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Skip to main contentCar auctions are exciting and full of energy. The shiny, detailed car rolls under the spotlights onto the stage. The auctioneer/announcer gives a b …
Car auctions are exciting and full of energy. The shiny, detailed car rolls under the spotlights onto the stage. The auctioneer/announcer gives a background on the vehicle and starts the bidding in a mellifluous, musical cacophony. The excitement builds and the bids start coming in until you hear the auctioneer bring down the gavel and say, “sold.” Some deals are great deals favoring the buyer, and other bids are funneled by excitement, competition and the desire of the bidder to add this precise vehicle to their collection, and end up favoring the seller.
That excitement is on the bidder/buyer’s end, but what does the seller do to consign and sell their vehicles? Sellers can consign their vehicles at this year’s Fall Carlisle Collector Car Auction, Sept. 30-Oct.1 at the Carlisle Expo Center, 100 K Street in Carlisle, PA, across from the Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds. The Auction is an accompaniment of the Fall Carlisle Collector Car Flea Market & Corral, but it is also a stand-alone event of its own merits.
Carlisle Events held its first Collector Car Auction in 2006, but the modern-day incarnation of Carlisle Auctions began in 2013 in Zephyrhills, Florida, and has seen unprecedented success from the opening gavel. Carlisle Auctions’ home base of Carlisle, Pennsylvania has been a sell-out from a consignment standpoint, with millions of dollars in sales taking place at each event. For sellers, supported by Carlisle Auctions’ “FREE UNLESS SOLD**” guarantee, 400-500 high-quality classics plus memorabilia cross the block, and each auction welcomes even more bidders and excitement as brand awareness continues to grow. Certain restrictions apply for the FREE UNLESS SOLD** guarantee.
(FREE UNLESS SOLD** means that if a consignment does not sell, the consignor is refunded most, if not all fees associated with the consignment. That means a higher caliber of car crosses the block and even more cars can be part of the Auction. Vehicles 25 years and older are the ONLY consignments available for the FREE UNLESS SOLD guarantee. All vehicles are welcome, but consignments 24 years and newer will be subject to all applicable fees associated with the auction.**)
Carlisle Auctions has been featured on Fox and Friends as well as multiple Velocity TV programs. Carlisle Auction has sold cars for Burt Reynolds, private collectors and has even done charity work on behalf of those in need, while keeping its loyal enthusiast base a priority.
At last year’s Carlisle Fall Auction, 191 vehicles sold – a 56 percent sell rate – for an average sales value of $16,335. The lowest price sold was $800 and the highest sale hammered down at $114,000 for a total sale figure of $3,120,000. Some of the top sold vehicles included a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette for $114,042, a 1935 Packard 8 Sport Phaeton for $99,008, a 1947 Chrysler Town and Country for $97,280, a 1969 Ford Mustang for $74,297, a 1970 Dodge Challenger for 73,398 and a 1965 Corvette for 70,905. It wasn’t all muscle cars, though as 1955 and 1957 Bel Airs went for more than $50,000 each, as did a 1932 Ford 3-Window, a 1956 Chevy Nomad and a 1958 Chevrolet Impala.
So, what’s the best way for you to consign and sell a vehicle at Carlisle Auctions?
Tony Cline, Director of Auction Operations for Carlisle Events said, “Do your homework and let us do the rest.” Cline said this is the easy part. “Call me at the Auction Office at 717-960-6400,” he said. “We can discuss what it is you’re selling, and put together a plan for success.”
Cline joined Carlisle Events in 2013 after 25 years of automotive experience and is a graduate of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Dealer Academy. He said, “We consign 400-plus vehicles for each auction -- anything with a collectible flavor. We consign vehicles from the 1920s through modern day, from sports cars to muscle cars, trucks, SUVs and one-offs. We discuss the options with the seller and together, we can sell it to the right bidder.”
Historically, the truck and SUV sectors do well, but anything can sell if it is packaged and priced well. Cline said the most common price of a sold vehicle is $20,000, but sales have gone from $500 to hundreds of thousands. “A few years ago we sold a 2006 Speed Yellow Ford GT for just under $300,000,” he said.
Cline said the Carlisle Auction bidders are a broad mix of collectors, hobbyists, enthusiasts, and dealers. He said, “I lightheartedly say that we welcome all speculators and accumulators.”
What is the best way to sell your car?
Cline believes that the best way to sell your car is at auction. He said, “The auction environment is clearly the best scenario in which to sell your vehicle. We will market it nationally via the web, social networking, direct mail, email, etc. We have in-person bidders, phone bidders, and online bidders. We have assembled one of the top auction teams in the country who drive to sell your vehicle, and we have proven, result driven processes.”
What are mistakes to avoid?
Cline said, “The number-one mistake that folks make when attempting to sell a vehicle is not having it priced correctly to market. One of the most important aspects of my day, is helping people to price their vehicle properly, I liken it to, if you were going to sell your home, you probably would call a Realtor. They would come look at your home: age, dimensions, upgrades, needs and conditions. They then would look at comparable homes that have actually sold over different periods. The same practice applies to selling your car. We can look at similar examples that have sold nationally and determine an average transaction price. At that point, we would determine where your car falls relative to that average price. I cannot over stress how important correctly pricing your vehicle to the market is.”
Energized about this year’s show, Cline said that many exciting consignments will be on the block at the 2021 Fall Auction. “One in particular,” he said, “is a 1963 Chevy Corvette Convertible, and we have a powerful and awesome-looking 2019 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Callaway Coupe. We also have a 1949 Ford F1 truck, 1971 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler, 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS and a 1961 Cadillac DeVille. There are lots of great ones from vintage to late-model to see and bid on.”
Whether you are a bidder, consignor or just an interested car fan, the place to be is the Fall Carlisle Collector Car Auction, Sept. 30-Oct.1 at the Carlisle Expo Center, 100 K Street in Carlisle, PA. Call Carlisle Auctions today at 717-960-6400, the Carlisle Auctions team is standing by ready to answer questions about the process and the events.
> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>
Three straight days of sun and fun at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds translated to the second largest Corvettes at Carlisle  …
Three straight days of sun and fun at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds translated to the second largest Corvettes at Carlisle show car turnout of all time. After a challenging 2020, 2021 offered renewed hope and interest for so many. From August 26-28, Carlisle became THE epicenter of America’s Sports Car; the Corvette. With nearly 2,800 cars on the Fun Field, mixed with over 2,000 more in general parking, there were nearly 5,000 Corvettes to see spanning every corner of the 82-acre fairgrounds.
There were many “must-see” elements to Corvettes at Carlisle presented by Top Flight Automotive, but none more impressive than Saturday’s Salute to Law Enforcement. The theme was event-long, including a display of nearly a dozen cars as part of Chip’s Choice that are owned or maintained by active/retired law enforcement. Further, thanks to HJ Towing, a 36” x 24” foot America Flag served as the backdrop for photos and proved to be a symbol of freedom throughout the day. Finally, at 12:30 p.m., local, regional, and federal law enforcement converged on the stage to be recognized by Carlisle Events staff and Corvettes at Carlisle showgoers. All of this was…. powerful to say the least.
The aforementioned Chip’s Choice display wasn’t the only one turning heads. Along with a Fun Field hosting thousands of Corvettes, attendees made a point to check out the 50-year reunion of 1971 Corvettes. This display was supported by the C3 Corvette Registry. In addition, the NCRS Gallery returned, as did the NCCC judged concours. There was a 25th anniversary of the 1996 Grand Sport, a gathering of Solid Axle Corvette owners, and even a nice mix of Aero Body Corvettes. Thank goodness for digital photos, otherwise, many rolls of film would have been needed.
Another important element of the event was its special guests. Guests included the father of the Grand Sport, John Heinricy, Team Chevrolet, Paul Koerner, Ken Lingenfelter, retired FBI agent Wes Wong and more. Each played a special role in Corvettes at Carlisle, either from walk around sessions, special speeches, or tech sessions.
Cars in motion are always a popular draw, regardless of where, when, or how. For 2021, Corvettes at Carlisle put the wheels in motion with a law enforcement parade around the grounds Friday and the return of the Downtown Carlisle Corvette Parade and Street Party Saturday night. Further, those looking to fulfill their need for speed could do so with the King of X autocross shootout or the rolling exhaust contest throughout the event. Standing room only crowds could be found around each of these events.
The event wrapped with an awards parade and the return of long-time Carlisle Events staff member Diane Vaughn serving as the parade emcee. There were hundreds of awards offered, including ones for largest club (Grand Sport Registry) and coolest club (also the GSR). The Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation, in conjunction with the Lancaster County Corvette Club, awarded a beautiful C8 Corvette to a local enthusiast and the Spring Mountain Motor Resort also offered a prize associated with its Ron Fellows Driving school in Nevada.
Many were also making plans for 2022, as over 200 cars pre-registered for the event; happening August 25-27, 2022. Chip’s Choice also plans to feature the ultra-rare Pratt-Miller Corvettes. To secure a vending spot or be part of the Fun Field, call Carlisle Events at 717-243-7855 or visit CarlisleEvents.com to learn more about the return of Corvettes at Carlisle presented by Top Flight Automotive.
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Corvettes at Carlisle presented by Top Flight Automotive (August 26-28) has always served as a beacon for the top names …
Corvettes at Carlisle presented by Top Flight Automotive (August 26-28) has always served as a beacon for the top names within the automotive hobby. In some cases, the name belongs to a person, while other instances bring a popular brand name to the event. All new for 2021, Corvettes at Carlisle welcomes one of the top names in automotive dealerships to the event for the first-time; Ciocca Corvette, also recognized as the World’s Largest Corvette dealer. The Ciocca name may be familiar to some, as it adorns multiple dealerships in the mid-Atlantic region. While they have long-standing brand awareness to many, it’s their newest dealership that brings them to Carlisle.
Long-time guests of Corvettes at Carlisle may recall Kerbeck Corvette being on-site for years, hosting a tent with a nice array of the latest Corvettes near the stage and grandstand. That display remains but will be rebranded with the Ciocca Corvette of Atlantic City name as the family of dealerships purchased not only Kerbeck Corvette, but all dealerships under its umbrella earlier this summer.
“I’ve always had a passion for cars. I just love them, and I knew immediately that this was what I wanted to do,” said Gregg Ciocca, founder of the brand.
Today, Gregg is the proud owner of 24 dealerships with 16 unique brands including Ford, Subaru, Mercedes, BMW, Honda and most recently the aforementioned Atlantic City market with the acquisition of Kerbeck in Atlantic City – which is currently celebrating its 27th straight year as the world’s largest Corvette dealership. Ciocca’s web page notes that they are “excited for the opportunity to be involved with the Corvette community and cites this as an iconic, once-in-a-lifetime acquisition.”
Along with Ciocca’s inclusion in Corvettes at Carlisle 2021, they’ll also offer registered Fun Field members a free shirt with joint branding of Corvettes at Carlisle and Ciocca on it. This gift is a long-standing tradition, now carrying the Ciocca name.
“I’ve been fortunate to grow up in Ocean City, New Jersey for many reasons, but most of all because of the friendships I’ve forged,” noted Lance Miller, co-owner of Carlisle Events. “I’m privileged to call the Kerbeck brothers my friends. In fact, I’ve known them all for many years, having lived a few houses down from George initially, and now my family lives a few houses from Charlie and Frank – small world,” continued Miller. “I’m eager to create a friendship with the Ciocca family. After all… anyone that loves cars as much as I do, how could we not become fast friends? We are excited to have the Ciocca Chevrolet group with us as part of Corvettes at Carlisle weekend. By the way, be sure to stop by their tent and grab a complimentary poster for you or your friends!”
Corvettes at Carlisle starts at 7 a.m. on August 26 and runs through the evening hours of August 28, culminating with the return of the Downtown Carlisle Corvette parade and street party. In between, over 5,000 Corvettes will converge on the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds. In addition to the show cars, there are special guests, seminars, unique displays and plenty of options to put the wheels in motion via parades, competitions and more. Discounted spectator tickets are available online at CarlisleEvents.com. In addition, online Fun Field registration is available through Sunday, August 22 (in person from 8/23-8/28). In the meanwhile, interested enthusiasts can review the event guide, now available online or by way of the Carlisle Events app (available on iTunes or Google Play).
Corvette has been “America’s sports car” since it was introduced at the GM Motorama in 1953. The first mention of that sobriquet may have begun wit …
Corvette has been “America’s sports car” since it was introduced at the GM Motorama in 1953. The first mention of that sobriquet may have begun with an Automotive News article that commented on Corvette being the featured vehicle on the Route 66 TV show that ran from 1960 to 1964. The article reflected that Corvette became synonymous with freedom and adventure and was "the most successful concept car in history and the most popular sports car in history.”
Along the way, through 68 years and eight generations, Corvettes have become revered as works of automotive art, with vintage models worthy of restoration and preservation. To that end, organizations such as the National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) have been established and have endured, carrying on the legacy of their vehicle of choice. The NCRS web site (https://www.ncrs.org/) proclaims, “The National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) is a community of dedicated Corvette lovers. Our objective is the restoration, preservation, history and enjoyment of all Corvette models and configurations.”
Regarded as “The world's largest community of Vette enthusiasts,” NCRS began in 1974, and today sponsors a national convention, more than 45 regional chapter meets, road tours, social gatherings, tech sessions, seminars, and much more for members, including a major presence and judged competition at this year’s Corvettes and Carlisle, August 26-28 at the Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds. At the event, NCRS will present “The Best of the Best from the NCRS,” showcasing “an ever-changing unique Corvette collection in a true gallery exhibit format.” The collection is made up of select Corvettes representing many NCRS Judging Classes, Duntov Mark of Excellence Award® winners, McLellan Mark of Excellence Award® winners, NCRS-Chevrolet Bowtie Award® recipients for Preservation Excellence, American Heritage Award® recipients, and Sportsman Award® Corvettes.
The 2021 Gallery will also pay tribute to a beloved NCRS member, Elaine Raisner. Raisner, who passed away in 2019, had been an integral part of the NCRS Gallery and partner to Corvettes at Carlisle for many years. Press releases said, “Her dedication to the Gallery was the driving force behind some of the most incredible vehicles featured. The Corvette community has lost an incredible woman, and we are honored to pay tribute to her memory.” 
NCRS has gained recognition in the Corvette world for its Flight Judging, considered the standard in determining originality. The judging system educates members about their cars in addition to providing recognition for excellence in the areas of restoration, performance and preservation. Additionally, if an owner’s Corvette is not completely stock, NCRS has created an award for Corvettes that are not factory original. Even “restomods” with or without body modifications may be entered in NCRS Concours classes where items are judged solely on their condition, not whether Chevrolet installed them during that model year. Points are earned at each event toward an overall NCRS Concours Award. Also, NCRS members can avail themselves of mountains of technical information, with access to the combined knowledge of thousands of current and previous members. A group of 19 Technical Advisors, who are recognized as authorities in their fields, are also just a letter or email away.
Starting with “seven guys” in 1974, and now numbering more than 20,000 members, NCRS has been a fixture at Corvettes at Carlisle since event creator Chip Miller sat down with organization leaders Frank Stetch and Elaine Raisner at a regional meet in 2000 to discuss an NCRS presence at the show, and the trio came up with the concept of a Gallery.
Stetch joined NCRS in 1982, and has seen his membership “open a new world of friendships.” He was a muscle car enthusiast who was looking for a vintage 1963 split-window Corvette and learned of NCRS and its sophisticated resources of where to find models and experts. Stech became an active member and is the organizer of NCRS activities at Corvettes at Carlisle. He said, “When I go to shows I look for potential Gallery cars and try to find new people to display new cars and different color looks. We encourage people send us applications and we vary the displays to showcase nice survivors, original and restored Corvettes, as long as they are Top Flight cars.”
Stech acknowledges Raisner, saying, “The Gallery concept was organized by Elaine, and this year we will pay tribute to her and her husband Tim.”
The event has grown each year, and Stech said, “In the early days of the NCRS, Bloomington Gold purists wanted everything original. However, today, we see and accept customization, and we realize that whether the member is 70-years-old or 30, they both share passion for Corvette. From front-engine to mid-engine, our judging sheets reflect the owner’s enthusiasm. From C1 to C8, all Corvettes are cherished by the NCRS.”
Stech said the older group members who loved Corvette as kids still love them today. “The passion is still there. Now they hang out in lawn chairs, but they still have fire for 1967 435hp Corvettes and 1969 L88s. They still look for parts for their restorations and most still drive their Corvettes; and if they revere their old car as a collector vehicle, most drive newer generations, staying with Corvette as their driver.”
About the event at hand, Stech added, “Corvettes at Carlisle is the show I go to first. It is the biggest one out there and it is filled with the most fun and nicest people in the sport, from the Millers (who own Carlisle Events) and Jodi Morrison (who runs the show for Carlisle Events) on down. Lance Miller (Chip’s son), who is the driving force behind the show, even named his daughter, Ella Corvette. That shows love for what we love. If anyone wants to pick one show a year, go to this one.”
You can see the NCRS Gallery at the 2021 Corvettes at Carlisle, August 26-28 at the Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds. Corvettes at Carlisle is the largest Corvette car show in the world., featuring thousands of Corvettes representing all generations of America’s classic sports car, from year one in 1953 to the modern day C8.
> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>
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