We were restoring a 1948 Buick Roadmaster Convertible. We needed a driver's door. We found a perfect door dead center of Carlisle. That door weighed a ton, my buddy and I carried that back to the truck. It took us for ever.
Thanks Matt. 🤘 My experience: Pro dealer = Pro pricing. I've always had the most fun and gotten the best deals from the one time sellers cleaning out their garage of extra stash they no longer need.
Been going to Carlisle & Hershey Sping & Fall meets for 40-years, but just can't do the walking anymore and refuse to be one of those guys riding around in a cart, getting in eveybody's way. Fond memories, especially one of lugging an arbor press down from on top of the hill ! Much younget & dumber back then. Your advice is spot on. Enjoy the meet and will look forward to seeing what you find.
Walked the whole darned thing today except for the cars. Got there at 7am and left at 3:30. Definitely better today versus most Thursday or Fridays. Also much fewer New York tagged people mobiles parking versus selling. I almost always do best in the first row my gate 1 and finish at the hill. The top of the hill and over the back was parking this time. Best deal was a '25 Chevy roadster windshield frame on top of the hill. #2 tip is to graze through all of the stalls so you miss fewer cool things. #1 is stay ahead of those Iron Trap guys. :)
Spring it is! Hope to find those last bits for my 29 A. Last time at Hershey 2 kids in a double stroller with a front fender bungeed on top, fun times.
Having been to both Spring and Fall Carlisle I totally agree on the Fall meet first. I also think that being end of season many vendors are willing to give a deal so they don’t have to take it home and store for the winter. Especially if they have been trying to clean out their hord that year.
I've been dragging a 1950s Radio Flyer wagon behind me at swap meets for years. I extended the handle and converted it to pneumatic tires, and it's worth it's weight in gold when you buy multiple (and sometimes cast iron) parts.
Tape measure.....years ago I bought from a ford vendor a factory fiberglass formula hood for $25 for my 1975 pontiac firebird screaming good deal, it was at the far, far, far end of the field over the hill by the highway.....carried it back in the snow to the entrance by the school that had the toy shows realized the rear hatch opening in the minivan my friend borrowed from his parrents was 2" too small for the hood to fit, we bought a cheap tool set to remove all the interior trim and rear seats.....I rode home 3 hours laying underneath the hood in the last bit of open space in the van........good times!😎👍
Working for a Big Three Tier I and III auto parts supplier 53 miles south east Carlisle and 49 miles south from Hershey are the 2 weeks of the year we had the most visits from Detroit's project engineers early each week checking or their products (employer travel expenses paid). Scheduling visits so brand names would not be compromised we had to hang tarp screens in some areas. Sometimes packing and arranging shipping for their "finds" back to Michigan!
@@836dmar Company expensive account paid their plane ticket, rental car (or milage if personal car was driven) and loging for Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday project visit, then Thursday, Friday and Saturday for Carlisle or Hershey shopping. Automotive engineers are car people at work or their hobby. Views from my first trip in '82 to Detroit offices saw a red '32 grill with insert hanging in an airport bar, 5 X 7 photo of a chopped lead sled 49 Mercury and another 5 X 7 of a Deuce roadster on their desks. One Ford engineer was adapting their EEC-IV computer to big block Camaro and Firebirds, another rebuilt Jeep inline 6 motors on weekends, still an Olds engineer did 3 warped Escort head installations per week in his single car garage.
Morning Matt, you mentioned some pretty good tips, maybe some day we will be able to come to those events, being here in Michigan, makes it a little difficult...thanks for sharing...be safe! God Bless!!
My first visit to Carlisle and Hershey was almost 30 years ago and I still make my way back for the pilgrimage. My observation from years of experience is this...if you see it at Carlisle and it is just a little over priced, make an offer, and then walk away, go to the last day at Hershey and the same guy is usually there and willing to drop the price. Last day is usually the best day for deals. Saw a nice Hit and Miss engine at Carlisle for $1600. Last day of Hershey the owner let it go $500. Great video and great advice! Go Iron Trap! Keep moving forward!
One time I helped carry a Dana sixty housing from back by the turnpike to gate one and beyond! My friend was too frugal to pay a Boy Scout with a wagon. It’s in another friend’s ‘40 Ford pick up now.
Back when I was going, local kids, or vendors kids would have a side hustle of hauling parts for you. Some got rather creative, daddy's riding mower and cart, things like that
Ford Carlisle, bring sunscreen and rain wear, it’s either hot and sunny, or raining, sometimes on the same day. For lunch, have the Ham & Swiss sandwich. It’s a lot of walking, but always worth it.
Tip #11 If you shower at the restroom area when you stay for days there, bring shower shoes. Flip flops. Whatever. The showers are nasty. You will get a foot fungus. Love ya Matt!
I'm 57 and have been going off and on since I was about 17 or 18. I used to race chevy stuff and the parts were plentiful and reasonable. I used to find a lot of cool harley parts there as well. It never seemed to matter what meet it was (spring, fall, dodge whatever) I could always find what I needed (ford, chevy, AMC, Harley) by the end of my first day. I find the oddball stuff cheap up on top of the hill, and back in the corner behind the hill. Really great advice, and content Matt. Also consider a visit to the guy who makes those big crab cake sandwiches down closer to the stage they are pricey, but great.
Great tips, but you gave away my best, start in the back! Other tips, Sunscreen, notes (& pics) on parts you want (size, model #, etc) so you don't rely on just memory, & a tape measure. Also the event flyer is available online about 1 week prior, so look at it, note vendors you really want to visit & where they are.
Some random thoughts on Carlisle. When Carlisle first started, suddenly the AACA guys at Hershey had a change of attitude and became more friendly. Too many times the long time vendors at Hershey had the same line; "I sold that at Carlisle last week." Aahh! Not Again! Never had the time to go to Carlisle, but in many ways it made Hershey better.
My aunt use to live right across from the gate by the school I miss my free parking place to stay plus private bathroom Lol not sure ill make it this year been coming since the early 90s
You forgot to add that not all the roads are paved, so even using a wheelchair can be tricky. Bring cash, ones, fives, tens, twenties. Should be common sense but I've seen quite a few people that have to ask vendors to hold parts so they can run to the ATM. And always check your parts thoroughly before you buy them. I almost bought an intake for a decent price and discovered a crack in the carb flange. I brought it to the sellers attention and he didn't really care. I didn't buy it, but I'm sure he found someone else who did that didn't notice the crack. But for the most part the people and vendors have always been great.
Being from Canada , I hope to make it there next year. How many days would you say it takes to see the whole thing , at a normal walking pace? Are there hotels in the area ?
I glad you said turn pike now i know were karlyle is cause i was thinking it was in illinois cause we have a lake karlyle there and wasnt sure if it was at this one are not so i guess i wont be going any time soon
Probably a thousand of them on eBay right now, Rock Auto, Summit, pick your vendor. Probably a hundred cable type squarebody speedometers on eBay right now.
is it worth 7 hr drive to sell a vehicle? and do alot of cars & trucks sell? there, in your opinion? is auction worth it or just do the car coral? never been there, but thinking of fall 2023, thanks in advance! coming from north west Ohio.
Give your phone a very unique ring tone. I went to Hershey with the "Old Fashion Phone Ring" in place a few years back and every time a phone rang, myself and the nearest ten guys would all check our phones.
That's why I download all my ringtones and alert tones from the Zedge app. Eschool person on my contacts different so I know by audio if I want to answer or call back later. My regular ring tone is a Bob Seger tune I change fairly often. I've seen people do the same thing. A ring tone gets popular and 5 or more persons look at their phone. If I'm almost anywhere in public areas here in Miami and I call out for my Bebita Colombian Wife Maria several other females will look up with quizical looks on their faces.
I'm not sure if they're technically allowed but I see lots of people on bikes with wagons behind them. Carlisle has gotten a little out of hand with people zipping around on pit bikes and minibikes, so watch your back.
@@allhailinternalcombustion Going to Hershey for the first time next week. I was told by others that my scooter would only be allowed during setup and that bikes, etc are not allowed due to the craziness mentioned. Not sure how true this is.
Hope you have a great time at Hershey. Hopefully after I get my back rebuilt or repaired I'll be able to make it there eventually. I'm not even remotely aware of Hershey's rules, but I've been to all the spring and fall Carlisle's up until last year. Best thing for both would be check the websites or when in doubt try to give them a call. I know Carlisle has a Facebook page.
If it's anything like the last three swap meets I did here, sales will be down at least 50%. I do three fall meets in NY - Moravia (north of Ithaca), Wampsville (30 mi east of Syracuse) and Little York (30 mi south of Syracuse). I couldn't crack $100 at two of them, even though I had earlier in the year at smaller meets. Carlisle is too far for me to go vend at. I don't think in a normal year I'd make money from the trip. Too much competition for the same dollars, too big an investment between the gas, the spot, etc.. Plus now everyone looks stuff up on eBay right on their phone. I wonder how many people find my listing for the very thing they're looking at in my swap meet spot. My only saving grace is I bought a Lund visor for $20 at Little York that seller didn't know what it fit, I didn't know what it fit, but I knew usually I can get $200 out of one so I bought it. It turned out to be 67-72 Chevy, which guys want $600 for. So maybe I can get $400 out of it and make up for the non-sales. But who knows, eBay is totally screwed up and has been for a long time.
8100 vendors at Carlisle and over 9000 at Hershey. It seemed to me that Carlisle was post war and Hershey was for pre war, maybe that's changed. Also pay attention to what's in your pockets when you visit the porta pooper, I once saw a cell phone laying on top of the sludge!
Or get a battery bank charger at least 10 thousands Mh. I have a couple with a micro led display that lets me know their actual charge level and I have one that not only charges phone and other devices. It'll jump start your car. Got it on sale at COSTCO for t9 dollars then checked Amazon and it was 89. I've save friends and a couple of strangers 7 times with it from having to call a service truck. Not to many people carry jumper cables in Miami / SoFlo. They do in the Keys tho. Never know whan ya gonna have to jump a buddies boat down there. I lived there for 10 years. It was my ex boss who told me about that COSTCO one.
We were restoring a 1948 Buick Roadmaster Convertible. We needed a driver's door. We found a perfect door dead center of Carlisle. That door weighed a ton, my buddy and I carried that back to the truck. It took us for ever.
They have guys running around with Gators and the like that help you carry your goods back to your car or truck!
@@farmerbrown3768 yes. Back then they didn’t. I used one of those guys for seats. Great service great people
Thanks Matt. 🤘
My experience: Pro dealer = Pro pricing.
I've always had the most fun and gotten the best deals from the one time sellers cleaning out their garage of extra stash they no longer need.
Been going to Carlisle & Hershey Sping & Fall meets for 40-years, but just can't do the walking anymore and refuse to be one of those guys riding around in a cart, getting in eveybody's way. Fond memories, especially one of lugging an arbor press down from on top of the hill ! Much younget & dumber back then. Your advice is spot on. Enjoy the meet and will look forward to seeing what you find.
The infamous hill! Lots of good deals to be had if you can get there. My old legs won’t make it anymore and when I could make it, it was a workout.
Walked the whole darned thing today except for the cars. Got there at 7am and left at 3:30. Definitely better today versus most Thursday or Fridays. Also much fewer New York tagged people mobiles parking versus selling. I almost always do best in the first row my gate 1 and finish at the hill. The top of the hill and over the back was parking this time. Best deal was a '25 Chevy roadster windshield frame on top of the hill. #2 tip is to graze through all of the stalls so you miss fewer cool things. #1 is stay ahead of those Iron Trap guys. :)
Spring it is! Hope to find those last bits for my 29 A. Last time at Hershey 2 kids in a double stroller with a front fender bungeed on top, fun times.
Having been to both Spring and Fall Carlisle I totally agree on the Fall meet first. I also think that being end of season many vendors are willing to give a deal so they don’t have to take it home and store for the winter. Especially if they have been trying to clean out their hord that year.
I've been dragging a 1950s Radio Flyer wagon behind me at swap meets for years. I extended the handle and converted it to pneumatic tires, and it's worth it's weight in gold when you buy multiple (and sometimes cast iron) parts.
I actually bought a Vigoro lawn cart with the pneumatic tires for $15 at a flea market for the same use. Goes in the junkyard with me too.
Tape measure.....years ago I bought from a ford vendor a factory fiberglass formula hood for $25 for my 1975 pontiac firebird screaming good deal, it was at the far, far, far end of the field over the hill by the highway.....carried it back in the snow to the entrance by the school that had the toy shows realized the rear hatch opening in the minivan my friend borrowed from his parrents was 2" too small for the hood to fit, we bought a cheap tool set to remove all the interior trim and rear seats.....I rode home 3 hours laying underneath the hood in the last bit of open space in the van........good times!😎👍
I love your merchandise, I wear your T--shirt with your logo all the time and get many complements and I direct them to your channel.
Working for a Big Three Tier I and III auto parts supplier 53 miles south east Carlisle and 49 miles south from Hershey are the 2 weeks of the year we had the most visits from Detroit's project engineers early each week checking or their products (employer travel expenses paid). Scheduling visits so brand names would not be compromised we had to hang tarp screens in some areas. Sometimes packing and arranging shipping for their "finds" back to Michigan!
Not sure I get it. What are they doing?
@@836dmar Company expensive account paid their plane ticket, rental car (or milage if personal car was driven) and loging for Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday project visit, then Thursday, Friday and Saturday for Carlisle or Hershey shopping.
Automotive engineers are car people at work or their hobby. Views from my first trip in '82 to Detroit offices saw a red '32 grill with insert hanging in an airport bar, 5 X 7 photo of a chopped lead sled 49 Mercury and another 5 X 7 of a Deuce roadster on their desks. One Ford engineer was adapting their EEC-IV computer to big block Camaro and Firebirds, another rebuilt Jeep inline 6 motors on weekends, still an Olds engineer did 3 warped Escort head installations per week in his single car garage.
@@waynespyker5731 Oh. I thought there was a problem. My wife is funding my entire trip... and spending money.
Morning Matt, you mentioned some pretty good tips, maybe some day we will be able to come to those events, being here in Michigan, makes it a little difficult...thanks for sharing...be safe!
God Bless!!
My first visit to Carlisle and Hershey was almost 30 years ago and I still make my way back for the pilgrimage. My observation from years of experience is this...if you see it at Carlisle and it is just a little over priced, make an offer, and then walk away, go to the last day at Hershey and the same guy is usually there and willing to drop the price. Last day is usually the best day for deals. Saw a nice Hit and Miss engine at Carlisle for $1600. Last day of Hershey the owner let it go $500. Great video and great advice! Go Iron Trap! Keep moving forward!
Planning on being there Friday and hope to see you guys up there. Thanks for the tips for my first trip there
One time I helped carry a Dana sixty housing from back by the turnpike to gate one and beyond! My friend was too frugal to pay a Boy Scout with a wagon. It’s in another friend’s ‘40 Ford pick up now.
Back when I was going, local kids, or vendors kids would have a side hustle of hauling parts for you. Some got rather creative, daddy's riding mower and cart, things like that
I also working on a 1950 Chevy 1/2 ton truck , 1954 International 1/2 truck and a 1957 Willys station wagon !
Ford Carlisle, bring sunscreen and rain wear, it’s either hot and sunny, or raining, sometimes on the same day. For lunch, have the Ham & Swiss sandwich. It’s a lot of walking, but always worth it.
Tip #11 If you shower at the restroom area when you stay for days there, bring shower shoes. Flip flops. Whatever. The showers are nasty. You will get a foot fungus. Love ya Matt!
I'm 57 and have been going off and on since I was about 17 or 18. I used to race chevy stuff and the parts were plentiful and reasonable. I used to find a lot of cool harley parts there as well. It never seemed to matter what meet it was (spring, fall, dodge whatever) I could always find what I needed (ford, chevy, AMC, Harley) by the end of my first day. I find the oddball stuff cheap up on top of the hill, and back in the corner behind the hill. Really great advice, and content Matt. Also consider a visit to the guy who makes those big crab cake sandwiches down closer to the stage they are pricey, but great.
Tip #2 great, I have emphysema so steep hills not good for me 👍 I never realized how huge this event is.
Thanks for tutorial. Lots of helpful info. Maybe do an updated one for Hershey? Since it’s a bit different this year. Thanks
Great tips, but you gave away my best, start in the back! Other tips, Sunscreen, notes (& pics) on parts you want (size, model #, etc) so you don't rely on just memory, & a tape measure.
Also the event flyer is available online about 1 week prior, so look at it, note vendors you really want to visit & where they are.
Great tips on the swap meet. Greatly appreciated. Thanks for the content.
Great Comments, Thank you, you and your guys are the best, good Karma, you shall find some wonderful items this week!
Definitely looks like rain Saturday and Sunday at Carlisle. See you Friday
Thank you for the information in case I ever get a chance to go there !
I’m going have to get there someday soon!
Great Advice !
Great information, thanks Matt.
Some random thoughts on Carlisle. When Carlisle first started, suddenly the AACA guys at Hershey had a change of attitude and became more friendly. Too many times the long time vendors at Hershey had the same line; "I sold that at Carlisle last week." Aahh! Not Again! Never had the time to go to Carlisle, but in many ways it made Hershey better.
Good tips
My aunt use to live right across from the gate by the school I miss my free parking place to stay plus private bathroom Lol not sure ill make it this year been coming since the early 90s
You forgot to add that not all the roads are paved, so even using a wheelchair can be tricky. Bring cash, ones, fives, tens, twenties. Should be common sense but I've seen quite a few people that have to ask vendors to hold parts so they can run to the ATM. And always check your parts thoroughly before you buy them. I almost bought an intake for a decent price and discovered a crack in the carb flange. I brought it to the sellers attention and he didn't really care. I didn't buy it, but I'm sure he found someone else who did that didn't notice the crack. But for the most part the people and vendors have always been great.
Do they ever sell enclosed car trailers down there?
Being from Canada , I hope to make it there next year. How many days would you say it takes to see the whole thing , at a normal walking pace? Are there hotels in the area ?
Great tips! I had to learn all these on my own over the years. Nice pic of your space and good promotion of the event. Best of luck!
Great info. Would love to get up there some day.
I glad you said turn pike now i know were karlyle is cause i was thinking it was in illinois cause we have a lake karlyle there and wasnt sure if it was at this one are not so i guess i wont be going any time soon
My brother is looking for piston rods for a small block 350 in a 1986 Silverado 1/2 ton truck with floor shift transmission !
Probably a thousand of them on eBay right now, Rock Auto, Summit, pick your vendor.
Probably a hundred cable type squarebody speedometers on eBay right now.
is it worth 7 hr drive to sell a vehicle? and do alot of cars & trucks sell? there, in your opinion? is auction worth it or just do the car coral? never been there, but thinking of fall 2023, thanks in advance! coming from north west Ohio.
Would any of them have a round speedometer for a 1984 K20 Chevy Scottsdale truck 4x4 with a 350 engine ? If so I'm looking for one !
Probably would see a few
Great tips Matt
Helpful information...Thanks.
Great content thanks for the tips
Tip #11, You have to have at least one big smokie!
Great vid!!! 👍👍👍👍
Bucket list.
Can you get a space or 2 and set up even though you are not selling but buying
At Iola the Boy scouts have Carts and will haul Your Parts for a small fee or Donation
Give your phone a very unique ring tone. I went to Hershey with the "Old Fashion Phone Ring" in place a few years back and every time a phone rang, myself and the nearest ten guys would all check our phones.
That's why I download all my ringtones and alert tones from the Zedge app.
Eschool person on my contacts different so I know by audio if I want to answer or call back later.
My regular ring tone is a Bob Seger tune I change fairly often.
I've seen people do the same thing.
A ring tone gets popular and 5 or more persons look at their phone.
If I'm almost anywhere in public areas here in Miami and I call out for my Bebita Colombian Wife Maria several other females will look up with quizical looks on their faces.
👍👍😎😎 great tips
You failed to mention what form of payment other then cash is accepted. Do the vendors have CC apps on their cells ?
Cash dude, come on man!!
I didn't think bicycles were allowed? I know they are not allowed at Hershey...
I'm not sure if they're technically allowed but I see lots of people on bikes with wagons behind them. Carlisle has gotten a little out of hand with people zipping around on pit bikes and minibikes, so watch your back.
@@allhailinternalcombustion Going to Hershey for the first time next week. I was told by others that my scooter would only be allowed during setup and that bikes, etc are not allowed due to the craziness mentioned. Not sure how true this is.
Hope you have a great time at Hershey. Hopefully after I get my back rebuilt or repaired I'll be able to make it there eventually. I'm not even remotely aware of Hershey's rules, but I've been to all the spring and fall Carlisle's up until last year. Best thing for both would be check the websites or when in doubt try to give them a call. I know Carlisle has a Facebook page.
@@allhailinternalcombustion Thanks! Take it easy. Exercise fixed my back but you have to keep up with it.
If it's anything like the last three swap meets I did here, sales will be down at least 50%. I do three fall meets in NY - Moravia (north of Ithaca), Wampsville (30 mi east of Syracuse) and Little York (30 mi south of Syracuse). I couldn't crack $100 at two of them, even though I had earlier in the year at smaller meets.
Carlisle is too far for me to go vend at. I don't think in a normal year I'd make money from the trip. Too much competition for the same dollars, too big an investment between the gas, the spot, etc.. Plus now everyone looks stuff up on eBay right on their phone. I wonder how many people find my listing for the very thing they're looking at in my swap meet spot.
My only saving grace is I bought a Lund visor for $20 at Little York that seller didn't know what it fit, I didn't know what it fit, but I knew usually I can get $200 out of one so I bought it. It turned out to be 67-72 Chevy, which guys want $600 for. So maybe I can get $400 out of it and make up for the non-sales. But who knows, eBay is totally screwed up and has been for a long time.
8100 vendors at Carlisle and over 9000 at Hershey. It seemed to me that Carlisle was post war and Hershey was for pre war, maybe that's changed. Also pay attention to what's in your pockets when you visit the porta pooper, I once saw a cell phone laying on top of the sludge!
If you’re using the urinal, close the lid when you first step in.
Call on line TWO!
Golf cart or Scooter
Wear a Sign on with a List of what you are Looking for 😆 so people see it n call you over or someone will tell you they seen it n tell you wear it is
Wear comfortable shoes because the pathways are paved with stone and can be rough and uneven. Your feet will hurt after walking the whole flea market.
Tip 11: If you’re there for Ford stuff, skip spring and fall and go to the Ford meet. If you are into GM stuff, skip the Ford meet. LOL
swap meets are the best entertainment money can buy, and you might get rewarded with a great find, at least take a folding hand truck.
Strap a bag chair to it so you have somewhere to sit when need be.
Shame that there’s little if any pre war mopar stuff.
That's what Hershey is for
Theres a guy been doing the meets up here with NOS sheetmetal for prewar Mopars.
Thanks for the Tips. Unfortunately I will not be able to make it. 😢
GOOD LUCK.
#STAYSAFE
#PHILLYPHILLY 🇺🇸
#11 leave your stuff at iron trap's booth... i heard they do deliveries... (don't do this...)
Tip number 11 bring a spare battery for your phone
Or get a battery bank charger at least 10 thousands Mh.
I have a couple with a micro led display that lets me know their actual charge level and I have one that not only charges phone and other devices.
It'll jump start your car.
Got it on sale at COSTCO for t9 dollars then checked Amazon and it was 89.
I've save friends and a couple of strangers 7 times with it from having to call a service truck.
Not to many people carry jumper cables in Miami / SoFlo.
They do in the Keys tho.
Never know whan ya gonna have to jump a buddies boat down there.
I lived there for 10 years.
It was my ex boss who told me about that COSTCO one.