Carlisle Events 2021 event season is winding down, with the checkered flag set to waive following a trio of events, Fall Carlisle presented be eBay Motors (September 29-October 3), the Fall Carlisle Collector Car Auction (September 30-October 1) and the Lakeland Fall Collector Car Auction (November 12-13). This year has been an exciting return to all things car-related at Carlisle, following the challenge of 2020, with what Mike Garland, Public Relations Manager for Carlisle Events called “an incredible ride.”  The Carlisle Events season schedule broke records in attendance, vendor interest and car participation, with the highest turnouts in more than a decade.

Now, Carlisle Events turns its attention to 2022. What is in store for automotive enthusiasts for next year, the 48th Carlisle Events season? While the shows are still being fine-tuned and added to, and will continue to do so until each event is on stage, Garland said, “We are excited to build on the momentum that 2021 offered us.  We expect the demand and interest in our car shows to equal, if not out shine what we experienced this year.”

Garland described an overview of the schedule, saying, “Each event offers an amazing gallery of cars, including ‘Featured Vehicle Displays’ that offer an all-star snap shot of certain themes, designs, or milestone eras of production.  When you visit our web page,  you’ll learn about each event for 2022, and when you attend your show (or shows) of choice, you’ll see these amazing pieces of art in person.” Garland suggests that visitors check the web page often, as show enhancements are added as they are confirmed.

Garland said that the fun at the events comes in many forms.  “Coming to a car show at Carlisle is more than just enjoying cars in a field, it’s an automotive history lesson.  I promise that no matter which show or shows you come to, you’ll see something you either have never seen before, or something rarely seen. Not only do these great machines sit on display at Carlisle, they’ll also be in motion. Each event offers competitions such as autocross, a rolling exhaust contest, parades, and more. Plus, with kids 12 and under admitted FREE and amazing food available within the food court, it’s an affordable fun family outing.”

Some of the anticipated highlights for 2022 include the following:


AUTO MANIA – January 14 - 16, 2022. Carlisle’s first show of the year is always a big draw for East Coast car lovers.  This event held at the Allentown Fairgrounds, offers

The THRILL of the HUNT.  For more than 30 years Auto Mania has been Pennsylvania’s largest indoor heated automotive Flea Market. With continued support from Carlisle Events, old-school collectors turn their collections into cash.


WINTER CARLISLE AUTO EXPO – January 28 - 29, 2022. ALL-NEW, the Winter Carlisle Auto Expo offers indoor and outdoor options for those looking to buy, sell and trade all things automotive. It is a two-day flea market sale of collector car automotive parts, collectibles, and car corral at the Carlisle Expo Center.  Garland said, “Our two January events are a great way to beat the winter blues and re connect with car lovers from around the region.”


SPRING CARLISLE and SPRING AUCTION – April 20 - 24, 2022. Hope springs eternal with Spring Carlisle presented by eBay Motors. It is a two-day collector car auction powered by Carlisle Auctions. The final days of April come to life with car enthusiasts from around the world, as the Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds become one of largest cities in the state for five straight days.  Garland said, “Mix in an auction where past, present and future classics are available to the highest bidder, and Spring Carlisle offers an unmatched automotive utopia.”


CARLISLE IMPORT and PERFORMANCE NATIONALS – May 13 - 14, 2022. An international vehicle wonderland where 2,300+ unique and stunning imported vehicles from around the world are on display, as well as domestics, kit cars, motorcycles, trucks and high-end performance vehicles. See the top builds, restorations, clubs and brands representing the world of automobiles and performance. Garland added, “Get your high-octane adrenaline fix on with autocross, drifting, rolling exhaust competition, and more.”


CARLISLE FORD NATIONALS -- June 3 - 5, 2022. The world’s largest all-Ford themed weekend, the Carlisle Ford Nationals presented by Meguiar’s brings in more than 3,000 show cars spanning the history of the Blue Oval badge, and also hosts a massive automotive flea market, special guests, displays, and an annual visit from Ford corporate. Garland said that already on the agenda are: The 60th Anniversary of Shelby, a Lightweight Reunion, and an SSP 40th Anniversary (Fox Mustang Cop Cars).


CARLISLE GM NATIONALS – June 24-25, 2022. A showcase of the best vehicles that are part of the GM family.  This includes Buick, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Pontiac, Chevrolet, and more.  Garland said, “This is a great event for checking out the past, present and future of the brand, with all generations of the Camaro represented, plus Featured Displays within Building T, Y and on the National Parts Depot Showfield.” All General Motors vehicles are welcome from vintage & classics to the modern 6th- Generation Camaro. Planned items include: The 60th anniversary of Chevy II / Nova, the 40th Anniversary of the Third-Gen Camaro, S10 Anniversary truck, and more.


CARLISLE CHRYSLER NATIONALS – July 15-17, 2022. The Chrysler Nationals is the largest Mopar event in the world featuring more nearly 3,000 vehicles from all eras of the Chrysler brand. Classic, muscle cars and high-performance new models are all showcased at this Mopar-lover's paradise. Garland said, “This show is destined to cross the 3,000 show car mark very soon.  Could 2022 be the year? “ The world’s biggest Mopar themed event is filled with amazing displays and the unparalleled automotive flea market with collectibles, parts, and merchandise associated with the Mopar hobby.

Already on the board are such showcases as: 1970 Charger 50th Anniversary Redux, Mopars in the Family, 1972 Mopars and a Prowler 25th Anniversary display. Garland added, “’Mopars in the Family’ is going to be a display of Mopars with some sort of family connection. This is an organic display, there are thousands of ways a car can have a family connection so we plan to keep it vague and let the potential participants tell us what they think is a family connection. The obvious scenarios are things like a father-son project, a car that was inherited, etc. But we sure there are some really cool scenarios that we couldn’t possibly even think of, that will construct the event.”


CARLISLE TRUCK NATIONALS – August 5-7, 2022.  Trucks of all shapes, sizes, styles, and eras haul in for a three-day tailgate that doubles as the most family friendly event on the Carlisle Events schedule.  Presented by A&A Auto Stores, guests can enjoy big rigs, monster trucks, cool custom vans and family entertainment.  This is a must-attend for truck lovers of all ages.


CORVETTES AT CARLISLE – August 25-27, 2022. Corvettes at Carlisle is the largest and most fun-filled Corvette event in the world. The annual Corvettes at Carlisle event features thousands of Corvettes representing all generations of America’s classic sports car. Garland calls upon Corvette enthusiasts to, “Celebrate America’s Sports Car in 2022, with special displays created for YOU. Every generation of Corvette is represented, with industry guests and more.  The 2022 Corvettes at Carlisle features a 50-year reunion of 1972 Corvettes, and “Chip’s Choice” spotlights the Pratt & Miller/Factory Corvette Race cars, plus a visit from Team Chevrolet, the downtown Carlisle Corvette Parade and Street Party and more, including the 50th Anniversary of the birth of Corvettes at Carlisle Event Leader, Lance Miller. 


FALL CARLISLE and FALL AUCTION --  Sept. 28-Oct. 2, 2022. It is difficult to think about wrapping up the 2022 Carlisle Events season before it even starts, and before the 2021 Fall Carlisle is in the books, but, as Garland said, “Once the end of September rolls around, we’ll once again be coming together to say goodbye. The flagship event for Carlisle Events, Fall Carlisle presented by eBay Motors, brings car lovers together from around the world to buy, sell and trade all things automotive.  If ‘X’ truly does mark the spot, then Fall Carlisle offers a treasure at every turn.”

Make your plans to visit Carlisle Events in 2022. Complete event details for every Carlisle Events car show or Carlisle Auction’s event can be found at CarlisleEvents.com or CarlisleAuctions.com

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

After touting nearly $10 million in sales spanning two collector car auctions in 2021 AND a 72% sell through rate as part its Spring offering in April, Carlisle Auctions returns for its Fall Carlisle Collector Car Auction, September 30-October 1 at the Carlisle Expo Center.  Powered by THREE great ways to bid, it’s never been easier to buy, sell, and bring the automotive world the fun that is a Carlisle auction.

Starting 12 p.m. daily, the auction brings together decades of automotive opulence.  Current lots span from the early 1920’s through modern era with at least one ride from the 2000’s available.  Cars, trucks, street rods, best of show gems, and daily drivers are all available to the highest bidder each day.  The expert team with Carlisle Auctions WILL yield results, as the collector car market, much like the real estate market, has never been hotter.  Cars in the auction don’t just come from a dealer looking to move inventory, they come from the average Jane or Joe who enjoys a classic but wants to move on from their current ride in favor of something “new.”

Carlisle Auctions is still actively taking consignments too, meaning that something “new” is coming to America’s Automotive Hometown daily.  One of the featured attractions of the auction is the growingly popular all-truck hour.  This time around, it’s taking place on Thursday, September 30 at 4 p.m.  As part of this hour, a charitable venture will happen, as a 1952 Ford F3 truck will cross the block.  Buyer’s and seller’s fees are waived and proceeds directly benefit the Harley’s Haven Dog Rescue and Pups for Vets.  This truck is just one of more than a dozen that will cross the block during that hour and one of dozens that are available overall.

ALL NEW for the Fall Carlisle Auction is a more popular and industry supported way to bid online.  Carlisle Auctions is teaming with Proxibid (content/live interface coming soon) to offer online bidding, literally to the world.  By way of the Proxibid web page, interested buyers can not only bid from anywhere online, but can watch a live stream in real time of the auction.  The stream will also be posted on the Carlisle Auctions web page daily.

“I am very excited to bring the cars to the people later this month,” noted Tony Cline, Director of Auction Operations.  “Our team has a proven track record of results, including our best-ever auction just a few months back at Spring Carlisle.  Bidding on these classics has never been easier and with three options, in person, on the phone and online.  It’s easy to see why so many have made Carlisle Auctions part of their annual entertainment options”

The Fall auction also runs in conjunction with Fall Carlisle presented by eBay Motors (September 29-October 3) at the neighboring Carlisle PA Fairgrounds.  Registration as a buyer or seller offers reciprocating access to Fall Carlisle.  Here, even more cars are for sale, in the car corral, as well as millions of automotive pieces, parts, merchandise, and collectibles within the automotive flea market and midway.  Speaking of auctions, on Friday, October 1 at 10 a.m., Carlisle Events co-owner Bill Miller will host an auction of his own items, amassed from years of collecting.  This auction happens at the fairgrounds stage.  In addition, Bill is putting a 1985 Plymouth Horizon from his own personal collection in the Fall Carlisle Collector Car Auction too.  The car will cross the block at approximately 4 p.m. on October 1.  A gallery of items from the Bill Miller Collection, plus details on the Miller auction and Fall Carlisle itself are available at CarlisleEvents.com.

Carlisle Auctions is COVID-19 compliant and follows current guidelines suggested by state officials as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  A detailed Health/Safety Measures summary is available on CarlisleAuctions.com.  While on the web, be sure to learn more about the Fall Carlisle Collector Car Auction, consign to sell, or as noted, register to bid and view committed consignments.  Learn more online or call 717-960-6400 today.

Fall Carlisle, or more specifically, Fall Carlisle Collector Car Flea Market & Corral is set for its 47th annual show Sept. 29-Oct. 3 at the Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds. It all started as “Post War '74”, an event for enthusiasts of more-recent vehicles than the Pre-War car shows that dotted America at the time. 

Car buddies, Bill Miller and Chip Miller (no relation), founded Carlisle Events in 1974 for "car guys and girls just like them." Before their enterprise, there were few options nationwide for those car people interested in restoring or showing 1950s‐ or 1960s‐era cars. That all changed when Chip Miller and Bill Miller Jr., became friends through a mutual interest in cars of the 1950s. Together, they began going to car shows and automotive flea markets, where like‐minded individuals would hunt for parts and accessories to restore their vehicles. A need for these events became obvious to these two men in 1973. Until that time, the only cars that were considered worthy of collecting were pre‐WWII automobiles. That was until “Post War ’74”.

Co-founder and co-owner of Carlisle Events, Bill Miller, Jr. said the notion of this event began in 1973. “The president of the new car club, The Milestone Car Society, asked me if I could bring a special car to their booth at the AACA Fall Swap Meet in Hershey, PA,” he said. “My friend Chip Miller had a 1954 Corvette that he wanted to sell, so we brought that and put it in the booth. Of course, at that time, there were no cell phones, so Chip put his business card on the windshield with the price and a note saying he would be back every hour on the hour if someone was interested.”

Miller continued, “ When we returned to the booth, the business card was on the floor of the car instead of the windshield so Chip thought someone was interested in the car and didn't want anyone else to see the card and just threw it on the floor. A few minutes later someone in a golf cart pulled up and asked who owned the car. Chip thought that this was the person interested in the purchase. When Chip approached him, he said that Chip was not allowed to sell the car in the swap meet because it was not an antique car.”

Miller said that being in their 20s, and with the car being 20 years old, they thought it was an old car, but AACA rules at that time stated that the car had to be 35 years old or older. Miller remarked, “They got a little testy with us and we snapped back and they made us remove the car from the show. After we took the car to the parking lot and returned to the show Chip said, ‘Isn't it a shame that we can't show cars that we like at a car show?’  I said that we should start a car show for cars that we liked, so we each put up $500, drew up a partnership and the next season started a car show for cars after the second World War, and ‘Postwar '74’ was born.”

Miller said they chose the week before the Fall Hershey Swap Meet because they thought that people coming to Hershey could just spend another few days and attend both events.

He added, “The biggest obstacle was finding a location that we could afford, we looked at three locations and picked the Carlisle Fairgrounds because it was the least expensive. It was better dumb luck than good management. Carlisle is the Keystone of the Keystone state as Route 11, Route 81 and the Turnpike intersects here and it is the perfect location for people traveling any distance North, South, East or West .”

On September 26, 1974, on the rented Carlisle Fairgrounds, "Post War '74" took place. It was the very first car event promoted by the company. In a year still remembered for gas lines and inflation, nearly 600 vendors set up in more than 800 spaces, and 13,000 spectators paid the $1 admission to sample their wares.



Within a few years, the Carlisle Fairgrounds had become a Mecca for collector car enthusiasts all over the world. The runaway success of what became known as Fall Carlisle led to a similar spring event in 1977. In short order, they became complete sellouts for vendor and car corral.
 
Miller did not expect the success and the 47-year growth. “We did it strictly as a hobby event,” he said,  “and didn't look for it to flourish like it did and turn into a business. We were happy that it did because there is no better business that working in the hobby that you love.”



Regarding event growth, Miller said, “We grew so fast each year that we ran by the seat of our pants. We made changes on the fly, often when the show was in progress. Everyone rolled with the punches because the vendors were doing a huge business and the spectators were having fun. The biggest problem came from the owners of the Fairgrounds as they would build a building right in the middle of our swap area and not consult us before they did it. We would arrive at the grounds weeks before the show only to find the grounds changed. Back to the drawing board and make quick changes. So we bought the Fairgrounds.”

The show has changed over the years, of course, and Miller said much has to do with merchandize. “New old stock (NOS) merchandise has given way to reproduction merchandise. Now NOS merchandise is harder to find and has become quite valuable. Being a vendor is very hard work and many new generations of the vendors’ families don't want to pursue the same tasks that their parents did. But the hobby is still alive and well and the shows are booming this year after everyone has gotten out again.”

After 47 Fall Carlisle shows Miller sees some very real high points, including celebrity guest stars.  Miller said, “We have had so many big names from the hobby at our events. Carroll Shelby, Richard Petty, Kyle Petty, Linda Vaughn – ‘Miss Hurst’, Bruce Larson, The Tuetels of Orange County Choppers fame, all of the Dukes of Hazzard stars, Bill Goldberg, Chip Foose, Hailie Deegan (NASCAR driver), Gallagher -- the comedian, Bobby Allison and Cindy Williams (of Laverne and Shirley), just to name a few.”



The success of Fall Carlisle led to other shows and Miller recalled, “As our flea market-only shows grew we started single-marque shows, Ford, GM, Chrysler, Truck Import, Corvette, and of course our auctions, which are a huge success. Even now, our Florida auctions draw thousands of people and hundreds of cars to Lakeland, Florida  twice a year. Our single-marque shows grew every year as we set record attendance of show cars. People love to interact with like minded car owners so they can learn more about the hobby.”

Last year was tough, but he sees a rebound in sight. “The pandemic was certainly a challenge,” he said. “We did all the CDC requirements, as did every other business, and made it through. Our future is bright because we try to stay on top of the market. We want the shows to appeal to all ages and genders. We do something for the young, the older men and women, and especially for the kids, as they are the future of the hobby.
Miller loves the events and the people who come to them. “The car people are the greatest people in the world,” he said. “We raise thousands of dollars for charities every year. When you realize that about one half a million people pass through these grounds every year and we don't have any problems what better testament could you have to the quality people of the car hobby.”



Fall Carlisle is the last event of the calendar year for Carlisle Events and marks the end of the Carlisle based show and automotive flea market season. This massive automotive flea market is one of the best opportunities to get your hands on all things automotive before the winter non-picking blues kicks in. With 8,100 spaces of vendors selling a vast array of automotive parts, accessories, cars, collectibles and memorabilia, it's almost certain that you won't go home empty handed. Accompanying the automotive flea market and car corral is the Manufacturers Midway featuring the latest and greatest products and services, and a two-day auction presented by Carlisle Auctions across the street.
 
> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>