I am thinking of going to the Corvette Expo near Knoxville, TN next month with the intention of buying an L88 hood for my '68. I prefer an original hood and not a re-pop. Is it worth my while to go to Knoxville? The show is Friday and Saturday, so am I better off getting there first thing on Friday morning or will there be more vendors later in the day or on Saturday? I've never been to a Corvette swap meet before and don't want to waste my time if there won't be a lot of vendors and opportunites to buy an L88 hood. I know Carlisle is the biggest (at least east of the Mississippi) but Knoxville is much closer to home (about a 3 1/2 hour drive). Thanks for any replies.
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Re: Corvette Expo near Knoxville, TN
Michael, I've attended the Corvette Expo several times and have found the swap meet area to be a good one (and a gorgeous part of the country). I did say "good" one, ....and not "great" one. In my opinion, it would be quite a stroke of luck to find an original, assembly line installed L88 hood at the swap meet. In many decades of parts dealing, I can only remember seeing one original L88 hood available. I have seen maybe five or so service replacement hoods for sale in the past 10 years (three on eBay if I remember correctly). Seems to me like one I saw sold for around $1,700 to $1,800 or so.
I am very confident you will enjoy the Expo and swap meet, but nothing matches Carlisle for a swap meet in my opinion.
Good luck!
Ridge.Good carburetion is fuelish hot air . . . -
Re: Corvette Expo near Knoxville, TN
Ridge, thanks for the reply. I wasn't really making a distinction between a factory original and service replacement (my bad), but even a service replacement would do for me. I just prefer the GM part (press molded). I guess I could opt for Sermersheims, but figured I would try my luck at a swap meet first. If it's a rare bird and little to no chance, then I may not even make the trip. I'll have to think about it some more I guess. Maybe others will contribute their opinions as well.Comment
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Re: Corvette Expo near Knoxville, TN
I will be there. I always go just to get away and see everybody. I would also think the chances of finding an L88 hood there would be slim.............. but you just never know !!!
Tom Hendricks
Proud Member NCRS #23758
NCM Founding Member # 1143
Corvette Department Manager and
Specialist for 27 years at BUDS Chevrolet.Comment
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Re: Corvette Expo near Knoxville, TN
So is Friday morning the best time to go from a swap meet perspective?Comment
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Re: Corvette Expo near Knoxville, TN
Michael , I have attended the expo twice every year since 1994 and in the begining it was a great swap meet and found many parts for my 58 but started going downhill every year since . When they moved it from Knoxville to Seveirville it really went downhill . I last went to the fall meet in 2009 expecting it to be like it was and was very disappointed . Didn't go last fall . I'm planning on going this spring hoping that since the cut it down to only one meet it has to be better . IMO. StanComment
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Tom Hendricks
Proud Member NCRS #23758
NCM Founding Member # 1143
Corvette Department Manager and
Specialist for 27 years at BUDS Chevrolet.Comment
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Re: Corvette Expo near Knoxville, TN
I'm going to offer a different opinion.
I had been to the earlier renditions of the Corvette Expo that used to be held in Knoxville at an expansive fair grounds location. I have fond memories of these shows and found many good deals, lots of variety, and tons of outdoor swap meet vendors. Not like Carlisle, but nothing is like Carlisle and it was still impressive. There were car auctions, but to me it was more about the swap meet, vendors, dealers, car show, for sale corral, etc....again big and varied.
I hadn't gone in a while and then went to the "newer" Corvette Expo last year at this time. It is now at some resort hotel in Sevierville that features an indoor water park and a small convention center. The show was now very heavy on the car auction inside the convention center. There were some dealers/vendors, but not nearly as many as in previous years at the other location. But most disappointing was the extremely limited outdoor swap meet which only had a dozen or so outdoor vendors. If you weren't interested in the car auction (and I mostly wasn't), it only took a couple hours to see everything...twice! It was rainy, so weather may have been a factor, I'm not sure.
Just my 2 cents after being disappointed last year.Comment
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Tom Hendricks
Proud Member NCRS #23758
NCM Founding Member # 1143
Corvette Department Manager and
Specialist for 27 years at BUDS Chevrolet.Comment
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Re: Corvette Expo near Knoxville, TN
Interesting, only a dozen vendors? I guess I could email the Corvette Expo organizers and ask them how many vendors they have signed up. I will say that I went to the Corvette Expo website and the "Vendor" section has nothing on it (under construction). I found that odd with less than 8 weeks before the event.Comment
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Tom Hendricks
Proud Member NCRS #23758
NCM Founding Member # 1143
Corvette Department Manager and
Specialist for 27 years at BUDS Chevrolet.Comment
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Re: Corvette Expo near Knoxville, TN
Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification. It seemed like a really low number!Comment
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Re: Corvette Expo near Knoxville, TN
If you plan on staying overnight try and get reservations at the Fairfield Inn in Pidgen Forge. It's right down the street, Rt. 441, from the Expo Center and is very reasonable. Check www.marriott.com.
You also get a free breakfast.Comment
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Re: Corvette Expo near Knoxville, TN
We stay in Gatlinburg and take in all of the T shirt shops !!!
Tom Hendricks
Proud Member NCRS #23758
NCM Founding Member # 1143
Corvette Department Manager and
Specialist for 27 years at BUDS Chevrolet.Comment
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Re: Corvette Expo near Knoxville, TN
i go every year and will be there this year. i like this show. i bring the wife and kids. plenty to do in the area.Comment
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