, one tip is to keep in touch with the seller. If the vehicle does not sell at the swap meet, there might be a chance that he or she may be willing to sell the car a week or two later. The general rule for success, however, is to be there early, as the Pomona Swap Meet opens at five in the morning and closes at two in the afternoon.

A large section at the swap meet is for VW/Porsche vehicles, and the VW section is limited up to the 1975 model year. Corvette hunters have plenty of opportunities to find a safe and sound car at the right price when they are perusing the long rows. For Corvettes and Porsches, the organizers do not set any age limits. Any year is allowed in. Many 50s and 60s vehicles are, of course, for sale in the parking lot. Pre-1931 stock vehicles have free entry, which means that many show up if the weather is good.

During the 37 years that the swap meet has been running in Pomona, they have announced that it is open “Rain or Shine”; it is never cancelled due to the weather. Weather permitting, you can bet that there will be at least 10,000 or more people. Being out there early is recommended.