The 2020 auction season for Carlisle Auctions shot out of the gate with so much promise as part of its Winter AutoFest Lakeland event in February.  Since then, plans were being formulated for four additional auctions spanning April through November.  Now, with COVID-19 altering what everyone accepted as normal, Carlisle Auctions regretfully announces the cancelation of its Spring auction…kind of.  The cancelation is tied to the in-person experience ONLY, as Carlisle Auctions is pleased to share that a Spring auction will take place online via digital platform Awesome Joe Auctions. 

The Spring auction was scheduled to be auction number two and run in conjunction with Spring Carlisle.  Originally scheduled for late April, the Spring event was twice moved to its current June 17-20 dates.  While plans were in motion for a two-day Spring auction (June 18-19), the reality is, while it’s easier to social distance within a large outdoor venue where foot traffic is in constant motion; the ability to social distance within a smaller, indoor venue where many people stay stationary for prolonged periods of time is not a viable option at this time.  The in-person cancelation is related to 2020 ONLY and it will return starting April 22, 2021.

As noted in the opening paragraph, a digital opportunity now exists with online auction platform Awesome Joe Auctions.  The opportunity to consign or register to bid for this all-new online experience commences on June 17, with the auction itself starting on June 21 at 7 p.m.  The three-day digital opportunity concludes on June 23 at 7 p.m.  Much like Carlisle Auctions, AJA offers a FREE UNLESS SOLD guarantee with competitive buyers and sellers fees too.  Best of all, while other cars may be showcased during this timeframe as part of the AJA auction, cars specific to the Spring Carlisle auction will be branded with a Carlisle Auctions logo.  Anyone looking to learn more about the Carlisle Auctions brand and its events should contact Carlisle Auctions at 717-960-6400, while buyer and seller registration for this online experience takes place at www.AwesomeJoeAuctions.com.  Finally, team members from AJA will be on-site at Spring Carlisle positioned within the car corral, offering an opportunity for sellers at Spring Carlisle to consign and sell via their online auction platform.

 

Launched on Cyber Monday 2019, AJA is the new online auction platform for the modern enthusiast that offers a collection of modified, motorsport, classic, exotic, and other commodity autos for collectors, racers, and hobbyists.  Developed by Andy Lally ALIVE® and Carlisle Auctions, Awesome Joe Auctions was created to capture all the excitement of a live car, truck, and motorcycle auction and put it in the palm of every motoring enthusiast’s hand.  The AJA/Carlisle Auctions history includes Carlisle Auctions two more recent auctions, with select “still for sale” consignments from Carlisle Auctions landing (and selling) on the AJA web page (link below). 

In addition to the cancelation of the in-person Spring auction and as a direct result of the auction originally being moved from its April dates to June, Carlisle Auctions has also canceled its Summer Sale auction for 2020.  Further, and also due to COVID-19, the November auction, Sunset-Carlisle in Sarasota, Florida, has also been canceled.  Those three auctions are the only cancellations currently.  Carlisle Auctions is looking forward to its next planned auction, October 1-2 at the Carlisle Expo Center as part of Fall Carlisle.  EVERY canceled 2020 auction WILL RETURN to the Carlisle Auctions schedule in 2021.

“We are disappointed that our loyal enthusiasts won’t be able to enjoy the Spring auction in the same manner that they’ve come to expect over the past few years,” noted Director of Auction Operations Tony Cline.  “Though we’ve had to re-evaluate and re-tool the in-person experience for many of our auctions in 2020 ONLY, we’re confident of two things.  First, the partnership with Awesome Joe Auctions in place of our Spring auction will still give buyers and sellers a chance to do what they do best AND when we return to the Carlisle Expo Center October 1-2 as part of Fall Carlisle, we’ll all be long overdue for a good time with cool cars and great people.” 

Though the in-person Spring auction isn’t happening, plans are still moving forward for Spring Carlisle itself.  The four-day event runs June 17-20 with buyers and sellers converging on the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds for parts, merchandise, collectibles and more.

Positioned between the small Encore SUV and the larger Envision and Enclave models, the all-new 2020 Buick Encore GX is essentially, a larger, second-generation Encore, with more passenger and cargo room—nearly 5 cu.ft. more, and two turbo  engine choices. Though the power plants are smaller than what propels the Encore, they provide slightly more power.

As Buick has transitioned to an SUV purveyor, with 90 percent of its sales coming from SUVs, led by the popular Encore, Buick has added Encore GX to sell side by side with Encore, rather than retire the smaller original for a larger re-gen. Buick’s luxury small crossover, Encore, was launched for the 2013 model year, and from its inception, attracted new and younger buyers to the Tri-shield badge. With a combination of luxury features, fuel efficiency and safety, Encore is the signature luxury subcompact crossover in the Buick line. Now, with the new Encore GX, you get all of that in a larger package, with more power and safety.

More upscale, but perhaps less rugged-looking, the Encore GX 5-door subcompact crossover come in three trims: Preferred, Select, and Essence. A Sport Touring Package is available on all trims, with body-colored moldings and a custom grille and wheels, and all Encore GX trims come loaded with such accouterments as push button keyless start, stop-star engine control, engine air filtration monitor Interior, Buick® Infotainment System with 8-inch diagonal color touch-screen, Bluetooth® streaming audio for music and select phones, Apple CarPlay® capability for compatible phone, Android Auto™ capability for compatible phones, embedded apps, Noise control system, active noise cancellation, a comprehensive safety suite and much more.

Encore GX’s sculpted styling, honeycombesque grille, chrome accents and surrounds, portholes on the hood and painted lower panels are all upscale and trendy. And Encore GX fills the bill as a slightly larger small crossover than Encore, measuring three inches longer at 171.4 inches, an inch lower for stability at 64.1 inches, and 1.5 inches wider at 71.4 inches, on a 102.2-inch wheelbase, a gain of 1.6 inches over its Encore sibling. Curbweight for my Encore GX AWD Essence, was 3273 lbs, about 75 lbs. less than the last Encore I test drove.

Inside, Encore GX’s distinctive styling continues with standard cloth and leatherette front bucket seats, fold-flat front passenger seat, driver and front passenger knee bolsters, the 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, an in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot and several advanced safety features. 

The comfortable and upscale cabin is packed while accommodating driver and passengers with 39.7 inches of front headroom and 38.0 inches of rear seat headroom, slightly less than Encore. With seating for five (two in front and three in row two), Legroom is about identical to Encore, while shoulder room is about an inch more accommodating. Legroom measures 40.9 inches in row one and 36.0 inches in row two, while shoulder room measures 55.1 in front and 53.6 in the rear.

Buick Encore GX has two power options – a 1.2-liter Ecotec I-3 Turbo and an Ecotec 1.3-liter I-3. While both are smaller than Encore’s 1.4, I-4 Turbo, power for the 1.3 outguns the 1.4 with 155 hp and 174 lb-ft, compared with the 1.4’s 138 horses and 148 lb-ft. The smaller 1.2 is in the hunt at 137hp and 162 lb-ft. The 1.2 is estimated at 26mpg/city and 30mpg/highway, and my 1.3-liter test system is rated at 26/city, 29/highway in AWD configuration. A week of tests garnered an average of 27.7mpg combined over long highway runs and in-town errand runs.

Coupled to a 9-speed automatic transmission, was compliant, stable and predictable. Encore GX is not a sprinter, but there’s enough passing and uphill power for confident driving. Though inclement weather washed out my track tests, the way it accelerated makes me believe that I can do better than the 10.7-second sprint and 18-second quarter-mile my last test Encore accomplished. I think a 10.2-sprint and 17.6 quarter would seem realistic.

Safetywise, The Encore GX’s new standard safety and driver assistance features include Front Pedestrian Braking, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert and Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning. 

The 2020 Buick Encore GX starts at $24,100 for the Preferred trim in FWD; the Select trim starts at $25,700 in FWD, adding Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, heater front seats, remote start and automatic climate control; and the Essence trim starts at $28,500 in FWD, adding leather-appointed seating, LED headlamps and taillamps, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, air ionizer and 120-volt outlet.

My test Encore GX in Essence trim, upgraded from FWD to AWD and gained the 1.3-liter turbo engine for $2000 extra. Premium colors add $495, but my test ride came in Summit White, as standard, mated to an Ebony leather-appointed interior. The Experience Buick Package ($1995) added SiriusXM, Panoramic Buick sunroof, infotainment, navigation, 8-inch diagonal color touch-screen, 18-inch Medium Android High Gloss wheels with chrome inserts and HD Rear Vision Camera. The hands-free power liftgate added $520; a 7-speaker Bose Premium Audio System added $595; all-weather floor mats were $150 and destination freight charged added $995. That put the sticker-as-tested at $34,755, but a total cash allowance discount of $1500 was available, making the price-as-tested $33,255. Check with your dealer for promotions and discounts.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

Officially summer starts on June 20, but for car lovers at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, the first big brand specific summer happening is June 26-27 with the Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals.  For 2020, more than 1,000 cars and a few hundred vendors are expected and this year’s event spotlights some special anniversaries, displays and guests along the way.

For two amazing days in Carlisle, the event spotlights 50 years of the Monte Carlo as well as the OFFICIAL Eastern Meet celebrating the Monte Carlo’s 50th!  This takes place within Building T and guests should expect to see some ultra-rare, unique and significant rides along with throngs of passionate enthusiasts.  The Monte Carlo celebration will also include a parade around the grounds on Saturday morning AND cars will come together to form a 50 on the north hill of the fairgrounds.

Along with the aforementioned Monte Carlo bash, 2020 at Carlisle also hosts some amazing cars and for this event, that theme continues.  Plans for this summer include a display honoring GM’s of the 1970s.  This Building T display welcomes cars built between 1970 and 1979 and is open to ALL makes under the GM umbrella, including Oldsmobile, Buick, Pontiac, etc.  In addition, Building T hosts the 50th Anniversary of the LS6 454.

Adjacent to Building T is Building Y and for this special weekend in June, guests can enjoy the always popular Solid Lifter Showroom.  Presented by Super Car Workshop, the building welcomes Yenkos, COPO’s and more.  Each indoor display as well as those outside on the National Parts Depot Showfield are just some of the many great aspects of the event.

Cars aren’t the only stars in 2020.  On June 27, guests can meet TV host Courtney Hansen.  Hansen has been part of Spike TV’s Powerblock, Autoweek’s Vinsetta Garage, PowerNation, Rides on TLC, Million Dollar Motors, Overhaulin’ and more!  She’s also a published author, releasing “The Garage Girl's Guide to Everything You Need to Know About Your Car” in 2007.  Find her in Building T for a FREE autograph, photo or simply pop in to say hi!

Activities are also a big draw and there are plenty planned.  Seminars offer a great automotive education and Friday and Saturday will have more than a few, covering a variety of topics.  In addition, car clubs converge on Carlisle to recruit, socialize and showcase their brand.  There’s also Friday evening track time as part of the real street shootout PLUS the all-NEW exhaust contest and more.

Something else that turns heads and makes the hairs on your body stand up is Nitrofest.  Powered by drag racing legend Bruce Larson, this is a chance for guests to enjoy the sights, sounds and scents of a retired top-fuel drag racing car and experience the start up process.  

To be involved with Chevrolet Nationals weekend, call 717-243-7855 or visit CarlisleEvents.com.  In addition to being able to register to show online, single day and full-event tickets are available.  Registration for the National Parts Depot Showfield is available through the week of the event, with online ticketing discounted through the event itself.  

Since its 1989 launch, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has become the most popular roadster/two-seat convertible sports car in the world, with more than a million vehicles sold. The fourth generation MX-5 was unveiled in 2014, and in late 2016, a new MX-5 RF (Retractable Fastback) model was added to the mix, featuring a rigid roof and buttresses that give the silhouette a more coupé-like appearance than the soft-top convertible.

In the sixth year of its current generation, MX-5 Miata gains a few small tweaks including adding as standard, Mazda's i-Activsense suite of driver-assistance features. The package includes forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. Also new for the 2020 sports roadster are a trendy new badging font, new keyfob, new exterior and interior color choices, and some top-trim add-ons. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability is now standard on Club and Grand Touring models, and the Grand Touring trim gets the sport suspension and limited-slip rear differential that also steadies the Club model.

The rest of the fun-driving sports car that added power and safety upgrades a year ago, remains intact.

I tested the RF (Retractable Fastback) convertible version that seems to be more than simply a convertible, and not quite a hardtop. The RF is more of a fastback that changes at your will, by slipping its retractable roof away in about 13 seconds while keeping its fastback profile. Then in another 13 seconds, the roof and true fastback can resume function. Upon opening, the roof section immediately overhead folds and stows below the buttresses, which lift temporarily out of the way. The glass rear window between the buttresses rolls down to give a more open-air feel and the entire power-folding roof mechanism occupies the same space as the standard manual-folding soft-top, so there’s no loss of trunk space.

The 2020 Mazda Miata MX-5 measures 154.1 inches long, 68.3 inches wide and 48.6 inches high (my RF trim was 49 inches high), on a 90.9-inch wheelbase. Light, at 2432 pounds curbweight for my test ride, and going as low 2338 pounds in some configurations, the MX-5 Miata performs in sports car fashion without sports car power. Minimum ground clearance for my RF trim was 5.32 inches – some trims are under 5 inches.

The interior fits like a cockpit, and seems to glove around the driver and passenger. Interior design and enhancements are upscale, cozy, intuitive and tech-filled. Visibility is excellent even with the top up, and while one would expect a noisy cabin from a roadster, engine and road noise and vibration permeate the environment even with the top in place. The infotainment screen is easy to read, and controls are easy to reach. Fun-driving is the two-seater’s mission, delivered in a tight space of 37.4 inches of headroom (36.8 for the RF), legroom of 43.1 inches and shoulder room of 52.2 inches.

MX-5 power numbers won’t knock your socks off, but they are fine for this light two-seater. MX-5 Miata uses a SKYACTIV 2.0.-liter DOHC 16-valve in-line 4 VVT multi-port electronic fuel injection engine, either manual or coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission. The system delivers 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, easily accelerating the light roadster past traffic, up steep inclines, and excitingly along highway cruises, while finishing off a zero-to-60mph test track sprint in 5.7 seconds during a 14.4-second quarter-mile (hand-timed).

The system is EPA rated at 26mpg in city driving and 35mpg on the highway for the automatic and 34mpg for my manual shift. My mixed-use testing that was peppered with a lot of tire smoking and dragstrip acceleration showed an average of 29.9mpg.

A fun drive, the MX-5 was balanced on the road, though quick auto-cross turns exhibited some exciting-to-compensate-for body roll. The suspension allows you feel the road beneath you for full driver engagement.

The 2020 Mazda MX-5 is available in three trims – Sport, Club and Grand Touring -- and the RF is available in two trims – Club and Grand Touring. The MX-5 Sport bases at $26,580 with a manual transmission and 181-hp 2.0-liter engine, and $27,930 for a 6-speed automatic. The Club starts at $30,290 for the stick and $30,890 for the automatic, and adds a rear spoiler, cosmetics and tech; and the Grand Touring trim starts at $31,670 for the manual and $32,195 for an automatic trans, and adds dark finish wheels, rain-sensing windshield wipers, auto-dimming driver's side mirror, automatic climate control, leather-trimmed seats, Mazda Navigation System and more. My test roadster was the RF, starting with the Club in manual at $33,045 and Grand Touring at $34,425. For me, a roadster isn’t a roadster if it doesn’t have a stick, so I saved $325 by NOT getting an automatic on my Grand Touring trim.

The Eternal Blue exterior paint was at no extra charge, but I would have preferred Jet Black Mica (no charge) or Soul Red Crystal Metallic for $595. Already packed with standard items, no other cosmetic or weather packages were in my build. With a destination fee of $945, my test 2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF stickered at $35,370.

<I> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

When General Motors began the GMC truck line in 1912, it stood on its own as a durable work truck. Over the next century, GMC seemed to be a Chevy truck clone with different trims, power and pricing variances. Building its own rep that included a perception of extra strength and ruggedness, GMC has sought to distance itself further from its Bow-tie sibling. With the 2020 GMC Sierra, the truck badge differentiates itself from its sister, the Chevrolet Silverado, with exclusive features and five engine options.

Mechanically, a Silverado twin, Sierra’s carbon-fiber bed option, six-function Multi-Pro Tailgate, and new Enhanced ProGrade Trailering System with 15 cameras, help give Sierra its own personality.

New for 2020, the Sierra Denali trim gets a 10-speed automatic transmission, up from an 8-speed last year. The new industry-first Carbon-fiber cargo box is available and was developed to increase durability, efficiency and functionality, while offering best-in-class dent, scratch and corrosion resistance. New features include adaptive cruise control, trailer tow mirrors, HD Surround Vision with two trailer camera provisions, and a trailer-tow bed-view camera system.

Sierra 1500 offerings include 6 trims, regular cab, double cab and crew cab body styles — all offered with 2WD or 4WD, and various box configurations.

Built for lightness with a mixed materials approach — including aluminum for the doors, hood and tailgate, with steel for the fenders, roof and standard cargo box, each of Sierra’s trims have styling nuances. I tested the top-of-the line Sierra Denali, distinguished by iconic design cues, a tall, strong, purposeful stance, accented by bold bodywork, chiseled shoulders and a tall, powerful hood, capped with a grille that’s big and bold.

The Sierra 1500 trims are muscular and versatile in three cab styles. Sierra’s length runs from 229.6 inches with a regular cab and 8-foot box, to 231.7 inches with either a double cab and 6-6 box or the crew cab and a 5-foot-8 box. The Crew and 6-foot-6-inch box is 241.3 inches long. The Sierra Denali I tested, with crew cab and short box, sat on a 147.4-inch wheelbase (regular cab models are on a 157-inch wheelbase). Width goes 81.2 inches and height is 75.5 inches. Curbweight for the 4WD short-box Sierra Denali Crew Cab is a robust 5040 lbs. (regular cabs go as low as 4520), and the max trailering rate is 12,200 lbs

GMC offers an engine for every taste … five of them -- 4.3-liter V-6, 5.3-liter V-8, 2.7-liter turbo, 6.2-liter V-8 or a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel. Fuel economy runs from 15 to 23mpg in city driving and from 19 to 26 mpg on the highway. Powerwise, the 4.3 gets you 285hp and 305 lb-ft; the 5.3 rates at 355hp/383 lb-ft; the 2.7 turbo runs 310hp/348lb-ft; the 6.2 delivers 420hp/460 lb-ft. and the 3.0-liter I-6 turbo pops 277hp/460 lb-ft.

My 6.2-liter Sierra Denali was an upgrade over the standard 5.3 and was rated at 15mpg/city and 20mpg/highway -- I averaged 18.0 mpg in my heavy-footed tests, and I pedal mashed often, with power answering when called. Handling was floaty and big-trucklike, and steering was a bit vague, but power was never in question. The 6.2 responded with a 6.1-second zero-to-60mph dash, and a 15.5-second quarter-mile, with excellent passing power and hesitant low-range response in town. The independent front suspension with coil-over-shock and twin-tube shock absorbers works well with the solid axle rear with semi-elliptic, variable-rate, two-stage multileaf springs, and splayed twin-tube shocks to glide over road ruts, but there is some float at speed and sway in quick turns.

Inside, Sierra Denali is a luxury truck with leather and the latest advances in connectivity, tech, environmental controls and safety included. Sierra Denali’s luxuriously crafted cabin is roomy with 43 inches of front headroom in the crew cab version and 40.1 in the rear. Legroom is a comfortable 44.5 inches up front and 43.4 in the cab, and shoulder room is 66.0 and 65.2.

The base regular cab, standard box 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 starts at $31,195 for 2WD and long box, and moves through multiple trims, cabs, beds and engines, topping out with the Denali trim short-box, basing at $50,690 with 2WD and the 5.3-liter engine. I upgraded to 4WD, which gave me the option to also upgrade to the 6.2-liter engine. The 4WD configuration added $3500, and the 6.2-liter was $2700 more than the 5.3, to change the base to $56,385. Carbon Black Metallic exterior paint added $495 and was mated to Jet Black Forge perforated leather appointed seat trim -- and black-on-black was a beast. Playing on the Black Carbon Fiber, my test truck added the CarbonPro Carbon Fiber Composite Bed, 22-inch High Gloss Black Wheels and Multi-Pro Audio System by Kicker, for an additional $3555 with the Denali CarbonPro Edition package. That set-up also came with a power sunroof, rear camera mirror, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator, Head-Up Display, Adaptive Cruise Control – Camera, GMC MultiPro Power Steps, and more. Destination Freight charges of $1595 put the sticker-as-tested at $63,185, but a massive cash allowance discount of $6500 put my net price at $56,685, so check with your dealer and see if you can cash in on discounts.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>