Fueled by the C8 Corvette, the Corvettes at the Carlisle Show Set a New Attendance Record in 2019 Located just outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Corvettes at Carlisle, presented by Corvette America has become a mecca for Corvette enthusiasts from all over the world, and this 37th edition lived up to that honor. The folks that organize the event thought this one would be a down year due to a Corvette caravan that travels to Bowling Green, Kentucky, every five years. To their surprise, it ended up being a record setter with a total of 2,901 Corvettes registered for the Fun Field and more than 5,000 on the fairgrounds. This year, the special ingredient in the show recipe to push those numbers was called C8 . Of those roughly 5,000 Corvettes on hand, 14 of them had the engine behind the driver and a serial number that ended in EX. Combined with spectacular weather for most of the weekend and the full-on presence of Team Chevrolet on-site with numerous pre-production examples of the new C8 Corvette, it was the fuel that helped propel the new attendance record. Its pretty clear that GM knows they have a hit on their hands with the C8, and the Carlisle show was low-hanging fruit for them with a captive audience of rabid Corvette owners who were curious to see the new Corvette and place orders. On display were a few pre-production cars that folks could sit in and touch, along with a C8 cutout display, and engine. They also brought along a bespoke boutique building with a fully loaded C8, and wall-mounted displays with all the color, interior and wheel options available on the new car. The line to get into this space was always long during the weekend. There were also a number of other C8s in various color and trim options roaming the fairgrounds, and for those that wanted additional information, there were scheduled walk-around demos performed by GM engineers during the weekend in front of the main stage.   -->   While the C8 stole the show, it was not the only notable attraction during the event. As part of the ongoing displays that carry on from year to year, the 2019 edition celebrated the 50th anniversary of Corvettes built for model year 1969 with the Summer of 69 theme. This has been a showcase that has been going on at all the brand-specific shows, and for Corvette it consisted of unrestored, restored and modified Corvettes from that model year. Adjacent to that display was the Race & Challenge Car Reunion. Split into two distinct groups, one had a numerous C4 Corvette Challenge cars, which commemorated the 30th anniversary of the single make Corvette Challenge Series sanctioned by the SCCA. Under the adjacent tent were the race cars with an eclectic mix that was dominated by C1, C2 and C3 race-prepped vehicles. Another key display that carries from year to year takes place under the NCRS tent. As in previous years, examples of NCRS-certified Corvettes are prominently displayed. This is an invitational gathering that showcases Corvettes of merit that exemplify what the NCRS is all about, which is to help preserve and restore Corvettes built between 1953 and 2002. On the other side of the show field is building T, which houses the annual Chips Choice Display. This years theme for that gathering was Modified Corvettes. It brought together a number of cars that spanned the C1 to C7 model range in various forms of tune. From old-school quarter-mile prepped C1s to restomod C2s and street tuned C5s and C6s, it was all well represented.   The Fun Field spans many rows and takes in many different flavors of Corvettes. Prominently featured each year at the main entrance is the elaborate display put on by the guys in the Solid Axle Corvette Club. Corvettes at Carlisle isnt a single-faceted event with just a car show. The other major aspect, and one that fuels the restoration side of the hobby, is the swap meet area. If youre looking for parts there is nothing like seeing what youre buying in person, and being able to haggle for a better price; something you cant do from the comfort of your sofa while trolling eBay. Mixed in with the parts displays were also project cars. Every year when we walk the rows we are greeted with newly unearthed Corvettes, many in a rather sad state being offered for sale. Its actually amazing how many early generation Corvettes are still tucked away waiting to be rescued, and every year a new batch seems to find their way to Carlisle. With the added day a few years ago, it takes that much more to keep attendees busy during the four-day event, so it isnt just a matter of show cars and used parts. Many vendors, like show sponsor Corvette America set up what amounts to a Corvette parts supermarket offering many reproduction parts for most generations. Others were set up to do exhaust, interior and exterior panel installments. While the car show kept the waxers busy, at the back of the fairgrounds some chose to hit the autocross. Sponsored by Lingenfelter Performance, this was the 2nd Annual King of the X autocross competition. With a payout of $1,000 in total prize money, it pulled in a number of competitors all chasing that cash prize. Also included during the weekend festivities was a beauty contest and a burnout contest, which as most can probably guess rarely ever gets any takers. Unlike the other shows at Carlisle, Corvette owners arent willing to trash their cars. This year, Carlisle Events co-owner Lance Miller put his Corvette Challenge C4 in the pit and lit the tires up. There were a few more entrants but none actually stepped up with a Corvette. The show has also become a meeting point for numerous clubs across the U.S. and Canada, and the one thing that we walked away with from the 2019 show, based on the sheer interest in the C8, is that next year the place will be lined with mid-engine Corvettes. For the Corvette enthusiast, this event is a bucket list item, and next year, if you plan on crossing it off that list, mark your calendars for the weekend of August 2730, 2020. Fun Field registration is already open for anyone planning to attend, and they can get an early start by simply going to CarlisleEvents.com . -->   The post Corvettes Galore! 2020 C8 Corvettes Highlight the 5,000+ Gathered at Carlisle appeared first on Hot Rod Network .