Old car parts find new life at swap meet

Want to find a hubcap for the classic old DeSoto your grandfather left you? Do you need just one little part to get your 32-year-old VW Microbus back on the road?

Searching for parts for antique cars can be expensive and time-consuming. Hours are spend on the Internet or on the road chasing down that holy grail you need to make your classic complete.

Next Sunday, however, the parts can come to you. On Nov. 15., the Celebration City Car Club will be holding its inaugural indoor swap meet at the Calsonic Arena from 6:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The automotive swap meet is an event in which vendors bring surplus or collectable car parts to sell. There will also be an area outside the arena, the "Car Corral," where people can buy and sell cars.

It's the club's first year to host such an event, and the members hope to see it grow.

"They have a big one in Nashville every year that more than 600 vendors come in for at the state fairgrounds," said member Tony Compton.

Besides car parts vendors, there are already several different kinds of booths signed up already, from gutters to handbags. There are still openings for anyone interested in a booth.

"My wife said we've got to give the ladies something to look at besides old car parts," said Tony, laughing. "We've got all kinds of vendors."

One special display will be a yellow Interceptor like the one used in the movie "Mad Max," he added.

Compton said the Ford dealership would be on site with a special exhibit, hopefully the new Mustang Shelby.

There is an admission fee of $5.

For more information contact Jerry Clanton, 684-9379; Tony Compton, 294-5055; Calvin Kincaid, 684-5662; or Jimmy Shreve, 695-5204.