Corvette Forum Attends the Car Show of the Year: Corvettes at Carlisle

Yearly pilgrimage for Corvette enthusiasts all over the world features endless Corvettes in one place.

I have been attending Corvettes at Carlisle since 2011. Usually, I have to hop on planes or trek an uncomfortable amount of hours in a car to get to race events or a car show, but in this case I am fortunate that the “Worlds Biggest Corvette Show” happens just 45 minutes from my home. The event is held at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and this year it took place August 22-25.

Corvette Forumalways likes to take in all the fun at the annual event, because you never run out of things to see, and Corvettes to adore.

Usually, I roll to the show with my good friend Larry and his ’76 Corvette, but this year his ‘Vette was unable to help us on our yearly pilgrimage as it was mostly disassembled for some much needed refreshing. We hopped in his daily truck for this year and decided our Corvette fix would be remedied at the event.

Part of the fun in driving to the event is that you know you are going somewhere special when Corvettes begin to sprinkle into traffic on your way to the event. You begin to find yourself on the road with every kind of ‘Vette from a C1 to a C7 during your journey.

There is always something that is the thing to do at a Corvettes at Carlisle event. For example, a few years ago, the one and only Chip Foose was on site signing autographs. This year? It isn’t hard to guess. The main attraction was the C8 Corvette. It was the C8’s official first showing after the reveal, and a must-see for all.

It was advertised that at least two C8 Corvettes would be in attendance, but every attendee was blessed by more than that. That is, if they were determined enough to find them.

Chevrolet had an official booth with two C8 Corvettes on display. There was a nice white and grey C8 outside the enclosed booth that seemed to remind folks, “don’t touch.” But inside the booth was a red C8 that seemed to say “get your fingerprints all over me.” Inside the booth was also a showcase of all of the options you can get on the C8 Corvette: wheels, seats, steering wheels, brake calipers, engine covers, even the mode selector.

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Across from the official C8 booth was another Chevrolet display filled with more C8s that attendees could actually get in, as well as a cutaway display of a C8, and a cutaway gearbox display. Those C8s were packed under a tent with enthusiasts rubbing elbows just to get their butts in a C8’s seat.

I have been an automotive journalist long enough to know that you have to know where to look. Those were not the only C8s in attendance.

Far off the beaten path, near where the Corvettes at Carlisle autocross track is located was the spot for VIP and vendor parking. What could you find back there? C8 pre-production cars, of course. And yes, there were four C8s tucked away hidden from the masses. While others fought for elbow room, I got one-on-one time with a particular baby blue model tucked away in the VIP parking.

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Unfortunately, the worst part was checking the VIN. I was reminded that this model would probably be destined for the crusher. It ended in EX and had a manufacturer plate. These cars are used for exhibiting and promotion purposes, and will one day either be stored away or head for the great big junkyard in the sky.

Anyway, this is Corvettes at Carlisle, not C8s at Carlisle, so back to checking out the other Corvettes I went. The sheer amount of cars is mind-boggling — and beautiful to take in.

Race cars always catch my eye. I subscribe to the notion that all race cars are show cars, but not all show cars are race cars.

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Corvettes are much like music or politics. Everyone likes their certain generations. I tend to enjoy all the newer cars with new technology and big horsepower numbers, such as the C6, C7, and now C8. But any generation of a Corvette is a good generation, and the event allowed for all generations of Corvette enthusiasts to express themselves.

The show has an “Exhaust Row” where you could purchase a new exhaust and have it installed so you can hear your cars new soundtrack for the ride home. Very cool.

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Swap meets and vendors are a staple at Corvettes at Carlisle. There were rows and rows of Corvette parts laid out like a buffet for you to pick through. If you were looking for it, someone had it.

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Check out Corvette Forum‘s Corvettes at Carlisle 2019 photo gallery, below!

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Photos:Danny Korecki for Corvette Forum

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