MTFCA Forum

If you’re coming better get here. Lots of T parts and some nice cars showing up. Better hurry.

I had to skip this year and probably will have to skip next year due to economic reasons but 2025,I will be there.

Sorry I was too busy to get any. Lots of buyers.

Here’s a few pics, lots of folks and great part selections!

Few more!

I got a few.

A few more.

Who is the guy selling the top irons?

Please take lots of pics for us less fortunate home bound . Lots of close ups and your finds would be great. Can't make next year but after that Luray is on the calender for us.

Wow! I've gotta go next year. Luray has turned into a great meet and this year they have a tour as well.

New project displayed.
Brand new pan jig!!!!!!
Looked great. Just like the originals, but not all beat up.

Great looking job.

Top irons were Mel Draper.
Mel's leather and horse hair.

Real Buyers huh, Dan ??…. that’ll be the big difference between Luray and Chickasha.

I flew out last year, and was there the previous year too, but due to the size of the meet and the expense from California, I can't justify it this year.

George House wrote: ↑

Sat May 13, 2023 9:24 am

Real Buyers huh, Dan ??…. that’ll be the big difference between Luray and Chickasha.

Well yes George, ...and here is my take on it since I attended both meets. The real estate size of the Luray meet compared to Chickasha is about ⅓ less however IMO it appeared there were more vendors and/or spaces filled at Luray. The were about 7 or maybe 8+ complete Model-Ts on the premises in Luray as compared to a couple in Chickasha. The 1918 Touring in the above picture sold. There were several booths with cars advertised for sale too. Only a couple of Model-As were there for sale however that was 2 more Model-As than was for sale at Chickasha. I saw lots of earlier T parts for sale including frame, axle housings, front axles, a few non-generator engine blocks, a couple sets of Buffalos, and better than a half dozen sets of 26/27 wire wheels (-and more than enough wire wheel hubs to outfit all of the wheels there!!). Several commercial vendors represented there (Ron's Machine, Kevlar Band ppl, Brent Mize, Bratton's, Dan Hatch, Gators, Stewarts Machine, new Transmission Drums ppl, Anderson, Langs, a starter/generator rebuilder, Mel Draper, Maters, MTFCI, MTFCA, et/al) which was nice. Rich sold a complete RAJO(??) Dirt Track Racer engine, and I saw someone carrying out a nice pre-1912 frame they had purchased. I believe I saw a pair of NOS 26/27 rear fenders, and saw some new early sheetmetal for sale too. I likely missed some also. Lots of decent brass lamps and brass parts (windshields, support rods, hub caps, etc.) for sale there too. Lots of later and New Improved parts for sale also. Speaking of lots of things, if I were paid a Quarter (0.25¢) for all of the hogsheads there for sale, I would probably have had enough $$ to pay for a complete fill-up at the gas station!! Based on all the above, I feel like the parts quality & selection available as a whole was much better at Luray this year than what was a few months ago at Chickasha.

As for the economy there, I sold a fair amount of stuff and bought as much -or more than I did in Chickasha. I saw quite a few Buyers carrying stuff or trucking stuff around that was purchased, so money was definitely exchanging hands. I heard lodging prices were quite a bit less money in Luray too. One forum member told me their room rate was $85 a night. Very good food was available at the concession booth, and nice prices on their menu too, -all cooked by the local VFW members. A very tasty Ham & Egg breakfast sandwich on a bun was $3.00, and a tasty Cheeseburger was $6.00. A nice sized basket of fries was $3.00. Drinks (water/soda) were $1.00. The VFW also prepared a nice meal for the vendors that evening. I'm NOT saying anything against, -nor derogatory about the Ersland's as they are fine people and have been gracious hosts for many years but I must say that Dennis and his gang of hosts definitely do a good job of coordinating and making everyone feel welcome at the Luray meet.

My take on the meet was it was a success overall because the Sellers brought lots of merchandise -which probably 85%-90% of stuff that was there was honestly very decent to very nice quality stuff. Asking prices were definitely higher there than found at Chickasha (i.e: several Ruckstell axles there in the $1,200-$1,500 range vs. $800-$1,200 range at Chickasha) but many people were buying stuff, so my take was that Buyers as a whole were willing to pay fairly for the better quality merchandise. I'm sure Dan and others will post their thoughts/experiences, but I definitely felt is was a very worthwhile swap meet.

I arrived at opening on Friday. Not everyone was open yet, however I was able to procure some items on my list.

Returned a set of side curtains I bought there the previous year. Some nice cars on display. And for sale.

Went back on Saturday and I would guess half of the vendors were gone (I arrived at 8 am). I guess rumors of rain puts thoughts into people’s heads and with good reason.

This was only my second time coming and I will be back.

Arrived Friday early. Found a few things I needed. Headlight reflectors that I found were in excellent shape. Pitched an additional carb for my 26 as I only had one and needed a backup. Misc stuff door handles etc. also a batter box that I needed.

Ran out of funds had to give it up. Will be back next year.

Jesse

If you are looking for a swap meet with the old time feel, Luray is it ! I wasn't able to bring my trailer this year, but still sold a good amount of parts. I found some very nice rear fenders for my '14 and had a great time talking with old friends and new ones. If you have not made it to Luray, Put it on your calendar for next year. As many swap meet seem to be fading away, this gets better every year. Darryl

Could have been more water pumps to choose from but I got some new to me stanchions from Sweet23 that will make my 23 sweeter than his as well as from another seller, an ok lower windshield frame with a little rust to work on for $5.00.
was also nice to meet those I did from the MTFCA as well.

Also saw the first of a new reproduction part. NEW DRIVEN PLATES. Anyone who builds transmissions knows that these are getting harder and harder to find.
These looked excellent. This should be a real positive for the hobby.
Plan to be there next year and so should you.
Great job by all who helped with this meeting. Dan

Anybody see any rebuilt differentials? There was a guy that would come to Chickasha and bring a few to sell and they would usually go pretty quick.

I hope somebody will post some photos and/or video of the tour happening today thru Tuesday.

I forgot to mention in an earlier post about what Dan observed. NEW reproduction driven plates make me think that sooner or later finding good used parts will be getting harder to find.

Those use to be fairly plentiful but it’s good to know people are seeing a need for new parts and that great for the T hobby! Good for them!

Dan were these for the earlier cars and the 26-27 also? If I remember the 26-27 plates were a little bit different and if so they would scarcer.

The one there was narrow drum, 25 and before. He is going to make 26/27 also. This is just a prototype.
Good used ones are hard to find. Either they are cracked or the rivets are loose.
I will warn you not cheap.

My take on real buyers at Chickasha is I sold a ton of stuff. I got good prices for the stuff I sold. I also saw tons of stuff being sold off the trailers and tables. So sales at Chickasha were good. Our motel at the Chickasha convention center was 56.00 per night for two people. It was plenty clean and maintained for us and has the best breakfast we have had in a motel for a long time. It is a full breakfast not just a danish and coffee. We hope to be at Luray in a couple years.

Any pictures of the “New” pan jig project? Is this something that will be reproduced for sale or just a one off?

I too am interested in this reported pan jig. Seems whenever I need one, anybody that has one is either too busy to take in work or a million miles away. If a "reasonable" price, whatever that is, I would be interested.

Luray was once again GREAT!!! It's a real good old-fashioned hobby focused swap meet. Much of the stuff for sale is fresh and represents a clean-out from under the workbench, or spare parts that have been stored for years. The professional dealers there were few but they represented the hobby well providing services and much needed quality restoration parts. No junk Taiwan tool vendors! Best of all - no yard sale crap! I didn't count but heard there were over 75 vendors-all offering great stuff. Sellers were serious and had merchandise pried to sell. Buyers were equally serious and filled their tuck-beds with everything from complete engines to wheels. Parts ranged from predominately Model T to good Model A stuff and a dose of misc pieces mixed in. I saw 1910 Cadillac parts, a few Maxwell items, Brush, Packard, and a load of unidentified non-T items. All of it was early. Brass was all around. It reminded me very much of some of the early swap meets I attended back in the 70's. The guys who run this work hard and really have the vendors in mind. The Friday evening Fried Chicken dinner gives everyone a chance to sit down together and meet old and new friends. Congrats on Dennis and group for another big success and for their untiring efforts to keep this event friendly and growing. The VFW is the benefactor and they continue to make improvements to the facility. They are certainly worthy of our continued support. Here are a few of my photos to enjoy.
Terry

a few more pics from Luray.

And a few more -

And a few more pics of stuff you missed by not being there!

I was told the price of the pan jig is $6000. They’re only 3 and no more. Dan

My understanding is the current market price of original KR Wilson pan straightening jigs is $2000-$2500.

Respectfully submitted,

Trent Boggess

I'd probably bite at Trent's price range, but $6K is kind of out in orbit for me.

what do the repro driven plates cost. 3321and 3321B? What do the real nice originals go for?