In the first installment we took a look at the sights that the swap meet parking lot had to offer. This time around we will concentrate on the vehicles and other treasures found inside the swap meet.
There is always a bustling car corral that offers potentially tempting deals on classic motors. This 1963 Studebaker Cruiser caught my eye immediately. It claimed to be a barn find and was on offer for $2,900. A no- sale for the day, it is still available on the local buy-and-sell site for only $1,850. Studebakers surely offer the best ’60s classic car bang for the buck.
Check out the optional vanity mirror in the glove box.
A solid looking body with patina that hot rodders would spend thousands to replicate.
Next to the Studebaker was a similarly priced ($3,000) and very original condition 1985 Chrysler Laser Turbo XT, although I doubt the two would be cross-shopped very often. The XT was the top of the lineup in 1985 and offered brisk acceleration from its 2.2L, 146 hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Also Chrysler-powered is this 1974 Travco motor home. It attracted a lot of attention and was keenly priced but I do not believe it sold at this event.
On the other side of the size spectrum was this 1987 Mini. Right-hand-drive and a recent import, it sported many aftermarket parts, including wider rims and a Weber carburetor.
Keen-eyed readers might have noticed this very modified 1989 Mini next to the tamer 1987 example. Custom touches include a body kit, a grille from a much earlier van or pickup variant, convertible conversion. It had an asking price of $13,500.
The rear view offers a better look at the results of that roof surgery.
For $8,500, this 1925-27 Ford Model T pickup hot rod could have been yours. Rather than a Ford flathead or a Chevy small block V8, this one is equipped with a Chevy II four-cylinder engine.
Buyers obviously preferred their early cars to be stock and complete, as this 1926 Dodge Brothers with a $15k asking price was sold before I arrived.
As longtime readers know, I have a special interest in vehicles unique to the Canadian market. This 1966 Meteor Montcalm convertible is an example of a Canada-only model. The convertible body style was relatively less common in Canada than in the US, making this convertible a very rare sight.
Another Canadian classic. I have seen this 1968 Metero Rideau 500 a few times before but its overall original condition (50k miles) and cheerful yellow color always bring a smile to my face. It is a one-owner car so I cannot help but feel that it is a bit of shame to see owner and car parted after so many years together.
Next up is a sharp-looking and highly optioned D-series pickup truck.
But wait! This a Fargo, not the usual Dodge, and being a 1972 model that makes it near the end of the run for Canadian Fargo sales. For those stuck on originality, the stock rims were included in the bed.
The swap meet offers plenty of interesting stuff to gawk at. This motorized Schwinn trike is a perfect example. It has a fantastic look to it but I am not sure I would actually wish to own it. Certainly not for the $4,000 asking price!
This neat looking go-kart found a new owner before the end of the day. The eyes on the seat are an inspired decorative touch.
This seller offered up an interesting engine size comparison. The Geo three-cylinder engine is painted up to give a passing resemblance to the Austin Mini A-series engine. Aborted engine swap?
At the time I was between collector cars, so the swap meet offered up all sorts of interesting parts that I did not need. I had hoped to connect with the vendor that had been selling an Austin A40 Somerset in previous years, but he failed to show this time around.
I did end up buying two items that I surely did not need, but the price was low enough at only a dollar. One was this Corgi Mercedes 240D taxi.
The other was this Land Rover, in poor condition, by Lesney. Despite a missing roof rack and peeling paint it did roll nicely. A possible mini restoration project for a snowy day? As always I enjoyed my day at the swap meet. It is a chance to spot some interesting vehicles, catch up with friends and maybe make a few frivolous purchases.
Oh man…
I can hear that blue Meteor convertible calling my name! That beige Mini was pretty sweet too.
On the subject of Minis- did any of you guys see the video where a “new” classic Mini imported from Europe was being shredded and crushed by Homeland Security for being fraudulently registered here in the States? Even if the seller and / or owners were shysters, the senseless destruction of an innocent old-school Mini was sickening. They should have donated it to a museum or auctioned it off.
+1 on both Meteors
I’d take the Fargo!
Austin A series engines are green not red the guy obviously only has one tin of paint, Still plenty of Minis on the road here no need to import any in fact they have been exported to Japan in recent times.
Chevy orange maybe.
the later A+ engines were painted all kinds of colours depending on the bore.
i think 1275cc engines were red.
If only I could find a Studebaker that nice that cheap overhere in Europe……I would buy it the same second I noticed it. Would be worth importing for sure, tempting.
At first I had no interest in the Chrysler Lazer but later grew to appreciate the turbo motors. Chrysler really offered some potent performance packages. It’s a shame that the market preferred the v8 Mustangs and Camaros. If only Chrysler could have continued development on them. I missed out on a Shelby Daytona, still want one.
Another cool selection of vehicles. Despite not being in Canada, I do like those Canadian-only variants. Especially that Meteor Rideau fastback…
Nice finds! I like the beige mini on those fattie tires a lot! The Fargo would be a sweet ride to have down here and I love 1st gen Rams/last gen D series trucks. But ultimately, the Laser XT is my pick. Hope its a manual, and that turbo is intercooled. If so, yup brisk and then some on the acceleration. I missed the Portland swap meet this year…
Pretty sure it was a manual five speed.
That toy Landrover should have a gumball light on the roof, pretty sure I had one of those as a child. Airforce fire or some such legend on the packet.
They did a few Land Rovers over the years. Mine was green with the safari rack on top. The fire truck was a different version.
I’ll take either Mercury – both have always been favorites of mine, and as a Canadian, I might as well bring ’em back home. The Studebaker, being the same age as I am, would also find a home in my garage (if I ever have one). Nice patina.
I don’t know why, but I’ve always preferred Canadian built cars over those sold here in the USA.
Want. That. Studebaker! The 63 Cruiser was a very nicely appointed car, sort of the Studebaker version of the AMC Ambassador.
Boy does that go cart bring back memories. My Uncle Bob had one similar for my cousins, and I later bought it. Someone has welded some much needed extra length onto those brakes that rubbed the back tires. Uncle Bob was constantly telling us kids not to hit the brakes hard, because the brake shoes would dig into the tires and flip upside down, which eliminated 100% of braking ability until the cotter pin was taken out of the linkage and they were flipped back around. This guy has solved that problem.
It occurs to me that on the US side of the border, I have seen more Mercury Pickups than Fargos. Any idea on original sales figures?
I don’t have any sales numbers but Mercury trucks are more common here. I suspect just like Ford vs Dodge of the same era Ford sold more. The 70s Fargos are definitely rare – the 60s models are more common. For those the survivors here seem to be split about 2/3 Dodge, 1/3 Fargo.
It’s interesting how Corgi borrowed the wheels from matchbox.
Thanx for this , the various tables full of parts were fun to look at closely ~ I see lots of Hard Parts I want there .
Nice cars too ~ I wish you’d have taken more photos , I bet it was hard to not buy some new ride .
-Nate
A few more here – https://www.flickr.com/photos/daveseven/sets/72157650460082497/
I know a couple of license plate collectors from Alberta – I wonder of one of them had the display of license plates that you caught a corner of.
There were some license plates for sale but I do not recall a booth dedicated to just plates.