By John Gunnell
It’s a little bit of a ride from north central Wisconsin, but the 31 st Annual Buick, Olds, Pontiac, Cadillac Swap Meet in St. Charles, Ill., is definitely worth attending if you collect cars, parts or automobilia connected to any of these four General Motors brands. The bulk of the meet is staged in a large, heated building at the Kane County Fairgrounds. There are also a few vendors braving the cold and setting up outdoors to save $20 per selling space. Don’t laugh, in the past some great buys have showed up outside.
One year we actually went to the meet and were able to purchase an Iola Car Show gas globe. We were told it was one of only two ever made to honor this hometown car show that takes place every July. We can’t verify that the globe is really that rare, but we love it and never expected to find something like that in northern Illinois. It kind of proves that you never know what you’ll find unless you travel to lots of old-car events.
As you can see, the BOPC Swap was really a “winter event” this particular year. 
Let there be taillights! 
An old Chevy and lots of non-GM stuff for sale at this outdoor swap space. 
Most vendors set up in the large, heated building at Kane County Fairgrounds. 
Remember the Olds Vista Cruiser wagon with the little window in the roof? 
Volo Auto Museum was asking $29,500 for this “Snow White” drop-top Cadillac. 
The swap meet had some “hairy” non-General Motors offerings. 
This 1960 Pontiac Bonneville convertible was also in the meet’s Car Corral. 
Well-used Pontiac aftermarket “six-pack” was worth its weight in 2023 eggs. 
A dealer selling factory promotional models had GM and non-GM examples. 
The Iola gas globe found in St. Charles is a welcome addition to our “junktiques.”
This show has a $7 general admission charge. Vendor spaces are $45 indoors and $25 outdoors. Most years the majority of cars for sale will be found in the outdoor Car Corral. If you’re vending, you can set up at the show on February 18. The swap meet for the general public (at least the “General Motors” public) is one-day-long on February 19.
BOPC vendors usually have a pretty good selection of those getting-harder-to-find New Old Stock parts, lots of high-quality reproduction items, plenty of sales literature and technical literature. Oodles of GM automobilia and everything else from automotive art to down-sized reproductions of old-fashioned GM brand neon signs. And sometimes to best treasures at such meets are the things you never expect to find like an Iola gas globe.For information about the BOPC Swap Meet contact: Tony at 1-847- 521-3130. You can also email: bopcswap@gmail.com or visit the event’s Website at www.bopcswap.com.
Before traveling to an event check with promoters for latest COVID guidelines
CAR SHOWS and EVENTS January 2023-Later
Feb. 19, 2023. St. Charles, Ill. 31st Annual Buick, Olds, Pontiac, Cadillac Swap Meet and Car Corral. Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Rd., St. Charles, IL. 8 AM to 2 PM. $7 public admission. Large, heated building. Food, paved parking. Vendor Setup Feb 18 from 5-9 PM, or Feb 19 from 6-8 AM. Vendor spots indoors $45. Large outdoor spots $25 www.bopcswap.com for info and registration flyer. Like us on FACEBOOK – BOPC Swap Meet. Contact: Tony at 1-847-521-3130. Email: bopcswap@gmail.com. Website: www.bopcswap.com.
Feb. 11-20, 2023. Chicago Auto Show. McCormick Place, 2301 S. King Dr. PH: 1-630-495-2282. WEB: www.chicagoautoshow.com.
Feb. 24-26, 2023. Milwaukee, Wis. 60th Annual Milwaukee World of Wheels. Wisconsin State Fair Park. PH: 1-248-373-1700. WEB: www.autorama.com.
Feb. 25-March 5, 2023. Greater Milwaukee International Car & Truck Show. Wisconsin Center. PH (Milwaukee Center): 1-414-908-5000. EM: steve@stevefreemanevents.com or matthea@stevefreemanevents.com.
Mar. 3-5, 2023. 60th Annual Chicago World of Wheels. Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Il. PH: 1-248-373-1700. WEB: www.autorama.com.
Mar. 12, 2023. Fond du Lac, Wis. Fondy Vintage Auto Club Swap Meet. Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds Expo Bldg. 601 Martin Ave. Contact: Steve Hamilton at 1-920-924-9000 or Tony Rochen at 1-920-922-4881.
March 18-19, 2023. Schaumburg, Ill. Race and Performance Expo. Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N Thoreau Dr Schaumburg, Illinois 60173 United States. 1-847-303-4100.
Mar. 26, 2023. Wheaton, Ill. Twenty-sixth annual All Sports Car Swap Meet. DuPage County Fairgrounds. Gate admission $5. Kids under 12 accompanied by an adult are free. For information contact: Victor L’Heureux at 1-847-533-3916 or Jim Evans at 1-630-858-8192. Or email: swapmeet@chicagolandmgclub.com.
April 28-30, 2023. Jefferson, Wis. 46th Annual Spring Jefferson Auto Swap Meet and Car Show (Featuring Mustangs). Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 503 N. Jackson St. Madison Classics PH: 1-608-244-8416. WEB: www.madisonclassics.com.
July 6-8, 2023. Iola, Wis. Iola Old Car Show. Iola Car Show Complex, 700 E. State St. Iola, Wis. PH: 1-715-445-4000. WEB: www.iolaoldcarshow.com.
July 16, 2023. Appleton, Wis. Appleton Old Car Show & Swap Meet. Pierce Park. PH: 1-715-445-4000. WEB: www.appletonoldcarshow.com.
Sept. 22-24, 2023. Jefferson, Wis. 46th Annual Fall Jefferson Auto Swap Meet and Car Show (Featuring Chevrolets). Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 503 N. Jackson St. Madison Classics PH: 1-608-244-8416. WEB: www.madisonclassics.com.
Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2023. Las Vegas, Nev. SEMA Show. Las Vegas Convention Center. Ph: 1-909-610-2030. WEB: www.semashow.com.
Dec. 7-9, 2023. Indianapolis, Ind. Performance and Racing Industry Show (PRI). Indianapolis Convention Center. PH: 1-949-499-5413. EM: mail@performanceracing.com. WEB: www.performanceracing.com.