Carlisle Replicar Nationals - Spice Of Life

Some say Carlisle wouldn't be Carlisle without wind, rain, and cold temperatures. Having covered the event the last two years, we can't assert this is so for the entire 23 years that the Carlisle Import-Kit/Replicar Nationals has taken place. However, we're two for two in terms of delighting in the vagaries of what Mother Nature has to throw at us intrepid handbuilt and import automotive enthusiasts.

On the eve of the event, driving south on Route 81 to our hotel, we realized we weren't lost when we saw a parade of Porsche Speedster and Spyder replicas just ahead of us. Though it was 9 p.m., these roadster owners thought nothing of bombing down the highway at 60-plus mph, some without the benefit of a top, side curtains, or a heater. Seeing these spectacular creations at speed reminded us that kits and replicars are built for driving, showing, and enjoying. Other factions of the old car hobby don't necessarily subscribe to such a point of view. Many vintage custom trucks don't have freshly replaced odometers that ever show four digits traveled. The same can be said for show street rods, muscle machines, concours museum pieces, and exotic sports cars.

What we're getting at is that even though Carlisle, Pennsylvania, is situated at just the right longitude and latitude to facilitate moment-by-moment changes in temperature and weather, these conditions don't seem to detract from this venerable kit/replicar and import show. We reckon the manufacturers would want to exhibit regardless. Pretty much all the companies want to show off new cars and components, whether they're premiering brand-new models or bringing out freshly finished existing kits. Car owners, some of whom have been feverishly fabricating their four-wheeled works of art over the winter, are anxious to get their cars out on the open road and make it to the Carlisle Nats. Let's face it, premiering a new build or restoration at an indoor show isn't the same as exhibiting for the first time in the great outdoors.

For those automotive designers and engineers who have dreamed of developing a new kit from the ground up and may have manufactured a working prototype, Carlisle is the place to see if these car builder dreams can become a viable business, either as a supplier to existing companies, or as a fledgling manufacturer. In fact, we were approached by several starry-eyed entrepreneurs who wanted to show KIT CAR their creations. Some of what we saw confirmed a positive impression we'd made from seeing press releases and vehicle prototype photos. In a few cases, we looked at new vehicles for the first time that also appeared to have good fit and finish and to be well engineered. We look forward to learning whether these new vehicles will earn a place in the kit and replicar realm. Rest assured, we'll supply all the information on these new projects at the appropriate time.

The Carlisle show may not at this point encompass the largest gathering of kit and replicars. But it still offers the most variety of kit and replicars on hand. It's also the only show that has an expansive representation of import cars on exhibit, from vintage Citroens, to exotic Lamborghinis, to everything in between, with the possible exception of the generally disreputable Yugo (thank goodness). What's more, the swap-meet section of the show is the kind of vintage and new auto component nirvana many of us remember rummaging through with our dads when we were miniature gearheads in training. Each and every Carlisle swap meet aisle holds the prospect of treasure discovery for vintage or kit/replicar enthusiasts from here to the round ends of the earth. Many of us could spend the entire event on this sort of automotive treasure hunt, and all of our life savings if we're not careful.

The last thing that makes Carlisle so special simply can't be experienced by reading this article or by viewing all the photos. It's the food. The fairgrounds food is to die for. If you haven't had those tasty little ham sandwiches with the ham that's so thinly sliced and fresh it dissolves in your mouth, you haven't lived. And if you're a strict vegetarian, you could still make a meal out of the Shoe Fly Pie, which is a delectable concoction of brown sugar and butter. But then, that wouldn't necessarily be a healthy choice for every meal (maybe every other).

Feast your eyes on what makes the Carlisle Nats the place to be in May right here in KC. Also, be sure to check out the expanded coverage on our Web site, www.kitcarmag.com. If you simply have to try those sandwiches and the chicken corn soup for yourself, the 2009 Carlisle Import-Kit/Replicar Nationals will be held May 15 through May 17. For still more information on this year's shindig and all the Carlisle events, visit www.carlisle.com.