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ABOUT CARLISLE AUCTIONS
For Carlisle Events, the automotive fun extends beyond the fence line of the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds. Carlisle Auctions has been part of automotive circles since 2006…and really, dating back to 1974. While auctions since 2006 have taken place within the Carlisle Expo Center, there was a brief period of time when they exclusively happened on grounds. When Bill Miller, Jr. and Chip Miller launched Post War ’74 (now known as Fall Carlisle), there was an auction element involved. In fact, the original 6,000 guests who attended Post War ’74 had this opportunity available to them.
The Flea Marketeers as they called themselves then, hosted auctions for three years until the launch of Spring Carlisle in 1977. From there, the car corral was added, allowing person to person sales. The car corral concept remains in place to this day, spanning not only Spring and Fall, but all other car shows too. Spring Carlisle remains the largest automotive swap meet event produced by Carlisle Events.
The Carlisle Auctions brand was founded in 2006, with in-house Carlisle Events staff powering the inner workings, including bidder registration, processing consignments, logistics, etc. Carlisle based auctions since 2006 have been held within the Carlisle Expo Center, located just a few blocks west of the Carlisle Fairgrounds.
Fast forward to January of 2011 and Carlisle Auctions was presented with a unique opportunity for a partnership with Auctions America by RM. Following a deal signed, ironically enough, at the Scottsdale Barret-Jackson auction, Auctions America by RM became the presenting entity for auctions and in exchange, Carlisle Events would support its two swap meet events in Auburn, Indiana. Donnie Gould, President of Auctions America, and his team managed multiple three-day, 300 car auctions spanning Spring Carlisle 2011 through Fall Carlisle 2012.
In 2012, Carlisle Events and Carlisle Auctions were approached about taking ownership of two long-standing events in Zephyrhills, Florida. These events were two-fold, an automotive flea market and an auction. With the acquisition and beginning in November 2012 in Zephyrhills, the Carlisle Auctions brand returned. Zephyrhills became the first of what would translate to four auctions annually, with two in Florida and two in Carlisle. In fact, to this day, Carlisle Auctions still hosts four annual auctions, with the Zephyrhills/Festival Park location transitioning to Lakeland, Florida/SUN n’ FUN Expo Campus in 2015.
Over the years, Carlisle Auctions has been featured on Fox and Friends as well as multiple Velocity TV (now known as MotorTrend TV) programs. Carlisle Auctions has also sold cars benefiting a slew of charitable organizations, including the Salvation Army. While there have been many high notes like a 72% sell through rate at the Spring Carlisle Collector Car Auction in 2021 or being an auction house trusted to handle and sell multiple high-end consignments dating back to 2006, maybe the coolest moment of all-time was in 2015 when Carlisle Auctions had the chance to work with the legendary Burt Reynolds. In two separate instances, Mr. Reynolds and his associates worked with Carlisle Auctions to sell a Bandit Trans-Am. In addition, he also appeared on behalf of one of the consignments as part of the first fall event held in Lakeland.
The brand forges on, connecting buyer and seller with past, present, and future classics, all while touting a FREE UNLESS SOLD GUARANTEE**. The next chapter is still being written, but regardless, each event presents an investment that truly accelerates!
**Vehicles 25 years and older are the ONLY consignments available for the FREE UNLESS GUARANTEE. All vehicles are welcome, but consignments 24 years and newer will be subject to all applicable fees associated with the auction.**
