Carlisle Productions has a year to do a Re-Branding.
Simply call it the "Import and Replica Nationals"
Then, if we could get the folks at KCB to change to "RepliCar" Builder..........?
Carlisle Productions already has 2015 named schedules out and Kit Car Builder went out of of business some months ago........
I've never been to Carlisle. I'm the target demographic for what Bruce is asking about-- I'm passionate about the hobby, and yet mostly uninterested in this show. I'm interested in an "SOC meet", but that's not the question-- the question is, "how can the organizers get more people to attend?"
The answer is pretty clear to me: vendors. In an ideal world, a prospective buyer of a replica (or parts for a replica) would be able to go to a show like this and look at/talk to vendors-- not just for the completed cars (although that is vital), but more importantly for major parts (engines, transaxles, suspensions, etc.). A robust presence by major hobby suppliers (CB Performance, Rancho, AirKewld, Mendeola, etc.) might entice me to come. Offering incentives to vendors would mean there was a reason to come.
Gordon is 100% correct about many, many things here. It's a waste of time trying to get Porsche guys to come to anything smacking of kits (or replica, or recreation, or whatever makes us feel better about our cars), unless the entire weekend was changed to a "German Air-Cooled Extravaganza". Porsche guys HATE it when we lump ourselves in with them. They are the upper crust. We are the great unwashed.
We are VW guys in spirit and truth. VW guys LOVE our cars. Getting more people to this show (getting ME to the show) would be helped by somehow making Carlisle a destination for VW people and vendors.
Every other suggestion is how the SOC can make their part of the weekend better. They're all good points, but not very germane to the original question: how can the organizers increase attendance.
"Imports, Replicas and Buggies" captures the target audience but gets to be a mouth full.
Maybe we could build another car --- now WHERE could we find one that has sat for awhile and is 90% finished?
I'd love to see more of the old FiberFab line of true kit cars present. I didn't go look at the red 906 (?) Porsche replica behind us until late Saturday. Other than lots of cracks from bonding issues. It was a really cool car build on a Porsche 914 - so suspect it really handled well. Looks like FG panels bonded over original metal. Poor guy sat all alone on hill - we should have invited him to come on down.
Just went to the 50th LA roadster show. Wow, 1500 cars were there to show and unbelievable amount of vendors. Every one of those cars were "HAND BUILT" as a kit or sorts. So maybe he "Hand Built " is a better terminology than KIT. But then those cars surely fall under replicars technically don't they.
Originally Posted by East Coast Bruce - Maryland:
Regardiing the “real” Porsche crowd, I could care less if they drive their stuffy asses to Carlisle because the Pennsylvania PCA group publicizes that replicas are not allowed at their events. But they are imported cars, we like to look at them and it seems their presence would help with getting more cars on the showfield so I don't see any harm in soliciting them.
Hey...I represent that remark! I don't go to the big PCA swap meet in Hershey any more, because those asses from the PA PCA even snub my real 911...because it's watercooled (forget the fact that it outperforms the previous iterations in every measurable category). I got into a hell of a beef with their President last year. They released a T-Shirt with all the significant 911s on it, but purposely left out the 996. Not only was it the first watercooled 911, it also sold better than any prior 911. Yes, they won't let you even park with them driving a replica, but Chesapeake and Potomac Regions in Maryland have been more than gracious when I show up with the Speedster as opposed to a "real Porsche." In fact, when our 356 wasn't ready for the Baltimore Grand Prix, I called PCA to see if they'd let me park the Speedster in the PorschePlatz area. They couldn't wait to see it. Just don't lump all Porsche guys together because that PA group ran out of prescription strength Midol.
I'm not saying I think Porsche people will come to Imports at Carlisle. I mean they've always been welcome and have never come, so... Somewhat in their defense, however, PCA is an extremely active club, and they have something going on in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, PA and/or Jersey nearly every weekend.
On posting to the 356 registry? I wouldn't even consider it. They are the most hardcore of the hardcore "real Porsche" guys. Man, you don't even say the word replica around them unless you relish a steel cage match with a gang of 75 y/o men. As much as I love my car, I often find myself wanting to punch the other owners in the throat.
Porsche people, as a rule, are Schitzoid:
Peter Venuti and I are both members of the TYP356 Northeast club. This club was started in the late 1990's because the local 356 guys got fed up with the Boston PCA, and especially the 911 folks, looking down their collective noses at 356's as not being real Porsches (they have those....er....Volkswagen parts in them (like the 911, 914 and 924/944 doesn't ? - But they're not real Porsches, either, those water-cooled Bastards (they just handle better than a 911).
Anyway, Peter is club Vice President and I am the club Web Meister. Both of us drive replicas and there are a handful of others in the club. This club doesn't mind. In fact, we're looking for more replica members because owners of original 356's tend to be pretty old, their cars values are approaching stratospheric levels making them too valuable to drive much and membership is declining, not growing, whereas replica owners tend to be somewhat more 'robust' in wanting to attend activities.
The PCA holds two major National events every year - the West Coast and East Coast "Holidays". These are very big deals. Hundreds, if not thousands of Porsches show up for drives, tech sessions, auto crossing, socializing, a whole buncha stuff.
A couple of years ago, our little, local, 356 club (currently 182 dues-paying members) hosted the entire PCA East Coast Holiday. It was a huge success and got a lot of kudos from attendees and the national PCA. It was also a huge undertaking for a pretty small club (I would guestimate the "active" members at around 70 or so). They supported auto crosses, some terrific drives around Metro Boston, some harbor cruises, lots of tech sessions and LOTS of socializing. Everyone loved it. Some of the PCA members even helped out.
Just goes to show what a small bunch of "Bastards" can do when they set their collective minds to it.
I'm not implying that all PCA groups (or splinter groups like mine) can be stereotyped - they can't. All you can do is attend a few events and feel them out. Just like everything else in life, some of them are real a$$holes and some of them are really nice.
And as for Carlisle changing their branding for one show - I don't care if they've been advertising already for 2015. If they want to increase attendance and one way is to eliminate "Kit Car" and go with "Replica" because it'll draw more people and vendors, they could have everything in place in two months. Hell.....I could have it done in two months! I've DONE that sort of thing in a past life in under two months!!!
Also, Kit Car Builder is not gone - they're just on-line only now.... Just perused their very-hard-to-navigate-and-read most recent copy last month! Lots of Cobra stuff as usual. Why the hell are there so many Cobra replicas around and less than 20 show up at Carlisle????????????? They don't fit the profile of the Hot Rod shows and don't show up there, either. Maybe answering that question will point Ed B. towards increasing attendance.
But what the heck do I know?
^ seems that the dynamic in PCA hasn't changed even to this date. 25+ year member of PCA (ended membership years ago for the reasons noted). Back then it was "…don't EVEN bother bringing that POS 914 to any of the PCA events" (doesn't matter if 4-banger or 6).
While there may be a few cool PCA members (probably members of SOC), no respectable PCA would go anywhere near replica or kit.
IMHO - VW crowd would be a symbiotic blending of air-cooled gear heads at Carlisle! 
I've owned Porsches in the past. A 911S and a 912. Great cars, but not so great that I am willing to invest what is necessary to buy or maintain another one.
I am blessed to have the resources to do either, but I've already done it a couple of times and the ownership experience didn't match up to the cost. That was just my experience and has no value to anyone else, nor should anyone consider my opinion on this a suggestion or a complaint.
I am absolutely comfortable with my VW powered replica of a 356 Speedster. More fun than I have a right to, and it has made me a part of the SOC, which I treasure.
I am much more interested in old VW's of all types than I am in Porsches. Probably because my attitudes, values and interests seem to align better with the cars and the people in that community.
Every VW guy or gal I've ever encountered was interested in my Speedster as an example of one direction you can go with a VW. Most Porsche people I have met wish I hadn't gone in that direction.
I'm good with that. I'm not doing this for them, and feel no obligation to make them happy.
I'd probably get my sorry butt to Carlisle if the event focused on the many things that can be built based on VWs or with VW components and had a lot of vendors.
Interesting point, Gordon. ClubCobra.com and GT40s.com are both replica forums with large and active memberships. That might be a place to look for more participation. One of the main guys at ClubCobra goes by MrMustang. He lives not far from Carlisle. Decent guy. I looked at a car he had for sale, but ultimately didn't pull the trigger. He does with Cobra replicas what Dr Clock does with Speedsters. He might be a place to start.
What!?!?!?!?!?
There's a "Dr. Clock" Replica guy out there??????
Mr Mustang Bill Silversheen may still own a Maaco paint shop in Pottstown Pa
Alot of good ideas and suggestions posted here. OK to continue posting, I'll compile everything as we go and send an email to Ed. Thanks.
Perhaps we (or Carlisle Productions) should reach out to some of the other online groups such as Club Cobra or MG Experience and discuss planning some joint activities.
To reach the VW crowd, show promoters utilize VW vendors like " Bug Stuff " in W Brownsville PA and others insert fliers into shipped parts cartons....the word spreads fast
Post it on the Samba...
Exactly.
It was listed in SAMBA but not under their VW events - it was under the dune buggy and kit car section. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/for...ewtopic.php?t=584767