The automotive events at Carlisle are affordable family fun for those who purchase a spectator admission ticket.  There aren’t many entertainment venues that offer $10-$20 admission tickets (depending on the event) that in turn allow upwards of 10 hours of entertainment once on-site.  In addition, with kids 12 and under admitted for FREE, bringing a family of four to a Carlisle car show is, hands down, one of the best “bang for the buck” options in central PA.

What was already super affordable is now even more so with special online-only discount pricing on tickets for the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals, Carlisle GM Nationals, and Fall Carlisle.  These three shows take place May 12-13, June 23-24, and September 27-October 1 respectively, and each offers a variety of historic automotive displays, parts shopping, activities, etc.  Further, they carry an in-person ticket cost of $13 (IPN), $12 (GM), and $13 (Fall) per event.  Now, with the “Sweetheart of a Deal” Valentine’s Day Promotion, those prices which are already discounted online by $2 get an extra dollar’s savings between February 13 and two weeks before the event itself. 

Those savings mean that a spectator coming to Carlisle for Import & Performance Nationals is paying just $10 for admission between February 13 and May 1.  Admission to the Carlisle GM Nationals is just $9 between February 13 and June 12 and a ticket to Fall Carlisle to shop the massive automotive flea market is just $10 between February 13 and September 18.  Spectator tickets must be purchased online within the promotional period to receive this discount.  Click on “Tickets & Gift Cards” on the website home page and then click on “Buy Tickets” under the specific event header.  The discount will automatically be applied within the purchase transaction during the promotional time period, which begins Monday, February 13.  Online spectator admission prices for these three events return to their original prices two weeks preceding each event.

Other events on the Carlisle car show schedule also have discounts in place, either by way of standard online ticket purchases or in person by showcasing a valid military ID (ID holder only).  In addition, events offer a spectator ticket purchase option that includes parking, and all-new in 2023, Carlisle Events gift cards.

It’s easy to see why families from near and far travel to Carlisle.  Not only are the car shows great family fun, but they are educational too with decades of past, present, and future classics on display.  There are also parts, toys, collectibles, merchandise, and more for sale within the automotive flea market.  Save time by skipping the lines, save money by buying online, and spend an enjoyable day out with friends and family at Carlisle in 2023 and beyond.  Learn more online at CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.  Don’t delay…Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and of course, the Carlisle Events season schedule starts April 19 with Spring Carlisle.

A few weeks back, Carlisle Events Event Managers Ken Appell and Ed Buczeskie took a trip out to Pittsburgh World of Wheels to check out the flavors from the west side of the state.  The Pittsburgh edition of World of Wheels is one of the longest running on the circuit and hosted it’s 62^nd edition of the annual tradition.  We spotted a number of cars that caught our eyes for one reason or another, so let’s quit the chitty chat and get you what you came to see, the cars and machines at this event.

Before we even entered the main hall, we were greeted with a bittersweet Mopar display in the lobby. Five Mopars from the collection of John Borgen were featured to honor the enthusiast who passed away unexpectedly in 2022. The cars were backdropped by the Allegheny River and included John’s 1968 Hemi Charger R/T, which was refreshingly unrestored, two ’71 ‘Cudas, a 1970 AAR ‘Cuda and a ’70 Superbird; the latter were all beautifully restored. Rest in peace, John.

One of our first stops was visiting with our friends at Super Car Workshop and Super Car Restoration.  These guys put on our annual Solid Lifter Showroom at the Carlisle GM Nationals as well as support a number of our other events by bringing us some great vehicles.  Brian and his team just finished up Mark Prunesti’s ’69 Chevrolet Chevelle, which if it looks familiar it is as it was one of the in-process builds Brian brought us last year for the Solid Lifter Showroom.  Now in the final stages this Chevelle is looking killer in every way.

Located not far away, another build that caught our attention was Dave Kindig of Kindig-It Designs ’53 23 Window Barndoor Deluxe Bus [say that 3 times fast].  Subtle details and a slew of hidden touches caught our eyes.

Clubs are the backbone of many shows and one of the clubs supporting this show had a cool variety of Pontiac products.  The Greater Pittsburgh GTO Club had a lineup just inside one of the doors that really captured the attention of show-goers by having something really different than most clubs.

Mopars are generally in short supply at multi make shows but Pittsburgh held another surprise besides the John Borgen tribute. In the main hall was a quartet of Chryslers from the Johnson family. Bob Sr. had a pair of 1970s on display in the form of a Road Runner and a Challenger T/A. His sons followed in his footsteps with a pair of B-Bodies.

(Jake Johnson’s 1969.2 Dodge Super Bee A12)

(Bob Johnson Jr’s 1968 Dodge Charger)

 

Imports are also rather uncommon at shows that are usually associated with traditional hot rods but this show was an exception. Beyond the aforementioned Kindig Bus and some other sweet air-cooled VWs was everything from an LS-swapped BMW to a righthand drive Nissan Cedric. Several clubs were on hand with great displays but it was Burgh Built that made the biggest impression with us. The cars were neatly arranged with purpose and the attention to detail on not just the cars, but also the overall display, stopped us in our tracks.

Another show feature of the Autorama circuit wherever it travels is the Cavalcade of Customs displays, this year the Pittsburgh World of Wheels showcased a number of Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln products in this area. Like Carl Ventresca’s ‘60 Mercury above the cars joining him in the display [pictured below] were a hit with the crowds.

(Christopher Lopes’ ’63 Mercury Comet)

(Jim Gibbons’ ’54 Mercury Coupe)

(Rob Rizzo’s ’56 Mercury Monterey)

(John Lyman’s ’64 Lincoln Continental)

A pair of Ford Broncos from Steve Zalusky also caught our attention.

Additionally other 70’s Ford Trucks made quite a showing nearby like Nick Dankovich’s “Desperado” Ford F-100

And Terry Wilson’s ’78 Ford F-150

Along with a couple of other 70’s Ford Trucks

Nearby was this Ranger who was one of our Carlisle Elite pics from the 2022 Edition of the Carlisle Truck Nationals which is celebrating the Ford Ranger in August at the Carlisle Truck Nationals this year.

Trucks in general seemed to make a commanding presence. We actually seemed to make a comment in unison that it looked like a “little SEMA Show” in some parts of the building with some of the truck builds.

(Seth Feiock’s ’15 Ford F-150)

(Austin Helper’s ’16 Chevrolet 2500)

(Jason McCarthy’s ’15 GMC Sierra 2500)

(Johnathan Wischmann’s ’96 Ford F-250)

(Chris Cossell’s ’55 Ford F-100)

 

(A pair of Mopars representing the Malaise Era, which will be a featured display at the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals in July)

(Cynthia Kramer’s ’69 Dodge Super Bee in the Pittsburgh International Dragway display)

1966 Hemi Satellite of Janice Sutherland and Les Shank looked awesome and took home some hardware.

This ’68 Chevrolet C-10 owned by Heather Giambalvo was a real head turner. Not only did it look good, but we are sure with the SLP TVS Supercharger under the hood that it must be a blast to drive.

Opposite of Heather’s C-10 was this custom ’57 Chevy 210 from Bill Kniffen featuring an interior that may look familiar to many of our Corvette Enthusiasts

Other Tri-Fives did not disappoint at the show, one that caught our eye was this ’55 Bel Air which belongs to one of our Spring Carlisle vendors with a lot of custom touches throughout the build.

Nearby was also Andy Oskam’s ’71 Chevrolet Chevelle

And Gerry Kerna’s beautiful ’30 Ford Model A

There was also this super clean ’68 Chevrolet Camaro from Tim Kilkeary

Larry Boyd also had this very cleanly transformed ’68 Firebird next door.

Another F-Body of a different flavor showed up from Evan Rigas with his ’69 Camaro featuring that big turbo under the hood

And Kip Madeira also brought out his ’67 Chevrolet Camaro build:

Another race-prepared build from Mark Seyler also grabbed our attention with his ’70 Oldsmobile Cutlass

And Charlie Sorce’s ’59 Corvette we are sure is a blast to drive

Speaking of Corvettes, Gil Berry’s ’60 LS Swapped Vette was extremely clean.

Along with this Corvette build in the Max Motive booth

Featured just across from the Max Motive Corvette was a very well restored ‘87 Oldsmobile 442 owned by Chip Dufala and restored by Hahn Auto Restoration.  The level of detail on this restoration matched the owners love for this car!

Another G-Body GM rested not too far away in the main lobby.  This ’87 Buick Grand National from Dave King was a hit as you entered the show! 

Also in the Lobby area was the High School Pedal Car Challenge, while they all caught our eye, one stood out in particular with its Ken Block Hooni-Pedal-Car livery from the students at Steel Center CTC in Jefferson Hills, PA.

It’s not uncommon to see turbo piping sticking out of the hood of a Honda…

…but this one by Jeff Lutz, Jr. has extra cylinders and powers the rear wheels!

(Super clean 1981 VW Scirocco owned by James Baird)

VW “Caddy” pickup of Jen & Chris Mance was the perfect blend of patina and detail.

Coming back in from the Lobby there was something large that really needed a second look.  Check out this RV which really captured a lot of attention from show-goers.  Can you believe it is actually Corvair based?

Thanks for checking out this week's All About Cars.  Check out our Flickr gallery for higher resolution photos of each showcase vehicle.  We hope you enjoyed learning about them and seeing them as much as we did.  Be sure to check out CarlisleEvents.com to learn about our upcoming 2023 schedule and a special thanks to the World of Wheels organizers for their hospitality in January.

Whether attending an event far from home or moving your 4x4 for any reason, covering long distances isn’t always easy. If you can’t physically drive your 4x4, you must prepare safe and secure transport.

Some of the following tips for transporting a 4x4 will help you get the vehicle to the intended destination yourself or with third-party assistance.

Tip No. 1 – Use Proper Strapping and Trailers

Make sure the vehicle is adequately secured to the trailer or transport vehicle. Use wheel straps or chocks to keep the car from moving during transit.

To increase transportation safety, check the load capacity of the trailer or transport vehicle. You must ensure it can safely handle the weight of the 4x4 vehicle, especially when going over rough terrain and bad roads.

Naturally, it would help if you always used a proper hitch and safety chains. Shippers and car manufacturers can help you determine your vehicle’s equipment needs for easier and safer transportation.

If you’re transporting a 4x4 vehicle with a lift kit, make sure you have a trailer with a ramp. A lowboy trailer with a beavertail is a dependable alternative.

Tip No. 2 – Prepare Your 4x4 for Transport

Ensure the vehicle’s fluids are at the proper levels before moving it over long distances. This includes the oil, coolant, transmission fluid, and brake fluid.

Note that this is a mandatory step when shipping with car transport companies. You can find out more about that at https://a1autotransport.com

Another thing you can do is make sure the vehicle’s tires are properly inflated and in good condition. It can help absorb vibrations and minimize wear during transport. Furthermore, it makes the vehicle easier to load onto a trailer.

If the vehicle is transported a long distance, consider disconnecting the battery to prevent any electrical issues.

Always make sure the vehicle is insured correctly for transport.

Tip No. 3 – Prepare for the Road and Weather Conditions Ahead

Here’s another one of the top tips for transporting a 4x4.

Before moving a 4x4 or any vehicle, for that matter, check the road and weather conditions, and plan your route accordingly to avoid any potential hazards.

Drive slowly and cautiously, and be aware of dangerous weather, bad roads, high traffic areas, etc.

Tip No. 4 – Let a Professional Car Carrier Transport Your 4x4

There are several reasons why using a car transport company is better for transporting a 4x4 vehicle across state lines.

Convenience

Hiring a vehicle transport company eliminates the need for you to drive the vehicle yourself. That can save you a significant amount of time and effort.

Furthermore, professional carriers will take responsibility for moving your car from point A to B, giving you extra peace of mind. It can be a key advantage when selling your 4x4 to an out-of-state buyer.

Safety

Professional vehicle transport companies are experienced in safely and securely transporting vehicles, which can give you confidence that your 4x4 vehicle will be transported without any damage.

Affordability

If you want tips for transporting a 4x4 and saving money at the same time, choosing a carrier is a no-brainer.

It can be more cost-effective to hire a vehicle transport company than to drive the vehicle yourself, particularly if you’re traveling a long distance.

Transporters know the best routes to use to get better mileage. In addition, fulfilling multiple orders helps shipping companies accomplish more in a single run. Therefore, they can afford to give customers competitive rates.

In addition, you won’t have to rent or buy equipment you might not use again to move your 4x4 from point A to B.

More Expertise and Equipment Availability

Car transport companies have the necessary equipment and experience to safely transport your 4x4 vehicle.

For instance, car shippers usually have proper trailers with good anchoring mechanisms and straps to secure the vehicle during transport. Moreover, the trailers should have well-calibrated suspensions to minimize vibrations and potential wear during the trip.

In addition, you’re more likely to find enclosed trailers big enough to fit a 4x4. Lastly, you can ship multiple 4x4s with professional shippers.

Large open trailers can fulfill big orders and help you simultaneously move many vehicles to various locations.

Another consideration regarding equipment availability is gear and experience when transporting non-operational 4x4s. Loading and unloading cars that don’t run is much more complicated, and not everyone can handle it as a DIY project.

But shippers should understand the unique requirements of loading, securing, and unloading 4x4s in various conditions. Moreover, they have people who always do this type of work.

Insurance Coverage

Another crucial tip for transporting a 4x4 is to buy insurance to cover potential damage. But the insurance you buy yourself can be expensive.

Many vehicle transport companies are insured, which means that if any damage occurs to your vehicle during transport, it will be covered by their insurance.

Another reason to consider shippers is the possibility of extra coverage. Not all car transporters pay top dollar for insurance. However, some are even insured for transporting high-end, vintage, and classic vehicles.

That means you can rest assured knowing that you will be reimbursed in the event of total loss.

Reliability and Compliance

Professional vehicle transport companies are reliable and typically provide a pick-up and delivery date, so you can plan your schedule accordingly.

In addition, vehicle transport companies are aware of the laws and regulations regarding the transport of 4x4s. As a result, they know how to comply with the different state laws while transporting your vehicle across state lines.

It’s less research for you to do and much less paperwork to fill out, especially for custom 4x4s with complex shipping requirements.

Reduce the Wear and Tear

By not driving the vehicle across state lines, you will reduce the wear and tear on the vehicle. Maintaining its condition can increase its service life, preserve mileage, and increase or maintain its street value. The latter is an important consideration when selling a vehicle in a different state.

Don’t Leave Anything to Chance

Careful planning is crucial for moving a 4x4 across long distances. Unless you want to drive the car, hiring professional shippers is one of the most important tips for transporting a 4x4 anyone can give you.

But regardless of who handles the shipping, know the process inside and out, the route, and all the requirements for safe transport.

Registering to Show at Carlisle

If you have questions or need to know more, visit A-1 Auto Transport on the web today!  Otherwise, with this great transport education, make your plans to bring your 4x4 to Carlisle!  While there aren't spots for ATV type 4X4s, the Carlisle Truck Nationals, Carlisle Ford Nationals, and Carlisle GM Nationals have ample space on their respective Showfields for 4x4 trucks, Jeeps, and SUVs.  Visit Carlisle Events online today to learn more about the full event season, register to show, purchase discounted spectator admission tickets, become a vendor, and more.

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Register Your 4x4 - Sign Up Today

Summertime means sun, fun, and outdoor excitement for many in and around central Pennsylvania.  It also means the return of car show excitement by way of Carlisle Events at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds.  Annually, Carlisle Events employs some 200 part-timers and will be looking to add to that roster as part of a two-day job fair, February 24-25 within the Carlisle Events offices. 

The job fair runs 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday the 24^th and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday the 25^th and is open to all potential applicants ages 14 and up.  Would-be workers are invited to stop in to apply for a variety of job opportunities.  Jobs range from part-time with the security team to gate workers, ticket takers, customer service, facilities, and more.  Multiple shifts are available too, though a majority of the employment carries primary hours during car show set up, tear down, and/or event weekends between April and October.  On-the-spot hiring may take place.  Candidates are encouraged to bring two forms of ID and be prepared to fill out an application in person at the job fair.  Applications are also available online at CarlisleEvents.com/careers.  The Carlisle Fairgrounds is located at 1000 Bryn Mawr Rd. on the north side of Carlisle, just off Route 34.  Turn at the light and follow the signs for the job fair and the Carlisle offices.

In addition to working outdoors and being around some of the coolest cars and trucks on the planet, would-be hires also have access to the following:

• FREE admission to events before and/or after shift
• FREE employee meal with your shift (up to an $8 value)
• FREE snacks and drinks throughout your shift
• FREE work shirt and hat provided
• FREE parking within close proximity to the facility
• Annual employee appreciation party
• Flexible scheduling opportunities may exist
• Competitive wages

These opportunities exist in a fast-paced, live event environment.

Applicants must be at least 14 years of age for consideration and if in school, would need applicable work permits once hired.  These jobs are great for a student looking for their first work-related experiences, a retiree looking to stay busy, or anyone in between. 

The first large-scale car show at Carlisle is Spring Carlisle and its two-day collector car auction powered by Carlisle Auctions.  The spring events run in conjunction with one another, as Spring Carlisle takes place April 19-23 at the fairgrounds, while the auction takes place April 20-21 at the neighboring Carlisle Expo Center.  Complete schedule information is available at CarlisleEvents.com and job fair-specific questions can be fielded at 717-243-7855 x111.

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.