There weren't thousands of kit cars on display at the 22nd Annual Carlisle Import-Kit/Replicar Nationals. If you added the participants' replicas and all the manufacturers' show vehicles, you'd be into three digits. By also adding all the import cars on hand, you may get into the low 1,000s.
We saw fresh cars that had just been finished over the winter. Several manufacturers premiered all-new kits and/or turnkey cars that attracted replicar fans and hopefully many new customers for the companies' creations. From talking to several company owners, we heard that sales are strong for many leading kit car manufacturers. All the major players had a big presence at either an outside pavilion or in one of the Fairground's buildings.
Shell Valley had several cool...
Shell Valley had several cool cars on display, including a dark blue Daytona Coupe, the same car that graced the cover of the May '07 issue of KIT CAR.
The event is held in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, which neighbors the state's capital city, Harrisburg. The Carlisle Fairgrounds is an immense 82-acre facility that provides ample space for this show. What's unique about the Nats is that there's also an import section of automobiles from companies that span the globe. The Swedish cars of Saab and Volvo; German Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, Porsche, and Audi; Italian Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati; British Jaguar, MG, and Aston Martin; Japan Datsun, Toyota, and Mazda; all these marques and a large swap meet section make the Import-Kit/Replicar Nationals a must-attend event for any and all automotive aficionados.
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A member of the Old Time car...
A member of the Old Time car club, Tully Johnstone drove his '36 Mercedes 540K roadster replica to the Carlisle event.
We wish we had more time to explore the Fairgrounds in the non-kit areas, but there was so much going on with the replicas, we couldn't afford to see much of the swap meet area or the import cars. Next year, we'll know better. Maybe we'll rent a mountain bike and pedal our way to automotive kit and import nirvana. Until then, check out what caught our attention in the following photos and captions. Also, watch for an expanded version of this article on the KIT CAR Web site, www.kitcarmag.com. The Carlisle Import-Kit/Replicar Nationals will be held May 16-18, '08. Mark your calendars and plan on attending next year.
For still more information on this year's event and next year's show, visit www.carsatcarlisle.com. KC
This Dax Rush M/C replica...
This Dax Rush M/C replica of the Lotus Super 7 weighs 1,100 pounds, yields 250 hp with a wet nitrous kit, and is powered by a Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa motorcycle engine with a six-speed sequential trans and a DeDion rear suspension. Can you say go-kart? We know you can.
When Richard Longacre found...
When Richard Longacre found out that KIT CAR had a blue Cheetah on its July '07 cover, he trailered his red competition Cheetah to the show and put it on display.
Within the manufacturers'...
Within the manufacturers' building, Dragon Motorsports showed off one of its stunning Dragons.
Dragon Motorsports also debuted...
Dragon Motorsports also debuted its new Corvette-powered T-bucket, which also has Corvette suspension at both ends. You guessed it; the car is a lightweight land rocket that rides like a slot car.
Those boys standing around...
Those boys standing around the two Type 65 Coupes will likely grow up to be replicar enthusiasts. Who knows; we may one day feature their creations in the magazine.
Thanks to having a Grand Sport...
Thanks to having a Grand Sport Coupe, a Grand Sport Roadster, a Grand Sport chassis complete with a drivetrain, and a Corvette GTP replica on display, the Mongoose Motorsports booth was crowded the entire event.
At the Backdraft Racing booth,...
At the Backdraft Racing booth, there always seemed to be plenty of Cobra enthusiasts. The in-progress Gulf team-colors Cobra was quite a crowd-pleaser.
Race Car Replicas had a stunning...
Race Car Replicas had a stunning display of its awe-inspiring vehicles in the outdoor pavilion area. We rolled four of RCR's cars out from underneath the pavilion's carport for some group photos.
Painted a rich cream color,...
Painted a rich cream color, Tom Dewalt's '57 Speedster replica didn't disappoint. Check out the stainless steel wire mesh screens protecting the headlights.
Kokopelli S.P.A.L.L.C. (www.kokopelliauto.com)...
Kokopelli S.P.A.L.L.C. (www.kokopelliauto.com) builds the Kokopelli 11, a great Mazda Miata-powered reinterpretation of the Lotus 11. The company's owner, Tom Rodgers, let us take a spin in this lightweight, well-powered sports car.
We had the distinct honor...
We had the distinct honor of meeting Chuck Beck. He gave us a ride in the first prototype of his latest creation, the Beck 904. We were then able to take some action shots of Chuck on the autocross course. The man can drive!
There were many well-built...
There were many well-built Speedster replicas at Carlisle, one of which was Mickey Donatello's '57 Intermeccanica 356A.
Speaking of stunning displays,...
Speaking of stunning displays, ERA exhibited a few GT40s, like this Gulf Team replica of the Mk I that won Le Mans in '68 and '69. There were also several sweet Cobra roadsters at ERA's booth.
You don't have to be a diva...
You don't have to be a diva to own a Diva. But you'd sure get noticed driving a yellow Diva.
Porsche-philes swooned over...
Porsche-philes swooned over the sensuous Intermeccanica 356 Speedster exhibit in the manufacturers' building.
Olli Hempel's an accomplished...
Olli Hempel's an accomplished kit car builder. A couple of years ago, we featured a Cobra he built. He has recently finished a Subaru WRX-powered Meyers Manx Manxter that is beautiful.
Though the Factory Five Racing...
Though the Factory Five Racing booth inside the manufacturers' building was impressive, we snuck a Type 65 Coupe and a black-winged GTM outside for a few photos.
Unique Motorcars had several...
Unique Motorcars had several of its sensuous Cobra 427 SCs under the fluorescent lights. We rescued them and snapped a couple of pictures in the Carlisle sun. Maurice Weaver, co-owner of Unique Motorcars, currently owns this Guardsman Blue big-block Ford V-8-motivated ride.
By the time you read this,...
By the time you read this, some lucky person will have won this Unique Motorcars 427 SC Cobra. It's the raffle car for the London Cobra Show 2007. Proceeds from the raffle go toward finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.