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Car fans flock to Spring Carlisle auction
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James Grant, a bidders’ assistant at the auction, relays a bid to the auctioneer at the Carlisle Expo Center Friday. (Jason Malmont/The Sentinel)
A gleaming orange 1969 Chevy Camaro with black racing stripes, a metallic blue 1938 Dodge pickup, a pale green 1957 Thunderbird and a shiny black 1919 Sayers/Scovil hearse were among the hundreds of cars for sale this weekend at the Spring Carlisle auto auction.
Larry and Pat Phillips of Waynesburg, Greene County, didn't purchase a bidder's card but they did stay in town an extra day to take in the auction.
The couple spent Thursday and Friday on the grounds at the annual spring flea market. Friday afternoon they headed to the auction at the Carlisle Expo Center and they planned to return today before leaving for home later in the day.
“I was curious to see how things would go here compared to the car corral,” Larry Phillips said, as he watched a car being auctioned.
Because Phillips owns a 1966 GTO, he wanted to see the prices two 1966 GTOs would bring Friday night.
“It gives me some idea of what it's worth,” Phillips said, even though he has no intention of selling his car.
When a red 1966 GTO with a black top sold for $26,000, Pat Phillips was pleased.
John Greco bought two muscle cars last year - a 1972 Chevelle and a 1968 GTO - at the Fall Carlisle auto auction. This year he may buy another car, but first he would like to sell a car he brought to the car corral.
Better prices here
“I think the prices are realistic here,” Greco said. “It's more realistic for the average person.”
He compared it to the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Phoenix, Ariz., which brings prices that he thinks are too high. Last year, six vehicles sold for more than $1 million each at the Phoenix sale.
John and Lisa Greco live in the Hudson Valley in New York and travel each year to the spring and fall car shows in Carlisle.
“If you like cars, it's a great place to be,” Lisa Greco says. “We've been to every auction since they started.”
It's a place to see some amazing cars, she said. “It's a nice change.”
Because they were visiting the car show with a friend in a wheelchair, the auction was an easy way for him to enjoy the show.
John Greco said he spotted a familiar face at 7 a.m. Friday morning as the Grecos arrived in Carlisle. Bill Miller, co-founder of Carlisle Productions, was standing at the intersection of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the Harrisburg Pike, greeting visitors who were arriving for the car show.
When Greco said hello to him, Miller told him “I'll do whatever it takes” to welcome visitors, Greco said.
Mike Grove traveled from Shippensburg for the auto auction.
“I like the excitement of the sales,” he said. “You never know when you're going to get a good deal.”
Plus, it's a chance to meet others who like cars and talk to them, Grove said.
“I go to other auctions,” he said. “This is just as good if not better.” And a lot closer to home.
Bill Miller introduced the auction and said the very first Carlisle car show in 1974 included an auction conducted by Landis Auctioneers, who conducted this year's sale.
Auctions were brought back to the show last year. Hundreds of buyers registered.
“Last year, spring and fall, we had about $15 million generated in sales,” co-owner and event manager Lance Miller said. “I'd say that's pretty good. Hopefully we'll do better this year.”
About 250 vehicles went on the auction block.
“You've got a great spectrum of cars out there for everybody,” Lance Miller said. “It's real cars for real people. We've got something for everybody.”
Buyers have to be prequalified and pay $100 for a bidder's card. That's a good deal, says Jeff Meltz, who attended the auction with his wife, Marie, and son, Jason. The price includes free food and drinks at the expo center for the two days of the sale.
“We enjoy it,” Meltz said. “I bought a car last spring, a 1966 Chevelle. The muscle cars is what we like.”
The family arrived at the fairgrounds 9 a.m. Friday morning. Marie Meltz enjoys more than just the cars. Living near Albany, N.Y., she enjoyed the springtime temperatures and the daffodils and tulips in bloom, as well as flowering shrubs and trees.
Peter O'Connell, who was visiting from Long Island, N.Y., purchased a red 1959 Oldsmobile convertible about five years ago.
“I'm here to enjoy myself,” he said.
O'Connell was pleased to find a 1959 postcard with a photo of a car that matches his classic car.
