NSRA Southern Swapmeet -- Essex Arena

[mk1_4dr]

After a fortnight or so of being in a bit of a mojo funk, I dragged myself together to get involved in an epic tat haulage/pony express run down to Essex arena for the NRSA swapmeet.

 

After a slightly-later-than-anticipated start, I loaded myself into shotgun of the KFW Sunny beside Mr Hairnet and with Ryan in the back.

The car was heavily loaded before I clambered in, but once we got rolling it seemed to matter not to the little trooper.

 

And that is where we pick up the story with picturegraphs...

 

 

This happened somewhere along the way

 

 

It had been a long night by the time we landed at Thurrock around 4am, 3 long hours before the trader gates opened and 6hours before us mere mortals would be granted entry.

So we sat, drank coffee and stole McDonalds internet until it was nearly time to get in, at which point we went for a walk to see what was waiting...

 

Firstly, this was outside McD's

 

'Surprise' van

 

This looked cheap for what it was.

 

This Plymouth is utterly gorgeous, I wanted it so bad.

 

lil' 100e scampering in

 

Vauxhall Wyvern

 

Hard looking Pop

 

Odd lineup

 

 

One for Mr Carter

 

Hubbahubba for a big Cadillac

 

EPIC P5b

 

The Stealthstylz/KFW wheel emporium (with Pol's Venoms lurking in the background)

 

Imp bonnet brought Violet and James to mind

 

Rough, but ready

 

Awesomely well used and well loved Corsair

 

Some interesting pickups were knocking about.

Some were forsale but some were still earning their keep

 

Gorgeous and immaculate Mustang.

 

I guess Bruce would once have been interested in these

 

Pretty smart dragster

 

This looked like a BARG at £850, not sure about the T&T situation though.

It was packing a 1600Pinto which must make it rather grim with a bed full of tat.

 

4i was only really good for bangering or stockcar, too far gone to restore I'd've thought.

 

*dribble*

 

Tat

 

Interesting wheels wearing big slicks is always a win

 

The label 'barn find' seemed quite fitting for this A. It looked very original.

 

It was at this point I went for a wonder around the carpark..

 

I've seen this in pictures for a number of years but upclose it becomes appartent that the proportions are, erm, questionable.

 

This Septic brought Pog to mind

 

Bug with rubber rake

 

I haven't a clue what this started life as

 

A pair of tidy E30 Tourers

 

Everyone loves a Cobra, rep or not.

 

Unloved Thunderbird

 

 

More pickup goodness

 

Notch Fox

 

Simply stunning Dart Swinger.

 

Mk2 looked a spot boring in this company

 

An odd couple

 

*bringbring.... bringbring.... Hello, whats that sorry? the early '90s wants its HotRod back? I'll see what I can do for you...*

 

Jons 105 keeps close eye on proceedings

 

Ford Custom Sedan

 

And Galaxie 500

 

And yet more pickups

 

NOM-tastic Panel van

 

Toledo caught my eye from afar

 

Steves e21

 

Mint Cresta

 

Very beige Lincoln looked honest enough with only mild 'Council estate Elvis-ing'

 

Stock as you like Passat wagon

 

Mk2 Cortinas wear flat black so well

 

I love this style of paintwork, the van was fairly awesome too

 

Chopped roof Mk3 Escort van, with a mk4 nose. I suspect its running RSt power or something

 

This Oldmobile was utterly hanging, pity really as the chap wanted properly stong money for it which takes it out of the reach of folks who could have some fun with it

 

Faux patina'd truck was rolling on a Mazda minitruck chassis.

 

Chevy Styleline was very pretty but far from mint.

 

Steve and Simon make sure nothing escapes from the bed of the Skaddy.

 

And after that we spent some time packing up, collecting whatever tat we could from the remaining traders/scrapheap and sorting out where we needed to be and when on the trip back up.

 

All together an awesome way to spend 30 odd hours, loads of familiar faces and plenty of banter, just what was needed to rekindle my failing Mojo.

[Angrydicky]

I was there, shame I didn't know you were going or we could have met up for a chat. I was there in my blue A35, on the far side of the car park behind the wire fence.

 

I only took these photos.

 

 

 

[mk1_4dr]

I didn't know I was going until about 5pm on Sat, nevermind.

 

Actually, you see the transit in your Prefect picture, we were in the pitch behind that, with all the wheels, RV8 and the GRP Roadster body.

[RichardMoss]

An interesting selection of cars - but the location makes it look like they are all waiting in the ante-room of some sort of mega-scrappy

[hairnet]

nah thats just south essex (innit)

 

FECK IT WAS FREEZING111111111!!!!!!1one!!!!11

[jonny69]

Damn right it was cold. Good to see you guys there.