Every year spanning the final days of October and the early days of November, the automotive universe converges on Las Vegas for the pinnacle event of the hobby, the Specialty Equipment Market Association show, also known as SEMA.  While SEMA isn’t “open” to the general public, it serves to showcase some of the best vehicles in the world as well as showcasing hot or new products coming onto the market.  Before many of those items end up on a retailer’s shelf, they make an east coast appearance by way of Spring Carlisle (April 19-23) at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds as part of the ARMO Hot Products Showcase.

Unlike SEMA, Spring Carlisle is open to the public and has been an annual destination event for car lovers since 1977.  One of the marquee features of the spring show is the aforementioned ARMO display, centrally positioned on the grounds near the stage.  ARMO is short for the Automotive Restoration Market Organization and is a council of SEMA itself.  ARMO directs its efforts toward preserving and promoting the automotive restoration industry and annually at Spring Carlisle, offers its showcase for the nearly 100,000 guests and thousands of vendors who converge on fairgrounds for the days-long automotive spectacular.

With the showcase at Spring Carlisle, show-goers can see in person the latest and greatest products coming onto the market, and this will also serve as the first time many of these items are seen in person by retailers and consumers alike.  Best of all, the product experts are available within the ARMO display to talk person to person about each item.  Having these kinds of conversations best helps everyone understand what is being displayed and how the products can work for any vehicle, regardless of its era.

For 2023, products will also appear in an online Showcase display and guests will vote for Best New Product Awards electronically. Further, those New Product awards, a special “People’s Choice” award is reserved for only products onsite in the Showcase tent at Spring Carlisle and will be chosen only by guests onsite.

“The ARMO Hot Products showcase is the largest east coast restoration product event of the year,” said Randall Bates, Auto Custom Carpet/Chair of ARMO.  “It’s the perfect way to kick off automotive events season and view the latest and greatest in restoration parts and products,” continued Bates.  “ARMO, in conjunction with Carlisle Events, is proud and excited to host the Hot Products Showcase. Come by, walk the show, view the products, join in with the ARMO crew and see how ARMO and SEMA can help you and help the hobby we love.”

Don’t miss the ARMO Hot Products Showcase – it’s centrally located and welcoming for everyone at the event!  Learn more about ARMO and Spring Carlisle online now at CarlisleEvents.com.  While on the web, register to become a vendor, sell in the car corral, or purchase discounted spectator tickets in advance of the event.  Call 717-243-7855 with any questions you may have regarding the event or the display.

The cars and the people have been coming to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds since 1974 and since 1990, cars have been parading into downtown Carlisle.  First, it was the Downtown Carlisle Corvette Parade, Park, and Party, then in 2011, the Fords started rolling in with a similar event.  While the route these iconic vehicles have taken has been virtually unchanged for years, 2023 will offer a little something different as the look of downtown Carlisle continues to evolve.

JUST ANNOUNCED, the Corvette and Ford parade routes and staging will change beginning this year.  The change is due to road work and construction near the intersection of North Hanover St. and Spring Rd./Route 34.  As such, vehicles will now stage at the Carlisle Expo Center (100 K St.) and roll exclusively on Pitt St. before turning onto High St. and fanning out at the square in downtown Carlisle.  Instead of vehicles parading into town by way of Clay St. or Spring Rd./Route 34, then turning onto North Hanover St., vehicles will embark on this new route, meaning new scenery for participants and fresh views for spectators.

The new path, carefully evaluated and crafted in a combined effort by the DCA, Carlisle Events, and local authorities, still allows the community and non-participating guests alike to line the streets of downtown Carlisle and enjoy the parade.  That means that while the cars will be coming from a different direction, the chance to shop and dine in downtown Carlisle remains unchanged.  Better yet, this new route allows those who line up along High St. between Pitt and the town square to have an all-new opportunity to see the full parade, including the front of the special VIP/front of the pack cars and special guests.  Historically, this parade segment would travel exclusively on North Hanover St.  

“The Downtown Carlisle Association routinely partners with Carlisle Events to host the Park & Party parades during the Ford Nationals and Corvettes at Carlisle shows,” noted DCA Director Stacey Gould.  “For 2023, to continue with this tradition, we needed to identify an alternate course to bypass the planned construction of the new roundabout on North Hanover Street, slated to begin this summer,” continued Gould.  “Optimistically, we believe the revised route maximizes the benefits of efficient parking and safety for everyone involved. The amended plan reduces the number of street closures, specifically the state highways, which directly impacts the traffic flow through the downtown. The direct route also offers an improved experience for parade participants and spectators.”

Registration for both parades is currently available by way of CarlisleEvents.com on the Carlisle Ford Nationals or Corvettes at Carlisle web pages.  In addition, complete details about both car shows as well as every other event on the 2023 Carlisle Events schedule can be found online too.  In addition, car show registration, vendor sign-ups, discounted spectator admission tickets, gift cards, and more are all just a click away within the Carlisle Events web store or by calling 717-243-7855.

New Parade Route Map - Click Here

The 2023 Carlisle Ford Nationals takes place June 2-4 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, and believe it or not, this year’s event just might be even bigger than its record-setting predecessor from 2022.  Gates open at 7 a.m. daily for this massive gathering of Ford lovers from around the world, all converging on Carlisle to see special displays, meet industry guests, watch the wheels in motion, and check out decades of past, present, and future excellence from Ford.

From the time the first guest enters the gates on Friday the 2^nd through the departure of the final show car on Sunday the 4^th, the facility will be bustling with Blue Oval excitement.  Announced special displays this year include those showcasing SVT, Coyote powerplants, the Lightning, 40 Years of Saleen, the Malaise Era, and more.  In addition, the annual Ford Nationals Select Display returns to Building Y, offering a glimpse of at least a dozen vehicles unique to the history of Ford.

Get out those cameras, because not only are there focused gatherings of unique vehicles by way of the displays, but the National Parts Depot Showfield will also be PACKED with car owners who want to show off their prized Ford to anxious throngs of spectators.  Those same owners and spectators will revel in planned vehicle walkarounds at the stage, some wheels-in-motion competitions like rolling burnouts and donuts presented by Atturo Tires, a rolling exhaust contest, and even some track time with the Real Street Shootout.  In addition, select special displays will transition from parked to rolling for on-grounds parades, while the Downtown Carlisle Association presents its annual Ford Downtown Parade, Park and Party on Saturday, June 3.   

But wait, there’s more…a whole lot more.  Ford weekend draws in the star power by way of people and cars/trucks.  Both elements will stand front and center through a series of vehicle unveilings and activities.  Specifics on which major companies and what they’ll be unveiling will be announced soon by way of the Carlisle Ford Nationals Facebook page and online at CarlisleEvents.com.

Seeing the guests and show cars isn’t the only option for attendees.  There’s also a nice mix of vendors set up, offering Ford parts, accessories, collectibles, etc. within the automotive flea market and Manufacturers Midway.  Further, the food court offers a nice mix of fare, suitable for all ages.      

Registration for the Showfield is now open and will no doubt welcome even more of these historic masterpieces.  In addition, discounted spectator admission tickets are available online, while kids 12 and under are admitted FREE.  Register to show, purchase spectator tickets, and learn more about the 2023 Carlisle Ford Nationals online at CarlisleEvents.com or call 717-243-7855 today.

When you come to Carlisle, we know you're here for the car show, but we also know you're looking for things to do in the region, either as part of your visit or for a future visit to the area.  Did you know that one of the coolest museums of its type is less than an hour from the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds?  It's true!  Not far from Carlisle sits the AACA Museum, Inc., also know as America's Transportation Experience.  Ongoing, they have a great Tucker themed display and in June, they'll celebrate 75 years of Preston Tucker's invention...and you're invited. 

Now, whether or not you’ve ever seen the Coppola and Lucas film featuring Jeff Bridges about Preston Tucker and his American Dream, WORRY NOT!  Swing by the museum and witness the largest assembly of Tucker automobiles, artifacts, and exhibits to ever exist in one place. This is not only where you can learn the real story behind the Tucker Automobile, but we are also planning a 75^th Anniversary celebration showcase as well!

The museum’s Cammack Tucker Gallery is home to the universe’s most extensive Tucker collection.  Named for Tucker historian and collector David Cammack, the gallery displays interactive exhibits chronicling Preston Tucker’s vision, determination, history, and struggles to build the “Car of Tomorrow.”

Through his Chicago-based start-up, Preston Tucker set out to revolutionize the automobile industry.  His engineering and manufacturing teams designed and built only 51 innovative ‘Model 48’ vehicles, unmatched by other offerings on the post-war American market.

The AACA Museum Inc.’s Cammack Tucker Gallery is home to three Tucker model 48’s, along with a Tucker factory test chassis, engine prototypes, movie prop car, interactive displays, and a lot more!

On permanent exhibit and pictured here, the first Tucker Model 48 ever to be sold (#1001), sourced from a Tucker dealership located on North Cameron Street in Harrisburg, PA!

The big 75th-anniversary event in Hershey is happening June 16-18.  Highlights can be found here.  Make your plans today to experience no less than eight additional Tucker automobiles on exhibit – some never before seen by the public, Tucker owners, collectors, VIP guests, and Tucker family member discussions, a screening on June 16 of the Tucker: A Man and his Dream movie at a local theatre, dinner event with authentic Tucker artifacts, an auction and the Generations Big Band, and more.   

Contact America’s Transportation Experience/The AACA Museum Inc. today at (717) 566-7100 and join us for this event.  You will likely get Tuckered out!

Officially the first day of Spring has come and gone, but while Spring (the season) is still figuring itself out, Spring (the automotive event in Carlisle) is shaping up to be one for the ages, both within the automotive flea market of Spring Carlisle and the two-day collector car auction powered by Carlisle Auctions.  Spring Carlisle happens April 19-23 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and hosts a collector car automotive flea market and car corral, while next door at the Carlisle Expo Center, Carlisle Auctions offers its spring auction, April 20-21.  Both events draw car lovers from around the world and this year, the auction has even more eyes on it for a variety of reasons. 

The auction is always a hotbed of excitement, with some 400+ classic and collector vehicles spanning all eras of production crossing the block.  The wow factor is amplified this time, though, as something that’s never happened before will happen!  Carlisle Auctions is excited to share that a 1953 Corvette, Serial #100 to be exact, will cross the auction block on Friday, April 21.  This ’53 is an NCRS award winner and includes many functional and original build parts.  A ’53 is rare overall in that only 300 were ever built, rarer yet is one popping up for sale.  Expectations are that this will be the star of the event, with bidder attention from around the world by way of in person, on the phone, and online bidding.

In addition to the ’53, Carlisle Auctions is pleased to announce the inclusion of the Robert Metzgar Collection.  This collection comes to Carlisle Auctions by way of Robert Metzgar, a 1960 Penn State graduate and professionally, the former owner and president of Warren (PA)-based North Penn Pipe and Supply.  The 20+ lots span decades and include (in no particular order), a 1978 Chevrolet Corvette, 1955 Buick Century, 1954 Buick Century, 1965 Chevrolet Covair 140, 1964 Ford Galaxie 500, 1955 Ford Thunderbird, 1930 Ford Model A, 1982 Chevrolet Corvette, 1990 Cadillac Brougham Limousine, 1992 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible, 1950 Chevrolet 4 Door, 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Convertible, 1977 Volkswagen Beetle, 1977 Volkswagen Beetle, 1962 Jeep Pickup Truck, 1947 Willys Jeep, 1971 Jeep CJ 7, 1930 Packard Sedan, 1973 Volkswagen Beetle, 1926 Packard Sedan, and a 1958 Packard Sedan TT.  Much like the 1953 Corvette, this collection will be part of the Friday auction action.

But wait…there’s more!  Carlisle Auctions welcomes back its all-truck hour on Thursday, April 20.  This popular showcase of trucks, Jeeps, and SUVs gives buyers and sellers alike a full hour of trucks of all shapes and sizes.

The auction is the most convenient way for someone to pick up their first or next classic and do so at an affordable price point.  There will be white-glove, best-of-show vehicles for sure, but there will also be show-worthy gems that can be driven and enjoyed with total confidence.  

Advanced/online bidding starts April 17 and every registered bidder is eligible to not only bring a guest to the auction but to attend Spring Carlisle as well.  Complete details on the auction are available at CarlisleAuctions.com.  Consignments are being added daily to the Carlisle Auctions web page.  Spectator admission is $13.  For auction details, call 717-960-6400.  Get involved today and don’t miss out on a chance to own your first or next classic with Carlisle Auctions!