One of the largest events in the south is the AACA (Antique Automobile Club of America) Hornets Nest Region's Charlotte Auto Fair on the grounds of the Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., each spring. This huge show takes up the entire infield, areas under the bleachers and a few of the surrounding parking lots. The event runs four days (Thursday through Sunday) and you will want at least a couple of days to explore it thoroughly. While the AACA is noted for its focus primarily on the 'antique' (pre-1948) market, there were a large number of vendors and display vehicles more oriented toward more modern machinery.
If you are hoping for a mini-Mopar Nats, this may be a disappointment; there were Chrysler products interspersed in the Car Corral, some vehicles displayed by car clubs, and spotty vendors with Mopar parts, but you will ended up looking through a much greater variety of other brands to find them. That said, the large number of general product dealers, parts suppliers, and generally cool swap meet items still make it well worth the $10.00 a day to get in.
So, with that said, here is a pictorial recounting of this year's event from last weekend. The 2013 event will be April 4-7; there is also a fall show held in late September. For more details, go to the www.charlotte-autofair.com website.
These A-Bodies were among...
These A-Bodies were among the Mopars being displayed at the 2012 Charlotte Auto Fair, which had thousands of cars and tens of thousands of attendees on hand.
This '69 Daytona was a number-matching...
This '69 Daytona was a number-matching 440/727 combo with 45,000 miles on it. Though showing signs of wear, it had a steady stream of people around it. However, the rumored price was in the six figures and we think it likely went back home with its owner.
Out in the swap meet was this...
Out in the swap meet was this 1948 Special DeLuxe Plymouth coupe on a trailer for a discounted $1200.00; the bullet holes in the windows were included...
There were not many Mopar-exclusive...
There were not many Mopar-exclusive parts vendors, but boxes of stuff seen could have yielded treasures. In the background, the monster screen featured interviews and special cars.
The classics of earlier hobbyists...
The classics of earlier hobbyists included cars like this Chrysler Town & Country from 1953; if was for sale for $26,500.
The Plymouth Owners Club was...
The Plymouth Owners Club was under the grandstands with 14 member cars on Saturday, with both Dodge and Plymouth models represented.
Seen from the grandstands,...
Seen from the grandstands, a throng of people surround some of the club cars on pit row; the grass was too wet to be parked on, or it would have been full as well. The Car Corral sales area was the actual racing surface.
Tim Skinner and his son Chris...
Tim Skinner and his son Chris had this gorgeous 1948 L-head six cylinder Chrysler on display in the show field. The father-son duo restored the car themselves.
No price on this nice little...
No price on this nice little Dodge pickup, just a phone number; the advent of cell phones has made the world of selling a car at a place like Charlotte much easier.
How about a Red Ram Hemi in...
How about a Red Ram Hemi in an Austin Healey? Fox Engineering was using this customer's car to show off their efi Weber and Hilborn conversions.
This 383 Super Bee was a very...
This 383 Super Bee was a very nice Ramcharger-equipped B-Body in the Car Corral; $37,000 was the asking price on this one, which was already done..,and done well.
Swap meet stuff included all...
Swap meet stuff included all sorts of automobilia and advertising items that would fit any garage display. Nice....