Are there bargains to be found at the Nats.

[71 Bee Man]

G'day guys,

as I'm coming to the states in couple of weeks, and plan on visiting the Nats, I was wondering if I'm wasting my time hoping to find some bargain spares for my 71 charger. Do the big resto places have all their stock out there on show ? Are there show specials ?

Never been before, never been to a show this big before.

What kinds of distributors are at the Nats ?

peter
Sydney, Australia.

[Ghoste]

There will be an overwhleming number of distributors there.  There will be show specials and there will also be a huge swap meet.  The swap meet is a little harder to find deals in.  There are some, especially by Sunday but a lot of swap meet vendors have "special" Nats pricing.  Not all, but some.

[MOPARHOUND!]

You can avoid shipping charges with many vendors, if you order ahead of time, and pick it up from them at the Nat's.

Many bargains in the swap meet happen early, with a lot of the flippers grabbing up stuff during setup.  There will be some bargains on Sunday, with some sellers not wanting to pack up stuff to take back home.

Haven't been the last few years, but in the past it's taken me nearly 2 days of nonstop walking to cover the swap meet area alone.  Try to find a trusted friend/buddy with a swap spot to keep your parts at.  Packing them around all day can be a chore, especially in August heat.  Tried the back pack routine, but didn't take long and it was loaded down, and I ended up with a tear in my shoulder (rotator cuff?) that never has healed right. 

After the swap meet area is covered, then I head to the vendor midway.  Any time left after that, might see some racing, or check out a few show cars.  Then I head off to Brice Road to spectate at the cruising of one mopar after another.

End up wore out and beat, with my feet killing me, but I wouldn't trade the experience.  Some would call it insane, I call it memories of a lifetime. 

[Aero426]

Buying parts at the show is always nice because you can touch it and see what you're getting, plus no shipping.

Deals in the swap area will be few.  Prices are generally high, although as mentioned, if you go on setup day you stand a chance of finding something.  I sold some stuff way too cheap this way!    Late in the weekend, there may be some "don't want to carry it home prices".

Good luck in your search!

[chargerboy69]

Bargins in the swap meet are few and far between. Most people charge E Bay prices plus some.

Good thing you are not wanting a entire car. The prices there are nuts.

[71 Bee Man]

You can avoid shipping charges with many vendors, if you order ahead of time, and pick it up from them at the Nat's.

Many bargains in the swap meet happen early, with a lot of the flippers grabbing up stuff during setup.  There will be some bargains on Sunday, with some sellers not wanting to pack up stuff to take back home.

Haven't been the last few years, but in the past it's taken me nearly 2 days of nonstop walking to cover the swap meet area alone.  Try to find a trusted friend/buddy with a swap spot to keep your parts at.  Packing them around all day can be a chore, especially in August heat.  Tried the back pack routine, but didn't take long and it was loaded down, and I ended up with a tear in my shoulder (rotator cuff?) that never has healed right. 

After the swap meet area is covered, then I head to the vendor midway.  Any time left after that, might see some racing, or check out a few show cars.  Then I head off to Brice Road to spectate at the cruising of one mopar after another.

End up wore out and beat, with my feet killing me, but I wouldn't trade the experience.  Some would call it insane, I call it memories of a lifetime. 

Thanks guys,

can't imagine just how big the show must be. Our biggest Mopar Show here in Australia gets around 500 vehicles, and the swap area isn't that big at all.

Really looking forward to it.

Peter