Christina Carter

Spectators and buyers were drawn to the Pomona Fairplex on Sunday for the West Coast’s Largest Antique Auto Show. This unique swap meet attracts more than 2,500 vendors who sell scarce parts and accessories for low prices. More than 4,000 cars were on display and for sale. The show appeals to local and international car enthusiasts and those only casually interested in the event.

Katarina Woloschuk
Staff Writer

Chevys, Fords, car parts and beer were the main attractions at the Pomona Fairplex on Sunday
The Los Angeles County Fair hosted the West Coast’s largest antique auto show and car part swap meet starting early at 5 a.m. and ending at 2 p.m.

There were more than 2,500 vendors selling parts for any type of car ever made, such as wheels and fenders for dirt-cheap prices.

In addition to the swap meet, there were more than 4,000 cars put on display and being sold.

Some choices included a 1964 Chevrolet Malibu Convertible and a 2001 yellow Jeep Wrangler.

Sarah Brinkman who runs the online classified section for cars with her husband commented on the great deals.

“The vast majority are cars that are at real good prices that people are trying to sell,” Brinkman said.

The weather could not have been more perfect for those in attendance.
The crowd was primarily made up of father and son duos which seemed to uncover a regular family tradition for some of the groups who came to check out the show.

“I’ve been coming here since I was 18 with my dad,” Jeff Milne, a contractor from Chino, said. “Now I bring my sons.”

Many family members seemed to be there resulting in a huge turnout.

“The turnout has been fabulous,” Gary Williams said. “Everybody wants to come out and enjoy a good day.”

Williams runs the Pomona swap meet and auto show on a regular basis.

Many of the vendors and car sellers didn’t just come from Southern California but from all different states and countries.

“Some are from Arizona, New Mexico, Las Vegas and some from Wisconsin. Mostly the Western United States come as well as people who fly in from other countries. People from Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Japan came to the show to buy cars and parts,” Williams said.

The parking lot capacity almost maxed out with the number of cars here to see the show. People filled the aisles with their family members and their red wagons to carry all their auto parts and accessories they have just purchased.

A lot of participants of the show were all ready to add one more car to their collection.

“I already own two Corvettes,” Williams said. “I have a 1995 Corvette and a 1964 Corvette convertible.”

“I’m looking maybe for a 1955 Chevy, a driver, so I might buy another car,” Williams said.

Others were there for different reasons.

“I’m here to look at the women,” Jim Kilpatrick, president and co-owner of Over the Hill gang, a car club of the San Bernardino county.

“Do you want me to start lying?,” he added.

“We drive cars and look at women,” Kilpatrick said.

Kilpatrick didn’t have just women on his mind but he also had the agenda of selling one of his pre-’49 custom made automobiles.

“Yes people are interested in buying but who knows,” Kilpatrick said.
Many of the cars on display were just for the wandering eye of lookers.

“Some are just here to show their pretty cars off,” Brinkman said about the cars that are not for sale.

The 32nd year of the antique auto show and swap meet continues to be a success every time it comes around.

The next auto show is scheduled to take place on April 22 at the Fairplex.

Katarina Woloschuk can be reached at kwoloschuk@ulv.edu.