By: Roger C. Haynes
"Whew!" Another year of Spring Auto Fair behind us, that is always a good feeling and there are always fond memories. This year was to be no exception. We're pressed for space this issue so lets get right into it describing the photos on this page.
Top Left: This is what the average customer will see when he or she, walks up in front of the TNS tent. Dozens of plates on display, common, rare, unusual, CCC, truck, samples, Alaska... the list could fill this page. The question is always the same if they have never seen me at the shows before, "Where did you get all these plates?" and the answer is usually flip,,, "I visit a lot of parking lots, with a good screwdriver..." And then of course I give them the real answer, "I belong to a club for collectors." They never run out of questions, God Love'm...
Next is Gerald Whatshisface, or is it Somethingorother??? Actually, It's Gerald Strickland of Wake Forest NC who has been teasing me about not remembering his name. He was quite pleased to find the plate he is holding in the photo, a First Issue 1920 NC truck plate. It doesn't show up very well, but it wasn't in that bad of shape, a great find for a beginning collector. Gerald has become a regular at many shows and is thinking about Denver. Nothing wets the appetite to collect like a National!
Upper Right: Here is a neat old car wearing its YOM plate dating it to 1921, a veteran of The Great American Race, it is a Lincoln and still had its race decals on it. An awesome sight I almost missed since I pretty much manned my spot all during the show by myself. I caught this photo as cruised in Sunday morning after the show pretty well halted when a heavy rain soaked the grounds Saturday afternoon, the selling part of the day was just about over anyway, was about 1:15 when the rains came.
Below that is a shot of the crowd walking up the street in front of my tent. The canopies guy set up and selling tents next to me was responsible for flying the stars and bars. There has been a lot in the news about that lately and it is a political farce as far as I'm concerned. Not all people who fly it are hateful begrudging people, their ancestors fought under it and they are proud of their service. I'm a born and bred Yankee, and I fly it to mark my tent at many shows. Lighten up folks.
In that last photo is a glimpse of the huge grandstands that will bulge with spectators for The Winston, and a week later The 600 mile race at Charlotte. This is all six miles from my house, the excitement of being at the Speedway is "Awesome!"....
MORE FROM CHARLOTTE AUTO FAIR
These two Happy Campers came all the way from NY to be at the Auto Fair on the left That is TNS "LIFE" subscriber Dan DeMasi, with his good friend and also another long time TNS reader Al Velocci. Their hunt was for Chauffeurs Badges (See Als ad in the FYI section) I never got to see them the rest of the show, it's that big, and that busy, by the time they walked the rest of it, there was no time to come back and visit more at the TNS Booth. GREAT to see you guys!
Photo Clip: Here is the place where all "Hell" will break loose next month, the all new addition to the Lowes (Charlotte) Motor Speedway. This is a 3/8s mile Bull Ring especially built for THE WORLD OF OUTLAWS to pay a visit to North Carolina twice yearly during race weeks. If you love the sight of a winged race car sliding sideways off the turns, call 704-455-3200 for ticket information.....