Big 3 Parts Exchange

Cars, Parts, Signs, as they say One Man's Junk...

Qualcomm Stadium
Last weekend of February

This event was first held in the spring of 1966 when just a few club members got together in the parking lot at the College Grove Shopping Center. The next year it grew to about 200 vendors and was held at the Sears parking lot in Hillcrest. The event continued there for another year and then moved to the parking lot behind the old Sands Hotel in Kearny Mesa. The City of San Diego then decided to ban swap meets, so arrangements were made to move the event to the Sears lot in El Cajon. As the event continued to grow, this site could no longer accommodate the huge number of participants so the event was moved to El Cajon Speedway parking lot. This site accommodated the growth of the event, but as the parking area was all dirt and the winter rains constantly turned the annual automotive event into a mud bowl, a new site had to be found.

With a change in policy by the City of San Diego allowing swap meets, arrangements were made to move the event to Jack Murphy (Qualcomm) Stadium in 1980. There the "BIG 3" Parts Exchange has become an annual fixture for individuals who appreciate those fantastic vehicles of the Past.

I have personally attended the Big 3 Parts exchange for over 10 years consecutively. I keep a spot on Row A1 spots 41-46. Not only is it pure heaven for a car guy to see, if you need anything for your ride I�m sure it�s here. Over 1000 vendors attend with a surplus of parts, toys and signs any automotive and much more. I will typically stay on site for the 3 days, ill rent or buy a period correct trailer tow it behind one of my cars and peddle my junk for the weekend. This is not a money making adventure, but it�s a great way to liquidate your stock pile of parts. In true car guy fashion there is no rhyme or reason to the madness!!! Pebble Beach 5 Star hotels one week and swap meets living inside 15ft Scotty Teardrop trailers the next... that is what defines a true car guy in this hobby. This event brings out all of us, Last year I spent time with Randy Emma who is the country�s leading Duesenberg expert and Jay Leno�s right hand car man we walked several rows of the auto swap together searching for the diamond in the rough because you never know what you will find out here. I was able to sell off virtually everything I brought with me but still somehow went home with a full trailer at least it was all fresh stuff that I bought. Check it out for next year Last Weekend in February at Qualcomm Stadium www.big3partsexchange.com

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