It's Carlisle Chrysler Nationals weekend at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and renowned automotive writer David Hakim is back with a feature dedicated to the show that Mopar enthusiasts love the most!  Check out our latest All About Cars blog post on the 2022 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals!

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By David Hakim:

Summer might be halfway through its illustrious season of long, hot days and short nights, but the annual Carlisle Chrysler Nationals event is ready to get started with three days of awesome Mopar® fun for thousands of diehard enthusiasts. It’s safe to say this longstanding event has become the premier Mopar show in the country, as close to 3,000 old- and new-school Dodge and Plymouth muscle cars, and just about anything else that was built by Chrysler from the dawn of time to now, can be found in the display buildings and enormous show field of the Carlisle Fairgrounds. 

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A few times a year, the team from Carlisle Auctions is All About Cars...literally!  This week's All About Cars blog post serves as a quick reminder that your next chance to find your first or next classic with Carlisle Auctions is happening September 29-30 at the Carlisle Expo Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  In addition, the Fall Carlisle Collector Car Auction brings you TWO great collections, one from builder and collector Dave Ferro, the other from Carlisle Events co-owner and co-founder Bill Miller, Jr.

Each collection spans automotive history, and while Dave's cars are restored beauties, many of Bill's will be original/survivor cars with low mileage.  Carlisle Auctions currently has details on the Dave Ferro Collection online, while the Bill Miller Collection will be coming soon.

In the absence of photos at this time, Bill is excited to share that his collection includes thousands of pieces of merchandise, collectibles, literature, memorabilia, etc.  This portion of the collection will run September 26-27 starting at 10 a.m. in a building adjacent to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds located in the former Smith's Appliance store.  In addition, he'll be auctioning more than a dozen low mileage cars.  Many are single owner and span the 1930s-1990s production era.  Of his lots, two are Kaiser Darrin's, another a 1981 VW truck that's never been titled, plus a 1958 Cadillac two-door hard top with 12,000 miles AND its original tires.  

If you want to own these pieces of automotive excellence, or others that will cross the block in late September, call 717-960-6400 and register to bid today.  Each collection will run their automotive lots consecutively.  Bill's collection is planned for September 29 at approximately 3 p.m. while Dave's will run on September 30 around 4 p.m. 

In addition, Carlisle Auctions is actively accepting consignments for not only the Fall Carlisle Collector Car Auction, but its Lakeland Fall Collector Car Auction in Florida (November 11-12).  Learn more today and we'll see you real soon!

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Register to Bid
Consign to Sell
Dave Ferro Collection
Bill Miller Collection 

Last month we shared a story for All About Cars that called out what industry writers were saying about the cars that adorned the National Parts Depot Showfield as part of the record-setting Carlisle Ford Nationals.  Now, as part of a sequel of sorts to our original post, let's see what "they" are saying about the trucks that helped make Ford weekend one for the ages!  FYI - many of the top ten Fords showcased are trucks, so...double bonus!

Ford Truck Enthusiasts - Ford Finds: Top Ten Fords Spotted at the 2022 Ford Nationals
Ford Truck Enthusiasts - Ten Best Trucks Spotted at the Record Breaking 2022 Ford Nationals
The Best Broncos Of The 2022 Carlisle Ford Nationals

By the way, don't forget, the Carlisle Truck Nationals presented by A&A Auto Stores take over the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds August 5-7.  The event includes trucks, tractors, big rigs, monster trucks, family fun, and more.  It really is a great way to see your kid's toy box come to life!  

Carlisle Truck Nationals - Learn More
Register for the Truck Nationals Showfield

While the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals may be the biggest and best all-Mopar themed event of its type, there’s one popular feature that guests have been clamoring for; the return of Dodge!  At this year’s event, July 15-17 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, guests of all ages can experience first-hand the brand that drives their passion as Dodge has confirmed its return, not only to the midway, but to the track, too. 

Everyone who treks to Carlisle in less than one month will have a chance to be flanked by a massive midway display from Dodge, plus enjoy time on the autocross track as part of their Thrill Rides.  In addition, product experts from Dodge will be on hand to talk shop, both at their display and during the “State of the Hobby” address. 

Not only will Dodge have a grandiose midway display, they’ll also be offering Thrill Rides on the track FREE for onsite guests who have visited the aforementioned midway showcase.  The rides are unlike anything most guests will have ever experienced and they’ll be piloted by a team of professional drivers.  This element of Dodge’s involvement has proven to be one of the most popular programs over the past ten years at Carlisle.

In addition to Dodge’s return, the Chrysler Nationals are also planning a “State of the Hobby” address on Friday at 10 a.m. on the stage.  For the first time ever, guests can hear directly from a wide variety of people in the Mopar hobby regarding its current state, as well as its future. Those attending can also ask their own questions of the panel and get immediate feedback from them.  Speakers include at least one of each of the following: a collector, a business owner, a restorer, a show promoter, media members, representation from SEMA, a racer, a celebrity, Dodge, and possibly more. This panel will share their honest, personal experience and knowledge regarding the hobby. Best of all, the address will conclude with the unveiling of some Mopars representing the hobby – past, present and future.

Learn more about the “State of the Hobby” address, Dodge’s involvement, and all that the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals has planned by calling 717-243-7855 or online at CarlisleEvents.com.  In addition, online registration for the Showfield is available through the end of the day on Sunday, July 10, with discounted spectator admission tickets are available online through the event’s conclusion on Sunday, July 17.

With 1,148 show cars and trucks on the National Parts Depot Showfield at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds June 24-25, the 2022 iteration of the Carlisle GM Nationals became one the top 5 GM Nationals Showfield offerings of all time dating back to the show’s inception in 2001.  In fact, the total ranks this one #4!  With special displays, parts vendors, seminars, activities, and more, there was something for everyone.  Whether the biggest draw was the Featured Display cars or those who were part of the general display is debatable, what’s undeniable is the fun and excitement that everyone had while at the event.

Gates opened at 7 a.m. each day and one of THE first things guests did was visit the automotive flea market and the midway.  After all, the early bird gets the worm, or parts in this case, at Carlisle.  From there, it was a pass-through Buildings T and Y, the two Featured Display buildings.  Along the way, showgoers experienced a vast mix of rare and unique builds in the Solid Lifter Show Room, 40 Years of the 3^rd Gens, 60 Years of the Nova and Chevy II, and more.  Trucks even shared a piece of the spotlight as 40 Years of the S10 were also recognized.  In addition, two “shows within the show” brought Novas and Corvettes to Carlisle as part of the Nova Nationals and Corvettes for Chip respectively.

Displays also welcomed special guests in some cases.  For the 3^rd Gens, ambassadors Phil Borris, Gale Mains, and Dan Edwards held court, not only with their special display cars, but general knowledge on the car and seminars too.  Borris’ 3^rd Gen stood front and center on a retro Chevrolet display as it was the LAST 3^rd Gen to ever roll off the assembly line at the Norwood plant.  Other stars of the display included Kyle Tucker of Detroit Speed fame’s DSE-Z Camaro, a few Players Camaros from Canada, Firehawks, and GM’s 1991 SEMA show car built by head of GM Specialty Vehicles Group Jon Moss.  This car is special because it’s the only non-Corvette to be factory equipped with an LT5 dual overhead cam ZR-1 engine. 

As is the case at Carlisle, these cars don’t just show, they go and make the kind of noise that everyone wants to hear.  UMI Performance had their cars on the track offering autocross rides, the Cumberland Valley Corvette Club supported open autocross runs and the real street shootout, plus there was a rolling exhaust contest, and all new, rolling exhaust and burnouts presented by Atturo Tires.  The 3^rd Gens also paraded around the grounds, including some from the Building T display, much to the delight of everyone at Carlisle.

From awards to seminars, charity elements, competitions and cool cars and trucks, the 2022 Carlisle GM Nationals had it all!  Save the date because the 2023 Carlisle GM Nationals returns to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds June 23-24.  Planned special display themes include the 40th Anniversary of the Pontiac Fiero, Buick Regal 50th Anniversary, 4th Gen Camaro and Firebird 30th Anniversary celebration, 120 Years of the Buick Motor Company, and a Malaise Era Display.  For details on this event or to check out the winner’s list and photos visit CarlisleEvents.com.