Just back from Carlisle !!!!!!!!

[kingman]

Hi

I was only able to go for the day so l had a lot to cover being that it was my first time there,

When l left my house in New Jersey it was raining but as l approached Carlisle the sun was out. The venue was much larger then l expected and never saw so many vette in one place in my life.

The first person that l saw when l first arrived was "Rowdy" driving his C1 with two flags. My wife cracked up.

The amount of venders was mind boggling and you could buy everything from a screw to an engine and some venders would install them for free.

I was taken back by the different exhaust makers that would install them right on the spot. And they would package the old ones so that you could take them home.

It was so hot and humid you would think you were in the desert.

This was a reunion of the 96 GS and l must have seen well over a hundred of them lined up in several rows and they were still coming in.

The food was only OK and the drinks were quite pricey and the lines to get them were only 10 deep at the many venders.

Next year l will go without my wife because l know she was bored after a couple of hours and l couldn't blame her.

I am sure when our group comes bck on Sunday they will have a lot to say.

Alan

PS What l did notice was that the average age of the people attending Carlisle must have been 55+. Where are the kids???

[vett boy]

It does blow your mind the first time .It's great after rain has fallen for a week prior.Then you have humid /heat with mud.Haven't been in a few years but it was fun.

[Pseudomind]

Not tyring to be derogatory here, but they are probably out looking at what is known as "Ricers" in the vernacular. Probably doing this due to budget constraints. Younger folks with children tends to limit budgets.

Originally Posted by kingman

PS What l did notice was that the average age of the people attending Carlisle must have been 55+. Where are the kids???

[kingman]

HI

Your probably right, but l saw a group of people from a club sitting under a tent that looked more like "Shady Lawn Nursing Home"! Now don't get me wrong l thought it was terrific but it makes me wonder how they are able to get in and out of their vettes.

90% of the drivers of the C6 were well established seniors which brings to mind the following.

Why can't GM come out with a lower priced vette for the younger generations? They can lighten the weight up, drop some of the extra's even the cheap leather seats and maybe use the Lt-1 engine.

This will bring the youth in.

My first vette was a used 64 and then the 68 followed by the 76. At this point in time most of the owners were young. By the time l picked up a 96 things changed.

Have times changed that much or is it just that l'm getting older and should look in the mirror?

Alan

[Pseudomind]

I believe you are right, they could probably do something like a Corvette step up increase. But. along the way they are establishing sports car enthusiasts, who are able to start with something they can afford.

I have nothing against the Camaro, they were just not my cup of tea, if I am going to have a back seat, then I want four doors. But here again the Camaro is usually priced to high for the young family.

I would suggest they have a sporty starter Corvette which would be something like the Sky or Solstice and then have step up in class models.

Instead of trying to make a sporty model something like the Cobalt, (Please). GM just needs to stick to a few models for the younger crowd.

Maybe have just the Impala, Camaro, and the new Corvette classes I mentioned above, and stick with these. Strive to improve the quality and performance with these models each year.

They have already tried two sport model car/trucks which I believe they have already discontinued (the convertible pickup and the panel truck, here again overpriced for the younger market)

No just concentrate on only a few models.

Let the younger crowd have themselves a family affordable D-cab pickup or the Soccer mom van (Car seats for children) and then the folks could have an affordable sport car which mom and dad could alternate driving at a reasonable price.

By the time I posted this , this had been posted,

See! this is what I am talking about

[MsSchroder]

Originally Posted by kingman

Your probably right, but l saw a group of people from a club sitting under a tent that looked more like "Shady Lawn Nursing Home"! Alan

So, I take it you found the Guy and Remo Delegation?



Only kidding, they've got decades to go before reaching Shady Lawn status

Tammy

[kingman]

Believe me it was like the Sahara Desert there but it was also very interesting to see so many vettes in one place. Yup they were there huddled under a mini tent but at least they were standing and moving.

I met 67 Heaven and Rowdy and a few other members. Next year l will go without my wife because even though she likes vettes we all have our limits!

The 125 ( at least) GS C4's blew my mind for sure. As far as custom's there were a few but not that many. There was a large amount of C1's and C2's there that wore NCRS Top Flight stckers that were in pristine condition and those that were simply drivers. I was only interested in the drivers.

I had no interest in the C6's and even though l have a C5 it seemed that there were more C5's there then any other model produced.

One more thing to note, lf you only go there for a day you can park outside gate #3 for $10 and pay $12 to walk in. Or else it's $65 for the 3 days even if you stay for only one day.

Also l was advised to take chairs and water. The water cost's $2.25 for a small bottle and you have to get on a line.

Alan

[Yoda]

I remember back a few years and most the Corvette owners were about the same age.... Late 20's early 30's .... Back "Then" it seemed our choices were muscle car, hot rods or Corvettes, there wasn't the lower cost imports for competion.

It appears the same group from the 70's and 80's are the ones (maybe) that stayed in the lifestyle and are keeping the "LEGEND" alive. Maybe the younger crowd feels it's getting more Bang for the $$$ with the lower priced imports. Also it could be a generation thing with the exhaust and wings and addons. I remember the day I put beauty rings and baby moons on a '54 Buick and thought I was one of the coolest rides out there

Since incorporating computer technology into cars, it's become a completely different world in the street scene... I doubt many youngster even know what a sidedraft, spreadbore or distributor wieghts are or mean

Bud

[vett boy]

Your not old till you drink decaf-take pills and drive a Buick.What worries me is that the "old folks car" of choice in the future will be the Corvette.

[kingman]

Keep in mind that when we were growing up the corvette was the car of our dreams but couldn't afford it. Now that we have the means it's the logical car to buy to full fill our past dreams.

But if it makes a person feel good about themselves then why not step out to buy one. It doesn't have to be any particular year just as long as it's a vette.

My next vette will not be a C6 but probably a C1 or a C2 in mint condition for local driving and pure enjoyment. I really miss driving a pure sports car and not worrying about emissions a/c power anything just a rag top and a 4 spd.

Alan

[IH2LOSE]

Originally Posted by kingman

HI

Your probably right, but l saw a group of people from a club sitting under a tent that looked more like "Shady Lawn Nursing Home"! Now don't get me wrong l thought it was terrific but it makes me wonder how they are able to get in and out of their vettes.

90% of the drivers of the C6 were well established seniors which brings to mind the following.

Why can't GM come out with a lower priced vette for the younger generations? They can lighten the weight up, drop some of the extra's even the cheap leather seats and maybe use the Lt-1 engine.

This will bring the youth in.

My first vette was a used 64 and then the 68 followed by the 76. At this point in time most of the owners were young. By the time l picked up a 96 things changed.

Have times changed that much or is it just that l'm getting older and should look in the mirror?

Alan

They did its called the Cobalt SS

You know its terrible but as I looked around I thought all of the other owners looked old compaired to me untill my family explained to me I looked just as old as the other owners.

I was hanging out at my hotel,Speaking to some vette folks and a new owner of a C6. Notice I did not describe him as "vette folks "

Anyways he went about telling me I would have been better off saving some money and purchasing a new vette,Or if I couldnt save the money I could have financed a new vette. Eather way its better to have a new one as mine is a 44 year old car .

My reply was YUP yur right,I really have to start saving for a new vette like his.

[BarryK]

Larry, good response. would have been a waste of breath to even mention you also have a C5 along with your C1 and C2.
some people just don't get it.

I have a lot of days that I get real frustrated with all the problems I seem to have with my '65 and start thinking that for what I could sell the car for I could probably buy that new C6 'vert that Linda LOVES so much.
More power, much better handling, all the creature comforts, a warranty! ( ) etc, etc but than I just have to LOOK at my '65 and realize I couldn't do it.
The C6's are nice and I really like than but nothing has the looks and personality and statement that a C1 or C2 Vette has and I know I'd regret selling the '65 for the C6. ALTHOUGH........... I'd be regreting it as I was DRIVING the C6 rather than the lexus because the '65 was still stuck in the garage with an as-of yet unresolved problem again.

[warren s]

As much as I love the race car like performace of the C5 and C6, almost anyone can have one. It depends on how deep your interest in the car really goes. You can sign on the dotted line and drive your late model ride all over the place and not have a clue about anything. (Why the hec are these peple waving at me??) Not that all C5 and C6ers are just check writing Corvette owners!!!

Having a mid years Corvette for a few years is differnt story, its a real commitment and passion if you want it or not. I have to admit I miss the days of rebuilding my Holly 6150 on the kitchen table, instead of analizing my cars data on my laptop.

Just my 2 cents from my limited experiance.

[midyearroadster427]

Hey Barry...everytime I went by your car to meet you ....no one was every around....you must be one of those social butterflies..hahahaa

[BarryK]

yeah, right!
I was busy moving between the '65 and the '78 in the car corral and checking in on my wife at her booth in the women's Oasis tent.
you should have called me on my sell phone - I put the number on the sign I had on the dash