Maybe I’m turning into a grumpy old man, but it seems like every year there is more motorized transportation riding through the isles of the swap meet. Somebody ran over my foot, looked at me didn’t say he was sorry, gave me a dirty look and just motored along! I think it’s great for people that are not able to get around because of physical limitations, but it’s hard to believe that all of a sudden so many people can’t get around anymore. Like many of us here, my wife and I are in our mid seventies and it’s getting difficult to walk around like in our younger days, but I just think it’s getting out of control. Sorry for complaining, rant is over. Lol

 

Perhaps I'm also becoming a grumpy old guy--I don't think so. I'm perplexed by the folks with Carlisle Car Coral spaces using them as interior parking for their transportation vehicle. I've asked a few guys about clean pick-ups in the Carol and was rudely informed "not for sale".

 

I attended a swap meet last month, and was talking with a member of the organization sponsor (AACA). I thought they had a good turnout; he informed me that they had the most cars in handicap parking ever. People are getting soft, and taking too much stock in doctor's advice.

 

I shouldn’t complain, Carlisle appeared to be well attended and that’s good for our hobby. Just getting grumpy I guess. lol

 

Really? there are people with real disabilities and I'm one of them. After losing my left lower leg to amputation my golf cart allows me to do things I couldn't otherwise. There's another problem, I can't tell you the times I've needed a handicap parking space and somebody has parked their HellCat in a handicap space. This happened just tonight when I went to Longhorns to eat. I walked over and checked the HellCat for the proper handicap credentials and there were none. I'm not turning this into a racial deal but............

 

I get there are legit handicaps, like the 400 pounder in the scooter at the grocery store yesterday. Lost the leg in a war? Thank you for your service.

 

I don't login often but I saw this thread and wanted to comment.
I agree with the original comments, the excess mobility scooters, and lack of courtesy. I didn't see too many golf carts. I witnessed couples on individual scooters driving thru the crowd. Some would stop at a space, get off, and walk around looking at items. Other items include people driving their full size vehicles with trailers thru the crowd, especially during lunch time. Add to that bicycles and eBikes. I sent a note to Carlisle Events commenting about the exact subject/items. The people who are "too lazy" will ruin it for those who actually need the scooters and parking. I am 73 and walk the grounds. I can only walk for about six (6) hours and then I am done. The only time I sit down is to eat lunch. In my younger days I could walk the complete grounds in a day. I attended on Thursday, it is now Sunday, and I am still recovering.
As I tell people...I am getting FOG - fatter older and grumpier.

 

My take on this from the OP is yes there are more golf carts because the generation that grew up with musclecars are greying rapidly now with health issues, baby boomers. I still look around and the younger crowd is a minority while there. There used to be a tram car riding people around, that's gone. Also years ago kids, boy scouts etc, used to run your parts back to your car for you. I thought this was good and a way for the kids to make some dollars, they are mostly gone also.

 

"THE DESTROYER - For HiRe"
Chrome stacks, ample illumination.

A regular at Carlisle events during the good old days. Fall Carlisle 1987.

 

Yes, I also had my best Carlisle ever, but the use of motorized vehicles is going to continue to increase until someone gets hurt and Carlisle Events gets sued. Per the rules, no motorized vehicles of any kind are allowed in the swap meet unless it has an approved sticker from Carlisle Events. I think about half of the golf carts I saw had one, and of course NONE of the e-bikes, e-scooters, "hoverboards", or monster four-person ATVs had them. Obviously this isn't enforced at all. I've seen too many close calls just at the intersection by my spaces. And I'm sorry, but it's hard to be sympathetic when the driver is a 30-something who stops in the middle of the road and gets off to walk through several swap spaces.

 

The first year of us baby boomers are turning 80 this year. That could have something to do with it. But does not excuse the young punks stopping in the middle of the road.

 

Inability to walk Carlisle is the reason I stopped going. Last time I went I had to stop to rest every couple of aisles and my lower back and legs are worse now. I'm too cheap to pay the money Carlisle Events' outside scooter and wheelchair rental company charges and I don't want the stress and aggravation of navigating one through a crowded aisle.

So- I had 30 good years of enjoying Spring and Fall Carlisle and Gettysburg Battlefield. Found some great stuff, often at a good deal. Grateful for that but the trips are no longer fun for me. Partly due to my physical limitations, partly because I haven't found anything for my cars since early 2000s. NOS and even good used for anything other than an A-body or other mainstream car is simply not there. I did bring home a lot of well-loved USA made hand tools after the parts dried up.

We parked with the same guy near A gate for many years and got to be friends with him and his family. Lot of years we'd take him a fifth of good bourbon but in later years we'd take him a quart Mason of fine Vajenya moonshine.

 

I didn't see anything egregious this year but we got in Friday just a couple hours before the rain that triggered the mass exodus.

 

I received the following reply from Bill Miller at Carlisle:
Thanks for reaching out to us as we are aware of this situation too. The scooters were intended for handicapped but we are finding out that just about anyone can get a handicap placard and rent a scooter. Also too many got rented out to others too.
We will be handling this situation in the future as safety is a big concern for us.
Appreciate you reaching out to us.

 

The $$$ that the scooters bring in probably outweighs the complaints. I doubt there is any liability risk for the fairgrounds. Its all enter at your own risk. Its no different than rolling your ankle there..

 

The problem isn't the rental scooters. The problem is that many vendors bring their own golf carts/ATVs/e-bikes/e-scooters. They are not showing approved use stickers and go flying through the rows. While I am aware that not all disabilities are visible, few of the users appear to have any problem moving around.

 

Along the same lines, I will gripe about the guys with wagons at the swap meets. I get that some car parts that they may be hunting for a heavy to carry...but my toes and shins have encountered these wagons at swap meets. It's not so much a problem with the outdoor vendor areas...lots of space out there. But, then they drag them though the tight rows of the indoor vendor areas. Oh crap...maybe I'm getting old too! When did that happen? Oh well...I'm still young enough to tackle a dopey kid riding a bicycle through a cruise night field!!

 

Sorry, but if you're not pulling a wagon though the swap meet, you're not serious about buying parts.

My first trip to Carlisle was in 1997 - the former Summer Carlisle that just happened to feature Oldsmobile's 100th anniversary. I still use that same wagon today.

 

Bottom line, we’re all getting older. Some of us require mechanical assistance. The current “younger” generation (to a majority) doesn’t have the drive or interest in our hobby. The internet has changed the way people think. It has also changed our hobby and the way we restore our cars, (ClassicOldsmobile.com). (THANK YOU!!). As long as attending swap meets, whether Carlisle or Pate, (insert your favorite swap meet), what have you, brings you joy and are still active, soak it up as much as you can. For as long as you can. I’m still nursing my sunburns dammit!!😄. Stay positive, you’ll live longer…., or at least die smiling.

 

I was actually encouraged at Carlisle last week in that I saw a number of younger buyers carrying actual parts. Of course, at my age, pretty much everyone is "younger" now...