Ponies, Cats, Goats, Rats, Elephants at the Portland Swap Meet; Menagerie of Classic Cars, Parts and Accessories Makes April 4 – 6 Auto Event a Must

News provided by

JZ Communications

Feb 28, 2014, 03:00 ET


Portland, OR (PRWEB) February 28, 2014 -- A veritable menagerie of classic cars is being groomed for an historic gathering April 4 – 6, as the Portland Swap Meet celebrates its 50th anniversary.

One of the West’s largest and longest-running classic auto enthusiast events, the swap features 3,500 booths and 1,500 vendors offering classic cars from 1980 and older for sale and trade, along with all sorts of auto parts, collectibles and accessories. Founded in 1964, the Portland Auto Swap Meet is presented by six Portland, OR-area antique car clubs.

Portland Auto Swap Meet chairman Dave VanWinkle explained the animal connection. Noting that few cars today are named after animals, VanWinkle said automakers in the 1950s - 1970s commonly used model names like Impala and Cougar -- and a stampede of animal nicknames followed.

“Mustangs became ‘ponies,’ which now refers to a class of sporty classic cars with pep. A ‘Goat’ is a GTO’, a ‘Rat’ is a modern take on the classic chopped hot rod, and an ‘Elephant’ is a 70’s Chrysler with a big engine,” said VanWinkle. “You’ll find 'animals' in every condition at the swap. Some are alive and roaring, while others are in parts boxes, waiting for someone to bring them back to life. The same goes for A’s, T’s, Deuces and Moving Couches.”

An advance look at the swap can be seen http://www.facebook.com/PDXswapmeet.

The Portland Swap Meet takes place at the Portland Expo Center Friday, April 4 from 7:00 am - 7:00 pm; Saturday 7:00 am - 5:00 pm; and half-day Sunday, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm. Admission is $7.00 per day at the gate for adults Friday and Saturday, and $4.00 on Sunday. Sunday is free admission Ladies Day when accompanied by a paying adult. Admission is free all days for children under 12 with a paying adult.

For information, visit http://www.facebook.com/PDXswapmeet, contact pdxswap(at)aol(dot)com, or call 503-678-2100.

Jim Zahniser, JZ Communications, http://www.facebook.com/pdxswapmeet, +1 (971) 285-1446, [email protected]