With 2021 in the rearview mirror, the team from Carlisle Events is actively planning its 2022 season. Two indoor January events kick off the buying and selling frenzy with Auto Mania (January 14-16) at the Allentown Fairgrounds in Allentown, PA and the Winter Carlisle Auto Expo (January 28-29) at the Carlisle Expo Center in Carlisle, PA. The 2022 event season guaranteed to turn heads and draw thousands to Carlisle; America’s Automotive Hometown.
In February, Carlisle Auctions gets the wheeling and dealing up and running with an auction in sunny Florida. Following a record setting 2021 where all-time highs for sell through rates and total sales were reached as over 1,000 cars, trucks, and collectibles crossed the auction block. The first and last auctions of the year happen at the SUN n’ FUN Expo Campus in Lakeland, FL. The Lakeland Winter Collector Car Auction is February 25-26, while the Lakeland Fall offering is November 10-11. In Carlisle, the Spring Carlisle Collector Car Auction (April 21-22) happens in conjunction with Spring Carlisle, while the Fall auction is September 29-30 as part of Fall Carlisle. In each instance, 400+ lots are anticipated with three great ways to bid; in-person, on the phone, and online by way of Proxibid. There’s even an all-truck hour and opportunities to bid and buy for various charity causes. Auction details are available at CarlisleAuctions.com or by calling 717-960-6400.
Spring Carlisle presented by eBay Motors (April 20-24) welcomes nearly 100,000 guests with like-minded passions into the Cumberland Valley to buy, sell or trade all things automotive. Spring Carlisle, in most cases, is the first large gathering of its type across the country, so it becomes a destination event for gearheads and collectors. The biggest draw is the automotive flea market where thousands of vendors sell millions of pieces and parts, merchandise, and collectibles. There are even cars for sale by owner within the car corral.
In addition, the midway is packed with some of the top suppliers in the industry and is flanked by the ARMO Hot Products Showcase. ARMO is the SEMA council whose mission is to preserve and promote the automotive restoration hobby. In doing so at Carlisle, the ARMO team spotlights some of the newest and/or most popular items available for your ride. Finally, Spring Carlisle welcomes Carlisle Events co-owner Bill Miller to the stage on Friday, April 22 for his second bi-annual Bill Miller Auction. For a period of time starting mid-morning, Bill, with the help of the Carlisle Auctions staff, will sell off some items from his personal collection. The Bill Miller Auction is free for all on-site guests to attend and all items are sold to the highest bidder with no fees attached.
A few weeks after Spring Carlisle wraps up, the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals (May 13-14) takes center stage. IPN is one of the most unique events in the country, as it spotlights over 2,000 cars from around the world. From popular American Muscle to obscure Asian and European imports, guests are guaranteed to see something they have never seen before. Along with the rare and unique, there are a few special displays and activities planned. Cruise to Carlisle in mid-May for a 30-year tribute to the Subaru Impreza and a feature of Germany’s most popular ride; the BMW. There are also many car clubs who gather, making Carlisle their singular meet-up spot for judged or non-judged car show fun.
Just after Memorial Day, THE Ford show of shows happens; the Carlisle Ford Nationals presented by Meguiars (June 3-5). This event hosts Ford lovers from across the country and more than 3,000 vehicles on the National Parts Depot Showfield. While there is no shortage of cars and people, another element of the fun is the staff from Ford HQ. Top level team members roll in from Michigan to host new product showcases, walk arounds and unveilings. In fact, with some new vehicle car shows canceled in and around the mid-Atlantic region, it’s reasonable to expect that many consumers will see for the first time at Carlisle, the newest and hottest rides and products coming onto the market. This may include EV components and vehicles, the latest Bronco and more.
The Carlisle Ford Nationals also celebrates the history of the brand with special displays and guests. Planned displays for 2022 include a 60th Anniversary of the Shelby, a showcase of SSP Mustangs (police cars), and even a Light Weight reunion. Finally, the cars hit the streets of downtown Carlisle on Saturday night for the annual Ford Parade and Street Party. Historically, nearly 400 cars from the show itself roll into town for the community to check out. Restaurants offer a mix of dining options for everyone, while shops stay open later with the hopes of some added business from the out of town guests.
Two weeks after Ford weekend, the Carlisle GM Nationals (June 24-25) spotlight over 100 years of history, once again on the National Parts Depot Showfield. Following one of its best years ever in 2021, the GM Nationals plan to spotlight the 3rd Generation Camaro/Pontiac Firebird as part of a 40th anniversary display, celebrate the 60th of the Chevy Nova, the 40th of the Chevy S10 truck, and welcome the return of Corvettes for Chip. The aforementioned Corvette display is a show within the show and supports the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation, while the S10 honors will be spread across two shows, including the Carlisle Truck Nationals in August.
Deep into summer and halfway through the month of July, the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals (July 15-17) open its doors for the annual Mopar family reunion. This tight-knit group of car owners, lovers, and friends cruise to Carlisle following a record setting turnout in 2021. The automotive flea market is the largest of its type in the world, offering many OEM options for die-hard Mopar enthusiasts. In addition to the parts shopping and special guests, the Chrysler Nationals pack the Showfield to the tune of nearly 3,000 cars, including a display dedicated to nearly 50 original/survivor rides. Original and untouched, these beauties sit just east of the grandstand under a big red and white tent.
Additional Chrysler Nationals displays include a 50th Anniversary display of 1972 Mopars, a 25th gathering of the Prowler, a re-do of the 1970 50th that deserved better in 2020, plus a display focused on family. The family display is new and has the potential to tell an amazing array of stories with each car. Maybe the display car was wrenched by a father and son/mother daughter, maybe it was passed down from one generation to the next, maybe it was your first ride or maybe cars were the glue that kept you and your loved ones together. While these are just a few examples, there are many more open-ended options to consider for this display in 2022.
The last quarter of 2022 offers car and truck lovers three more great opportunities to come to Carlisle. Running August 5-7, the Carlisle Truck Nationals presented by A&A Auto Stores welcomes families by the droves. For three days, truck lovers of all ages can see in real life the toys they played with as kids. This includes trucks of all shapes, sizes, styles and eras; plus Monster Trucks, cool custom vans, big rigs, heavy equipment, and even tractors. On-site installs are a big part of the event, as title sponsor A&A Auto Stores manages the upgrades for exhausts, wheels, tires, and more. There are also a handful of planned displays, including part two of the S10 anniversary, the returning low show, Vanarama, and the Big Rig Show and Shine. One could say this is a very sensory show too, with the smells, sights, and sounds available, including the big rig glow show, drop and drag contest, and neon that frequently accompanies the vans.
Specialty show season (car specific events) concludes with Corvettes at Carlisle August 25-27. The world’s largest all-Corvette show celebrates its 40th Anniversary and has the unique distinction of being the first specialty car show ever launched at Carlisle in 1982. This year’s offering plans to welcome back Team Chevrolet and their always popular walkarounds, seminars anchored by the Corvette mechanic team and Paul Koerner, car themed anniversary displays, and one ultra-rare gathering of race cars. The displays include the 50th anniversary of 1972 Corvettes, NCRS Gallery display and a 35th Anniversary of Callaway Corvettes. Finally, for the first known time in Corvette circles, multiple generation of Pratt/Miller racing Corvettes come together to anchor Chip’s Choice within Building T. The show wraps up with the Downtown Carlisle Corvette Parade and Street party on Saturday evening, again offering the community a chance to see hundreds of cool cars in motion.
Lastly for Carlisle in 2022 is Fall Carlisle Presented by eBay Motors (September 28-Otober 2). Fall Carlisle is similar to its spring counterpart in that it offers cars, parts, merchandise, collectibles and more for sale. Enthusiasts and vendors alike converge on Carlisle to celebrate tradition, the car culture and an unmatched camaraderie that only those who are part of the experience can truly appreciate. Fall Carlisle 2022 includes more items by way of Bill Miller and his collectibles auction, plus serving as a backdrop to it at the stage, the AACA Car Club presents classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles, all while they recruit new club members and promote their upcoming event in Hershey just days after Fall Carlisle concludes. Fall Carlisle really is the last big event to find the parts you need for those winter projects or to wrap up something that’s been in the works all summer.
The cars and trucks at Carlisle don’t just show, they go. Beginning with the Import event in May and concluding with Corvettes at Carlisle in August, there will be parades (on grounds and off), drifting, autocross, thrill rides, rolling exhaust competitions, smoke billowing donuts, and more. In fact, select shows go one step further with low car/truck limbo and a real street shootout, testing a driver’s school vs. the clock and the multi-turn course at Carlisle. In most cases, Showfield registration is required to participate in these added activities, but specific details are available via the event’s specific web page.
Carlisle Events and Carlisle Auctions are excited about what 2022 has to offer and all elements of event involvement are for sale now. Spectator tickets are available for purchase at a discount online and registration to show is also discounted by 10% through 45 days prior to the event. Vending spaces are also available for those looking to sell tools, parts, collectibles, cars, merchandise, etc. Links to purchase, details on the 2022 AND 2023 schedules, and more can be found at CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.
