Back from another fun time at Carlisle. Best part is seeing over a dozen friends made over the years. Also picked up a few small parts for my cars, and managed to sell off some items that I no longer wanted/needed to have around my garage/house.
I couldn't help noticing that the event has fewer and fewer Forward Look vehicles. At one point on Saturday morning about 9:30, I walked the show field and counted only 9 cars with fins of any kind. Seems like not so long ago (and I know it was indeed decades ago) when the movie Christine was out in the theaters, there were over 20 red Plymouths from 57/58 trying to copy the look of the evil car. There were also many more Desoto/Chrysler/Dodge/Imperial cars with fins in addition to the Plymouths on the field at the same time.
Where have all these cars gone? I assume they still exist, as most were in very good condition. Have they deteriorated, or have their owners gotten too old to drive them the distances to the show like they once did in their youth? Do they go to a different show now that the Chrysler event seems to be about the modern cars from the 2000's at least as much as about the 66-74 A/B/E body vehicles? If there is another large show that focuses more on the Forward Look cars from Mopar that I am not aware of, I'd like to know about it.
The argument could be made that we are now in the golden age of automobiles with 1000HP crate motors at our disposal, and cars off the showroom floor with 700-800HP and all the electronic gadgets one could hope for in terms of creature comforts. Herb McCandless is doing some amazing things, as well as a number of other restorers/builders out there.
There were seminars at the show about 'restoration' and 'upgrading' to Gen 3 Hemi power for transplanting into vintage Chrysler products. Not much about rebuilding cast iron torque flites or 331-392 Hemi engines. ;-)
It's amazing that my Hurst will be 50 next year. Weather and health allowing, I hope to treat it to a run to Carlisle next year to celebrate with a birthday party in my vendor space.
Hope the candles don't melt in the Carlisle heat before I get to light them!
I wouldn't mind hearing from other attendees and what their take aways were from the show.
Thanks,
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