It all started in September of 1974; two men, Bill Miller, Jr. and Chip Miller (no relation), took an idea and made it a reality. That idea…automotive events for “people like us who like the kind of cars we do.” With that epiphany, Post War ’74 commenced and for the past 50 years, history has been made at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds as well as multiple venues across the country by the company known today as Carlisle Events. What began at Fall Carlisle 2023 will continue through the conclusion of 2024; a 50-year celebration of Carlisle Events and you’re invited!
The 2024 Carlisle Events season schedule has been released and it all starts in Allentown, Pennsylvania with Auto Mania (January 19-21). As Winter transitions to Spring, the Carlisle-based events commence, kicking off with Spring Carlisle driven by Hemmings (April 17-21). Carlisle Auctions also hosts its Spring Carlisle Collector Car Auction (April 18-19), all with the backdrop of nearly 100,000 guests roaming between the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and neighboring Carlisle Expo Center.
May hosts one event and starts another. The Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals is the first specialty car event (May 10-11), while the Carlisle Ford Nationals (May 31-June 2) hosts more than 3,200 of Fords best. Carlisle’s Summer of Muscle continues with the Carlisle GM Nationals (June 21-22), followed by the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals (July 12-14). The last two show car events include the Carlisle Truck Nationals (August 2-4) and the first-ever car show that Bill and Chip promoted, Corvettes at Carlisle (August 22-24). Finally, Fall Carlisle driven by Hemmings (October 2-6) along with the Fall Carlisle Collector Car Auction (October 3-4) wrap up the Carlisle 50-year fun.
With those dates in mind, guests planning to attend a Carlisle car show event in 2024 can expect some 50th anniversary-themed fun, as well as special themed displays per event. Some celebrations may be 50-year specific with callbacks to 1974, while others will simply honor significant elements of an event’s history, regardless of when it first took place. This may include vendors, concessionaires, car clubs, guests, etc. For the full Carlisle-based schedule, planned offerings including a historic timeline display in Building T, video loops and photos, themed merchandise and apparel, and more, make plans today to be at Carlisle in 2024.
The car-themed events at Carlisle are not just part of the company’s present, but its past too. The first specialty event is the Import & Performance weekend. This international showcase highlights displays such as 50 Years of the Rabbit/Golf, a display of vehicles from around the world, race-prepared cars, and more. There’s even a display called “The Freak Show,” a gallery of rare and unique vehicles such as foreign market models as well as other cars and trucks that aren’t common to the United States.
Car fun continues in May with the start of the biggest car show ever held in Carlisle, the Carlisle Ford Nationals. For three days, more than 3,200 show vehicles spanning eras of production populated the National Parts Depot Showfield. Featured displays in 2024 include Mustang Legend as part of a 60-year Mustang celebration, the annual Ford Nationals Select display, a Y-Block reunion, a 60 Years of the Mustang timeline display, 40 Years of the SVO, and 50 Years of Mustang II. As if that is not enough, Ford corporate cruises to Carlisle to showcase some of their latest creations, host new product walk-arounds, seminars, and more.
The second day of summer in 2024 marks the first day of the Carlisle GM Nationals. Hot temps meet even hotter cars as Carlisle’s “Summer of Muscle” forges on. Planned display themes include a big move by the Solid Lifter Showroom from Building Y to Building T (one year only) for the 16th offering of their popular Carlisle display. This display hosts an entire feature gallery of COPOs Yenkos, and other High-Performance GM optioned cars of the Muscle Car Era, Cadillac is honored, a return of the 3rd Gen Nationals, and even more Nova Nationals excitement. Corvettes for Chip also returns, making yet another opportunity for Corvette lovers to trek to Carlisle and for the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation to raise money and awareness for the horrible disease that took the life of Chip Miller in 2004.
July not only celebrates the birthday of the United States, it also hosts the largest all-Chrysler-themed car show in the world. As part of the Carlisle 50th celebrations, the 2024 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals showcases Old Skool paint themes, 55 years of the A12, a High Impact Paint display and a general Featured Vehicle display in Building T.
Less than a month later, the fastest-growing event at Carlisle takes over the fairgrounds; the Carlisle Truck Nationals. For three days, families can revel in trucks of all shapes, sizes, and styles. In addition, there are cool custom vans, antique fire trucks, heavy equipment, and big rigs too. There are even monster truck rides and shows, all guaranteed to make guests go from 0-60 smiles per hour in the blink of an eye.
The last specialty car event of the season is also the first one that Carlisle Events launched in 1982; Corvettes at Carlisle. Some 5,000 Corvettes spanning production history converge on Carlisle with planned 2024 features to include the NCRS Gallery, NCCC, Chip’s Choice (Mean Corvettes), a 50-year showcase of 1974 Corvettes, and a Challenge Car reunion.
For Corvettes at Carlisle and the Carlisle Ford Nationals, there’s also a downtown car parade. This brings 400+ vehicles from each show into the Carlisle community on Saturday night of event weekend. In addition, those car shows as well as the others mentioned include wheels in motion activities which may include drifting, autocross, a rolling exhaust contest, drift limbo, low car limbo, rolling burnout contest, and other challenges such as high truck and low truck at the Carlisle Truck Nationals.
In addition, all events include an automotive flea market, also known as a swap meet. The flea market element is a great way to buy, sell, and trade all things automotive. This includes OEM and NOS parts, practical items for the shop or the home, collectibles, merchandise, car art, and even vehicles. All items are for sale by owner and best of all, can be reviewed in person before the sale.
Finally, as part of Spring and Fall Carlisle, Carlisle Auctions hosts a two-day, 400+ vehicle auction. For these auctions in 2024, Carlisle Auctions will accept all 1974 consignments for just $74, a nod to the 50-year Carlisle Events celebration.
To be part of the Carlisle Events 50-year celebration, visit CarlisleEvents.com to learn more, secure a vending space, register to show a vehicle, or purchase discounted spectator admission tickets. Long-time supporters can also share their thoughts and memories by way of video though a special submission portal on the Carlisle Events web page. All the fun starts in early January and will certainly be one for the history books!
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