Also in April, is the PCA Hershey region’s Porsche only swap meet held at Hershey Park, where the faithful gather to buy hard to find parts in addition to automobilia. As is often the case, I was too busy to wander around much, but I did find this great section of Porsche Pasha fabric - just think of the things you could make with  it!

​When does a parts book becomes an automobilia collectible?  When it’s hand stamped at Luftgekuhlt Six, LA CA, 2019. Originale Teile Typen Technik - News and products from Porsche Classic. 

​Great grill badges on this 1951 Jagauar Mark V, brought by Bill King to the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance.

​Andy Reid and Wayne Carini hunting automobilia at Greenwich Concours d'Elegance.

Meet Bob, who is Scooter Gabel’s (famous racing) service dog. He went to the Indy 500 this year wearing his vintage racing scarf. 

​Grill badges spotted on a cute MGA at  British Car Day at Larz Anderson.

​Dave from Dave’s Restorations in Ohio has some really great unrestored original gas pumps. dkimpel@nwwildblue.net or 419-769-3341 for info.
Vending at: RM Spring Auction, Auburn, Indiana, May 29-June 1, 2019

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​If you collect license plates, Ed is your guy for Indiana plates - rare and collectible. Call Ed at 317-919-8235.
Vending at: RM Spring Auction, Auburn, Indiana, May 29-June 1, 2019

Left: Claus von Schmeling came from Germany with original Porsche manuals. 

Below: Frank Barrett of Toad Hall Motorbooks, brought an extensive selection of out of print and rare books as well as original Porsche factory posters again this year.

Author Craig Richter stopped by my booth and signed his long out of print book: How to Make an Old Porsche Fly.    ​​ 

Susie Paquette, owner of Volksbaggin, creates key fobs, coin purses, wallets, dog collars and her famous “Seat Bag Tote”, all from vintage inspired VW fabrics. VolksBaggin.com

New books at Amelia were Gulf 917 by Jay Gillotti (Dalton Watson Publishing) and Twice Around the Clock - The Yanks at Le Mans by Tim Considine. 

Check out this box of NOS Marchal bulbs available at The Amelia Island Concours. I love the iconic black cat graphic!

Left" At the Lakeland VW Classic, I met John Bickel, JohnBickelSigns.com, creator of impressively large signs made of wood but finished to look like metal. He’s been making them for 20 years and his specialty is giant license plates customized with the client’s car year/state/vanity plate number.  Luckily, they are light enough to easily be hung on a wall. 

Look for me and my mobile book store (GoMotorbooks) this summer at:  
The Paddock Classic Car Restorations Grand Opening Car Show, New Britain, CT, May 18
Trans-Am at Lime Rock Park, May 24-27 • Greenwich Concours, June 1-2 • German Car Day at Larz Anderson Auto Museum, June 16
Microcar Classic (July 14) and British Car Day (June 23) at Larz Anderson Auto Museum • IMSA at Lime Rock Park, July 19-20

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Automobilia can be found anywhere, even at NY Now, the wholesale trade show held annually in New York City. These race influenced travel bags and accessories are made from recycled car fabrics and seat belts, produced in France, and definitely caught my eye. Entre2retros.com

A trip to the New York Toy Fair in February proved worthwhile this year. Upcoming diecast models were presented by M2, Greenlight, Maisto/Bburago, Carrera and Scalextric slot cars to name a few. Playforever displayed a large selection of their cars which are perfect for kids and kids at heart. Rufus, the racing dog, is one of their newest designs playforever.co.uk

Italian inspired scooters by Ambosstoys will be available in April 2019. Handmade of metal and powder coated for durability, these ride on toys are a timeless design intended to last for many years to come.  Ambosstoys.com

Today images of Volkswagens, and in particular the Bus, can be found on nearly everything! Noteworthy Paper & Press, also at NY Now, had a selection of Camper related items including postcards, notepads, key chains and pins.  The Monster Factory made a limited number VW Bus rolling coolers, the perfect accessory for weekend camping in a Samba. EuroGraphics puzzles produces a selection of car related puzzles which includes one depicting VW Buses.

Hint: Don’t overlook local auctions & flea markets for automobilia. Raucher Brothers Auctioneers in Florence, MA offered a pair of enamel Esso drip signs in January which sold for more than $900. Brimfield (MA) flea market is a venerable treasure trove, where I saw this Winner Cut Plug Smoke and Chew metal box with a early racing scene.

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Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2019: James Owens artist from Mesa, Arizona. Car-Noir.com

Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2019: Dana Forrester watercolor artist from Kansas City, Missouri. DanaForrester.com

Mecum Road Art Kissimmee January 2019: Tammy Leslie with Mopar Connection Car Club in Hollywood, Florida.
FloridaMopar.com

In vendor areas, you may find favorite artists creating a new automotive piece in their booth.  Both Steve Petrosky (right) driversroad.com and Roger Warick (below) rogerwarwick.com have been spotted at Daytona, Sebring, Road America and Road Atlanta doing just that!  Added bonus, you can have your purchase signed by the artist.

One of the best parts of traveling is the people you meet, like Gary and Gayle Breuilly.  They have been involved with everything Volkswagen for many years, from co-organizing events such as The Volkswagen Reunion at Woodstock, NY, to selling vintage and classic VW accessories.  

For the kid in all of us, there are the Lego® car sets (Porsche, Ferrari, Volkswagen, Lotus) available at many toy retail locations.  However, these Lego® creations are not for the average builder or faint of heart. The large-scale Ferrari was displayed near the garages at the 12 Hours of Sebring and the life-sized Porsche was on display during Rennsport V at Laguna Seca. Both, quite impressive.
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I was lucky to find this rare Michelin truck mascot at a swap meet earlier this year. I’ve never seen another like it.  What is YOUR automobilia pride and joy?  Email me at 
motorbooks.amy@gmail.com

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