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From Swedespeed.com Events Coverage The Carlisle Import Kit/Replica Nationals is certainly one of the most eclectic shows on the calendar for European car enthusiasts. Its scope is not as wide as Carlisle Productions’ own Spring and Fall meets, which are literally open to everything automotive, but this show draws in nearly every make of automobile ever imported here, as well as kit cars and replicas. When cars like Saab and Peugeot turn out in high numbers, you know you’re be in for an interesting show.
The sprawling Carlisle Fairgrounds is always good for an equally wide array of activities. The non-judged show field is the keystone of the event, and it’s surrounded by a large vendor area, used car corral, new car dealer area, kit-car exhibition halls, seminars, and more. Camping on the field is even an option for those who may want to stay more than an afternoon; the show goes for three days, and while some camp merely to avoid the steeper hotel rates, others perhaps may simply enjoy the generous indulgence of beverages that are best not followed by a drive home. Just as this event is so unique in its scope, it is also unique in the crowd it attracts. You won’t see much of the burnout-inducing compact crowd at Carlisle, nor the stuffy atmosphere of a [I]Concours d’Elegance[/I]. Rather, it’s a broad grouping of earnest car enthusiasts coming out of the shadows to share their love for what are often small niches in the automotive world.
As eclectic as Carlisle is, so too is the Volvo presence. The local Volvo Club of America chapter has always been active here, assuring a wide selection of cars. 100-series, 200-series, 1800s and more are always in abundance. The older rear-wheel drive cars are either pristine and well-kept, or showing their daily driver status like a badge of honor. Nevertheless, this year was distinguished by several significant, seriously modified versions.
Todd Kijowski’s red 940 continues to be a staple in that field, and it was joined by the burgundy-colored and Corvette-powered Volvette from Middletown, PA and a 780 Bertone coupe complete with Ford V8 conversion. In Carlisle’s exhibition hall, another significantly modified rear-drive Volvo was shown in the form of Eli Jimenez’ 1800 coupe. The super-clean body modifications to this coupe pay homage to the original X-1 concept drawings by Volvo designer Pelle Peterson.
The hall also included a pristine 122S and the saintly 1800 owned by Bill Krzastek. Krzastek’s car is the original 1800 used in the filming of the television show “The Saint” starring Roger Moore. The affordability of 850s and first-generation S70s, V70s and V70 XCs has brought a plethora of beautifully modified versions of these cars. Back for his third year with the car was EuroSportTuning and their continually evolving purple 850 R wagon with manual transmission. GKTuning also showed with their hardcore navy blue V70, while the field of front-drivers was rounded by subtle yet stunning examples like an aggressively built 850 Platinum Edition T-5 and a lowered V70 XC looking completely menacing on Pegasus wheels from the S60R.
Obviously eclectic, the Carlisle Import Kit/Replica Nationals is one event that’s always a pleasure to add to the calendar. Though the attendees are as varied as the cars themselves, a great enthusiasm for cars and a general intention to party is more than enough parallel to draw commonality between those who venture to Central Pennsylvania for the event. See you next year.
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