Carlisle 2025 - worth going?

[TripleBlk70]

I am thinking of going to Carlisle this year, specifically to look for parts for my 1970 Challenger build. I have never been to that particular event, although I went to the Hershey fall event several years ago when I was building a chevy and I fond some parts then.

Is Carlisle a good place to go to find parts - and decent deals on parts - for a build? Would like to hear from folks who have "been there/done that".

[R/T's 4 R/P]

Absolutely the best!
The show and swap are great and the organizers are top notch.

[Floyd]

Carlisle is probably the best show for finding parts for your Challenger and definitely worth checking out.  The swap area and number of vendors eclipses all others.

[mtull]

Carlisle is probably the best show for finding parts for your Challenger and definitely worth checking out.  The swap area and number of vendors eclipses all others.

agree!

[TripleBlk70]

If I go, it will be 100% to find and purchase parts for my build. I love looking at cool cars, but every day I take to do that right now is a day I take away from building my own so I need to stay focused.

To dig one level deeper in what I am likely to find for sale there, here's a quick list of what I need - are these the kinds of things I'm likely to be able to pick up. (for instance, I don't need any body panels/sheet metal)

- subframe connectors & torque box braces
- sure grip unit (clutch style not cone) either rebuilt or one to rebuild
- rack & pinion unit
- front suspension rebuild components
- disc brakes (front and rear)
- rebuild components for 8 3/4 rear end
- harness/controller for 8hp70 trans

[torredcuda]

The regular swaps meets are pretty short on Mopar parts the couple times I went but the Chrysler show is one of the best and definitely worth going.

[Jay Bee]

I was there once (2017) and it was really hard to go through the entire swap in my 2 1/2 days. That was from Friday morning to Sunday noon. If possible, and if they let you in, you should consider starting your quest on Thursday morning. Just my     

[Dakota]

I went once once a couple of months before I got my Challenger back on the road.  There was a little bit of everything there but the main thing that struck me was the amount of small parts on display that I bought piece by piece and paid silly shipping charges to get into my hands.   Take a precise list and extra cash.  Odds are you'll find what you're looking for. 

[Floyd]

A lot of your list seems to be things that would be carried by after market vendors.  Many attend Carlisle.  Here's last years vendor list from the Carlisle website to see who might be there.  List starts on page 20

https://carlisleevents.com/docs/default-source/guides/2024-carlisle-chrysler-nationals.pdf?sfvrsn=3f3fa68f_2&_ga=2.215056720.636357317.1748813326-440666469.1748813323

[69BFan]

The Carlisle Swap Meet spaces have been sold out since November and they are now selling car corral spots as swap meet spots.  That is over 3200 spaces.  Granted, not every spot has parts in them for sale, but there is probably 3000 plus spaces used plus you have the manufacturers midway and the spaces inside the building behind the concession stands.

I believe that the car show is now over 3300 cars registered for the show field.  This year, Carlisle is even having a separate display over at the Expo Center show casing 100 years of the Chrysler Corporation.

Due to the size of our display, we arrive on Monday evening and use Tuesday and Wednesday to set up our display.  As mentioned above, Thursday is now what use to be Friday and Friday is the old Saturday.  For the past three to four years, by 2:00 PM on Saturday, most everyone is starting to pack things up to make the trip back home.  So the good buys or limited availability is gone on Wednesday afternoon or Thursday.  Sunday is very poor for both the show field and swap meet.

If your looking for specific new parts from a particular manufacturer or vendor, you might want to reach out to them to make sure that they are attending or have a vendor there with there product.  For used parts, you never know what you will find.  Just because you did not see it on Thursday, you may stumble it on Friday as some of the locals may not show up until Thursday evening or Friday morning.

In my experience, you could put the Mopar Nationals in Columbus, the Moparty and Mopars in the Park all together and the show field and swap meet would still not be as large as Carlisle.  If there is one "must see" event for the Mopar crowd, then my money is on Carlisle.

[ec_co]

I would say absolutely go, but based on that list that you're providing I would absolutely take a look at Dr Diff because you can source almost everything through him and he is a top-notch vendor and supplier. I just got my full 8.75 rebuild kit, clutch style sure grip, 3.55 gears and front disc kit from him.

https://www.doctordiff.com/

[cuda hunter]

Amazing show!  I drive 33 hours to attend.  I walk the swap meet most of the time there Thursday through Saturday.  Sunday is awesome as that is when the cars in the buildings are allowed to leave and you get to see amazing cars start and get moved to their trailer queen beds.  Awesome to see, hear and smell that part of the show.
  The show field is great too.  Way too many cars to see them all if you are walking the swap but well worth it to walk the ebody rows and the viper rows, my favorites. 
  Best mopar show in the world, don't miss it. 
 

[captcolour]

If any of the items come from an aftermarket seller and they are at Carlisle, contact them prior to the show to order what you need and have them bring it to the show.  Will save shipping and probably sales tax.  I saved hundreds on 2 b-body AMD front fenders from Stephens but not paying shipping and sales tax.

[Lunchbox]

I'm really on the fence about going this year too, some great words of wisdom from the previous posts.

The site says Thursday is a setup day, can you actually get in and start going through the swap meet area? That is the primary reason for me going so would like to dial in the travel days.

[cuda hunter]

I always start on Thursday.  So, yes, you can get in.
Not every vendor will be set up yet but guys are getting stuff out and you have to go back through as many will be set up Friday morning somehow.  I always miss stuff on the first day through.