Organiser Mick Hope let the first patrons in bright and early at Bathurst Showground for the event, where stalls spanned across more than half the site.

More than 100 stallholders offered everything from auto parts and tools to hats, collectables and kitchenware.

“We’ve sold a few motorbikes, some car parts; nearly everyone has walked out with something,” Mr Hope said.

Set up down at the showground yesterday was Arch Ledger and his wife.

The Bathurst couple had been to the swap meet once before to have a look around, but this year they chose to bring along something to sell.

Mr Ledger decorated his 1967 Volkswagen with sale signs in the hope of finding a new owner for the beautifully restored vehicle.

“It is a vehicle that I restored myself 28 years ago for my daughters,” he said. 

“They’ve all moved out of home now, so we thought it was time to downsize. It hasn’t been driven at all, just to register and insure.” 

Mr Ledger said the good thing about the swap meet was that it gave people an outlet for selling their old items and a place for people to come in search of something rare.

The Bathurst Swap Meet is hosted each year by the Bathurst Historic Car Club.

“When we work out how much money we make, we cover our costs, keep enough to keep the club running and donate the rest to charity,” Mr Hope said.

“We approach a charity and they come up with something they want to purchase and they then give us the invoice.”