50 Years of Carlisle
Some of the most iconic automotive events started as spontaneous passion projects by car lovers with no plans beyond providing something for likeminded enthusiasts to enjoy. Well, Carlisle events has become one of those institutions, and this week our Greg Carloss charts its first 50 years of putting the “car” in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
GREG CARLOSS: The year is 1974, the Ford Pinto is the bestselling car in America, the 5-mph bumper mandate is giving car designers fits, and here at these fairgrounds, Carlisle, Pennsylvania becomes an automotive mecca!
The idea for Carlisle Events was sparked a year earlier after two friends with the same last name, Bill Miller and the late Chip Miller, were kicked out of a popular car show.
BILL MILLER: We had a car that was 20 years old, and we were in our 20s, and we kind of thought it was an old car, but they didn’t agree with that situation and asked us to remove the car from the event, which we did.
GREG CARLOSS: Knowing there were others just like them who enjoyed cars from the 40s and 50s, Bill and Chip each put up $500 and the Post-War ‘74 car show was born. But, it needed a home.
BILL MILLER: Actually, we rented the Carlisle Fairgrounds because it was the least expensive place to rent… And it just was the ideal location. We just didn’t know any better in 1974.
GREG CARLOSS: Carlisle immediately became a magnet for car nuts in the North East…including us. But as we found, people were coming from places much further than Owings Mills, Maryland.
CRAIG SINGHAUS: Where are you from in Australia?
PATRON: Well, New South Wales. That’s a state there… and we just play around with cars too much of the time.
GREG CARLOSS: When the Carlisle Fairgrounds suddenly went up for sale in 1981, Bill and Chip formulated a business plan and officially became owners of the property.
BILL MILLER: We were perfect for each other to go into business because he liked to do all the paperwork end of things, and I like to be out with the people and mingle with everybody and talk to everybody. So, it worked out really well for us. He was behind the scenes in the early days with a lot of things.
GREG CARLOSS: Chip was also a Corvette connoisseur. So, in 1982, he spearheaded a new event.
VOICE OVER: Since 1982, Carlisle Productions has put on one of the most exciting all-Corvette meets anywhere.
GREG CARLOSS: Corvettes at Carlisle spawned a number of specialty events that went beyond the Spring and Fall automotive flea markets, and by the early 2000’s Carlisle truly had something for everyone.
Unfortunately, Chip Miller passed away in 2004.
LANCE MILLER: So, you know, upon my father’s passing in 2004, it was one of those things. My mom was then 50% partner. She did not enjoy doing business at all. Obviously, I know all about the company, get along with Bill and let’s see where it goes.
I mean, Carlisle has done so much as far as my personal life. I think of many of my best friends are car people… it’s like hosting a big party, but you really do bond with all these different participants, whether they’re show goers, vendors, or just people coming in the gate. You get to know people. They come each year.
RICHARD DEFABRIZIO: We’ve been coming here since 1974 as a vendor. My whole family was into cars. My father had all kind of crazy cars since the 50s.
KIM HUMMEL: And you meet the nicest people. I, it’s not that I sell a whole lot, make any money, but you meet people, and it’s great. It’s a great atmosphere.
STEPHEN P. CREMO: Men, I’ve been coming here since I’m 20 years old, and now I am 65, 45 years later. It’s a great event. It’s one of the greatest ones in the whole country.
GREG CARLOSS: Carlisle Events now hosts more than a dozen annual shows, which attract over half a million people. And backdropped by the fairgrounds’ new historical display, Bill seems to know every single person.
BILL MILLER: I’d love to see another 50 years, but I know I won’t. But Lance, my partners involved, my sons involved, and, I’m hoping that, they can do the hundredth anniversary with MotorWeek.