Sacramento Swap: No dribbling, but quibbling on prices OK

The NBA Sacramento Kings fill the inside of the Power Balance Pavilion with basketball games -- and twice a year automotive collectors fill the huge arena parking lots with some rare parts and cars.

The Sacramento Classic Car & Parts Swap Meet (also known as the Reno Swap Meet that was transplanted from Nevada to California in 2008), will fill the 11,000 parking spaces outside of the Power Balance Pavilion on April 22 with a “traditional old style” car swap meet.

What was started by nationally known car collector William Harrah in 1965, and was continued by William Finefrock, upon Harrah’s death, has been a swap meet attended by buyers and sellers from all over the world.

“The Harrah’s tradition continues,” stated John Sweeney, whose family and friends, operate the Sacramento Swap Meet. Finefrock, who was also the founder of Coast Car Collector and Autoweek magazines, turned over the swap meet to John in 1999, when Finefrock grew tired of operating the swap meet and retired.

“We were facing some real challenges in Reno, losing vendors, lower attendance and facing a political challenge," Sweeney said. "Sadly, the only way to save the swap meet was to move it to the Power Balance Pavilion in Sacramento. Sometimes change is a good thing and in this case it has proved that the hobby is alive and growing.

He calls the swap meet "a huge shopping mall for lovers of classic cars, hot rods and automobilia," and adds, " Wear comfortable shoes and please, no dribbling when you attend this swap meet."

For more information, visit www.SacramentoSwapMeet.com.

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