2nd National Swap Meet, Brafield International Raceway, Northampton
(13th April)

On the car park

Editorial and pictures by Neil Meredith

There is something inherently wrong about the National Swap Meet at Brafield!

I mean, now in it's second year you would have thought the weather would have settled down to the 'standard' British auto-jumble weather of cold overcast grey skies with sporadic showers but no! None of it! In fact by mid morning it was touching 16 degrees centigrade!!!

Our day started at about 5am with a mad flurry of tea, toast and "don't forget the money", an absolute 'must' for swap meets. Nearly two hours later, thanks to a mixture of a sick fuel pump on the Escort and the essential toilet stops, and we are there!

We are met at the gate by a sea of Black & Gold jackets. Funny, but after last years inaugural event it was plainly clear that once, just for once mind you, we had been over-manned and it seems once again that until the event started in earnest that every NASC operative was 'champing at the bit' to get the event series off and running.

Trading starts

All too soon the gates opened to a torrent of eager swappers. The public car park was full in no time as was the perimeter of the trade arena and all was well.
Once again the food guys did us proud with foot long bacon rolls that seemed almost as obligatory as the entry fee at one point (standing opposite to the entry gate, watching everyone eating did nothing to help, let me say).

Wandering around the stands I got the feeling that prices were much lower than last year. Was the looming recession beginning to worry Rodders? Or are folks on the last throws of finishing their Rods and scurrying to get funds to finish them. Well, judging by the amount of photographs that were offered for my perusal, I would (thankfully) go for the latter. As I say, bargains were to be had, how about a 100E visor c/w clips in good condition for £60?

Just one of the cars "For Sale"

All the professional outfits were there too. Pop Browns now sporting a helpful and informative 'wall of parts' for you to see and touch parts you may not have thought you needed to finish your Rod.

'Geordie' Paul O'Donnell and Sue really are getting the Duksville Rod Shop trade stand looking pretty damn fine now with a display of Chrome and Aluminium part especially designed to melt your credit card and call in the bailiffs! The wealth of experience from Johnny (Rude boy) Best and Paul, who man the stand, are ready to point you in the right direction.

On the car park

Across the arena there was Trevor Cochburn and Reality Hot Rods. It was good to see a marked difference it stock between Reality and Duksville. These guys have obviously got their heads together and decided not to flood the market. Just what the sport needs, a little forethought!

American Auto Mags were there with an enormous array of car mags for those of us who have finished our Rods and are waiting for the season to begin as were Cruisin'. with all those nice 'lil bits we all love to collect.

The 'used car lot' in the middle of the arena offered a 'B' coupe, 'T' roadster and a smattering of 50's thru 70's Yanks , Oh! And that lurverley period Flattie racer again! A lot of variety but not many to choose from, and I don't think anyone sold, but at least the cars are getting seen and maybe a sale would follow.

Nice selection of parts for sale

All in all another cracking event. A lot of guys hitting the bar and sitting outdoors just chatting after a long Winter depart.

I thought it a tad quieter than last year, mainly due to a round of the NSCC at Shakespeare County clashing and keeping those 'points hungry' NSCC lads away, albeit apart from the Enright / Leece stable. Good to see most of the familiar faces there, who stopped by for a chat between frantic bartering and we hope to catch up with the NSCC guys at Drayton Manor, between frantic drinking!