It’s quite common for over 3,000 Ford branded vehicles to be showcased at the annual Carlisle Ford Nationals presented by Meguiars.  Following a 2019 event that hosted a record-setting 3,194 vehicles on the National Parts Depot Showfield, 2020 is shaping up to be another stellar offering from Carlisle Events.  Though the 25th anniversary event is still months away, Carlisle Events is excited to share what themes and anniversaries will be showcased in America’s Automotive Hometown starting at 7 a.m. daily.

Running June 5-7, 2020 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, indoor displays will offer a diverse snapshot of Ford’s impeccable production history.  One of the most popular showcase displays is hosted in Building Y.  Home to the annual Carlisle Select display since 2015, this feature positions 12-14 cars that are unique to the history of the Ford brand in front of a captive audience.  Additionally, every participant since year one of the display receives a commemorative plaque and sees their name affixed to a banner that hangs from the Building Y rafters, logging the history of the Ford Nationals Select.

Between Building T (located adjacent to Y) and the remainder of the grounds, additional displays will undoubtedly pack in the enthusiasts eager to see some of the best cars on the planet.  Planned is a 50th Anniversary display of the Grabbers.  There’s also a spotlight on the Ford GT, a Euro Ford Garage which includes the 50th Anniversary of the Capri and 35th Anniversary of the Merkur, a Thunderbird reunion and Starliner reunion too.   

Of course not every owner of one of the recognized celebrations is selected to be featured.  That doesn’t mean their car isn’t welcome at Carlisle.  With such a massive facility and show car layout, registering for the Showfield is very easy and in most cases, available at a discounted rate.  A link to register for the event is available at www.CarlisleEvents.com.  Once on the Ford Nationals portion of the page, event hopefuls can either register to show their car OR pick up single day/weekend tickets to enjoy the event as a spectator.  

Seeing these great displays is just one aspect of the fun.  There are product walk-arounds and FREE test drives from Ford, on-site installations from A&A Auto Stores, automotive competitions like autocross, a real street shootout and a burnout contest, plus there’s a massive midway and automotive flea market.  Shopping is made easy for any Ford lover as vendors and midway partners alike bring the must have and hard to find parts, merchandise and collectibles to Carlisle. 

To be involved with the 2020 Carlisle Ford Nationals as an automotive flea market vendor or midway partner, call 717-243-7855 to inquire about pricing and availability.  Otherwise, to be part of the show as a spectator or by showing a vehicle, visit one of the following web pages to learn more.

General Info:  http://www.carlisleevents.com
Event Info:  https://www.carlisleevents.com/events/events-detail/index?id=ford+nationals
NPD Showfield:  http://store.carlisleevents.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=24
Featured Vehicle Consideration:  https://www.carlislefeatures.com
Spectator Tickets/Weekend Passes:  https://www.carlisletickets.com

The car count at Corvettes at Carlisle is always something people wonder about.  On one hand, you can absolutely see over 5,000 Corvettes at the show, on the other, not every one of them register for the Fun Field.  So when a new record is set, it’s always fun to share that info.  For 2019, Corvettes at Carlisle, presented by Corvette America, broke a year-old Fun Field mark.  The official count for this year was 2,901.  What makes that total even more impressive is that this was supposed to be a “down year” for the event, given that every five years there is a Corvette Caravan to Bowling Green, Kentucky.  That event happens just after Corvettes at Carlisle.

So how does an event that would otherwise see a bit of a downtick during Caravan year break a record?  The answer could be one of three things.  First, the weather (but for a little rain Friday morning) was beyond amazing.  Temperatures were in the 70’s during the day and in the upper 50’s at night.  Second, the passion of every single Corvette enthusiast who comes to Carlisle from around the world keeps the event growing and growing.  Oh…and Team Chevrolet brought 14 of their all-new 2020 C8 Corvettes to the show.  That showcase had people standing rows deep not only at their specially built showcase display, but within the Team Chevrolet tent too.

The reality is, Corvettes at Carlisle is a one-of-a-kind event that has to be experienced in person to truly appreciate it.  Cars and car lovers, vendors and concessionaires were on-site days in advance of the show.  Once the gates opened Thursday, it was a non-stop sea of cars rolling through the gates.  In fact, Saturday’s gate traffic saw cars coming from before 7 a.m. until about 3 p.m.  It was an amazing sight to behold.  Everyone at Carlisle took in all aspects of the show.  Past the C8 were some amazing midway partners, while the automotive flea market was bustling too.  Vendors were buying from each other, Corvette enthusiasts were shopping too and there were smiles all around.

It wouldn’t be a Corvette show without seminars and tech talk sessions via three different locations, four if you count the C8 walkarounds at the stage, it was beyond easy to get a Corvette education.  Seminar hosts included Wil Cooksey, the NCRS team, Kevin Mckay and Jim Mero just to name a few.  In addition, Paul Koerner of the Corvette Mechanic Team led four days of seminars at his annually expanding footprint adjacent to Building T.  The Corvette Mechanic Team has become such a trusted force at Carlisle that when a showgoer has a Corvette issue, they are the first ones any staffer thinks to call.  

Competitions and comradery were also prevalent.  Lingenfelter Performance supported the second annual King of the X autocross competition, offering $1,000 in total prize money for competitors.  In addition, there was a beauty contest, burnout contest, car club gatherings, a jam-packed downtown Carlisle Corvette parade and street party and more.  On Friday night the competition gave way to the aforementioned comradery via the annual Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation dinner.  Lance Miller, co-owner of Carlisle Events, took a pie to the face, well over $20,000 was raised for the CMAF and a good time was had by all!  

The recap of Corvettes at Carlisle 2019 could fill two more pages based on its sheer level of amazing, but then there’d be no reason to see it in person!  So…save the date.  Corvettes at Carlisle returns to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds August 27-30, 2020 and Fun Field registration is now open.  Get details at www.CarlisleEvents.com or call 717-243-7855.

Carlisle Auctions hosted its first auction in November of 2012 in the sunshine state of Florida. Since then, the brand has backed over two dozen events between Florida and its home base of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. With four top-notch auctions already part of the season schedule, Carlisle Auctions is pleased to share that a fifth event has been added to mix!

Running November 8-9 in Sarasota, Florida, car lovers on Florida’s west coast can enjoy the all-new Sunset-Carlisle Collector Car Auction powered by Carlisle Auctions.  The event comes via a newly forged partnership with the Sunset Automotive Group. The event starts at 10 a.m. each day and showcases 400+ classic and collector cars. The added bonus is that there’s nothing like this in an area rich with classic car enthusiasts.

By adding this auction in Sarasota, Carlisle Auctions now covers 2/3 of the state from west to east.  Between November and February car lovers can enjoy this offering in Sarasota and in February, they can join central Florida car lovers for Winter AutoFest in Lakeland and its two-day auction.

“Having a residence in the Sarasota area and involved with groups like the Café Racers and the Oaks Car Club, I have seen the quality of collector cars that reside in Sarasota,” noted Carlisle Events co-owner Bill Miller.  “Now Sarasota will be a destination for a world class collector car auction powered by Carlisle Auctions.  Carlisle Auctions is teaming up with the Sunset Automotive Group to bring the best of the best collector cars to Florida’s west coast for this inaugural event,” continued Miller. “So many people watch auctions on TV and comment on how fun and entertaining that looks.  Now, enthusiasts can be part of the excitement first-hand at the brand-new Sunset-Carlisle Collector Car Auction, 6061 Sawyer Loop Rd., Sarasota FL 34238.”

Miller isn’t the only excited member of the Carlisle team to be looking forward to this November offering.  

“As our auctions continue to grow, we are thrilled to bring our brand of entertainment to Sarasota,” said Director of Auction Operations Tony Cline.  “We are now accepting consignments for this two-day event.”

As Cline noted, the Carlisle Auctions team is ready to take consignments/register bidders today. For investments guaranteed to accelerate, visit www.carlisleauctions.com or call 717-960-6400.

Corvettes at Carlisle is the cornerstone of all things automotive at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds.  The event, launched in 1982 by the late Chip Miller, honors America’s Sportscar each summer by welcoming over 5,000 Corvettes and 60,000+ guests to central Pennsylvania.  For 2019, Carlisle Events and Corvettes at Carlisle were honored by Team Chevrolet to host and spotlight the all-new mid-engine 2020 Corvette, also known as the C8.

The hype surrounding the car is real and now, instead of just looking at a 2020 C8 at a car show or on a showroom floor (if you can find one), you have a chance to WIN ONE!  The Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation is excited to announce that one lucky winner WILL drive home in a 2020 Mid-Engine C8 Z51 Corvette on May 1, 2020. 

Entry for the sweepstakes runs August 24, 2019 through May 1, 2020 and while there are many price points for entry into the sweepstakes, packages begin at $25 (3 tickets) and go as high as $2,500 (375 tickets + 150 bonus tickets).  In between the high- and low-end packages, tickets and bonus options span $50 through $1,500, making this a giveaway/sweepstakes priced for all who may want to own an instant classic!

With such anticipation, now is a great time to enter the sweepstakes; after all, the 2020 C8 Corvette is nearly sold out! Simply make a donation to the CMAF for sweepstakes tickets and a chance to win!  The prize isn’t just a Corvette, it’s a machine powered by the all-new 6.2L LT2 V8 engine with 495 hp, 470 lb.-ft. and a top speed of 194 m.p.h.  It also features continuously Variable Valve Timing which will further improve performance.

“We are extremely excited to work with Valley Chevrolet of Wilkes-Barre, PA to offer this all-new 2020 C8 Corvette as a prize for those who support the CMAF,” noted CMAF President Lance Miller.  “The wife of Valley’s owner was recently diagnosed with amyloidosis and that makes this partnership extra special for me and the foundation,” continued Miller.  “Much like the team at Valley Chevrolet, my father was very passionate about all things Corvette.  Unfortunately, amyloidosis took him from us in March of 2004,” added Miller.  “While it was too late for my dad, our goal since the launch of the CMAF is to help those afflicted with the disease and to raise awareness to offer the knowledge and understanding of amyloidosis for earlier detection.  In turn, we hope to ensure a better quality of life for those afflicted with the disease and to help science find a cure.”

The chance to donate and get tickets as well as details on all events supported by the CMAF can be found online at www.ChipMiller.org or via the CMAF Facebook page, www.facebook.com/AmyloidosisAwarenes.

Auction season concludes for Carlisle Auctions October 3-4 as America’s Automotive Hometown auction company hosts over a thousand guests, hundreds of bidders and over 500 consignments as part of its Fall Carlisle auction. The auction, powered by Carlisle Auctions popular FREE UNLESS SOLD guarantee (on consignments 25 years or older), runs in conjunction with Fall Carlisle (October 2-6), and takes place on Thursday and Friday (October 3-4) at the spacious Carlisle Expo Center (2 blocks west of the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds).

Annually this auction sees great success for buyers, sellers and the Carlisle Auctions team. This year expects to be no different with two full days filled with investments that accelerate! Carlisle Auctions anticipates 500+ consignments with a trio of star cars destined to steal the show. Via the Gary Gregory collection, buyers and sellers alike will be in awe of these rides, a 1951 Buick Roadmaster, a 1956 Ford F100 Restomod and a 1962 Ford Galaxie Restomod. These stunning pieces of work will be offered with reserve on Friday evening, October 4th, running consecutively starting at approximately 6 p.m.  

Gregory, a collector and long-time friend of Carlisle Events was eager to team up with Carlisle Auctions.  

“I’ve never met finer people than the staff at Carlisle Auctions,” noted Gregory.  “I have done business at Carlisle for years and that trust and their internationally recognized brand is why I’m happy to work with Carlisle Auctions to sell my three Resto Mods.  They’ll give you one on one service and get the job done,” concluded Gregory.

In addition to the three cars from Gregory, many more consignments come Carlisle Auctions way, including memorabilia and collectibles. Preview day for the auction is Wednesday throughout the day and Thursday morning leading up to the 12 p.m. start time.  Bidder registration is ongoing with consignments being taken daily.

With Carlisle Auctions, you never know what you’ll find crossing the block.  Much like its neighboring automotive flea market event, expect the unexpected with Carlisle Auctions.  The full lot of cars contain many hidden gems and are available at affordable price points.  Sales range from four figures to six and include decades of classics, select charity offerings and even themed blocks of cars.  For Fall 2019, the theme is an all ‘60s era hour.  That theme takes center stage on the 4th as well and its 5 p.m. lead-in is THE perfect appetizer for the Gary Gregory cars entrée.  

The fall auction will be here in no time!  Complete details about this auction, including the run list when available, details on committed consignments, a video link for the live stream and more is available online at www.CarlisleAuctions.com or by calling 717-960-6400.