For those of us that collect more than just lap times, this year marked the 37th anniversary of this iconic convention. In keeping with tradition it is held at the York Country Fairgrounds (also home to VAGfair) in York, PA and the show is open to the public only on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. It utilizes the square footage of both wings of “memorial hall” packing in more than 800 tables worth of antiques and new/old collectibles. Vendors come from more than 15 states, making this the second largest show of its kind in the country. You can buy, sell and trade items from 9am through 5pm and admission is $5 for adults, while kids 12 and under are FREE. #whoknew?
If you’re truly “obsessed with cars” there’s no doubt you probably have a collection of miniatures somewhere in your home, office, man-cave, garage… even on your key-chain. Maybe you collect 1/64-scale hot-wheels (matchbox), 1/43-scale miniatures, 1/32-scale slot cars, 1/18-scale die-casts… or 1/1-scale “reals” – either way, the Toy Extravaganza is a great way to stock up on new as well as long forgotten “pieces” you might want to add to bolster your collection.
There’s plenty of “new-old stock” and carefully preserved vintage items for all types of collectors (as seen above). Are you missing that 1978 holiday-edition Hess Truck? No worries, a couple of vendors have that – new, in the original box.
Wandering from table-to-table, you’ll find tons of items that disappeared off the shelves of your local Wal-mart or Target now offered with a considerable markup, but you’ll also pause and say “I didn’t even know that existed” like the (above, center) “LeMans” board game, from 1961 that was made in… Baltimore, MD.
Outside of the expected Legos, Barbies, vintage Action-figures, etc., you’ll find dealers with booths specializing in specific types of Motorsports as well: Formula-1, NASCAR, Outlaws, and more. Not just “toys” but collectibles, including memorabilia. I’ve picked up many vintage racing stickers (or 3 dozen) to use in decorating my garage. Or maybe you stumble across some officially licensed ALMS/SCCA merchandise from 2003 (below). #boxofchocolates.
I was introduced to this convention back in 2011 by a former co-worker (Randy, also a fellow car enthusiast – with a really radical hot-wheels inspired original Acura NSX) who moonlights as a hot-wheels dealer and has had a booth at the show for over a decade. Granted, I’ve been “collecting cars” since I was a kid, but it wasn’t until I was an adult (and later talking with Randy) that I realized “how to collect them” and “what to look for.”
Collecting has been an evolution… in the beginning if it was a miniature and it had a VW/Audi logo on it I *had* to have it. Then it became “no more Beetles, but if it’s GTI, Scirocco, UR-Quattro or 914 – must have!” But the upside to a show like this is that every year is different, and as it changes so do our tastes in collecting, which keeps us coming back. Fast forward to 2019… we’re getting through the show in less than 3-hours and I’m only looking for T1/T2 buses with “Service Liveries” … #sickness.
In keeping with other traditions…
Whenever the GTM team descends on the York Fairgrounds area, it’s almost a given that we’ll end up finishing the day with a late-lunch or happy hour – and we always seem to end up at the same place: Quaker Steak and Lube. Yes, its a chain… Yes, its on par with BW’s and Green Turtle… but that doesn’t matter, because where else can you dine while sitting under classic Corvettes and Motorcycles?
As Mike & Frank from History Channel’s “American Pickers” would say, this place is packed with: Petroliana. A term used to summarize: “vintage service station decor.”
…And who knows, you might also run into more GTM members, like Steve F (below) on your visit. #smallworld. This year, we also happened to run into a former GTM NE Region member Dustin T, who some of you may recall from his nickname “The Avantador” – (It was good to reconnect with Dustin, and we hope to see him out of some events in 2020).
Each year we’re in town for Thanksgiving, we make it a point to return to the Extravaganza to do some Holiday shopping. Having taken various members of GTM with me to this event over the years, we can all agree it’s a bit chaotic but in the end a lot of fun. Going to this show with friends and family is a lot of fun, especially when you experience that: “I had one of these as a kid!” moments of nostalgia. Sharing in that wave of excitement makes you feel young again, but there is a sobering moment of remorse when you look at the price tag and say: “Dang! I wish I’d kept mine… This is worth a fortune!” #thanksmom.
Until next year… #keepcollecting #treasurehunting #happyholidays
