In this post, we will look at the 35th Annual Corvettes at Carlisle 2016 coverage that appeared in the December 2016 issue of Vette Vues Magazine.
Corvettes at Carlisle 2016 | World’s Largest all-Corvette Themed Weekend
Photographer: Steve Robertson
Since 1982, Corvette Enthusiasts’ have been traveling to Corvettes at Carlisle. Carlisle, Pennsylvania is a small historic town located in the Cumberland Valley, an agricultural region. Its location is easily accessible from major cities: 188 miles from New York, 123 miles from Philadelphia, 94 miles from Baltimore, 114 miles from Washington DC and 206 miles from Pittsburgh. So, as you can guess, there were thousands of Corvettes that emerged onto this small town. Corvettes at Carlisle reports that every year of Corvette was represented on the Fun Field as well as all generations of enthusiasts.
Over the years’ this show has continued to add more activities for everyone’s interests. This year Corvettes at Carlisle expanded the event to a four-day weekend. The event took place Thursday, August 25 and ran through Sunday, August 28. Adding Thursday allowed for more cars, more people, and more excitement! However, before the event even opened to the public, semi-trailers, and vendors arrived days ahead to start the mass setup. Tents were erected preparing for the largest Corvette swap meet in the world!
At 10 a.m. on Thursday, it all got underway as the new official day for the show commenced. With special indoor and tent displays in place, droves of Corvettes streamed on grounds in a seemingly non-stop manner through mid-day Saturday.
Special displays focused on the 1966 Corvette that was celebrating its 50th anniversary. Another favorite display is Chip’s Choice located right across the Vette Vues Magazine booth in building T. This year Chip’s Choice honored the best Guldstrand and Greenwood Corvettes.
Thursday highlights also included autocross practice runs with the Cumberland Valley Corvette Club and diagnostic sessions with Corvette expert and long time friend of Corvettes at Carlisle, Paul Koerner of The Corvette Mechanic.
Friday offered multiple seminars throughout the day. Celebrities were on hand for autograph sessions with guests like Jerry Palmer, Wil Cooksey, Tadge Juechter, Ken Linginfelter, Team Chevrolet and more. Even better, for the Corvette guests, Paul Koerner’s associate, Brittany George, hosted a women-only seminar on overall car care. The day wrapped up with the burnout contest followed by an exciting VIP dinner benefiting the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation.
Saturday offered one more full amazing day of Corvette fun. There were two giveaways, including a trip to Nevada and Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Ron Fellows Driving School, and via the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation and Lancaster County Corvette Club, a brand new Corvette Coupe was given away. Also, Saturday featured more seminars, more autographs, installs, product walkarounds, and the always-popular Ms. Corvettes at Carlisle beauty contest.
Our cover car is from Saturday night when Corvettes packed the streets of downtown Carlisle for the annual Downtown Carlisle Association Corvette Parade and Street Party.
Corvettes at Carlisle 2016 officially concluded sometime after 2 p.m. on Sunday the 28th. Corvettes at Carlisle is already planning for 2017’s show, which runs August 24-27.
35th Annual Corvettes at Carlisle 2016 Funfield presented by Corvette America
Corvettes at Carlisle | The Largest Corvette Swap Meet in the World
In 1974, two friends (not brothers) realized there was a void in the automotive hobby. If you were interested in restoring or just showing a 1950s or 1960s era car, you had few options. The two men became friends through the mutual interest in cars of the 50s. They began going to a car show and swap meets. Soon they found that there were other individuals who would have a hard time finding the parts and accessories they needed to restore their cars. In 1973 the men put their heads together and organized Carlisle Events to specifically conduct and promote events for the collector car and truck hobby.
Chip and Bill Miller rented the Carlisle Fairgrounds (which is now owned by the company) and had the first event September 26, 1974. Post War ’74’ took place!
For a little history, 1974 inflation was spiraling out of control and reaching 11.3%. The average income per year was $13,900.00, which would be $11,197 in current dollars. Rent would set you back $185.00. The gas was only $.55, but the problem was there were shortages and long lines…if you could get any gas! Because of the energy crisis, daylight saving time started nearly four months early.
Nevertheless, in spite of a gloomy economy, there were nearly 600 vendors that set up and 13,000 spectators that paid a whole dollar for admission.
Now, forty-two years later Carlisle Events hosts eleven events and four collector car auctions. Corvettes at Carlisle is the Largest Corvette swap meet in the world.
Here are some photos that photographer Steve Robertson took of this year’s swap meet.
2016 Corvettes at Carlisle | The Largest Corvette Swap Meet in the World Photo Gallery
