Carlisle Info??

[Tom S.]

How big is the show at Carlisle? Is it possible to see it in one day? most of the hotels are sold out already! Is it a bad drive from Harrisburg? Any and all ionfo will be appreciated! Thanks in advance Tom.

[James W.]

Re: Carlisle Info??

Tom,

Depends on what you are looking for. If you want to walk the swap meet and really look for a specific part, you will not see it in one day. I went for the first time last year, it's comparable to the Bloomington meet of the mid 70's and 80's in size. There are not near the C1 and C2 parts, but if you are working on a C3 or newer thete are still quite a few parts to be had.

We stayed at the Hampton Inn in Gettsburg which is about 39 miles from Carlisle. It was a nice senic drive on highway 34, very little traffic.

Best Regards,

James West

[Dick W.]

Re: Carlisle Info??

The actual swap meet seems to be getting smaller. As stated before the C-1 parts are getting scarcer. Still quite a bit of C-2 parts available, C-3 and newer, anything you should want.

Plan to spend two days, at least, walking and looking. Biggest Corvette Circus anywhere!

The Fun Field has grown tremendously. Be sure and walk through it. Stop by the NCRS Gallery in the old John Deere dealership. Lots of nice cars and people to talk to.

[Jeff M.]

Re: Carlisle Info??

Tom,
I go to different Carlisle events 3-4 times a year. The Corvette show is a great show and not one to miss. I usually stay in Harrisburg when I go to the larger shows. It is a short drive in the morning, but it is turnpike driving. Where ever you stay go to the show early each day to miss some of the traffic. They have a website too, I belive it is: www.carlisleproductions.com
Enjoy the show!
Jeff

[Harmon C.]

Re: Carlisle Info??

Tom

The drive from Harrisburg is fine but the later after 6 AM you arrive in Carlisle the traffic picks up to the point it can take some time to get near the site. A person could walk all the asiles in the swap meet in a day but if you go in the booths and look for some parts a day is not enough. I would go Thursday through Saturday and you will have time to vist the NCRS Gallery and Chips Choice plus digging for parts in boxes.

Lyle

[Mike B.]

Re: Carlisle Info??

I usually attend the spring and fall Carlisle and the Corvette Carlisle events every year. I agree with James West - it depends on what you plan to see and do. For the major spring and fall shows one day is not enough time to cover the vendor and parts aisles let alone see anything else. But the Corvette show can be covered in one day although you will not be able to spend enough quality time in any major venue. For instance, if you want to look for used parts then you will likely have to forfeit time at the car corral (used cars for sale), or you might have to skip the field full of Corvettes that owners are allowed to drive in and park on the grounds. There is usually a parade of Corvettes of every generation for those who want to participate and view that as well. There are many other activities (see below). Obviously, they all compete for the same daylight time.

My advice for your first trip is to try to allow two days if possible, and make at least one of them a weekday as the crowds are not as bad. The Corvette show runs Friday - Sunday, August 24-26. If you are looking for a rare part or great deal, you have to get there when the gates open on Friday but by then the other vendor "sharks" will already have picked things over.

The drive from Harrisburg is not bad at all; about 20 miles. But the last two or so miles approaching the show can be slow so give yourself an hour door-to-door. There are several hotels closer in but many require a two night stay, and most are probably booked by now anyway. But try Expedia.com. You could get lucky.

Other advice is to dress comfortably. It is the height of summer and it can be really hot and humid. Good shoes and sunscreen are a must. I always pack several pre-frozen bottles of water that thaw as the day wears on. Absolutely bring plenty to drink. I am not sure that coolers are explicitly allowed but nobody checks in backpacks and in tote boxes conveyed on wagons etc. There are food vendors everywhere but save the $$ for the more important things like parts! And from experience it is either really hot or raining or both so be prepared. Disposable rain ponchos go on sale everywhere if the drops start falling.

Here is an outine of the scheduled activities that I clipped from the website. More can be found at http://www.carsatcarlisle.com/

[Tom S.]

Re: Carlisle Info??

Thanks to all that responded. I am definately going, and after reading this 2 days. I am looking for a nice c-2 coupe so I will really hitting the Corral hard.thanks again. Tom

[Bob R.]

Re: Carlisle Info??

I found the car corral prices to be ridiculous. People place crazy numbers on their cars. You won't find as running car for under 80K. I think the better deals are at the auction.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Carlisle Info??

Agreed.

Auction, or just spend time looking in your own area and on the Internet.
Don't "expect" a deal, but I'd have to say that every year there is a car in the Corral I'd take home if I could.

Patrick

[Tom S.]

Re: Carlisle Info??

I will register for the Auction also. I have bought from Mecum at the Winter show in Kissimmee. I find them to be fairly reputable,but lets say also let the buyer beware!

[Gary Bishop]

Re:NCRS Parking Area?

Any one know where NCRS will parking this year? Last year there was a lot of confusion with the Solid Axle Group.

[Robert F.]

Re:NCRS Parking Area?

I've only attended this show since 2000, but since then, I have noticed the prices in the for sale field have increased greatley. Not many bargains, for sure. The auction is the way to go to acquire a car. Still fun to find used parts, but they are becoming scarce for C2 and older. I belong to NCRS and Solid Axle, so I'll decide later, depending on where they put us.