Well I went to Carlisle yesterday, only to remind myself why I swore I would never come back five years ago. You have to be alert to not get run over by too many drunks driveing golf carts , or some kid who just learned to ride a bicycle, is now driving one with no regard of the pedestrians . There are lees and less parts venders and more tee shirt and toy car venders There are some parts but the picking is thin, I don't have a problem paying the price for a part and many time I paid too much (knowingly) but at least put some more auto venders on the field. If you have 5,000 venders, and three thousand are seeling household crap, or some old non auto junk, the as far as I am concerned there are only 2,000 venders.
The only great part was seeing some my old friends all of which are VCCA members and we all sort of met by accident at the same time, pretty neat
John 348

John,
I was there also on thursday and I agree that the tee shirt etc. vendors seem to be growing and I did almost get run over by a couple of hod rod golf carters but they do sell hot rod parts so... compared to what we have in NY State it's pretty good. Just seeing old friends anywhere always makes it worth it.

HEY JOHN THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION ABOUT CARLISLE. I HAD PLANS OF FLYING BACK TO THE SWAP MEET AT THE FALL EVENT. I THINK YOU MAY HAVE CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT GOING. I THINK THAT THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING AT MOST SWAP MEETS TODAY. MORE AND MORE TOYS AND LESS CAR RELATED VENDORS.LESS AND LESS OF THE OLDER CAR PARTS TO BE FOUND.

Don, if you are going to fly east, then go to Hershey, that is still pretty much an all car/old car event The one thing I found that going to meet like this is to buy the repro stuff, you can save a bundle on the shipping, other than that it is just a social event with dirty port-o-sans The hobby has changed, and I feel that the internet has been a major cause of it, make one wonder what will happen to Hemmings and other classified publications in a few years Any way I am not even looking for anything in particular, my cars are pretty much done, and the ones that are not I have already gotten all the stuff over the years. I just would not advise anyone to go to it untill there are some rules about these golf carts and other motor vehicles, unless the person is handicapped, that is one thing. Most of these jerks could not legally drive a car due to the beer, but yet the Carlisle people do nothing to stop it It is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt bad and they get sued, then there will be some rules. I just would love to see where this dialog goes
John 348

I see what you mean....I'm a security guy at our local meet here in May...on a bike (mtn), and unless something 911 heppens....I do go through a crowd v..e..r..y s..l..o..w or...avoid them all together and "ride the side". We do pay liability insurance...sure...but hey...thats not the point. Thanks, Don R.

Cindy and I have been going to Spring Carlisle and Fall Carlisle for the past 8 years. It has become an annual event or ritual so-to-speak!

I've noticed the change too. Last Friday, I noticed that there were many more spaces that were empty or had personal vehicles and motorhomes parked in the vendor spaces. E-bay and the internet is changing our hobby. It is much easier for the vendors to sit at a computer at home and sell their goods.

The thing that I found that was most confusing and somewhat interesting was that "Pep Boys" and "Ebay" had plastic advertisements on each and every garbage can covering the entire 82 acres!

A new business concept....Let your competition advertise at your event to help put you out of business????????

Actually, the port-o-john's smelled pretty good in comparison to the exhaust fumes coming out of most of the carts riding around Carlisle!

John

Well maybe I have been ruined, I went to the first one with my father 25 years ago, and it was about 1/4 the size, we parked in front of the Grandstand. At the time it was like nothing we ever saw before, but in a quarter century the hobby changed a bit. It really seems to not be the same anymore, and it will never be what it was. I don't know if that is good or bad yet. I really don't see myself going again for a long time. By the way those port-o-sans depended when you needed them as far as the odor goes.
John 348

HEY JOHN 348. YOU HAVE TO WATCH OUT FOR THOSE SAN-A CANS, THATS WHERE THE JUNKYARD DOGS DO THEIR BUSINESS, WOW, BOW, WOW, RIGHT JUNKYARD DOG???????????

Hey John,

I hear you!

I have found that if you go on Wednesday night (vendor setup) - you find the good stuff quick!

Then Thursday - there is hardly anyone there - so you don't have to worry about those bikes and "kids without guidance".

I agree though - the model cars and socks and T shirts is outta control. Unfortunately, my buddy insists on buying that crap - and it drives me nuts!

Do I go to a clothing show to buy car parts?????

Ollie we did go on Thursday, and it was still bad, no more for me!
John