Chrysler Carlisle vs. Mopar Nationals

[mtull]

How does Chrysler Carlisle compare to the Mopar Nationals with regards to the swap meet size?  I've never been to the Mopar Nationals.

Thank you.

[GoMangoBoys]

I went to the Mopar Nationals 1 time in 2021 and I have been to the Chrysler Nationals at Carlisle 5 years now.  The swap at Carlisle is 10 times that of the one that I saw at the Mopar Nationals.

[Cuda_mark]

Seems like even the Carlisle one is shrinking every year...not necessarily in number of vendors or spaces but in the amount of good finds for the 70's era cars. Lots more truck and new challenger parts nowadays. Makes sense though. As time goes on, there are less and less parts to go around.

[mtull]

@GoMangoBoys, C @Cuda_mark,

Thank you for the feedback. I'd say internet sales probably contribute to smaller attendance as well as the heat this time of year.  I certainly have much more appreciation for the sellers after a hot day at Carlisle (and Friday was cooler than average this year).
     

[cuda hunter]

I was informed this year a few things about the nats.

No grass, all rocks and dirt.  Hot and dusty.
Very little to no organization.
Vendors can't stay on site with their goods and I was told of many stories where peoples stuff were stolen while they were sleeping in hotels.  People just threw the goods over the fences and off they went. 
  Bathrooms are terrible and are full with little to no maintenance.  Carlisle has attendants at all bathrooms including the portopotties.
  This is all second hand knowledge.  I was still told that I should experience the nats once and it will make my appreciation for carlisle nationals much greater! 

[mtull]

I was told of many stories where peoples stuff were stolen

What a shame.  Thank you for the info.

[Jay Bee]

I was informed this year a few things about the nats.   

WOW!!! If that's true that's a serious degrading of a once awesome event. It seems it's going downhill year after year. I hope someone does go and gives us a first hand account.

[PlumCrazyRTSE]

I was informed this year a few things about the nats.

No grass, all rocks and dirt.  Hot and dusty.
Very little to no organization.
Vendors can't stay on site with their goods and I was told of many stories where peoples stuff were stolen while they were sleeping in hotels.  People just threw the goods over the fences and off they went. 
  Bathrooms are terrible and are full with little to no maintenance.  Carlisle has attendants at all bathrooms including the portopotties.
  This is all second hand knowledge.  I was still told that I should experience the nats once and it will make my appreciation for carlisle nationals much greater! 

I've been going to the Nats nearly every year since 1987.  I'll address some of these topics below.

1) Unfortunately, August in Ohio is usually very hot and humid.  I can only remember a couple times over the years when the temperature has been mild.

2) I think just about 100% of the show cars are parked on grass.  If you look at the satellite view on Google maps, you'll see that the only area that is gravel are the aisles between parking rows.  The midway is all blacktop.
Google Image

3) Per the Nats website:
"Camping Rules – Only Motorhome/RV Campers that have self-contained restroom and sleeping accommodations will be allowed overnight camping privileges. All campers must remain within the area of their RV/Motorhome starting at 9PM until 7AM of the next day.  Any campers found outside of their area or in the Manufacturer Midway, Swap Meet, Car Corral areas will be escorted off the grounds by security with no entry monies refunded. Camping is allowed Thursday night and ends after Saturday night. No Sunday night camping is allowed on the race track grounds. Entry and Exit from the grounds is restricted after 9PM. Must have proper credentials. Only Emergency situations will be honored, so plan accordingly. A Camping permit will be given to each Motorhome/RV to display in their front windshield and all campers must have entry wrist band worn. The Sheriff's patrol and Security will be patrolling by car and on foot throughout the night for enforcement of these rules and general security of the grounds."

4) I've never had any issue at all using the restrooms.  They always seem clean, and I've never had an issue getting into them.  I've never used any of the porta potties, so I can't say too much about those other than I've never heard anyone complain about them.

I've only been to Carlisle a couple times, but I do prefer Carlisle to the Nats mostly because it's much better organized and there are more cars.  The Nats were really something back in the 80's and 90's and a few times since then they've been pretty good, like the e-body tribute year which I think was 2008.

[198D13]

In a nutshell, The Nationals is all about racing, Carlisle is not.

[mtull]

Thank you all for the feedback.

[PlumCrazyRTSE]

Of course, this is all very subjective but if I were going to break it down, I would estimate the Nats like this:

Unjudged Car Show 30%
Judged Car Show 10%
Swap Meet 25%
Drag Racing 20%
Vendors 15%

[cuda hunter]

Of course, this is all very subjective

Thanks for the info.   I was hoping my second hand information was somewhat biased by those who told me these things. 

[torredcuda]

I`ve only been to the Nats once back in `89 when it was in Columbus at National Trail Dragway and that was a great venue - big swap area lot`s of show and drag cars and seemed to be decently run. The only complaint I heard was that there was no designated areas for show and drag cars so they were all mixed in wherever you could find spot. It get get a bit dusty in the non-paved areas and people drove too fast but otherwise I didn`t see any issues and had a great time and I love that they have drag racing on site - IMO that`s the only thing that would improve Carlisle. Obvioulsy it has changed a LOT since then, if I was able to go to another one other than Carlisle it would be Moparty.

[mtull]

if I was able to go to another one other than Carlisle it would be Moparty

I've never been but might be able to go next year.  Thank you for the suggestion.

[torredcuda]

if I was able to go to another one other than Carlisle it would be Moparty

I've never been but might be able to go next year.  Thank you for the suggestion.

The only thing stopping me from going is that it would an 18+ hour drive from New Hampshire, I would probably have to fly in and rent a car to attend.