Every auto event at Carlisle hosts an automotive flea market element.  Each vary in size by event, but ultimately serve a similar purpose; that being the buying, selling, and trading of automotive parts, merchandise and collectibles.  Recently, Tim Suddard and his team from Classic Motorsports attended the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals car show.  They always make a point to attend the annual May event in some capacity and for 2023, it was be a vendor and "sell their stuff." 



In this week's All About Cars, Tim looks back at that experience and outlines for you, some of the top tips on buying and selling within an automotive flea market event like those at Carlisle!



CLICK HERE to check out the full piece and visit CarlisleEvents.com for complete details on the reminder of the 2023 schedule and beyond at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds.

  

Passionate!  That one word and ten letters is the best way to describe and summarize those who attend and/or participate in the world’s largest all-Ford-themed car show; the Carlisle Ford Nationals.  The 2023 offering presented by eBay Motors (June 2-4) became the second-largest Ford Nationals ever and did so in more than one way.  Of course, the all-time Showfield mark was set in 2022, but this year’s total of 3,434 show cars, combined with a stellar vendor and spectator turnout means that since 2014, this was THE largest gathering of Ford lovers at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds. 

Now, why did all these blue oval lovers migrate to Carlisle?  Where does one begin?  Maybe it was the two-dozen new product walkarounds from industry experts being executed two and sometimes three times an hour, or the half a dozen or so new vehicle unveilings.  It could have also been the special guests, unique displays, competitions, parades, and of course parts shopping within the automotive flea market.  The reality is, it was all of that…and more.     

Friday, June 2 included a special one-day-only visit by two-time Formula Drift Champion and professional fun-haver Vaughn Gittin, Jr.  Vaughn and his RTR Vehicles team came to Carlisle to showcase their new fleet of vehicles, meet fans, sign autographs, and have some drifting fun on the Carlisle track.  In addition, another automotive giant, Steve Saleen, made Carlisle home for the weekend.  Steve and his team showcased a handful of Saleen customized rides, including the amazing S7 and an all-new SA-40 Mustang, including one that supports a charitable cause.  Steve was also part of a special Friday evening dinner and auction that benefited the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation. 

2023 featured displays included the annual Ford Nationals Select in Building Y, plus a mix of Saleens, Lightnings, SVTs, the Coyote Den, Malaise Era cars, and more mixed between Building T and special display tents on the grounds.

Ford Performance was well represented by its team members, including the likes of Jim Owens, John Clor, Carl Widmann, and Arie Groneveld just to name a few.  Each had a little something to showcase to the masses.  For Owens, it was a trio of Mustangs, including the Dark Horse, the EcoBoost, and one with an all-new GT performance package.  Widmann and Groneveld had the honor of presenting for the first time at an enthusiast event, the Ranger Raptor truck, plus brought the F-150 Raptor, and Bronco Raptor with them too.  Meanwhile, Clor presented some talks on the SVT, while also honoring Venom Invasion, the event’s coolest club. 

Further love of Ford branded products came from Kyle Sargent of Ford Performance Racing Parts as well as Gary Patterson and Tracey Smith from Shelby American.  Sargent showcased a pair of 700+ HP F-150s, while the Shelby leadership not only introduced but also reopened production of the Shelby Dragonsnake with its former driver Bruce Larson, while also pulling the covers off a pair of Centennial Edition trucks on the Carlisle stage.  KTL Restorations also got in on the walk-around game, showcasing their award-winning 1970 Aruba Eliminator two different times as amazed showgoers looked on.

The wheels were in motion at Carlisle, not only from Gittin, Jr. drift exhibitions, but from rides via Gateway Mustang, the Real Street Shootout (autocross), a rolling exhaust contest, rolling burnouts and donuts presented by Atturo Tires, on-grounds parades, monster truck rides from the Virginia Giant, and the Ford Downtown Parade, Park and Party.

As the final hours of the 2023 event concluded, awards were posted and presented to those who were available to receive them, while others celebrated the success of the weekend with late-day photos and even some open autocross runs on the Carlisle track.   

While 2023 is a wrap, the Carlisle Ford Nationals 2024 is in the planning stages and taking place May 31-June 2.  Registration for it is now open and planned 2024 display themes include 60 Years of the Mustang, including a gallery of legendary and historically significant Mustangs, a Mustang production timeline, a Y-Block Reunion, 40 Years of the SVO, 50 Years of the Mustang II, and the annual Ford Nationals Select display.  For details on upcoming car events at Carlisle, advanced arrival information, or to check out the winner’s list and photos from Ford Nationals weekend, visit CarlisleEvents.com.

Annually at Carlisle the Carlisle Ford Nationals and Carlisle Truck Nationals welcome a nice mix of Ford Rangers.  Rangers span all years of production and include just as many original options as those that have been modified.  This week's All About Cars takes us to therangerstation.com and a piece by Jim Oaks.  Jim showcases 40 years of the Ranger and we hope you'll bring yours to Carlisle this summer to celebrate too.  Showfield links for both events are below...but first, be sure to check out Jim's story!  We can't wait to see you in Carlisle in 2023 and beyond.


40 Years of the Ranger by Jim Oaks
Carlisle Ford Nationals - Register my Ranger
Carlisle Truck Nationals - Register my Ranger

2022 at Carlisle was a record-setting affair, not just for other car shows, but for the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals.  For the first-time ever, the show car count during Chrysler weekend climbed above 3,000 and with displays, features, and draw of the automotive flea market, 2023 should be yet another one for the history books of Mopar lovers.  This year’s Carlisle Chrysler Nationals is July 14-16 and with three days of excitement, the question lately has been…will it all fit on the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds?  Yes…yes it will, but seeing is most definitely believing.  The event is more than a car show, it’s a reunion of sorts for like-minded friends and family.

Despite the three promoted dates, the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals actually starts, somewhat unofficially, on July 13 with a kick-off party at the neighboring Carlisle Expo Center hosted by the Mopar Rebellion Car Club.  The party starts in the late afternoon/early evening and is FREE for all to attend.  There is a DJ, grilled food for sale, and some other fun elements, but more than anything else, it’s a way to “toe dip” into the automotive excitement planned for the weekend. 

At 7 a.m. on the 14^th, all Hell(cat) breaks loose, with an influx of guests from around the world.  Of course, many of the Showfield show cars and trucks are worth everyone’s time and attention, but along the way, guests will be wowed by the special themed displays.  For this year, those themes focus on the Malaise Era, High School Mopars, 1973 50^th Anniversary, and a general Featured Vehicle Display.  In addition, the Mopar Survivors Tent is back as is Herb McCandless with a tent display of some of his prized rides.

Beyond seeing the cars at Carlisle, there’s a chance to enjoy some track activities for an adrenaline fix and an automotive flea market for parts shopping, too.  The track fun includes a rolling burnout and donut contest presented by Atturo Tires, and the Real Street Shootout (autocross).  There are more wheels in motion by way of impromptu parades on the grounds, which helps bring the cars to the people, no matter where they are on grounds. 

As the automotive flea market goes, there isn’t one bigger for Mopar enthusiasts than the one at Carlisle.  A quarter of the southern portion of the grounds is filled from east fence line to west with car parts, merchandise, collectibles, and memorabilia.  Parts are both NOS and OEM used, giving buyer and seller alike more options than anyone could possibly imagine.  Mix that in with the midway and it’s clear to see why shopping at Carlisle is a must-do for any, make that every, Mopar enthusiast.

The cars may be the stars, but there are some other special guests at Carlisle, too.  In addition to the aforementioned Herb McCandless, the Ramchargers, and Golden Commandos are back, too.  Also planned for 2023 are Linda Vaughn, Butch Leal, Paul Rossi, members of the “Missile” race team, Dave Rea, and Claudia Abel (Ms. Direct Connection).

The Carlisle Chrysler Nationals is actively taking registrations for the Showfield, vendor registrations for the automotive flea market, and selling discounted spectator tickets in advance of the July 14-16 offering.  Please note, vending spaces are sold out currently due to demand.  Learn more about the competitions, special displays, purchase discounted spectator admission tickets, and get involved today by calling 717-243-7855 or online at CarlisleEvents.com.