Corvettes at Carlisle Attendance--down?

[Grant M.]

My wife and I attended Corvettes at Carlisle on Saturday (no, we didn't wear matching T-shirts!) and it struck both us how "un-busy" it seemed to be, despite the weather being pretty good (hot, but breezy). We attend Carlisle sporadically, the last time being in 2006, and always on the Saturday, and this year we particularly noticed the absence of any back-up at the toll both from the I-76 (westbound) ramp (at 8:30 am), and the smoothly moving, relatively light traffic to our normal parking lot by the National Guard compound off Cavalry Road.

Inside, didn't experience the almost shoulder-to-shoulder crowds that we had seen in previous years. I'm just looking for the opinion of others, but was it less well-attended than in the past and what's the cause--the US economy and Corvettes being a "discretionary" expenditure?

Still enjoyed ourselves and picked up some "goodies" as usual.

grant

[Tom H.]

Re: Corvettes at Carlisle Attendance--down?

I thought it seemed a little light on Friday. Saturday was pretty steady. I do agree it was a bit down. I think that should be no real surprise. I think the die hards still come and some of the "casual observers" might have cut the event from their schedule. I drove 500 miles to get there and made my reservations for next year.

[Warren F.]

Re: Corvettes at Carlisle Attendance--down?

I flew out as usual. I was up on the hill, taking panoramic photos of the event. It looked mighty crowded to me on that 80 acre fairground. I also noticed that the traffic backlog wasn't there early in the morning 6:30-7:00 ish, but I had one heck of a good time!

Bought several parts in the swap meet area and looked at quite few cars in the car corral section as well as wandered over to the auction venue. I was certainly pleased with the attendance by Corvette owners/vendors at the event, nothing better than this event.

[Ridge K.]

[Bob R.]

Re: Corvettes at Carlisle Attendance--down?

I agree the crowds were down I would guess at least 30%. I also noticed many of the big regular vendors were not there, Mid America, Ecklers. I was told it was a sales tax issue with Pennsylvania. Walking along the vendor area I saw quite a few open spaces that are normally filled with vendors. It was still a good time and the weather was fine just smaller then in past years.

[John D.]

Re: Corvettes at Carlisle Attendance--down?

I was there friday and would say it was crowded but not jam packed. I didn't really need to scrounge for any parts this time for the first time ever so I spent the day looking at cars.....had a great time. The stands were packed for the burnout contest and we felt bad for the guy with the C3 who backed his car into the jersey barrier.

There was a blue/blue 67 small block for sale under the pavillion towards the back of the fairground. While I was looking at it there was a guy with "the fever" to buy it. He said he was looking for the same car for five years and I wonder if he ever made a deal . I do remember the VIN was stamped upside down on the pad. He said he offered 52k and the dealer wanted more like 82k.

[Edward S.]

Re: Corvettes at Carlisle Attendance--down?

In addition to the sales tax issue with some of the major vendors, I see alot of the smaller guys selling their spots. I would think that the price of gas, all the other assorted expences entailed in being there, meals, hotels, packing & unpacking - a lot of people may think it,s easier to sell on e-bay or the driveline. No muss, no fuss, much less overhead and most important no one haggling over price.
I have only been to Bloomington once and right before I went for judging I had a small plastic part in my window washers crack. I figured no big deal with all the vendors there - thats when I found out all the major players were there with big rigs with no inventory. They all had nice tables you could sit at, look through their catalogs and order what you needed - to be shipped to your home. I could not buy a repro., but I found a little guy with a small display area who had a used original of the part I needed. Go figure.

[Alan S.]

Re: Corvettes at Carlisle Attendance--down?

I was able to be at Carlisle on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and enjoyed being there.
I thought the number of large and small venders was down a little from past years. I see so many of the same parts in the same boxes each year. But, it's still fun to look for a treasure. The crowds on all three days seemed to be lighter, too.
It's fun to look at the for sale cars in the Corral to see what high opinions some sellers have of the car they've brought to sell. The "Corvette Summer/Death Race 2000" car was....well.... it was something.
I would go again if it was tomorrow!!!
Regards,
Alan

[Rich D.]

Re: Corvettes at Carlisle Attendance--down?

I've attended Corvettes @ Carlise almost every year since I bought my '70 there in 1994. I think this was the lightest good-weather year I've seen.

It used to be that we would get there early Friday morning, and need two full days to see the entire vendor and car corral area. This year we got there around 9am Friday, and had seen the entire swapmeet and car corral by around 3:30. I spent the rest of Friday checking out the numerous cars in the show area.

It can't be that I'm getting faster with age; its got to be the lack of both vendors and visitors.

As for the reasons, my guess would be two: eBay and expenses. I remember when I could park my 'Vette there for free! $12 admission, plus $10 to park the 'Vette, only to get bent over in the food court? Although I did enjoy myself, it was not as easy to justify the whole thing as it once was.

BTW: Anybody else see that noseless '68 or '69 in the corral that was billed as a documented L89? Sold for $29,000??!!

[Tom H.]

Re: Corvettes at Carlisle Attendance--down?

BTW: Anybody else see that noseless '68 or '69 in the corral that was billed as a documented L89? Sold for $29,000??!!

Yep................... I saw it. I did see it was sold. Never heard what it really changed hands for. It was marked 29K in the window though. Had a big SOLD written on it Saturday.

[Paul H.]

Re: Corvettes at Carlisle Attendance--down?

I was there Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Attendance was down a little but I would not say significantly. Prices for solid axles and mid years did not seem down. Actually I didn't mind a few less people and less traffic. I enjoyed it as I always do.

[John D.]

Re: Corvettes at Carlisle Attendance--down?

Yep................... I saw it. I did see it was sold. Never heard what it really changed hands for. It was marked 29K in the window though. Had a big SOLD written on it Saturday.

It was marked sold on Friday as well..very rough car, no nose huge flares ugly all around. I predict it will resurface someday in Scottsdale, Arizona.

[Jeffrey B.]

Re: Corvettes at Carlisle Attendance--down?

I also remember when Corvette owners parked for free. If you park your Corvette on the grounds for 3 days that's $30.00 parking added to the $36.00 for 3 days admission. People these days are looking a little closer at how they spend their entertainment dollars and I doubt that Corvette owners are any different. The Corvettes that are parked on the grounds actually create a nice display for the show that enhances the draw of folks who attend. I think a $5.00 parking fee each day for Corvette owners would be more reasonable.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Corvettes at Carlisle Attendance--down?

I also remember when Corvette owners parked for free. If you park your Corvette on the grounds for 3 days that's $30.00 parking added to the $36.00 for 3 days admission. People these days are looking a little closer at how they spend their entertainment dollars and I doubt that Corvette owners are any different. The Corvettes that are parked on the grounds actually create a nice display for the show that enhances the draw of folks who attend. I think a $5.00 parking fee each day for Corvette owners would be more reasonable.

if you pre register 2 people can get in all 3 days and park your corvette inside for less than $60. the motel charges are chasing away the people.

[Loren S.]

Re: Corvettes at Carlisle Attendance--down?

NASCAR attendance is down, too. Maybe its just the $4 a gallon gas thing.