Bill Miller Jr. and Chip Miller (no relation) were cars guys and friends, who saw a need for events that catered to like‐minded individuals who hunted for parts and accessories to restore their vehicles. They also recognized that automobile-specific swap meets were rare and were generally sponsored by local car clubs as fundraisers. They saw that existing events were generally small and exclusively attracted local enthusiasts – there was little regional attention. One of the biggest industry deficiencies to the friends was that they had mutual interest in Post-WWII cars – specifically cars of the 1950s – and automotive events of the day were limited to a pre-War car-focus.

As the Millers embraced all cars, they created a genre for all car enthusiasts on September 26, 1974, by renting the Carlisle Fairgrounds, to produce “Post War '74”, an event for enthusiasts of more-recent vehicles. Later known as “The Fall Carlisle Collector Car Swap Meet & Car Corral”, it quickly became so successful that the pair branched out to produce a similar Spring event in 1977. In short order, the Spring events became complete sellouts for vendor and car sale (or “car corral”) spaces, and over the years, the pair bought the 82-acre Carlisle Fairgrounds, upgraded it, and they currently produce 11 specialty events and five collector car auctions in Pennsylvania and Florida, attracting more than a half-million guests.

What has become their most popular show is the Spring Carlisle Collector Car Flea Market & Corral, one of the largest automotive flea markets in the world, and an auto enthusiasts’ cavalcade of all things automotive. With 8,100 spaces of vendors selling a vast array of automotive parts, accessories, cars, collectibles and memorabilia, the event is an annual “must-attend” to its loyal following.

Most often called “Spring Carlisle,” the event has grown to include a Collector Car Auction, (with hundreds of classic cars for sale), Manufacturers Midway (28 vendors), Automotive Flea Market, Car Corral, ARMO (SEMA council that preserves and promotes the automotive hobby) Hot Products Showcase, Antique Automotive Club of America display, Women’s Oasis (filled with goods, arts, crafts and vendors), parts hauling services, hand cart rental, taxi service, scooter rental, games, attractions, food and concessions (more than two-dozen food stands offering a wide variety of delights), T-shirts, souvenirs, a notary, collector car insurance (from American Collectors Insurance), on-line ticketing and apps for auction credentials and purchases, and a sea of auto parts and after-market parts, lubricants and auto care offerings.

Bill Miller, Jr. Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Carlisle Events said that he and his partner, Chip, decided to expand the one-event schedule (Fall Carlisle) to fill the void. He said, “As Chip and I realized winter was such a long time without a car show in the northeast, it just seemed natural that there would be a pent-up demand for something in the spring. With outdoor car activities all summer, fall seemed to be a more diluted time of the year, though traditionally, both Carlisle and Hershey (PA) fall events do well as enthusiasts can gear up and attend both shows.”

Miller said it was a risk to expand. “We gambled with a spring event when we first started in 1977, with no Hershey event to pair with us. It turned out to be an excellent move as Spring Carlisle is now our largest event of the year,” said Miller.

While the event has grown from just over 1000 vendor spaces to 8100 spaces, and draws many times the original number of guests, several things stand out in Miller’s mind regarding the show’s evolution. He said, “Spring Carlisle grew by leaps and bounds every year after 1977. It kept doubling in size until it became a sellout. Spring is such a happy season for people, knowing winter is behind us, and car enthusiasts welcome our show as a renewal and beginning of the car season. We recognized that people needed parts for their collector cars that they worked on during the winter season, and they looked forward to an event where they could find what they needed to continue their projects and talk cars with like-minded car people.”

Miller has watched the vendor family grow and remain loyal by displaying annually. He said, “Our vendors who supported us at our big Fall Carlisle events were there to support us from the beginning and many continue today. They have been the lynchpin to our success, in marriage with our loyal visitors -- many who have been to every Spring show since 1977, and they have expanded their support to include generations of their families.” 

Miller has noticed some tech changes for the good since the inaugural event. He said, “In 1977, there were no walkie-talkies, cell phones or golf carts. We used to have to run from one end of the field to the other and it was really hectic. And of course, we do a lot of registration, sales, customer support and vendor support through the internet now.”

Miller is proud of the show and takes satisfaction in its consistency and growth. He said, “Spring Carlisle is the same great show it was from the beginning, only today’s Spring Carlisle has more vendors, more concessions and food, and more visitors. What really stands out in my mind is that the Manufacturer’s Midway is a central part of the show and was not present in the early days. Additionally, many companies now remanufacture old parts that are no longer available from the original manufacturers to keep our old vehicles on the road. Those manufacturers help keep old-car projects alive and by displaying at Spring Carlisle, are the life’s blood for many of our visitors’ automotive needs.” 

From car parts, to cars-at-auction, to cars for sale on the grounds, to just about everything automotive, the Carlisle Spring Carlisle Collector Car Flea Market & Corral (Spring Carlisle) is a “must-go” April 21-25 at the Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds. Across the street is the Carlisle Auctions, Spring Carlisle Collector Car Auction from April 22-23.

> 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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