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Banned from the pomona swap meet!!!

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21K views 93 replies 43 participants last post by  fishbone  
#1 · (Edited)
WELLLL I showed up at the swap meet at 4:30am yesterday and when I arrived at the event entrance on Arrow Highway, I encountered a SMUG Millennial idiot, who told me that our cars are NOT WELCOME AT THE MEET,,,, PERIOD!!!! This MORON said "I turned away a group of 4 of you guys at the last meet but he would "take pity on me" and I was told that I would be allowed to enter THIS one time, for a fee of $100, as a one time favor because of the recent implementation of this exclusion, but to NEVER BRING IT BACK AGAIN!!!! My only option in the future would be to park in the spectator general parking area and walk in to the event!!!

I called the office attempting to contact one of the members of the Cross family (the promoter since 1975) to clarify this rather discriminatory policy. I was informed that as a result of my "discussion" with the line manager yesterday, that upper management, decided this morning,that this ban on our cars will now be the rule, and no one will be allowed to enter and participate in the future, until they achieve 25 year classic status!!!!

Walking around the event I encountered at least 100 other examples of vehicles that also did not fit the "rules", and were only charged $25 with no question!! G8's, GTO's, modern Chargers, SUV's, Minivans,,,,,,,, I was informed that they entered at the "discretion" of the line manager, as long as there was not an outright BAN. Welll Guess what kiddies,, you can blame me for this revolting development, because I had the gall to argue with that policy, and made an impassioned plea for them to include the car in their limited "Modern Muscle" category, just based on the history and power specs, and now they decided to just outright ban us from all future events!!! SOOO they will no longer allow us in,,, even for $100.

Even though I did not participate for the last 14 years, due to all manner of life drama (Divorce, Bankruptcy, having to sell all of my muscle cars by court order in the Marital Settlement agreement, so I could keep all of my tools (F'n Lawyers!!),,,,,,), I showed up at an event I had spent many years enjoying, and relying on for the resources available from the vendors, in the past, never thinking for a minute, that I would encounter such VITRIOL FOR OUR BELOVED SS's!!! This FLOORED ME, and absolutely destroyed all the fond memories from the years past, walking the rows with my cousin who passed away in 04 (the last time I had any cars worth showing off, until last October!) I have never encountered MUSCLE CAR DISCRIMINATION on this level, ever in my life!! I mistakenly thought this was one of those rare areas in life and our political climate, that even the most distant opinions and positions would come together over a common love and affectation!!! WELL I GUESS I WAS WRONG!!!

I WILL NEVER RETURN TO THE POMONA SWAP MEET AGAIN!!!!!:crying
 
#2 ·
So let me get this straight. You wanted to go to some swap meet, and the Millennial idiot at the Gate wanted to charge you a $100.00 to get in just because you drive a SS? Is that right? Cause either I'm missing something, or you should have gave that punk a $100.00 ass-whipping and left him bloody and unconscious on the ground for running his smug mouth.
 
#3 ·
Smirnoff!!! This is not just "some swap meet",, it is a world famous institution!!! People come 7 times a year from all over the world to attend!!! The only other event on this scale is the Carlyle PA swap meet, and its about 1/2 the scale!!! There are over 30,000 spectators, and around 7500 or so cars on display!!!

I wanted to get out of the car and teach him a two fist'd lesson in respect of his elders, with his smug attitude and all, but decided to digress!! Its not the money,, I could not give a $#1T about a hundred bucks,,, it was the entire attitude, I encountered that has me so upset!!! There were tons of other cars in the lines, but he came over with a group of goons, as soon as he saw the car in queue!!!

F EM!!! Thats all I can say!!!
:devil
 
#4 · (Edited)
This discrimination against the SS; which is true modern muscle, requires a social media campaign against the Pomona swap-meet. People should show up in their SS's demanding to be let in for the $25 fee and under the "modern muscle" class. They should post videos of being denied on Youtube and various outlets.

Maybe you might find a millennial to help you out with social media part of the campaign? I hear they're good at that. ;)
 
#5 ·
This discrimination against the SS; which is true modern muscle, and requires a social media campaign against the Pomona swap-meet. People should show up in their SS's demanding to be let in for the $25 fee and under the "modern muscle" class. They should post videos of being denied on Youtube and various outlets.

Maybe you might find a millennial to help you out with social media part of the campaign? I hear they're good at that. ;)
Thanks for the vote of support my brother!!!! True that!! I will need a millennial (Gonna be my Son!!) because I don't engage in any form of "Social Networking" (other than this forum!!)!!! No FB, IG, Twitter,,,, for me!! I have been in the IT business for over 20 years now and based on what I know about,,, welll,,, everything from a desktop to a datacenter,,, I don't involve myself. I keep as much of my data footprint private as possible!!! Not possible if you agree to the end user license agreements and terms of service (which no one ever reads, and fewer still understand!!). Beyond that,, Yeah,,, when I get done,,, not gonna go so well for em!!
:devil
 
#6 ·
We should go visit them next year and teach them what a group of goons is. I don't blame you for being pissed. Its that age group's arrogant attitudes that get me all bent out of shape. I would love to know what on earth happened that makes them hate our cars so much. Totally bizarre.
 
#13 ·
Its 7 times a year and the next event is on August 12th. I am now soooo pissed, I am gonna see if I can get a group of us together for a "Run" when I am down at Anaheim Stadium for the Autocross event and SS meet next Saturday!!! This crap does not sit well in my gut!!! Why are WE being singled out, when apparently no one else was treated so "exclusively" yesterday!!!! I have been a participant in the event since 1978, never mind the lapse, for circumstances beyond my control!!!

This aint over,,, not by a long shot!!! 7500 MFers,,, no problem,,,, 1 little ol SS,,, NO WAY!! Its not like they were gonna run outta space!! There was still room on the fairgrounds for at least another 3 or 4 thousand cars!!!!

Lets show up in force,,, In the same line,,, as a group,,, and see what transpires!! I will bring my GOONS, and believe me,,,, THESE GUYS ARE GOONS!!! 3 of them used to work security at the Playboy Mansion,,,, YEAH GOONS LIKE THAT!!!
:devil
 
#10 ·
Each generation thinks the next-next generation is horrible. I had to go through generational training. Ugh.....anyway. Millennials prioritize different things and have a different perspective. Baby Boomers prioritize hard work, moving up, and making money. Millennials prioritize free time, flexible hours and vacation. If a boss says to a Baby Boomer: "Would you please finish your TPS report?" The Baby Boomer hears "Finish your TPS report ASAP". A Millennial hears "Maybe someday, optionally, could you look into possibly finishing your TPS report? For a Baby Boomer saying "Finish your TPS report by the end of the day tomorrow" seems a little overbearing and rude, but for a Millennial it's pretty much a necessity.

I've found that Millennials are much more responsive to irreverent humor as well. Luckily I love that too so I can communicate ok on those terms. Outside of a work environment of course, when getting attitude from a Millennial, I recall that I have much more experience and knowledge from which to draw on to insult them more cruelly than they just did me. They can look up what I just told them on their phone.
 
#11 ·
I had this issue at the Daytona Turkey Rod Run with my SS. They thought it was just some random car that got lost. After explaining to her what it was they still weren't sure even after they let my Ute go in right in front of me.. Until I popped the hood and showed the blower then they let me pass. But even if they didn't let me in, I still wouldn't have made a huge deal about it. The limited number of people on here that are going to get offended is not going to change their attendance much at all. I even saw rusted V6 Mustangs going into the Daytona one because "all mustangs, camaros, etc are allowed"
 
#12 ·
You sure you weren't talking to a kid trying to scam you?

It's hard to believe an event official would do that.

I've been a part of free Cars & Coffee events where people are politely asked not to park the rental spec Kia Rio in the display lot. The conversation went like this:

Event Traffic Official -"excuse me sir would you mind parking right over there, the main lot is for participants"
Kia Rio Bro - "but it's a free even right, no fees, no registration right?"
Event Traffic Official - "That's correct sir, but there's limited space for the display vehicles and we'd like to get as many display cars up front"
Kia Rio Bro - "Hey Screw you man!"

Kia Rio Bro turns around and exits the parking lot wondering why his greatness wasn't appreciated.


Running events with limited space can be hard and feelings get hurt. But your situation sounds so preposterous that it seems like there's a bigger problem that isn't adding up. I just can't imagine anyone doing that without getting fired. Thats a bribe, straight up.
 
#18 ·
Reminds me of the CnC in Seattle debacle. SS is not rare enough to be let in, yet some model Camaros and Corvettes are ok.

If some venue couldn't appreciate what I own, I certainly wouldn't force the issue. I'd laugh in their face and move on, after a bout of confusion of course.
 
#35 · (Edited)
Reminds me of the CnC in Seattle debacle. SS is not rare enough to be let in, yet some model Camaros and Corvettes are ok.

If some venue couldn't appreciate what I own, I certainly wouldn't force the issue. I'd laugh in their face and move on, after a bout of confusion of course.
Brian,


Let's get a crew of Texas boys and head over to help our CA breatheren out. I mean it's only 23 hours in the saddle. After that I'd probably be in just the right mood for some Millenial to give me a rash of sh*t! I'll be so sedated that I wouldn't even feel an *sskicking if they got the upperhand. Bottom line is our cars are great cars and a lot of other new cars just flat suck. I'm good with that. Looks like a cool show no matter what.
 
#20 ·
Very disappointing. Have been thru that venue countless times. Last visit was probably 97 or 98. I cant believe with all the vast display acreage that a car like the SS would be turned away or snubbed. My guess is a hugely uneducated staff of "temp" farm-out labor. Sad when a car enthusiast is turned away from a car event. I run my car in the autocross events at Texas Motor Speedway on a few given Sundays a year and the rules are...The car has to have "an American powerplant"... At least, though most of the fellows don't instantly recognize the car when I open the hood they do at least have the savvy to identify that there is an LS motor under the bonnet. I don't mention that my mill was hecho in Mexico. Really sad that a seventies bug can creep in and you were turned out...
 
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#22 ·
So reading their flyer and what cars are allowed at this swapmeet, you technically could have a 2018 4 cylinder Mustang or Camaro and pay $25 because it's considered "modern muscle," But you have to pay $100 to enter a car that came with an 8 cylinder LS3 415hp engine from the factory? SMH... :huh:
 
#24 · (Edited)
Ha! hadn't heard a zippy the pinhead reference in a long time! Had a buddy we nicknamed that years ago. I 'm sure the millenials would have to google it to understand! "Are we having fun yet?"
 
#25 ·
I get the irritation and annoyance from zippy the pin head. I just don’t go to that swap meet anymore based on the same ignorant decisions driven by ego from the promoters on my last visit 6 years ago. In the 89’s and 90’s that place had purpose and an image. Now it’s no where near there size or popularity it was back then. To me it’s like Direct TV trying to do business dominated by Apple TV and Firestick and not changing their business model to fit the times, it’s getting harder to stay around. I say let it go cause really it’s their loss. We all know how special these cars are and don’t need to prove anything to the zippys of this world. On a different note, I attended th Huntington Beach Concours this week end. That’s a show we should attend and show strength by numbers. The promoters are easy to work with. Lots of GM vehicles from all eras. Even Chevy had a 100 anniversary badged Silverado on display. Ok off my soap box now
 
#27 ·
i don't fully understand the rules, but try this:

get there super-early and be the first car in the spectactor lot, nearest the pedestrian walk way where everyone else walks into to see the official show cars.

set up display/info/lawnchairs as usual, put up the hood with the sign about the motor or whatever. remove that silly engine cover and raffle it off for $1 per ticket. Have an old Ipad locked down but open for voting so after the show the peoples can vote to indicate whether your car would have won some categories. Or maybe old-fashioned paper-ballots would be better...

i'm not into showing my car except randomly to randoms, basically. so when i've taken my SS to car shows, i first go to the spectator lot, with car needing a wash, never in show shape.

the parking lot guy at spectator lot inevitably sees/hears the car and immediately tells me no way am I paying to get in and to drive it over to the display/show area. this is in rural massachusetts however, a long way from southern cali.
 
#33 ·
Cruisin' the Coast is a local show for me. For those unfamiliar, it's a week long show with ~7-8K participants registered, events in different towns up and down the Mississippi gulf coast, etc. The spirit is a classic car cruise for a week down the coast. It used to be that if your car was 25 years or older, you could register. If you were newer than 25 years, you could register as long as you had 3 major modifications. I always hated that rule... I felt Cruisin the Coast was a classic show. In a parade, you'd see a tri-five, a muscle Mopar, a ricer civic (96-00 driving with lambo doors up) and then a bunch more classics. Guess which frustrated me.

I could have registered each year, all my vehicles had at least 3 major mods according to their classification. But they were all newer than 25 years. So, for respect of the event, I didn't push the issue and just drove as I liked without participating in the daily events. And in the end, we now have scrapin the coast, jeepin the coast and other events for the "excluded".

So I guess I can see how this grinds the OP's gears, even though he unnecessarily targeted the antagonist as an entitled millennial (could have just as easily been a grumpy old baby boomer, you know). But I'd say get over it. Park in the spectator's lot and enjoy the day.
 
#34 ·
This sucks big time! I have fond memories of the PSM. My brother's first vehicle was a Samba that my uncle had found at a auto salvage lot in NM. My dad wanted to keep it as stock as possible, which proved to be very difficult. However, we found several parts at the PSM. It turned out to be an awesome bus. The only aspect that we couldn't keep 100% stock was the electrical...too many gremlins. In the late 90's, my brother sold it to a Chinese group of investors for around $15K, fully restored. That same vehicle now sells for over $100K at auction. We had fun cruise'n the isles at Pomona looking for parts and/or referals. Now that I think of it, this could potentially be one of the few places we may be able to source parts for the SS in the future...but not https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sou...a-bus-white-yellow-29470&psig=AOvVaw2j0rIfdWfTbuZlb3oP7-IW&ust=1528303171982213with this type of attitude...too bad :(


 
#37 · (Edited)
SOOOO,, Beyond all the Vitriol!!

WELLLL,, I guess that with all that unfortunate vitriol that ended up occupying much of the days conscious thought,,, I forgot the other part of why I shlepped out to the Swap Meet, on 3 hours sleep, The Spectators, and all of the Good Ol Gearheads,,, lucky enough to still be BREATHING!!!!

SOOO, after I got past the BS at the gate, found my favorite parking spot from "Back In the Day", its still dark out, not too many cars inside yet!! I lock up, and head over to the outhouses, grab some Coffee, and order a Breakfast Burrito, I come back to find this parked next to me!! (Photo taken later in the AM!!)!! What are the odds in a 12,000 car parking lot???? Of course and BTW,,,, He only paid,,,,,, $25,, even though his is 2006!!!! The GTO Owner and his buddies were soooo,,, well lets just say,,, RELAXED MON (Think, Jeff Spicoli's Van!!), they didn't even pick up on what they just parked next to, even though Dude totally knew what's up wit dat!!!

We had the HOLDEN MINI CORRAL GOIN ON!!!! Over the course of the next 7 hours,,,,,, I kid you not,,,, I (We) were MOBBED most of the time!!! I lost count at around 200 or so, of how many times I had to give the standard SS Shpeil (Yiddish for explanation!!) to a group of wide eyed kids!!! Give Bi-Modal Exhaust Demonstrations,,,,AND,,, REFUSE TO SELL IT!!! The thing that was most funny OF COURSE was how many dyed in the wool, stone a$$ Gearheads, heard of the car for the first time that day, STILL, 5 years after initial release!!!! The SS WHAT!! tee shirt was totally appropriate attire for the venue!!!! Now the kicker,,, 4 different groups of guys,,, from AU and NZ!!! Once again,,, I encountered some guys that used to work at HSV,, and they went BONKERS when they saw the SS!!! I think they were ultimately the most enthusiastic participants I encountered during the meet!! There were 3 SS owners that hit me up (Odd that they rather bring the kids to the meet in the SUV,, I mean,,, Whats the point of owning the hot rod that fits the whole family, and not bring it to a car show???), and none of em were forum members!! I pointed out the folly of THAT, so not sure if the membership counter has gone up by 3 newbies yet!!!!

The people you meet at these events are the primary reason for putting up with all the BULL$#!t, of the Zippy The Pinheads, of the world!!! He may not be able to "Put the D@mn phone down!!" have a real life, and look around himself objectively,, BUT,,, this event was how "SOCIAL NETWORKING" was done Back In The Day!!! FACE TO FACE, AT A REGULARLY SCHEDULED EVENT!!!! SORRY ZIPPY,,,, There is not now,,, nor will there ever be,,,,, AN APP FOR THAT!!!!

:devil
 

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#44 ·
WELLLL,, I guess that with all that unfortunate vitriol that ended up occupying much of the days conscious thought,,, I forgot the other part of why I shlepped out to the Swap Meet, on 3 hours sleep, The Spectators, and all of the Good Ol Gearheads,,, lucky enough to still be BREATHING!!!!

SOOO, after I got past the BS at the gate, found my favorite parking spot from "Back In the Day", its still dark out, not too many cars inside yet!! I lock up, and head over to the outhouses, grab some Coffee, and order a Breakfast Burrito, I come back to find this parked next to me!! (Photo taken later in the AM!!)!! What are the odds in a 12,000 car parking lot???? Of course and BTW,,,, He only paid,,,,,, $25,, even though his is 2006!!!!


I’m confused, did you get in or didn’t you? I thought you just parked in the spectator lot. Did you pay $100?


2016 SSB, stick, hole, spare
 
#43 ·
That's an awesome story for sure. There's a reason some boxers have died during/directly after fights (ex. Leavander Johnson). The sound that these guys fists make when they hit the "heavy bag" is stunning. I'll always remember the 1985 Hearns-Hagler fight...absolute classic. If I remember right, Hearns also fought Sugar Ray Leonard to a draw in their second fight.
 
#46 ·
He beat Sugar Ray so bad it messed his eye up for life. I can't remember the specific injury but it was bad. And sounds on the heavy bag are one thing. Sounds on a man's face are another. I've been ringside for a few fights and you can hear it when they connect solidly. Blood and sweat flying around...it's crazy and I love it. When I was a kid I was watching Wide World of Sports with my Dad and Leon Spinks was fighting if I remember right and Mr. T was his bodyguard. I couldn't understand why he needed a bodyguard and my Dad just laughed and said, "Boy, if the champ ever hit a regular guy he'd kill him." Been fascinated and a huge fan ever since....

It's outrageously expensive, but if you ever get the chance to sit ringside for a fight or a night of UFC fighting do it. It's really a treat. Sat ringside for a Roy Jones Jr. fight. He put on a clinic for 10 rounds before winning by TKO. Ton of fun!
 
#48 ·
Great rant. 10 out of 10.
 
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