Ask Neil Athorn why the National Swap Meet in Bendigo has become such a big and successful event and his answer is surprising.
First and foremost, according to the president of the Federation of Veteran, Vintage and Classic Vehicle Clubs, it’s the undulations.
“The shape of the Bendigo showgrounds, the way it undulates, it’s not daunting,” Neil says.
“And there’s a friendly atmosphere, too. Bendigo is very welcoming to the invasion of visitors.”
A third reason for the success is the proximity of the event to Melbourne.
Improvements in the road, and the shorter travelling time between Bendigo and Melbourne has meant more visitors (about 20,000) but it has also gradually focused attention on the Saturday.
Many interstate stall-holders are packed and gone by lunchtime Sunday, but trading on Saturday continues well into the evening.
When gates open at the Exhibition Building on Holmes Road at 6am next week, there will probably be several thousand people lined up ready to hit the ground running, fossicking for that 1923 Buick carburettor they need for their pride and joy, rummaging among old catalogues and car magazines for the missing edition that will finally complete their collection.
There will be plenty of time during the day to catch up with mates they haven’t seen since the last Meet, swapping yarns, kicking tyres, admiring the sheen on one of the historic Chevolets which are this year’s special display.
But the crack of dawn is the moment when the real enthusiasts do their thing. And Neil will be there, checking among the 1598 stall sites to make sure all is well.
National Swap Meet changes a little every year, but the essentials stay the same.
Neil, who is also secretary of the volunteer team that runs the Swap Meet, estimates it’s now the fourth or fifth largest in the world.
Although not much swapping takes place these days (it’s most straight selling), it is still all about old engines, “anything from the era, tools, oils, tyres”, Neil says.
“It’s got to be car-related,” he says, although it’s motors really, since tractors, bikes and even ancient mowers are all part of the panoply.
“You get people who want to use it as a flea market, but it has to be connected to vintage (pre-1918), veteran (to 1930) and classic (at least 25 years old) cars.”
Neil calls the 10,000 members of the 103 historic car clubs across Victoria adherents of the “movement”.
Plans by Ballarat Rotary to get their own Swap Meet going in autumn, to complement the National event in Bendigo are “good for the movement”, he says.
“Old cars need to be protected.
“Our Swap Meet is really the biggest museum that Australia has got.
“People come from all walks of life with a common goal, which is to protect the history of veteran, vintage and classic cars.”
This year, one of the changes visitors to the Swap Meet will notice may be more availability of nearby parking.
If council sticks to its new rules, parking your car on the road and putting a For Sale sign up will attract a fine.
Neil is disappointed the traditional roadside line-up may not be there this year, although there’s a for-sale area for used cars (any age) inside the show, on Sunday.
“It used to add to the atmosphere,” he says.
“Maybe there could be a facility given to them. Instead of taking it away, they (the council) need to put in an option for people to privately sell their cars.
“We’ll be watching to see how it works this year.”
Bendigo National Swap Meet runs on Saturday, November 12 from 6am ($10) and Sunday, November 13 from 7am ($5), at the Prince of Wales Showgrounds in Holmes Road.
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