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September, 2019 The Antique Shoppe Page 29
ANTIQUES, FLEAS & AMAZING CARS

AT FORT LAUDERDALE’S SWAP SHOP

By William Flood

At night it’s a 14 screen drive-in movie Porsche Carrera GT that can go popular as it was
theater. By day, it’s an immense indoor/ from 0 to 60-mph in 3.6 seconds. decades ago. But,
outdoor flea market complete with a farmer’s Two European hypercars, with price the real magic
market, entertainment, and a stable of exotic tags north of seven-figures, include happens daytimes,
cars. It’s Fort Lauderdale’s Swap Shop located an ultra-rare Maserati MC12, and a particularly
just west of I-95 at exit 29. Mercedes McLaren SLR. on Thursdays
The place is huge - 88 acres which includes From the American side of the and during the
a 180,000 square foot building housing pond, there’s a Ford GT40 that weekend, when
everything from shops, to an international bested the Ferraris at LeMans two hundreds of
food court and an arcade with rides and years running in the 1960s. And, vendors from
games for the kids. In total, it’s home to more from Japan, there’s a Nissan GT-R across the country
than 2,000 vendors and when the projectors nicknamed “Godzilla.” The 545 take over the huge
aren’t running, it’s a sea of flea marketers, horsepower screamer wasn’t even Restorable student desk with extension, just $15 parking lot. It’s the
antique dealers, and one of the best farmers’ available in the states until 2007. thrill of the hunt,
markets in town. After enjoying the cars, take trolling through
Inside that air-conditioned building is time to browse the rows of everything from
somewhat of an undiscovered treasure; many racing trophies and automobile typical flea-market
shoppers hardly give it a second look, yet memorabilia. Be sure to have your merchandise to
that’s a mistake. Swap Shop’s car museum camera handy for all of it. antique furniture,
holds one of the most significant collections of How did this impressive vintage goods,
exotic cars you’ll likely ever see. And, while collection of some of the world’s collectibles, and
most supercar owners keep their vehicles rarest and most exotic supercars artwork.
safely locked away in climate controlled end up at a flea market? The short Vintage clocks offered by a National Association of Antique
garages, Swap Shop puts millions of dollars answer is, Swap Shop has been Watch and Clock Collectors member picking can be
of the world’s fastest machinery on display for successful enough to foot the bill. spotty and varies
their visitors to enjoy - and at no charge. Preston Henn, the colorful founder, week-by-week.
Ferraris are a big part of the collection, and successful entrepreneur turned During a recent
which includes the famous white Testarossa a simple drive-in theater into a visit, buyers could
from the Miami Vice TV show. There’s a thriving tourist Mecca over 54 years. snag a complete
Ferrari 275 GTB/C Henn and his mid-century birch
built in the 1960s wife Betty started dining set, done in
that raced at the business in Heywood Wakefield
LeMans, valued 1963 as a one- style for a mere $75.
at $15 million. screen theater There were vintage
A Ferrari FXX, originally called table clocks from
one of only 29 the Thunderbird $10, a restorable
produced, is rarely Drive-in. In Zoltar, just like the one in the movie Big typing desk for $15,
seen outside of 1966, Henn and a handful of Star
Ferrari’s factory decided to add a flea Trek and Star Wars games priced under $10.
in Italy. There’s a market and continued The more industrially-inclined had antique
sleek 365 Daytona adding attractions to fire extinguishers priced from $40 and old
Spider (one of only ↑The white Testarossa used on Miami Vice drive appeal. A circus nautical items, great for garden decor, that
122 in the world) Ferrari Formula 1 car↓ was added in 1989 which started at $35. And, that was on a slow day!
and 512BB Spider ran until 2005. Celebrities So, if you find yourself in South Florida,
convertible, similar like K.C. and the Sunshine Swap Shop is definitely a “must do.” Go
to the one owned by Band and Willie Nelson for the antiques and the fresh produce at the
Eric Clapton. provided entertainment. farmers market. Most certainly, go for the
Other European While the circus is gone, cars. You’re not likely to see many of these
jewels include a live entertainment is still impressive vehicles elsewhere.
Porsche 959 built offered. The Swap Shop is open 9-4 every day.
in 1986, the fastest Today’s Swap Shop Admission is free. Parking varies from free
road-legal sports car is rooted by the massive to a modest charge for closer spaces. Ticket
of its day. There’s drive-in theater - the largest information for the drive-in can be found on
also a lightning-like in the world and just as the website: www.floridaswapshop.com.