Corvettes at Carlisle: a Staple of the Corvette Hobby
Corvettes at Carlisle- circa 2007
Take a stroll through Corvette history with these images from over a decade ago- Corvettes at Carlisle 2007. Corvettes at Carlisle is physically the most significant Corvette event anywhere. It has an 82-acre fairground filled with Corvette activities as well as the other events throughout the surrounding town. Some 5,000 Corvettes (and their owners) visit the central Pennsylvania town of Carlisle yearly.
The Grounds
The Corvettes at Carlisle grounds started as the Carlisle Fairgrounds before the Miller families (no relation) purchased it in the early-1980’s. Almost 50 years later- they have made all sorts of improvements while expanding the original fairgrounds to 82 acres. It looks best filled with Corvettes!
Chips Choice
Chip Miller, one of the two founders/owners of Carlisle Productions always enjoyed creating and populating his “Chip’s Choice” selections. He would choose a theme, like “Racing Corvettes,” or “One-owner Corvettes” and then invite people to display in a secure indoor area. Happily, Chip’s son continues the tradition. Here is a selection of “Chip’s Choice” Corvettes from 2007.
Duntov Turbo
There are all sorts of highly unusual Corvettes among the 5,000 or so that attend yearly. This Corvette was most likely one that was upgraded by American Custom Industries (ACI ) in Sylvania, Ohio. Zora Arkus-Duntov retired as Chief Engineer of the Corvette in 1975. He kept his home in Grosse Point, Michigan (a suburb of Detroit) and wound up speaking at an Open House at ACI. Instead of receiving payment for his appearance, the people at ACI spruced up Zora’s personal 1974 Corvette. The former Chief Engineer was impressed with the quality of the work and a turbocharged Corvette with Zora’s “stamp of approval” was born.
ACI built the Duntov Turbos from 1979 through 1981. Alas, the United States economy went south, and it became impossible to sell the turbocharged Vette for double what a “standard” one cost. Records are sketchy as to how many were finally built. All of the Duntov Turbos manufactured by ACI had the wide-body rear end kit and a gold nameplate. Whatever the previous life of this Corvette- it was fun to see.
NCRS Gallery at Carlisle
The National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) used to have a display housed in the former tractor dealership. NCRS would invite cars that received various awards to be on display throughout the weekend.
The National Corvette Museum
The National Corvette Museum has an impressive display every year at Corvettes at Carlisle. In 2007, they had a new Indianapolis 500 Corvette Pace Car, C5-R (racing!) #6, and other one-of-a-kind Vettes. You can see the Manufacturer’s license plate on the blue Corvette at the far right. Visit the National Corvette Museum online at www.corvettemuseum.org.
Corvettes at Carlisle Today
Here is a drone photo of a recent Corvettes at Carlisle. I can’t wait to see what it looks like in another decade!
Keen Parts Vendor Display
You will always see Tom Keen, and several of his team set up at Corvettes at Carlisle as well as Spring Carlisle and Fall Carlisle. Tom takes thousands of parts and a large number of “deliveries” (pre-ordered parts being delivered FREE to the event). Tom likes attending shows because that is by far the best way for customers to see the quality. Interacting with friends and customers at a show also allows Tom to consider reproducing new parts.
Who is Keen Parts?
Keen Parts is a leading manufacturer and retailer of Corvette parts and accessories. We have over thirty years of happy customers all over the world and look forward to helping you with all of your Corvette needs. Our catalogs cover more than 25,000 Corvette parts and accessories. Our retail shop and warehouses are located in Cleves, Ohio just north of Cincinnati. We are right off Interstate Highway I-74 and only six minutes from Cincinnati. We stock parts available for Corvettes from 1953 to the present. If you own a C1 through C7 Corvette- we have the Corvette parts and accessories that you need!
Business hours
- Monday through Friday 8 am to 6 pm
- Saturday 9 am to 3 pm
- Closed on Sunday to be with our families
Phone / FAX / Email
- 800 . 757. KEEN (5336)
- www.KeenParts.com
- info@keenparts.com
- 800 . 757 . 5336
- 513 . 353 . 3449 LOCAL PHONE
- 513 . 353 . 3997 FAX
