Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals

Background

The Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals is a car show and swap meet dedicated to Mopars and AMCs held in Carlisle, Pennsylvania by Carlisle Events. Ed Buczeski is the current event manager for the show as of 2010.

Showfield

The showfield is where cars are placed into various classes for participant judging. It is helpful to determine whether one's vehicle is stock, modified, pro-street/race-prepared, or a street rod to appropriately classify one's vehicle. For Sale Signs are not allowed on the Showfield.

Standard of Mopar Excellence

Along with the normal showfield, the Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals also hold a Standard of Mopar Excellence Judged Competition, which is often referred to as SME and was founded by Dave Ferro of Totally Auto Inc. Cars that are placed in this class are judged against a standard of excellence instead of other cars by knowledgable judges instead of show participants. Each car can earn a possible 100 points which are divided into five separate areas: the engine bay, the interior, the body, the undercarriage, and an operations test.

Survivors Display

Each year, the Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals plays host to Survivors in a special Survivors' Tent on the showfield. The cars in this display are supposed to have their original paint, original drivetrains, and original interiors, or at the very least 85% of it.

Retro Dealership

In recent years, the Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals has been having a Retro Dealership Display just outside of their Gate 1. They have named this display "Beeney Motors" and for 2010, the Retro Dealership display year was 1970.

Other Invitational Displays

Along with the regular showfield, Survivors Display, and Retro Dealership, the Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals also plays host to other invitational displays in what they call Building T and Building Y. For 2010, the Building T Display was titled "Classics to Concepts," and played host to an AAR 'Cuda and Challenger T/A reunion as well as the 1966 Imperial Crown The Black Beauty.

Building Y was a display of Barn Finds for 2010. This display was a way to launch a class called Time Bandits in the near future.

Giveaways

There are two notable giveaways at the Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals: A car giveaway and an engine giveaway. Tickets for both are given in show participants' "goody bags". For both giveaways, one must be present to win. For the 2010 show, the giveaway car was a 1965 Plymouth Valiant and the drawing was held on Saturday July 10 at 5 p.m.

The engine giveaway is in partnership with Mopar Muscle Magazine and Muscle Motors. For the 2010 show, the engine was a small block 408 Stroker and the drawing was held on Sunday July 11 at 3 p.m.

Car Corrall

The Car Corrall is a place on the fairgrounds where one call sell his or her car(s). In this section, For Sale Signs are allowed.

Special Guests

The Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals also plays host to many special guests each year. For the 2010 year, special guests included James Best, who played Roscoe P. Coltrane on the televison show The Dukes of Hazzard, Byron Cherry, who played Coy Duke during one season of The Dukes of Hazzard, Tom Coddington, Tom Hoover, Herb McCandless, Jonh Samsen, Lou Santiago, David Snyder, and Bill Stiles.

Seminars

There are also several seminars held at the Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals. Some seminars for the 2010 show were "Care Care" presented by Meguiar's, Restoration 101, by Kohr's Kustoms and Chrylser Peformance Engines by Herb McCandless.

Dyno Testing

Each year, Dyno Testing is held on the Carlilse Fairgrounds by Axcelerated Motorsports, which is currently Carlisle Events' official dyno. This testing is for maximum horsepower and torque on a Dynojet model 248 chassis dyno. Testing is open to front- and rear-wheel drive cars as well as trucks including diesel trucks. Their is a fee if show attendees if they would like to test their cars and clubs may receive a club rate during off-peak hours.

Burn Out Contest

Every year, the show also hosts a burnout contest that is open to showfield participants or vendors. Preregistration is required for this contest and a driver's license and proof of insurance are required and participants are limited to a maximum of 10 vehicles and 3 minutes each.

Drag Racing

Drag Racing also occurs during the Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals, but not at the Carlilse Fairgrounds. Instead, the drag racing is held at the Quarter Aces Drag-O-Way, an NHRA-sanctioned 1/8 mile drag strip. Free transporation to and from the fairground is provided starting at 4 p.m., but qualifying starts at 3 p.m. There is also a fee to drag race as well as a smaller fee for pit crew and spectator admissions with the exception of children spectators under 12.

Club Participation

Car club participation is welcome and even encouraged at the Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals. Awards are presented for the coolest club hangout as well as clubs who have the most, second most, and third most number of club members in attendance.

Ms. Carlisle Chrysler Nationals

There is a beauty contest called the Ms. Carlisle Chrysler Nationals. For the 2010 show, this event was held at 6:30 p.m. on the Saturday of the show and Carlisle Events changed the rules and implemented a new format from previous years. The contestants compete fopor cash prizes.

Women's Oasis

Carlilse Events even holds a "Women's Oasis" during the All-Chrysler show. This features free bingo, seminars, and demonstrations. One can also receive therapeutic massages for gratuities only.

Kids at Carlisle

The show even has stuff for children to do, called "Kids at Carlisle." This is not a daycare service and adult supervision is required. Some of the events kids could participate in during the 2010 show were Kids Cookie Paiting, Kids Cooking Classes, Kids Choice Award (where childrent could vote for their favorite car in the Building T invitational display), a poster contest, and a Carlisle Cuties Contest (where babies and toddler up to age 3 are dressed to impress in Carlisle and/or Chrysler apparel.

References

Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals Official Event Directory July 9-11, 2010

External Links

Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals

Mopar Muscle Magazine