Kissimmee - Winter Regional

**Donald M.** · January 30, 2006, 04:28 PM

Re: Kissimmee - Winter Regional

I thought the weekend was pretty much "Great cars, Great Friends". Saw several old friends from N.E. Chapter and others. Cars for sale corral was very interesting with some,IMHO, good deals. But, was a flop from the sellers' standpoint, I guess. Swap meet was about what it is every year. Hey, I found most of the parts I needed, what more can be said? I'd like to see more vendors next year, not less.
The real PIA was the "absent auction" way down the road about 11 miles. We started to drive down RT.192 east about 1:30 PM Sat., but traffic was bumper to bumper all the way, so we turned around and went back to the hotel. Too bad, as we always enjoy looking at the cars for auction, especially the old, rare Chevys like
Z-11's and F.I. passenger cars. The location HAD to hurt the Mecom folks!
Bring the auction back to Old Town in '07!
Some highlights: fantastic weather, a Florida staple and very nice Flight cars as well as Pro-Team's final '67 ever made, the "as is" Sebring '57 and the car with the world's most expensive wheels. Well organized meet,too.

**Tom R.** · January 30, 2006, 06:19 PM

Both events...losers!

The two host organizations (FL NCRS & Mecum) couldn't get together so both suffered and I have no insights whatsoever so may be way off. And of course as loyal, supportive NCRS types...we reel from the consequences. Each event compliments the other whatever one's interest, buyer, seller or merely entertainment.

**Mark Milner** · January 30, 2006, 06:41 PM

Re: Kissimmee - Winter Regional

I found some good deals, too.

However, many of the guys I talked to said they wouldn't be back unless FL NCRS fixed it.

If that happens, we all lose. I think this is the only NCRS event with a swap meet, and it was one of the best in the country for years. People used to come from all over the country, and not just people with cars in the judging.

I'll continue to come, be foolish not to with it in my backyard so to speak, but I can't see paying the high swap space fees in the first place and in the second place, definitely not that high with little traffic.

**Gary C.** · January 30, 2006, 07:14 PM

Mark Milner or whatever your real name is *NM*

**Roy B.** · January 30, 2006, 07:14 PM

Re: Kissimmee - Winter Regional MARK

Here in sunny CA. never any NCRS swap meets, I'v taken parts to sell and no one looks, most guys go REPRO! or buyers go nuts on e-bay. I'v gotten three times what I wonted on e-bay then from NCRS guys

**Mark Milner** · January 30, 2006, 08:19 PM

Re: Kissimmee - Winter Regional MARK

Roy, the NCRS swap meet has always been great at the Winter Regional. I remember it well at Cypress and at Disney. I've met people there from all over the country. I always thought it was well-run. I believe Tyler Townsley was in charge of it and has done a good job.

However, I think the price has been too high. The problem is they try to recoup all of their expenses off of the vendors and allow all the spectators to come in free. If set up with even a minimal entry fee, like $3, there would be significant income to offset the expenses of the event.

The main problem was letting the auction go to a different site. This created competition between the two events. People had to chose, and those wanting to buy cars went to the auction. Something should have been done to either secure the former auction site for this one weekend (there was no construction going on the whole time we were there) or a new site found.

**Mark Milner** · January 30, 2006, 08:21 PM

What's the matter Gary, hit a nerve? *NM*

**Gary C.** · January 30, 2006, 08:27 PM

Mark I'm not afraid to sign my name like u r *NM*

**Mark Milner** · January 30, 2006, 09:15 PM

If I'm not real, why have I been here 3 years?

I wasn’t going to dignify your last comment with an answer, but felt you might influence others against me. I have my name on the profile and it is posted with each post I make. So do others. So what has the burr under your saddle?

Maybe your burr is that I am critical of the FL NCRS event. I’m neither the first nor the only. So why don’t you chase after some of the others?

Why do you suggest I’m not real? Is it because I don’t post my NCRS membership number? Count the ones that don’t. You will find there are a lot more who don’t than do. I guess that makes John Hinckley, Duke Williams, Roy Sinor, John McGraw, and a host of others suspect, because none of them have a number behind their name.

I guess if I’m not real, then I didn’t see Dennis Clark, Dick Whittington, Geoffrey Coenen, Ralph Kramden, John Hinckley, Clem Zahrobsky, and a host of others this weekend. I was busy, they were busy, so maybe we didn’t speak, but then, a lot of people didn’t speak. That doesn’t make any of us less real.

Did you see or speak to Al Knoch’s son (Brian?) who was installing seats? Maybe you are the one who isn’t real.

Or maybe I don’t have an NCRS number. If you check, you’ll find that many do not, and there is no requirement to have one. But who is to say yours is real? I could put up 12327 or 43078 or whatever. Nothing checks it when you do.

Or maybe somehow The Winter Regional is your baby and I’ve insulted it. If that’s the case, fix it. Insulting me will do nothing. Obviously it is broken, or there wouldn’t have been so many complaining this weekend.

So if you want to insult me, continue and I’ll ignore you. If you want to contribute to the thread, then I’ll debate the issue with you.

**Gary C.** · January 30, 2006, 09:51 PM

No burr, am real person & a NCRS member

You're not a NCRS member as you've eluded to in your last post. What a shame. All that energy could be put to constructive use in the NCRS organization. I am a firm believer that in order to criticize one must belong and be involved with the organization or function that a person wants to criticize, get involved and work hard to effect change. I take issue with the fact that you throw alot of stones at an organization you do not belong to!

Gary
....
P.S. you can check my profile and do searches/inquiries and you will see I am who I say I am

**Howard K.** · January 30, 2006, 10:31 PM

Re: Both events...losers!

Loved the show, loved the auction, had a great time. The auction was way too big to have at Old Town, it was at a great location. Vendors not selling had nothing to do with the location of the auction. They need to check their prices on their parts. I drove 1,000 miles to buy parts, decided to come back home and buy new---but had a great time in FL.

**Edward M.** · January 31, 2006, 08:33 AM

Re: Kissimmee - Winter Regional MARK

The possibility of charging admission to the public for access to the swap meet has been discussed many times. I recall being part of that discussion at Cypress in 1990. The vendors made it clear at that time, if admission is charged, the vendors would not return. A free to the public swap meet is one of the main attractions of the Winter Regional meet.

**Mark #28455** · January 31, 2006, 08:35 AM

our world is changing

Remember 10 years ago at Carlisle or Bloomington? Lots of vendors, lots of regular people, all selling lots of parts at reasonable prices? Not any more - everyone sells their stuff on e-bay or sees those prices and now they want $100 for a tired oil filler cap! How about an overbored 2 bolt main 1969 427 pass car block with two REALLY thin sleeves (about .060 wall thickness) for $1000?

We are victims of the restored car market's success! I keep hoping investors will quit buying Corvettes so I can buy parts for reasonable prices again.

Mark

**mike cobine** · January 31, 2006, 12:06 PM

Re: Kissimmee - Winter Regional MARK

That is interesting, Ed. Almost every swap I ever attended charges an admission charge to the public. Usually it is a trivial amount, like $5 or something, but some higher.

Bloomington charged as far back as I can remember, but I also remember if you got there the right time or parked the right spot, you got in without a charge. And since many of these would be the same vendors, your comments are very interesting.

Of course my experience with NCRS over the last 25 years is that they wouldn't charge $5 a head to get in, they'd try to pay for the whole thing with the first 100 visitors and charge $30 or $40 to get in. And they would not have reduced the vendor fees.

In that case, I can see why the vendors would say no to an admission charge -- no one would come. A lose/lose situation.

I've attended and sold at other swaps and none except Bloomington and Daytona are as high as the Winter Regional. But instead of 2000 people, you get 40,000 walking through. Florida Swaps has 15x30 space for $25 and the second space is another $5 so you get 30x30 or 15x60 for $30.

http://www.floridaswapmeets.net/monthly.htm

They charge to get in, like $5 each a day. And people pack the place.

If FL NCRS couldn't pack Old Town, something is wrong.

Like publicity? I never heard one radio spot. I never saw one paper flyer. Nothing. Maybe they are all ex-SCCA members - Secret Car Club of America.

Kissimmee - Winter Regional

Kissimmee - Winter Regional

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