Question for the Florida Gulf Coast guys

I'm going to Florida next week and I'm driving down. I will be in the Venice - Sarasota area and I was wondering if there were any Yards with Mavericks / Comets known in that area - obviously I would expect them to be a little ways away but if anyone knows of any within about an hour's drive that would be cool.
Or any decent Speed type places that are worthwhile.
Thanks

 

YOur going to drive by this, well worth the stop!!

http://www.garlits.com/

 

I love the auto wreckers in Florida!! I always find way more than I need. The disc brake spindles on my 73 came from one in Tampa. I hope your taking some thing other than that BMW

 

You will be going right pass Summit Racing when you get half way through GA http://www.summitracing.com/retail/ Be sure to check out Don Garlits Museum in Ocala Florida...it takes a good 3 or 4 hours to see everything.

 

Got the family Truckster '08 Taurus X for this trip - room on the roof for stuff!
Thanks for the advice guys

 

Off I-10, between Pensacola and Tallahassee, there are a few yards with Mavericks along the way.

Also, 3rd weekend in March, Pensacola, there is the big Ford show and swap meet.
Sounds like you will probably miss that by a week or so though. That sux!

I always find good stuff at the swap, and with the economy down, I am predicting a buyer's market this year, for those that actually have money to spend. The last several years, during good times, have been seller's markets. Even then though, there are usually one or two 'deals' to score from locals just clearing out parts.

 

Summit is worth the quick stop, it's like a massive Consumers Distributing for cars. It's just on the other side of Atlanta.

 

'Consumers Distributing' that's funny. Haven't heard that name in years. You mean I'll have to fill out a little request sheet with a little mini-golf pencil after scanning through the catalogue? Only to find out the item is on back-order.

I've been meaning to got to Summit for years but always figured it'd be the one in Ohio.

 

Well Florida Swap Meets and Flea Markets are legendary, even in these parts. I'd love the check out a swap meet while there but I'm heading back around the 16th which puts me in your area mid-week I think. Unless you guys have mid-week swap meets...

 

At Summit they have guys that fill out the orders for you, and I've never had anything back ordered (yet) It's well worth the stop, and get a t-shirt to boot.
I've been to Garlits many times, it's awesome, but you need to have the time to spend. Also, in Ocala is National Parts Depot, it's another easy on and off. My wife hates the ride to Florida these days, I think that's why she wanted to come back I-95 last time...

 

if you're going to stop by Summit send one of us Ga. guys a P M.
we could meet up there and go to Baby Janes for eats later...

...Frank...

 

I wanted to back to Summit, to get few things I forgot

 

you need to go back and see how they have the floor layed out now. the counters are in a circle in the middle of the store. they have a rat maze to wait in until a salesperson is done, kind of like the checkout...

...DFF...:Handshake

 

I don't know if it's still there, but near Charlotte Motor Speedway is a HUGE werehouse size speed shop that sells Nascar surplus. The building is very non-descript and off the beaten path, so it took me a while to find it, but inside it is unreal what they have for sale. I moved away in 1995, so I have no idea if they are still in business. I would think so, since when I visited they had been in business for decades already, and Nascar hasn't gone anywhere either.

I wish I could remember more. I want to say the name of the place is Tiger something... But don't hold me to that.

Charlotte is at the junction of I-77 and I-85.

Nascar surplus is a great source for 9" rear parts, toploader 4 speed parts, and high end titanium valves. No matter Ford, GM, or Mopar emblems on the car, they all use 9" rears, toploader based trannys, and TI valves. Then there is all the little stuff. Every year the rules change and tech progresses, so the parts accumulate quickly in surplus. Plus a great many parts are never used for more than one race, no matter how worn or unworn. They just don't bother. Kinda like you hear about rich men that wear their new socks and underwear once then trash them.

 

The Gatornationals NHRA race is Thurs-Sun in Gainesville, just up the road from Ocala and Garlits. Saturday and Sunday are a little too crazy and in the recent past, you weren't allowed within a couple miles of the track without showing that you already had tickets. I think the economy might have changed that for this year.My wife and I prefer to do Friday and Saturday there ... a bit more relaxed. Discount tickets are fairly easy to get.

I only know of one Mav in the Tampa/St. Pete area and it is a picked over 73 LDO with no floors left in it.