2022 was a high-water mark year for the Carlisle Ford Nationals presented by Meguiar’s, hosting the largest amount of show cars ever at any car show at Carlisle!  A record total of 3,454 Fords adorned the Nationals Parts Depot (NPD) Showfield and with them, came an amazing display of rides within the Featured Vehicle Displays.  For 2023, the displays will be even more amazing with a quintet of planned features.

June 2-4, 2023 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds welcomes back Ford lovers from around the world and this time will highlight the SVT Cobra, Coyote powerplants, the Ford Lightning, an SVT Reunion, the Malaise Era, and a 40^th Anniversary of Saleen.  These displays will be positioned in various spots, including Building T, Building R, and under tents on the NPD Showfield.

• The Snake Comes Out of Hiding in 2023
  • Launched by Ford’s Special Vehicle team for the 1993 Model Year, the SVT Cobra was designed to showcase SVT’s hallmarks of performance, substance, exclusivity, and value.  Whether you are talking about the original Fox-based Cobra and Cobra R, the SN-95 Cobras, or the New Edge Cobras, these are some of the most sought-after late-model Mustangs.  The 2023 display includes many of the aforementioned rides, plus special guests, and even an on-grounds parade Friday, June 2.
• Hear the Howl with the Coyote Den
  • The Coyote Den is coming to Carlisle and will feature vehicles not only equipped originally with Coyote powerplants but also the ever-popular Coyote swaps.  The display also comes to life Friday and Saturday with a rev, or howl if you will, from the participants as well as those on the NPD Showfield that are also Coyote based.

• Lightning Strikes in June
  • Sunny and 75 – that’s the weather for June 2-4, or so we hope.  So, when we say lightning strikes, we mean it as a way to best describe the Ford Lightning’s 30-year anniversary celebration.  The display includes the ever-collectible and popular first-generation OBS SVT Lightning, the Flaresided second generation, and the new all-electric Ford Lightnings.  In 1993, SVT started it all when it delivered a performance truck to its enthusiasts.  Some of the originals from ’93 will be at Carlisle and the display tent will also welcome a few examples of each generation thereafter.  There’s even a planned parade on June 2 too.
• But Wait…There are More SVT Honors Planned
  • Ford’s SVT group has produced more than seven different SVT branded rides before its absorption into Ford Performance.  SVTs include the Lightning of course, but there’s a Cobra, Shelby GT500, Focus, Contour, GT, and Raptor just to name a few.  The other rides in this display will join the Lightning for a parade on Friday.  If you have an SVT but aren’t in the display itself, you’re welcome to join in!

• 40^th Anniversary of the Saleen
  • In 1983 Steve Saleen debuted his namesake brand of performance products.  Fast forward 40 years and the products and the man himself are still going strong.  2023 hosts a 40^th Anniversary display of the Saleen and aims to include a nice gallery of performance cars and their parts too.  The anniversary also includes seminars, parades, and more.
• The Malaise Era
  • The “malaise era” refers to the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s and encompassed some of Ford’s often forgotten vehicles.  Building R (near Gate 2) will feature these Fords.  While the “malaise era” encompasses a lot of vehicles, we’re hoping to showcase a gallery of odd, off-the-wall stuff many of us have forgotten about.

The Carlisle Ford Nationals is actively taking display consideration submissions online through the Carlisle Events/Carlisle Ford Nationals web page.  The submission process is ongoing into at least the first quarter of 2023.  Apply today for display consideration.  The vehicle doesn’t have to be the best of the best, but it does need to fit one of these display themes.  Don’t have something that fits the bill for these displays, but own a Ford?  Showfield registration is open now.  Full details on the event, links to purchase tickets, and more are available at CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855 today.  

In sports, before the regular season starts, there are tune-up contests.  For Carlisle Events, its annual tune-up event is a sleeper of an event that more enthusiasts within automotive circles are learning about; Auto Mania at the Allentown Fairgrounds.  While this event is smaller in comparison to the more grandiose events like it held in Carlisle, for Allentown show-goers, it’s their Daytona 500, their big game…it’s the show that gets it all going!

From noon on January 20 through 3 p.m. on January 22, thousands of guests mixed and mingled with a few hundred vendors and millions of automotive pieces and parts for an event that has been going on now for 34 years.  Auto Mania is also Pennsylvania’s largest indoor and heated event of its type, so it’s easy to see why guests from the region over walked aisle upon aisle of automotive pieces and parts, collectibles, and merchandise.  Each vendor table saw a constant stream of customers daily.  Items like Mopar oil pans, Ford-specific fuel lines, Camaro bumpers, garage and floor mats, videos, vintage magazines, toy cars, and more were all offered.  There were also a few food vendors positioned within Ag Hall, giving everyone some great culinary options throughout the weekend.

For anyone at the event that thought Friday was busy, they had not seen anything yet.  When the doors opened Saturday, there were again lines to gain access to the show.  Once inside, the guests were shoulder to shoulder and aisles were packed with enthusiasts.  Saturday’s turnout, combined with the one from Friday gave everyone a lot of what they wanted.  Sure, the shopping was there, but most importantly, the unmatched camaraderie that comes with an event like this was prevalent throughout.

As the final day rolled around, it served as one last chance to buy parts, check out last-minute deals, and even visit with the dedicated group of vendors who set up outdoors.  In all, what better way to enjoy a January day than to spend it with friends talking cars, buying parts, and getting excited for events season at Carlisle which commences on April 19 with Spring Carlisle?

“What a fantastic weekend,” said event manager Tim DeMark.  “It just goes to show what the Carlisle name means to the collector car hobby.  I really would like to thank the vendors and our guests for a fantastic weekend.  I encourage everyone to 'like' us on Facebook.  This way, everyone knows what we have going on and how they can be part of this great weekend next year.  Save the date because we can’t wait to do it again, January 19-21, 2024.”

Up next for Carlisle Events is Spring Carlisle.  This massive automotive flea market event spans five days, April 19-24, and includes a two-day classic and collector car auction powered by Carlisle Auctions.  Gates open at 7 a.m. each day and kids 12 and under are admitted FREE.  There is also a military discount available for ALL events for in-person purchases (with valid ID).  Complete details about Spring Carlisle can be found at CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.  For auction information, visit CarlisleAuctions.com or call 717-960-6400.

The holiday season is best recognized as a season of giving, and while that season is primarily in the rear-view mirror for the next 300+ days, the time to give and do good for others continues.  Carlisle Auctions, a Pennsylvania-based classic and collector auction house, returns to Lakeland, Florida for its first auction of the year and in doing so, will sell a stunning vehicle benefitting a worthy cause. 

The aforementioned auction powered by Carlisle Auctions revs up the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus in Lakeland on February 10-11 and in doing so, brings an expected 400+ classic and collector cars spanning generations to central Florida.  The fun starts each day at 10:30 a.m. with past, present, and future classics crossing the block, including a “gotta have it” 1992 Jaguar XJ6 Sovereign.  The one-owner only Jag with new tires is a confirmed charity consignment and will sell at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 11.  The charity sale will be the first vehicle to cross the block on day two of the two-day offering and 100% of its dollars will benefit Wheels from the Heart. Better yet, there are no buyer’s or seller’s fees attached to the final gavel price.

Before the fast-paced nature of the auction hits its stride on the 11^th, team members yield the floor to Steve Muschlitz and Wheels from the Heart.  Wheels from the Heart is a Delray Beach, Florida-based organization whose mission is to give the gift of a reliable vehicle to single moms with children and help them drive to a better life.  While there’s an obvious play on words there, the fact remains that owning a reliable means of transportation makes nearly every aspect of life better.  It helps you get groceries, go to and from work, do social activities, school drop-offs and pickups, and more.  Since being nominated in 2016 for the Men with Caring Hearts Award, Steve and his team have donated hundreds of cars to moms in need.

“I’m excited to work with Carlisle Auctions at their upcoming event in Lakeland,” said Muschlitz.  They put on a great event and their bidder/buyer base has always been generous when we offer a lot for charity.  Of course, these sales wouldn’t be possible without their gracious donations of them in the first place by their previous owners.  Together, we can all change the lives of someone in need.”

“Wheels From the Heart has provided 158 reliable vehicles for hard-working single moms,” noted Tony Cline, Director of Auction Operations.  “Their group truly helps drive a better life for them and their family and we are thrilled to be able to help them with their mission.  This is our second time working with Wheels from the Heart and we’re looking forward to helping make a difference in the lives of those who depend on the organization.”

Complete details on the auction are available at CarlisleAuctions.com.  In addition, the auction offers THREE great ways to bid on desired lots; in person, on the phone, or online!  Best of all, once registered as a bidder, online bidding commences the Monday of the auction week (February 6).  Consignments are being added daily to the Carlisle Auctions web page.  Spectator admission is $10 with FREE parking, plus the event offers onsite RV parking for those looking to make the event a multi-day adventure.  For auction details, call 717-960-6400 and for details on RV parking, call 717-243-7855.  Get involved today and don’t miss out!