The Ford Barn

todd j · 04-26-2026, 08:22 PM

For only the 6th time since 1987 have I missed the Pate Swap Meet. And the first time to miss it 2 years in a row. For those who went how was it? Plenty of vendors? Big crowds? The one thing I did notice 3 years ago was how many "vendor spaces" had cars parked in them so people could be closer to the action but not selling anything.

I'm not looking for any certain parts when I go, just like to look and visit with friends.

Let me know what I missed and thanks for your replies.

mcgarrett · 04-26-2026, 08:49 PM

I've been to Pate many times over the years and a vendor for the last 5 years. I had 3 spaces again this year with a variety of Model A parts as well Model T and Early V8 parts. The short answer is...very disappointing. Not the crowds I used to see and by early afternoon each day it was pretty dead. I don't know what changed; perhaps higher gasoline prices? From a sales standpoint I did fairly well, but certainly not what I was expecting compared to previous years. I also noticed I didn't meet many foreign buyers - I usually sell a decent amount of Model A parts to them, but not this time.

Jeff/Illinois · 04-27-2026, 10:26 PM

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It seems a lot of people are in a 'wait-and-see' mode anymore, and aren't out actively doing things. Money tighter perhaps, inflation really took a bite out of all of us.

For example, new car sales of all brands are down really really bad right now for XYZ reasons.

But I see things coming back. people get bored and want to have some fun.

04-26-2026, 08:22 PM	#1
todd j Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 54	Pate Swap Meet... Who went and how was it For only the 6th time since 1987 have I missed the Pate Swap Meet. And the first time to miss it 2 years in a row. For those who went how was it? Plenty of vendors? Big crowds? The one thing I did notice 3 years ago was how many "vendor spaces" had cars parked in them so people could be closer to the action but not selling anything. I'm not looking for any certain parts when I go, just like to look and visit with friends. Let me know what I missed and thanks for your replies.

04-26-2026, 08:49 PM	#2
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Corsicana, Texas Posts: 1,551	Re: Pate Swap Meet... Who went and how was it I've been to Pate many times over the years and a vendor for the last 5 years. I had 3 spaces again this year with a variety of Model A parts as well Model T and Early V8 parts. The short answer is...very disappointing. Not the crowds I used to see and by early afternoon each day it was pretty dead. I don't know what changed; perhaps higher gasoline prices? From a sales standpoint I did fairly well, but certainly not what I was expecting compared to previous years. I also noticed I didn't meet many foreign buyers - I usually sell a decent amount of Model A parts to them, but not this time.

04-27-2026, 10:26 PM	#3
Jeff/Illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,997	Re: Pate Swap Meet... Who went and how was it Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) It seems a lot of people are in a 'wait-and-see' mode anymore, and aren't out actively doing things. Money tighter perhaps, inflation really took a bite out of all of us. For example, new car sales of all brands are down really really bad right now for XYZ reasons. But I see things coming back. people get bored and want to have some fun.