 Roger VanCamp, of Fort Wayne, Ind., calls the BFA Swap Meet his most favorite to attend. The meet was held Friday and Saturday. Staff photo/Krista Hayes By KRISTA HAYES
Staff Writer
For more than a decade, area residents and those abroad have turned to Fort Wayne, Ind. resident Roger VanCamp for quality B & C Allis Chalmers Tractor parts.
“I have parts, both reproduction and original, for just about anything Allis Chalmers for anyone who needs them,” VanCamp, 84, said. “If I don’t have it on hand, then I can order it. I’ll do just about anything to keep my customers happy and coming back.”
On Friday and Saturday, VanCamp and his friend, Jim Flackler, joined more than 200 vendors traveling from Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and New York to participate in the 16th annual Buckeye Farm Antiques Inc. Swap Meet held at the Auglaize County Fairgrounds.
Tractor parts and other related items, along with crafts and flea market merchandise could be bought, sold and traded or bought at a consignment auction Saturday morning.
“I’ve participated in the show ever since it started, and out of all the shows I go to throughout the year, the one held here in Wapakoneta is by far one of the best and my favorite,” VanCamp said. “I enjoy the fellowship, and you won’t find more friendly or honest people anywhere.”
VanCamp retired after 40 years of service working as a brakeman conductor for the Ohio Railroad in December 1985.
After his wife died in 1991, he took up the hobby of collecting and restoring B & C Allis Chalmers Tractors and their parts.
“I’ve collected a lot of parts over the years and am currently working on restoring 12 of my 250 tractors including a small, old B & C truck farm tractors used mostly as lawnmowers today,” VanCamp said. “I usually purchase old tractors that are no longer running specifically for their parts and then turn around and sell them to the public.
“I make a little bit of money at each show to support my hobby, but I’m not in it for the money,” he said. “It’s just a hobby I picked up over time thanks to my interest and experience using the tractors, plus it keeps me younger and busy so I stay out of trouble.”
Since attending his first swap meet held on Memorial Day in 1993 in Indiana, VanCamp said he continues to participate in shows all over the country.
“After I participated in my first show back in 1993, I was ruined,” VanCamp said with a chuckle. “I use to go to shows about every weekend back in the day, but I can’t do that now in my old age because it catches up with me.”
Today, VanCamp said he attends approximately nine swap meet events each year, traveling throughout Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.
“Years ago, I use to drive all the way to Florida to participate in shows and even went as far as Kansas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York and Alabama just to get tractor parts,” VanCamp said. “I don’t do that much anymore today, but I’ll keep going to shows just as long as they keep inviting me back and my health holds up. I wouldn’t miss a show in Wapakoneta for anything.”
|
