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.
This green original '66 Chevy...
This green original '66 Chevy Stepside had the original 6-cylinder engine and was offered at $9,500.
Terry White can be seen making...
Terry White can be seen making his daily rounds in Midlands, North Carolina, driving his wild '71 F-250.
Famed custom car builder George...
Famed custom car builder George Barris put together this Li'l Red Wrecker in the mid '70s where it was a big favorite on the show car circuit. It was restored and is owned by Junior Sammet of Englewood, Florida.
Another truck for sale in...
Another truck for sale in the car corral was this original Chevy '47 half-ton Stepside for $29,500. The truck was in good shape with a nice blue paintjob.
This black beauty Chevy stepside...
This black beauty Chevy stepside was just out of the custom shop and could be had for a mere $60,000.
Danny Auman of High Point,...
Danny Auman of High Point, North Carolina, did most of the restoration work on his '66 Chevy C10.
This '42 Chevy daily driver...
This '42 Chevy daily driver is owned by Susan & Ronnie Whetstein of Shelby, North Carolina.
The International Harvester...
The International Harvester Show was going on in front of the speedway
This '53 GMC Suburban would...
This '53 GMC Suburban would make someone a great project to finish. It came with a 283ci Chevy small-block, 350 trans, and a Mustang II front clip. For $20,000 you could drive it home.
This bright-yellow '49 Ford...
This bright-yellow '49 Ford school bus was a real attention getter during the four-day event.
Robert Wallace of Concord,...
Robert Wallace of Concord, North Carolina, redid this '68 Chevy Pro Street Stepside pickup. It is powered by a small-block Chevy engine.
This '66 Chevy Fleetside pickup...
This '66 Chevy Fleetside pickup would make someone a great project truck and was a great buy at $1,800, and that included a clear title.
Dan Carpenter was on hand...
Dan Carpenter was on hand with all kinds of truck beds and sheetmetal parts. If he didn't have what you needed, he could build it for you.
Pat Nixon's '38 Ford was a...
Pat Nixon's '38 Ford was a real eye catcher with its life-like painted driver-side door
Ed Royals was on hand with...
Ed Royals was on hand with his '66, F-100.
When this Dodge truck came...
When this Dodge truck came out, it was a popular seller with its two-tone paintjob, fake walnut dash, black simulated leather seats, power steering, and automatic transmission.
If you needed a real tricked...
If you needed a real tricked out engine to power that project truck, Southern Performance Systems had the hot deal.
GM Performance Parts was also...
GM Performance Parts was also on hand with all their latest stuff.