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“Truly eclectic” is probably the best way to describe the Carlisle Import and Kit/Replicar show held each year in Carlisle, PA. The show draws older to newer, European, Japanese and kit cars from a wide area and has done so for the last 19 years. This year saw not only great weather, but also a 15-percent increase in attendees with a total of 20,139 spectators, vendors and car owners.

Carlisle isn’t your typical enthusiast’s show. In addition to on-site vendors, car corral, autocross and show area, it maintains a more import-oriented air not all that different from its gargantuan Spring and Fall general automotive shows. Camping on grounds, great club support and plenty of used part vendors bestow it with a very relaxing atmosphere for plenty to see and do. And, if that’s not enough, the organizers give away a car on Sunday to one lucky showgoer. This year, the vintage Volkswagen Beetle was won by Thomas Kirchner of the Chesapeake Area Roadster Miata Club.

Amongst the clubs, the Saab owners took top billing this year with the most on hand, though many of the other brands gave some good competition. Plenty of Volvos and BMWs were on hand as usual, while brands such as Audi and Subaru put themselves back on the map thanks to some internet-organized attendance by several key players.

Another internet-organized group of owners that put their marque back on the map came in the way of some great-looking Subarus this year. Normally the dominating model at most other shows, the couple of Imprezas in attendance were dwarfed by the number of older cars that sat around them.

One popular theme was older Scoobs with lift kits. Several market-oriented kits were on hand on both a GL wagon and a Brat, although one blue Brat from Virginia in particular had us waxing nostalgic for the old Stompers toys back in the ‘80s. It may have looked like a toy, but we hear that the blue Brat has traveled Rubicon. Take that Jeep.

Speaking of toy Brats, one attendee brought along a Brat go kart. The bodies were made as a promotion with dealerships back in the day, though the owner had attached it to the go-kart for the ultimate in mini Subaru driving. We hear you can find the bodies on ebay if you look hard enough.

Normally a three-day show, it seems only the most hardcore turn out for the entirety of the show. If you’re planning on attending and can only fit one day into your calendar, try for Saturday. Rain sometimes dictates which day is better, though three days of fine weather exposed Saturday to be the best time for attending if you want to see the most cars.

The 2005 Carlisle Import-Kit/Replicar Nationals has already been scheduled and will take place May 20-22 of next year. Visit carsatcarlisle.com/import or call the Carlisle Events Info Line at (717) 243-7855 for more information.