Pate Swapmeet in TX

[Pantera]

OK - I have heard about Pate for years but never went. Now I understand that they have moved it to TWS outside of Dallas. This sounds much better for me as it is a hour or two closer.

I just went to one today at Sapulpa and it rained like hell last night and it was a bog. I am not sure that I did get home with both loafers or not?

I can see that a few tips from experienced locals would be nice to have in advance.

I can see that a list of things to have at your disposal to ID and make carrying things easier when one is at such a big event?

The following is a short list of what I plan on taking and if any of you have a suggestion please feel free to put your 2 cents worth in. I know that I missed a few things that I sure wish that I had gotten there just a few min earlier. One was a "NEW" unused OKLA tag from 1969 with the number ZH-1969 on it. That would have looked good on my BM vette.

The other was a guy right in front of me beat me to a set of Dog dish for a Nova for $30. I almost cried. one had a ding and the rest were nice.

Then I lost out on a perfect 8" Vette beauty ring for $10, that was really nice because I had nothing left but $100's and he could not make change. gone by the time I got back to him.

this is my list of things that I can see a need for yet I want to keep it as light as I can. I am sure that I will come up with more as time goes by.

What do you think?

1. a folding shopping cart with go cart wheels
2. A small SS wire brush (about Toothbrush size)
3. a pocket 3 ft tape measure
4. Pocket size note book to record names and phone #'s
5. Camera- small and ditgital
6. small reference books with part #'s you may need.
7. Fanny Pac for cash and camera
8. shop rags
9. Big hat to keep the sun out of your eyes
10. Saddle man plyers & a screwdriver or two.
11. A small can of WD-40
12. Drink cooler to hang on shopping cart for liquid refresment
13. Business cards or print a sheet up and cut out something with your name and phone # to pass out.
14. Perhaps a back pack to carry stuff in also.
15. Cell phone
16. Extra reading glasses if you are as old as I am.
17. Good walking shoes - Tennys if it is dry and boots if it is wet and muddy.
18. SunBlock and use it before you go out.
19. Take 5's 10's and of course 1's with you and then rathole some larger bills just in case you see something you can't pass up.
20. Checkbook for those things you should pass up but don't want to.
21. Bungie cords and rachet tie downs to hold stuff on the shopping cart.
22. Black plastic trash bags for parts. Make good rain suits if a downpour occurs.

I am sure that I have missed something important but will have to quit now the GF needs my attention.

I saw a guy using the shopping cart and it sure makes sense to me. I was worn out just carring a 69 corvette rear bumper($20) and 3 beauty rings ($3 ea) and 3 dealer license plate holders($6) a GTO emblem ($1) and a Mag Lite flashlight ($3) 2 SS chevelle wheels ($5ea) today.
Eat your heart out. Small town events can sometimes be really good if you know what you are looking for.

But, it sure got old after a while having to carry everything and I was glad it was a small event and I could take the goodies back to the car when I got back on that side. It was good for me as a practice run for next weekend though. It sure makes you think of the things I wish/should have had with me.

I know there is one of you guys out there that was wanting some spindle mount 3 1/2" x 15 mags for the front of your hot rod but I am not sure who it was and wish I had taken a camera with me. I did get you the phone # for them ($200) PM me if you are interested?

Now if someone that has been at Pate (TWS) would clue me in on where to go and park and such? Who in the Dallas area is going ? PM me and I will give you my cell # perhaps we could get to meet up while I am down there.

Pantera

Oh yea I forgot the most importand one - Lots of Money.... of course... If you are like me I want every thing I see.

[55chevy]

1 thing you forgot to add to your list.. a big-tit petite blonde in a bikini to pull a wagon full of beer beside you

[Pantera]

That sounds good...!!! Now where do I find something like that....


OH hell..!!!! forget that..! One of those cost more than a BM Corvette if you are not carefull...

[hvychev]

Wow Larry.......I thought that Gone With The Wind was published in like 1936.........

[Pantera]

Think I got a little "too" fired up eh? Sorry about that. There was stuff that I sure would have liked to have gotten to first. Dam rain made it pure hell...

[KNAPPY]

Larry,

Don't worry about the rain boots, It is all on pavement now. The worst thing is it really gets hot when the sun comes out. Lots of sun screen, and a big cool hat. Get there early, the good deals are Wed. night and Thursday. This is my Christmas in April.

[Pantera]

What time does it open on Wed. What does it cost? I have a buddy coming that is short on funds but he wants to help me as much as he can.

He suggested we get a mirror on a stalk to look under things. that sounds like a good Idea too. I may bring a wagon instead of the shopping cart.

Merry Xmas...

[Mr70]

Larry/Grasshopper
After reading your Laundry list,and just coming home from Jefferson Wisc. swapmeet,there is something you can do that will save you Time,Trouble,Money and possible Regret.
Buy a swap space at the desired swap you wish to attend Well in advance.Pull your truck into your assigned spot.This gets you into the show early every morning,so you can see whats coming in first hand when the other vendors are setting up,and the publis is not allowed in yet.You can also drive your truck around,and it becomes your shopping cart,and you can throw your purchases in it.You can also sell a few items for gas money in your spot if you desire.
As long as you pay the Vendor fee,they usually don't care if you are selling anything or not.And you never have to walk out to the parking lot to retrieve or store items again.
Yes a vendor Fee is more expensive,but some things are worth it,and I feel this is one of them.
I,as well as others do this at most of the Major swapmeets for awhile now,and it really does make sense Today.

[KNAPPY]

Getting a space gets your home base closer to the action but there is plenty of close parking so its not really a big deal. I bring my trailer and park it in the vendors area and just stay there all weekend, drink alot, and usually find alot of good parts. It doesn't cost to get into the swap meet but parking is about $5.00. There are parts haulers at the meet that will bring your big items to your car for free but I will give them a tip.
The venders will setup Wed. but you can start looking then. A lot of deals are made then. I have seen cars sell 3 to 4 times over the four days of the swap meet. If you know your parts you can get some great deals.
I started loading up my trailer today. THREE MORE DAYS!

[Pantera]

Wow what a great idea.

I will have to invistigate that one.

Thanks...