When you mention Carlisle to a car guy, the first thing they probably think of is the massive automotive swap meet held twice a year at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania. Though that is a fact, Carlisle is actually a lot more than that. Carlisle Events is a promotion company that organizes 12 different automobile and motorcycle shows in Pennsylvania, 10 of which are held on the grounds of the 82-acre facility.
One show, the Import & Kit/Replicar Nationals, is about the largest show of its kind in the country, and it encompasses nearly every aspect of the kit and replicar industry. Started 19 years ago, the Nationals have become one of the most important shows for manufacturers to attend, mostly because there are so many kit owners in attendance, too. The two groups, owners and builders, feed off each other-the more manufacturers in attendance, the more attendees show up. The more attendees, the more builders.
The Carlisle Event organizers subdivides the grounds in a way that provides parking for like-minded car owners. You'll find groups of cars (Mazdas and Audis, Opel and Triumphs, Citroens and MGs, Volvos and Fiats, and even an M1 mixed into a group of BMWs) all arranged side-by-side. A few years ago, organizers tried to mix old imports with the new imports (Hondas, Toyotas, and the like) but it didn't turn out so well. This year the mix was back to the way it used to be: vintage imports sharing the land with the kits and replicars.
And if had to do with kits or replicars, it was probably at Carlisle this year. Dozens of manufacturers crowded into buildings, tents, and under pavilion roofs to display their wares during the three-day show. Though many chose not to set up on Friday and leave early on Sunday, their booths were certainly stuffed with buyers all day Saturday.
And from those who have faithfully attended the show in the past know, "If it's Carlisle, then it'll be raining." But, other than a morning shower on Saturday, the rest of the time was spent in 85-degree heat (a rarity at this event!). Thunderstorms rolled through during the night, but somehow mostly missed most of the show's normal hours of operation.
All of the big name replicar builders were at Carlisle this year, as well as some new companies trying to make their mark with new cars. Motorcycle engine-equipped vehicles are all the rage in England, and one company from Canada, Deman Motorsports, was there to see if Americans would accept what they were offering. The booth had a ring of people around it all day long, so you could guess that their quick and responsive kit car was well received. Another manufacturer, B Rod or Custom (Knoxville, TN) debuted what could only be described as a cross between a '34 Ford roadster and an MG TD, built on a custom 98-inch wheelbase chassis.
Perennial favorites such as Shell Valley (with a new version of their Daytona Coupe), Unique Motorcars' Cobra display, Factory Five Racing impressive line-up, and D&R Replicars (one of four Lambo builders at the show) were all busy letting people sit in their demo rides, slam doors, and talk about price and performance. Many folks come to this show expressly to do their research before buying a kit car-where else are you going to get nearly every major manufacturer together in one spot for comparative shopping?