Fall AutoFest Is a Wrap – Carlisle Events Returns from Its First Florida Event

Nov. 15, 2012 - PRLog -- Sunny and 70, that was the daily forecast for Carlisle Events’ Zephyrhills Fall AutoFest and the thousands of enthusiasts that made their way to Festival Park.  The event, the first for Carlisle south of the Mason Dixon Line, hosted a four-day collector car swap meet and car corral as well as a two-day auto auction.  The auction featured nearly 300 cars spanning almost 100 years of automotive production.

Vendors began coming on grounds as did auction cars as early as late Sunday.  With gates opening at 8 a.m. daily beginning Wednesday, enthusiasts from far and wide traversed the facility.  Nearly half of the 207-acre grounds were laced with collector cars, after market restoration pieces, rare memorabilia, cars within the car corral and more.  Automotive excitement continued through closing hours daily and vending faces familiar with Carlisle were spotted onsite too.

Shoulder-to-shoulder crowds walked the property late Friday and all day Saturday as vendors within the swap meet and concessionaires worked feverishly to keep with up with those patronizing them throughout the day.  From long-time vendors to staff and security, an often repeated comment was how busy Saturday at Fall AutoFest seemed compared to years past.

The anchor attraction to the weekend was the two-day auction and it launched on Friday.  The collector car excitement commenced at 11 a.m. with some 120 cars crossing the block on day one, while approximately 140 more crossed the block on day two, Saturday.  As part of the Friday festivities, live music from Simply.Abigail wrapped the day.  The group played from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and with onsite camping, those staying at Festvial Park made their way to the sound stage to enjoy an evening filled with food, music and drink.

Throughout the two-day auction, great displays of American craftsmanship were available. Select cars including various pieces of memorabilia, a 1966 Ford Thunderbird convertible, an RV classic big rig, a trio of Dodge Phoenix cars from the early ‘60s, a competition NASCAR raced by Brian Vickers, an MGB, AMC Javelin with State Trooper décor, a ’57 Chevy, ‘20s era Ford and the highest selling gem of the weekend, at 1958 Corvette.  The Corvette sold for just over $90,000.  All told, the auction generated over $1.5 million in total sales, an approximate 50% sell through rate and made many enthusiasts very happy by week’s end!  The top five selling cars were as follows:  ’58 Corvette for $90,500, '54 Corvette for $59,000, '67 Chevelle for $40,000, '65 Factory 5 for $39,000 and '57 Belair for $35,000.  All prices listed are the "sold" price and do not include buyers/sellers premiums.    

As Fall AutoFest concludes, Carlisle Events will take a few weeks of well needed rest before launching the 2013 schedule with Allentown Auto Mania, January 18-20, 2013.  This event, held at the Allentown Fairgrounds is Pennsylvania’s largest indoor and heated swap meet.  Following the January Allentown Event, the Carlisle staff returns to Zephyrhills for the ever-popular Winter AutoFest.  This event, which sells out annually, takes place February 21-24.  Anyone interested in being part of these or any other Carlisle-supported event should visit www.CarlisleEvents.com or call 717-243-7855.  In doing so, participants and enthusiasts can book swap meet and car corral spaces, consign for the auction or inquire about day, weekend and season passes.