This was year number three at Hershey for me. I was excited to get going and at the same time there was some underlying tension.  All weather predictions indicated that most days would present the possibility of rain and at least one or two might be wipeouts.  The predictions were only partly accurate. Most days were cloudy but reasonably warm. Only Thursday was an absolute horror show. The drenching rain reminded me of my days of camping with Troop I Coventry … bad weather and camping always seemed to go together. At least we had a warm motel room to sleep in. The Days Inn of Lebanon, PA was warm, dry, cheap, and reasonably clean. That’s enough for me. ​

One of the best features of our motel was the gazebo. Each night, weather permitting, the crew of eight would gather at the gazebo in the center of our courtyard. We lounged on wicker and plastic chairs, some with cushions, under sparkling Christmas Tree lights. Our conversation was just loud enough to enable all to hear over the nearby lighted fountain that ran all day. Seasonal pumpkins and orange flowers decorated the walkways. Each morning we feasted on breakfast creations some of which were dispensed by a variety of mechanized marvels:
·         Juices, coffee, and milk from pull-the-lever dispensers
·         Raisin bread and folded cold scrambled eggs from the cold cabinet (eggs go in the microwave)
·         Oatmeal, sometimes thick and sometimes thin, from the big pot (add granola and/or raisins)
·         Cereal found in little one-serving boxes
·         Pancakes or waffles : these take two machines, one to dispense batter and one to cook and flip
·         Fresh fruit
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Our days were spent sitting, selling, and for those interested, walking around the miles and miles of flea market stalls and the car corral. Two guys managed to trudge through the Thursday rain so they could pick up a bus ride to the AACA Museum. Although they were both thoroughly soaked, the museum was worth the trip. Our gallery section shows off photos of several of the displays. The Tucker installation remains as one of the most amazing museum shows anywhere. Its only competition was downstairs where they keep all the busses. What beautiful machines they have! Anything from one of the original Yellowstone Park coaches to the exact bus that carried Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves in the movie Speed was available for our close inspection. A somewhat more elegant bus was the one that had a bit part in Forrest Gump. Tom Hanks rode in it during a scene after a war protest rally. Of course one of my favorite scenes from the film is when Forrest gets on a school bus and meets Jenny for the first time.

​Of course we made a couple of videos of ourselves too. The most interesting ones were produced during the Thursday deluge. We were reminded of the difference between new, tight tents compared with old ones that tend to stretch and sag. All that water has to go somewhere. I remember a rather healthy stream that came straight down into my undershirt. That night most of us took showers before dinner rather than after.

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​(Click on above arrow to see the video)

So, did the guys sell any parts? They sure did. The most successful are the ones who bring the most stuff and/or are the most creative. I don’t fit either of those categories. Enough said about my balance sheet.
 
If you are looking to have a good time with friends, eat out every night (the Quentin restaurant was my favorite), and browse miles of cars and parts, begin preparing now for next year. Everyone should go at least once!
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Preferred Restaurant List:

A & M Pizza:  Good selection, huge portions. My favorite was the veal parmesan . The one we went to was right across from our hotel. Remember to stay on the cross walk!

Quentin Tavern: Great food, the best service, and everybody in town wants to get in at the same time.

​Gin Mill Restaurant and Tavern: Excellent selection, always crowded, great décor. Parking may be difficult but worth the effort.

56 Diner Restaurant : Just take exit 56 off route 95 in Branford, CT. This place is awesome! Great food at even better prices. The portions are large, the deserts are amazing. I had the prime rib special that included soup or salad and desert, all for $15.00. Thank Tom Link for this one!

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Ken Carr has once again outdone himself with a very detailed, humorous account of our 2017 trip to the Hershey swap meet. His story includes many great photos and a video of the twirling lady from Lowes Home Center, a first for Hershey. Check out all the fun on the WPRAACA blog.


I'd like to briefly comment about something a bit different with Hershey; the reason we all enjoy going and returning year after year. If you're a vintage car person and have enjoyed local cruise nights, car shows and swap meets you haven't come close to experiencing the ultimate event that the hobby has to offer. The size and scope of Hershey is well,  frankly astounding. There are hundreds of vending spaces covering five football field sized parking lots. From our vantage point in Red field we can see hundreds of cars, vendor tents and displays encompassing thousands of car parts, tools, automobilia and auto-related items. It's so massive that you're essentially required to purchase the show program ($5) to sort it all out. The program describes the event, provides field maps and vendor locations and contains an index of specific vehicle makes or parts you may be looking for. If you find an item but aren't quite ready to buy you'll need the program to re-locate the vendor again. Every spot Is coded with a number that can be found in the program maps. The better advice though is to not hesitate buying the item because it may be gone when you return.  If you're looking for specific parts you're more likely to find them at Hershey then at any other event. This is especially true for the earlier pre-1950 parts. If you're just browsing with no specific goal you'll certainly be amazed by the volume and variety of " old stuff" and will likely find something to buy. Seeing all the old stuff brings you down memory lane to revisit your early nostalgic years and helps you revisit those fond early experiences. 


I like Hershey because it always provides an opportunity to learn more about vintage products and technology. Conversations with other vendors and people who come by our both  are enlightening and entertaining. For example, this year, I had the opportunity to talk with an analytical chemist from Ohio who spent his entire career at Lubrizol Corp. developing additives for various lubricants. He spent 45 minutes schooling me about oil chemistry, pretty cool! In turn we often teach our customers about items we're selling. A lot of learning takes place amid all the wise cracks and fun. We also see a significant number of foreign visitors, especially Scandinavian folks who love American cars. Negotiating prices in two (or more) languages is very entertaining. 

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Hershey is not just a swap meet. The car corral displays hundreds of quality and sometimes rare vehicles for sale. There is always a demonstration of vintage race cars roaring in the stadium on Friday. Many of the well know vintage car dealers are also on hand to showcase their best vehicles. The AACA museum is a simple shuttle bus ride away and offers free admission with your AACA membership card. On Saturday the AACA car show is held next to the vendor lots and features several hundred great cars including makes and models you seldom see.​

Every year on the first day we set up I have to admit my pulse quickens and somewhat youthful excitement heightens when the Hershey complex comes into view. We scurry like mice to set up the booth and settle in to soak up the event; to buy, to sell, to laugh and be amazed.  The bottom line on Hershey is that it is a must-attend bucket list item for any vintage car person.  It's the Olympics, World Series and Super Bowl of the car hobby all wrapped up into one event.​

You gotta go!

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