2021 has been an amazing season for Carlisle Events, with record-breaking turnouts as part of a handful of events spanning April through August.  In addition, auction events saw a tremendous return as well, with high sell-through rates and top dollar sales.  Spanning five days, September 29-October 3, guests not only bought and sold automotive focused items within automotive flea market, they spent time finding the rare and unique by way of Anymotive vending.  In addition, Fall Carlisle presented by eBay Motors, offered cars for sale by way of the car corral on grounds and even more car sales at the neighboring Carlisle Expo Center as part of the Fall Carlisle Collector Car Auction.  Combined, the enthusiasm and engagement served as a fitting way to wrap up the 2021 events season in Carlisle!

While each aspect of the event draws a crowd, nothing does better for an event weekend than cooperation from Mother Nature.  With sunny skies and comfortable temperatures each day, crowds of enthusiasts flocked to Carlisle to do what they do best - buy, sell, and trade all things automotive.  Set-up day came and went without a glitch and when the gates opened on Thursday (September 30), Fall Carlisle was off and running.  The race to the finish line of the event came too, but not before some special displays by way of the AACA Car Club, an autograph session by author Jimmy Rosen, and even a memorabilia auction courtesy of Carlisle Events co-owner Bill Miller.

Speaking of the Bill Miller auction, guests had the chance to bid and buy on items from his personal collection.  Items spanned decades, dating back to the 1930s and were a big hit with those who took the time to mix and mingle at the grandstand stage on Friday, October 1.  This auction was just one of many fun elements of Fall Carlisle.  In fact, there was so much automotive fun abound that the action (and auction) spread to the neighboring Carlisle Expo Center.  Auction cars were available for preview and then for sale as part of the Fall Carlisle Collector Car Auction (September 30-October 1).  Overall, the auction managed a 70% sell through rate and tallied $5.7 million in sales.  Of that, over $10,000 went to charity, including the Harley’s Haven Dog Rescue and Rescue 22.  Miller’s auction of items even saw his 1985 Plymouth Horizon sell for just under $7,000.

Though Fall Carlisle has concluded the Pennsylvania based automotive fun for Carlisle Events, the Carlisle Auctions team still has one auction remaining: November 12-13 in Lakeland Florida.  Otherwise, plans are underway for Carlisle Events 2022 season, its 49^th as the world’s preeminent car show promoter.  The fun starts in January with a pair of events, Auto Mania at the Allentown Fairgrounds (January 14-16) followed by the all-new Winter Carlisle Auto Expo at the Carlisle Expo Center (January 28-29).  Complete details about all auctions are available at CarlisleAuctions.com and details on the 2022 car show and automotive flea market season are available at CarlisleEvents.com.  By the way, Fall Carlisle 2022 will be here before you know it.  Save the dates, the event returns to the fairgrounds September 28-October 2.  Visit the web or call 717-243-7855 to learn more. 

Carlisle Auctions has seen unmatched success in 2021 to date and its Fall Carlisle Collector Car Auction yielded a similar return.  This success included top dollar sales, a solid sell-through rate, and buyers and sellers alike who left Carlisle happy with their time at the event.  For two days, September 30-October 1, the Carlisle Expo Center came to life with lots spanning from the 1800’s through 2021.  In between, these proved once more that investing in the classic and the collector car hobby is indeed wise!

Preview day for the auction was Wednesday, September 29, though the staging area of the Carlisle Expo Center was coming to life days prior.  Starting early on September 30, buyers and sellers alike flocked to the venue to check out the decades of history made available for the Fall auction.  The oldest known lot was an 1800’s era Buckboard Wagon, with the newest a 2021 Ford Bronco.  Running the gamut in between were decades of pre-war cars, muscle cars, daily drivers, and best of show gems were also available. 

Each day offered something special too, including an all-truck hour on Thursday and a car owned by Carlisle Events co-owner Bill Miller on Friday.  In addition, each day hosted charity sales which helped raise thousands for two great causes, the Harley’s Haven Dog Rescue and Rescue 22.  The top selling truck, by the way, was a beautiful blue 1969 Ford Bronco.

Speaking of top sellers, the top five, including the Bronco, tallied over $460,000.  The top five are as follows:

1. 1968 Ford Shelby GT500KR - $141,775
2. 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air - $87,740
3. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS - $82,500
4. 1969 Buick GS - $75,970
5. 1969 Ford Bronco - $72,760

Those sales, combined with all other lots accounted for $5.7 million in sales and a 70% sell through rate.  These numbers are in line with what Carlisle Auctions saw following the Spring Carlisle Collector Car Auction and are part of a bigger picture that has resulted in the best year ever for the auction house.

"On behalf of the entire Carlisle Auctions team, I would like to thank everyone that participated in our Fall Collector Car Auction,” said Tony Cline, Director of Auction Operations.  “It was by far the most successful Fall Auction that we have ever presented. The market remains very strong, and we look forward to carrying this momentum to our Lakeland Fall Collector Car Auction on November 12-13."

As Cline mentioned Carlisle Auctions does have yet another fun-filled event planned in 2021!  He and his team return to Lakeland, Florida for the Lakeland Fall Collector Car Auction at the SUN n’ FUN Expo Campus.  Consignments are actively being processed as are requests for bidder registration.  Official results from the Fall Carlisle auction, details on still for sale cars, forms, flyers, and more are available online at CarlisleAuctions.com or by calling 717-960-6400. 

Bill Miller, Jr. co-founded Carlisle Events in 1974.  Then an early 30-something, Miller made collecting all things automotive part of his life long before he and Chip Miller (no relation) launched what we now know as Fall Carlisle.  Fast forward to 2021 and Bill, still a 30-something according to him, will be hosting and in attendance for an auction of 50-60 items from his personal stash of collectibles, merchandise, and even a car.  This is the FIRST-TIME a collection of items from one of Carlisle Events co-founders has been made available and it just might not be the last.

Fall Carlisle presented by eBay Motors runs September 29-October 3 and on Friday, October 1 at 10 a.m., the fairgrounds grandstand stage will draw the attention of flippers, pickers, spectators, and vendors as they bid or buy these pieces of automotive history.  Miller said, “it was time,” when asked about why he was cleaning out the closet.  Noting that “I’m not going anywhere,” he recently showcased the lot, which includes vintage posters, gas cans, oil cans, an ‘30s era Studebaker themed umbrella, Nash air mat, bikes and more.

In addition to those items being sold at no reserve in a casual auction setting, Miller is also putting a car from his collection into the two-day collector car auction powered by Carlisle Auctions.  The Carlisle Auctions event runs September 30-October 1 at the Carlisle Expo Center and as a continuation of the 10 a.m., October 1 auction, Miller’s 1985 Pontiac Horizon with less than 27,000 original miles and original documentation crosses the block at approximately 4 p.m.

“I’ve got buildings and stuff everywhere.  Not only did I think it was time to start getting rid of these items, but my wife did too,” noted Miller.  “I collected everything.  As I went through life and I saw something that was interesting and I thought it might have some meaning, I picked it up,” continued Miller.  “There are things in my collection that, maybe someday, somebody might like to have.”

Guests of Fall Carlisle could be that somebody and Friday, October 1 is that day.  By way of the Carlisle Events web page and YouTube channel, photos and video are available showcasing many of these items.  There’s even a video specific to the car.  Items will also be on display at the stage the morning of October 1.  The Horizon will be positioned at the stage but will move over to the Carlisle Expo Center after the memorabilia auction.  Following the sale of the merchandise, then later for the auction, Bill will be available to pose for photos and sign autographs too.

Anyone interested in bidding on the merchandise can do so in real-time in a very casual manner.  No bidder registration is required.  Cash or credit cards are accepted forms of payment for the merchandise and items must be claimed and paid for no later than the conclusion of the auction.  For those looking to bid on the car, they must register to bid through Carlisle Auctions by calling 717-960-6400. 

Learn more about Fall Carlisle and the auction online today.  For Fall event info, call 717-243-7855 or visit CarlisleEvents.com.  For the auction, call 717-960-6400 or visit CarlisleAuctions.com.  Each web page also has details on the enhanced measures being undertaken during these uncertain times.