Well it is that time of year again (April 2-5) when all the parts vendors around the country and anyone who sells anything to do with the automotive industry head to Lowe's Motor Speedway in Harrisburg, North Carolina, just north of Charlotte, North Carolina, to sell their products. Because of the state of the American economy the folks at Lowe's were wondering what the turnout would be; and were they ever surprised. By the time the gates opened on Thursday for the first day of the event, about 6,000 vendors had covered every inch of space set aside for them both inside and outside the one-and-a-half mile oval and over four thousand spaces had been set up for the car corral.
On Saturday, the main day of the event, things really took off. Over twenty thousand spectators came through the gates to check out the big show. It was shoulder to shoulder and just about everyone was carrying something or pulling a wagon with all kinds of items they had bought. Impromptu car shows were springing up in between, filling up the pit area and infield. If you were looking for a project, truck ready to show, or trying to find those hard-to-find pieces to complete that project sitting at home, this was the place to be as trucks of all type and vintage were part of the shows.
If you are a real gearhead or just love the car and truck scene, this was the place to be. If you didn't make the spring edition of the auto fair there will be a fall show August 26-29. So mark your calendar and make your plans to make the trip to Lowe's Motor Speedway and be part of this great event. For information on the fall Auto Fair go to www.charlotte-autofair.com or give the speedway a call at (704) 455-3209.
If you needed any kind of...
If you needed any kind of old gas station fixtures to decorate your game room this was the place to get them.
This is the '71 Mercury Cyclone...
This is the '71 Mercury Cyclone that David Pearson put on the pole in the October 1973 race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Manuel Assuf's Chevy from...
Manuel Assuf's Chevy from Cheraw, South Carolina, gleamed in the North Carolina sun.
Jimmy Yow of Concord, North...
Jimmy Yow of Concord, North Carolina, had one of the few fat-fender Ford F-100s in the show.
It was well done with a flat-black...
It was well done with a flat-black paintjob, wide whitewall tires and a nicely detailed flathead V-8.
Christian's Classic Truck...
Christian's Classic Truck Parts was another vendor that had those hard-to-find truck parts to finish that project.