Death, taxes and car show excitement at Carlisle...three things that are a given in life.  There’s a fourth, more so for car lovers, and that’s the opportunity to finally shake off the cabin fever from the long (and so far wet) winter and enjoy Spring Carlisle.  With your tax refund in hand, you can spend, spend, spend as part of the massive Spring event running April 22-26 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds.  Spanning five days, Spring Carlisle welcomes over 100,000 automotive enthusiasts converging on the facility, all looking to buy, sell and trade all things automotive.  Well…maybe not all, because some legitimately come to Carlisle to simply enjoy the camaraderie of Spring, making new friends and connecting with old ones.  In the end though, you never know what you’ll find at Carlisle.  Hidden gems include items for the shop, the man cave or even the she shed. Expect the unexpected in Carlisle as you browse the 82-acre facility enjoying the thrill of the hunt.

As shopping goes there are plenty of options at Spring Carlisle.  The 8,100 vending spaces are filled with millions of automotive pieces and parts with buyers and sellers alike coming from around the world to shop and sell at Carlisle. By visiting the thousands of vendors who set up at Carlisle, attendees find things that they didn’t even know they needed, all at bargain pricing. In addition to the parts, collectibles and memorabilia, there are cars for sale within the car corral, meaning buyer and seller can work face to face, most times consummating the sale very quickly.  The automotive history available to be had spans nearly one century of production and ranges from must-have classics to unique and daily drivers.

The car corral isn’t the only way to pick up a car at Spring Carlisle as Carlisle Auctions offers a two-day classic and collector car auction on Thursday and Friday of event weekend.  The fun starts at 12 p.m. each day some 250 cars will cross the block per day.  Much like the car corral, auction cars and trucks will span automotive history. Consignments that are 25 years and older are taken via the Carlisle Auctions’ FREE UNLESS SOLD guarantee.  By welcoming cars of this era into the auction, the variety of available lots is nearly limitless.  The best thing about the live auction excitement provided by Carlisle Auctions is that not only is it a great spectator opportunity, but cars are priced to move. Select consignments will sell for low four figures with others touching the six-figure price range.  Online bidding is also an option with Carlisle Auctions.

There truly is something for everyone at Carlisle because cars aren’t the only form of entertainment. Cruise to Spring Carlisle and meet Lou Santiago from TV’s Car Fix. Lou and his wealth of automotive knowledge will be at the event throughout the weekend.  While at Carlisle, he’ll be meeting guests, signing autographs and posing for photos, while also walking the swap meet and enjoying the event just like the rest of the international audience.

Complete details about Spring Carlisle, the auction, guest appearance by Lou Santiago and more can be found online at www.CarlisleEvents.com.  Also, while online be sure to pick up advanced spectator tickets for the show at a discounted price.  Call 717-243-7855 for details or visit www.CarlisleEvents.com or www.CarlisleAuctions.com to learn more.

Recently Carlisle Events announced its special themes, guests and displays for Winter AutoFest Lakeland.  The three-day event starts at 8 a.m. on February 21 and runs through 3 p.m. on February 23 at the spacious SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus.  One of those displays, a race inspired one, already touts millions of dollars’ worth of classics, but now the showcase has been enhanced even further.

Just two weeks away from the annual Florida offering, Carlisle Events is excited to share that the iconic and much sought after 1970 Richard Petty Plymouth Superbird plus two other amazing pieces of Mopar Muscle will now join the likes of a $4.5 million dollar Ferrari and a handful of million-dollar L88 Corvettes.  The Petty car mixed in with the aforementioned Ferrari and L88s offer well over $12 million in cars on display. 

The three cars are impressive on their own, but together, it’s a showcase unlike anything Winter AutoFest has ever seen.  Confirmed are 1968 Dick Landy Dodge Dart HEMI®, a 1968 Sox & Martin Plymouth Barracuda HEMI® and a 1970 Richard Petty Plymouth Superbird.  The Petty car coming to Lakeland is even more special, as it will have just completed a showcase of sorts at the Motorsports Hall of Fame in Daytona, having been reviewed by tens of thousands of race fans as part of the 2020 Daytona 500.  It also crossed the auction block in July of 2019 and reached a bid as high as $3.5 million, but ultimately was a no sale before running to its home in Florida.

“Three of the biggest names in racing during the ‘60s and ‘70s were Richard Petty, Sox & Martin and Dick Landy, so to have cars from all three at one event is amazing,” noted display coordinator Ed Buczeskie.  “The 1968 Hemi Super Stock cars were one of the wildest factory offerings ever and the pedigree of these two cars makes them insanely desirable. Add in Richard Petty’s actual NASCAR Superbird and you have the trifecta of Mopar race history.” 
Along with these cars and this display, guests can enjoy a spotlight display of 1970 cars, a two-day classic and collector car auction powered by Carlisle Auctions, a FREE cruise-in and showcase displays focused on the Mustang, Corvette and all-new for 2020, Mopar.  The displays, combined with special guests and seminars, make Winter AutoFest Lakeland a must-attend for Sunshine State car lovers!  A complete rundown of this event, the auction and more are available online at www.CarlisleEvents.com or www.CarlisleAuctions.com.  

What’s new this year?  That’s a question frequently asked by guests, vendors and even members of the media.  Carlisle Events is prepared for a south to Florida and its annual Winter AutoFest Lakeland offering, spotlighting a cornucopia of new and fresh things.  This includes displays, themes, guests, seminars and more.

Winter AutoFest Lakeland runs February 21-23 at the aforementioned SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus and the facility’s spacious footprint allows for a lot of variety.  That variety offers the addition of guests like Lou Santiago and Herb McCandless as well as GM Certified Technician, Paul Koerner.  

You’ve seen the names, but who are these guests?  Lou Santiago is the host of Car Fix on the former Velocity Channel (now Motor Trend TV), but he’s more than just a TV car guy, he’s a real-life car guy.  Lou is the kind of guy anyone can talk shop with for hours and the type of guy that anyone would want wrenching right next to them in the shop.  He’s an encyclopedia of knowledge and he, plus his knowledge, will be at the event Friday and Saturday (2/21-22).  

Another great guest is Herb McCandless.  Herb is a racing legend and yet another encyclopedia of car knowledge.  He’ll bring three of his most famous cars with him, too; a ’68 Hemi Dart, a ’70 Hemicuda and a ’72 Pro Stock Demon.  These cars have an amazing pedigree…just like Herb himself.  If cool cars and car stories are your thing, then an interaction with Herb’s a must!  

Paul Koerner has been a GM service technician since 1997 and has been specializing in Corvette care and service since 1999.  He’s obtained the classification of GM World Class Certified Service Technician.  In a nutshell, is fully tested and trained by GM to repair any system in any GM vehicle (sans Saab and medium-duty trucks).  His passion and knowledge run deep, in fact, at the 2019 Winter AutoFest event, Paul was found in the parking lot helping a patron whose car had broken down.  He’s that kind of amazing!

These three guys will do their own thing throughout the event, including seminars and tech talks, but they’ll also converge for a special seminar on Saturday (2/22) called “Ask the Pros.”  This panel will include Lou, Herb and Paul, while welcoming writer and industry expert Randy Bolig.  More names may pop in, but these are the four confirmed at this time.

While Herb and Lou are fresh guests in 2020, Winter AutoFest also offers three all-new displays.  One display honors 50 years of 1970 cars, with a display hosting a dozen or so rides from 1970.  In addition, another new display showcases race-inspired cars.  Within this display will be a $4.5 million dollar 2015 Ferrari FXX-K and a couple of million dollar L88 Corvettes.  The final all-new showcase is focused on the Mopar brand.  By popular demand, the Fun Field options at Winter AutoFest have expanded by one, adding Mopars in with pre-existing displays of the Corvette and Mustang.

Carlisle Events isn’t the only entity offering something fresh during Winter AutoFest.  Carlisle Auctions, a star player during the weekend as well, presents its two-day auction on Friday and Saturday (2/21-22).  During this time, a handful of ultra-low mileage consignments will cross the block.  This includes a 2005 Ford GT with under 1,500 miles and a 1978 Corvette with less than 250 miles.  In addition, as a nod to the Corvettes on display, Carlisle Auctions presents an all-Corvette hour on Saturday (2/22) starting at 1:30 p.m.

A complete rundown of this event, the auction and more are available online at www.CarlisleEvents.com or www.CarlisleAuctions.com.  Further, the auction will offer a free web stream for it’s daily 10:30 a.m. event PLUS online bidding.  In addition, anyone who registered to bid for this auction receives a FREE bidder’s pass for the fall Sunset-Carlisle auction in Sarasota, Florida.  For spectators, single day admission tickets are $10 online or at the gate while a weekend spectator admission for everyday of the event can be purchased for just $15.  Admission also allows for spectator access to the auction.  As always at Winter AutoFest, parking is FREE.  

The first quarter of 2020 is offering central Florida residents the chance to own some of the finest classic and collector cars in the world.  The fun continues with Carlisle Auctions at the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus in Lakeland as part of Winter AutoFest (February 21-23).  The auction itself spans two days (February 21-22) and will see more than 400+ consignments cross the block, with some having a reserve.  In addition, the thrilling event starts at 10:30 a.m. each of the two days.  Reserve or not, when cars do sell, they will have done so to the highest bidder.  This year’s auction will see Carlisle Auctions move 10 decades of excellence in front of a jam-packed gallery of car lovers.

For Carlisle Auctions, starting its season in Florida has been a tradition since 2012.  This year is no different and the level of consignments might just be the best ever to grace the grounds in Lakeland.  Two of the top consignments have less than 2,000 miles on their respective odometers…total!  Don’t miss out as a 1978 Corvette, 2005 Ford GT and so much more take center stage.

This gem of a Corvette has just 213 ORIGINAL MILES and is code B2Z, also known as a Silver Anniversary Edition.  Its automatic transmission powers a 350 c.i. L82 V8 engine and not only does it go (although with 212 miles, it didn’t really go anywhere), it goes in comfort.  There’s an oyster leather interior, AM/FM radio and even a factory CB.  This car has been meticulously taken care of, having been stored in a climate-controlled room and it’s even been on display at the National Corvette Museum.

Another low mileage gem is a 2005 Ford GT with 1,531 miles.  For sale in its factory red paint with black interior, the odometer shows just over 1,530 miles.  The low mileage total combined with its all-original, unmodified body means it also comes with no damage or blemishes to the paint.  Best of all, this GT was just one of five ordered in 2005 with the stripe delete option.  Other great perks to further its value include original sales documentation, window sticker, owner history and even service history.

While those two and others crossing the block will come with a reserve, many others will be offered without a reserve.  There’s also a special theme in place for Saturday (February 22), as the 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. time slot is reserved for only Corvettes, including the above-mentioned ’78.  There will be Corvettes available during other times throughout the event too, but for Corvette die-hards, the Saturday time slot is a must-attend.

“We are looking forward to this being our most successful Winter Autofest Lakeland Auction to date,” noted Director of Auction Operations, Tony Cline.  “We have been fortunate to consign the best group of vehicles that we have ever offered at the SUN ‘n FUN venue.  Anyone who wants to be involved can call our team at 717-960-6400 to consign or register to bid.”

To be part of the auction, call 717-960-6400 or visit Carlisle Auctions online at www.CarlisleAuctions.com.  While on the web, review details on many of the events’ consignments as well as details on upcoming auctions with Carlisle Auctions.  There are some great NEW features associated with Carlisle Auctions and Winter AutoFest in 2020 as well.  First, anyone who registers to bid for this auction receives FREE bidder access for Sunset-Carlisle, November 13-14 in Sarasota, Florida.  Second, interested bidders who can’t make Winter AutoFest in person can visit the aforementioned web page to bid online and finally, Carlisle Auctions will once again offer a FREE live stream of the auction, again at www.CarlisleAuctions.com. 

Since 1990, Auto Mania has taken place at the Allentown Fairgrounds in eastern Pennsylvania.  Under the guidance of Carlisle Events, Auto Mania has proven to be a the “little event that could” every January at the Agri-Plex facility.  Not only is it indoors and heated, the unmatched power and resources offered by Carlisle Events and its team help make the weekend a great way to start the Pennsylvania- based schedule for Carlisle Events and the Miller families. 

As the first date on the 2020 Carlisle Events season schedule, Auto Mania was a great starting point for those looking to pick up automotive pieces and parts, restoration items, collectibles, merchandise, memorabilia and more.  The outdoor vendor footprint, which has grown exponentially in the past few years, continued its expansion for 2020.   Playing perfectly into the weather for the weekend, a few of the outdoor vendors even had heaters, gloves, hats and scarfs for sale.   

For anyone at the event who was there when gates opened at 12 p.m. Friday, it was clear and obvious that excitement for the three-day affair was running high.   The line stretched around the building and once inside, guests were shoulder to shoulder and aisles were packed with enthusiasts.  The weekend turnout, despite some unsavory weather on Saturday, offered an overall solid result for all involved…including an uptick in gate over 2019’s offering.

To say that one day stood above another shopping wise is a tough call, because with such an influx of guests throughout the weekend, every day was THE day for shopping and camaraderie in Allentown!   For the throngs of guests who made the trip, Auto Mania was the best outlet for parts buying, picking, flipping and just a generally fun time out of the house.  The event wrapped at 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 19 with guests taking one final shot at deals within the automotive flea market and one last chance to connect with old friends before saying goodbye until “the next time.” 

Speaking of next time, Auto Mania 2021 takes place January 15-17.  The buzz is so strong with this event among vendors that a large chunk of available spaces were renewed during the 2020 event weekend as everyone anticipates next year’s offering.  In the meanwhile, Carlisle Events next event weekend comes in one month as staff travel to Lakeland, Florida for Winter AutoFest Lakeland.  That event runs February 21-23 at the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus and hosts an automotive flea market and car corral, plus a two-day collector car auction powered by Carlisle Auctions.  There’s a big car show theme destined to take over the facility.  This year, the NCRS brings its winter regional meet to the event, plus the Imperial Mustang Club of Polk County returns with its Mustangs and Mustangs show.  There’s a Corvette showcase and all-new for Lakeland, a Mopar showcase.  With special guests, displays and seminars planned, a trip to Florida in February isn’t a bad idea. 

As for the aforementioned auction, Carlisle Auctions anticipates 400+ consignments and boasts its exciting FREE UNLESS SOLD guarantee.  In addition, buyers and sellers can enjoy live auction entertainment and other great conveniences related to being part of a Carlisle Auction.  A complete rundown of this event and others are available online at www.CarlisleEvents.com or www.CarlisleAuctions.com.