(Words and Photos by Joe Grippo) Here’s what the Carlisle Ford Nationals group shared after the event. This thing was huge! “Carlisle Events has been hosting automotive gatherings at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds since 1974. In addition, the Carlisle Ford Nationals presented by Meguiar’s has been entertaining tens of thousands of enthusiasts since its inception in 1995. This year, the company who has welcomed generations of families through its gates for nearly 50 years, and the event, which has been growing in size for the past 10 years, set an all-time high for registered Showfield vehicles with 3,454.”
3,454 registered Ford Vehicles. The fairgrounds were absolutely packed, I am not sure how many more cars and trucks they could actually fit within the gates. It was almost overwhelming. Truth be told, I’d guess 2,500 +/- of those cars were 2005 and up Mustangs. But still, it was quite a sight. Team Shelby alone hosted 400 club members. Trucks and Broncos were heavily represented, both vintage and modern, of course. The Ford Focus contingent was also out enforce, with a massive turn-out.
Some special displays at the Carlisle All Ford Nats included the Lightweight Reunion, 40 years of SSP Mustangs, the Bronco Summit, Electric Avenue (EV’s). The Ford Motor Company had a huge on-site presence, with the new Electric Lighting, Mach E Shelby and many other of their latest offerings.
I am more of traditional, old-school dude so I turned my camera on the more vintage iron on the premises. Mustangs, Mavericks, Fairlane’s, Torino’s, Lincolns, ‘50’s cars and such. As always, the sizable swap meet was chock full of interesting and rare parts and memorabilia, but pack heavy as prices are definitely up.
If you are a Ford fan, this has to be on your schedule in 2023, and after all, it is the largest gathering of Ford fans on the planet.
Check out the galleries, starting below.
