Racing legend joins car collectors in St. Charles

Volunteers from three local car clubs worked together Sunday to bring the 24th annual Buick, Olds, Pontiac, Cadillac Swap Meet and Car Corral to the Kane County Fairgrounds.

The sold-out event in St. Charles attracted more than 80 vendors selling everything from motor mounts and fenders to complete cars and collectibles for General Motors fans.

Bob Bzingue, of the Illinois Valley Oldsmobile Chapter of the Oldsmobile Club of America, said the clubs provide information on events and parts that can't be found anywhere else.

"If you need a part, somebody in this building knows where to find it," the Carol Stream resident said standing inside the 32,000-square-foot Prairie Events Center. "That's something you can't get sitting at home on your computer."

Drag racing legend Arnie "The Farmer" Beswick was on hand with his Tameless Tiger II 1964 GTO drag race car. The 82-year-old from Morrison, Illinois, was a fearsome competitor for four decades. and still occasionally drives his car, which can go 190 mph. He makes more than 25 appearances annually at swap meets and car shows.

The meet was sponsored by Chicagoland Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac clubs.