Variety is spice of life, or so it’s said.  If that is indeed the case, the variety at the annual Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals offers enough variety for nine-lives.  For two days in May (14-15) the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds become the epicenter for an international showcase unlike any.  With more than a half dozen countries represented, the sights are jaw-dropping, the activities are optically appealing, and the history is mentally stimulating.

It's easy to find your vehicle of choice as they are parked on grounds by country of origin and are easily identifiable by that countries flag.  Countries include England, Germany, France, Japan, Korea, the United States, Italy and Sweden.  For 2021, even muscle cars from the states are welcome.  As part of this international showcase, guests can walk the grounds and have a special passport stamped by International Ambassadors, allowing for collectible souvenirs at the end of this “around the world” tour.  There will even be some food themed per country, meaning guests can both see the automotive world and taste it too.  These specialty foods will be available for purchase from select vendors within (or near) the food court.

Annually, this event also spotlights special themes.  2021 spotlights include a big Volvo celebration, 20 years of the Honda K-Series, a display of race cars in the Race Paddock and 30 years of the Toyota 2JZ engine.  Additionally, the Opel Manta turns 50, the club, Opels at Carlisle, celebrates 25 years of attending the show AND the 15^th annual Opel Nationals meet, which rotates locations annually, has rotated its way to Carlisle for 2021!

Along with featured vehicle displays and the international Showfield, there are awards available, not just for those showing, but for those who attend as spectators. eJudged.com hosts drive through judging for registered Showfield members.  Cars don’t just show, they go.  There is a low car limbo, drift limbo, rolling exhaust contest, a parade of Opels and of course drifting itself hosted by NICOClub.com. 

Aside from the cars and those who power them, this event would be nothing without its passionate base of vendors. From kit car vendors to those selling pieces, parts and collectibles geared to the import lovers, enthusiasts of this show should know that there is no better place to show a car, build a car or find pieces for a car than the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals.

Not only are the cars and guests welcome but so are the dozens of car clubs who make this event the coolest weekend hangout in the hobby!  Carlisle Events is COVID-19 compliant and follows current guidelines suggested by state officials as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  A detailed Health/Safety Measures summary is available on CarlisleEvents.com.  While on the web, be sure to apply, register, or purchase discounted spectator tickets in advance of the show or call 717-243-7855 to learn more today.   

More than once in a press release, the words “the car community is a tight-knit group” has been used.  That phrase may never be more accurate than right now!  On March 9, 2021 (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) at the Carlisle Expo Center, friends, family and the car community will come together to help a local man (Bainbridge, PA), Art Reisinger, as he battles prostate cancer.  Not only is Art a car lover and well-respected member of the Mopar community, he’s also a long-time vendor at Carlisle Events’ annual car shows.

While cancer is never something we want to face, the reality is, its various forms affect many of us personally.  Art’s love for the hobby, and its love for him, are bringing everyone together on March 9 for a very special event.  Though the event is, in part, being spearheaded by Ed Buczeskie of Carlisle Events, the blood drive is not an event produced by Carlisle Events.  Ed’s passion for the hobby and friendship with Art helped make this happen.  He’s being joined in his efforts by Shirley Bencaz, former sales rep for a Mopar themed publication and Tresa Govern, a Mopar lover and mutual friend of Ed and Art.

The event will obviously include a blood drive, though monetary donations will also be accepted.  In addition, there will be door prizes provided by Carlisle Events and others within the hobby.  The Central PA Blood Bank will handle the donation duties and blood donations.  All blood types are welcome, and blood that’s a match to Art can directly benefit him, though other types are needed through the blood bank too.  Those unable to make the event can still donate at any Central PA Blood Bank event by offering Art’s name in full, or by using donor ID number R-267. 

“What started as a Blood Drive that would be marketed toward the local Mopar community has grown legs and is now spreading across the country,” said Buczeskie.  “Mopar ‘celebrities’ have been donating items to be used to encourage participation as door prizes and we’ve seen an overwhelming level of support from people outside of the Mopar community too.  Art has been such a staple at events in Carlisle as well as within car circles, that everyone has been eager to help he and his family during these tough times.”

Those looking to support the cause are able to simply show up, but to better the experience, the Central PA Blood Bank recommends booking a time slot in advance by calling them at 1-800-771-0059.  For general questions regarding the event, e-mail Ed Buczeskie at EdB@CarlisleEvents.com.

Finally, the Carlisle Expo Center and this event are COVID compliant.  Masks are required and while no prior COVID test results are required to donate, donors are offered the opportunity to obtain a FREE COVID anti-body test prior to donation.

The General Motors family is just that…a family. Once, the manufacturer of such different, since discontinued car badges as LaSalle, McLaughlin, Oakland, Oldsmobile, Opel, Pontiac, Hummer (brought back within GMC), Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall, Daewoo  and Holden, GM has been lean and mean since its restructuring and reorganization cut redundancy and remaining brands down to a core four, by late-2010. Under the GM umbrella today are Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC and Wuling (China). Those eliminated brands are gone, but not forgotten. They remain part of the GM family of vehicles that their supporters fervently defend, show off, refurbish and compete with, particularly at GM-inspired events such as the Carlisle GM Nationals, set for June 25 - 26, 2021 at the Carlisle, PA Fairgrounds.

The supporters are part of the GM family of loyalists. It is a happy family, but at events, as with any family members that squabble about which brother or sister is favored, which uncle is stronger, and which cousin is more successful, GM event fans create a great divide. They stick together as a whole – the GM team fans celebrate the heritage since William C. Durant capitalized GM in 1908 and speedily acquired Buick and more than 20 additional companies to become the top-selling automotive manufacturer in the world. But they separate as fervent badge proponents and debate and compete against each other at major events. 

It is not exactly the sports animosity you have with Yankees-Red Sox fans, or what you see with Lakers-Celtics, Red Wings-Blackhawks, or Steelers-Eagles, or the contempt fans had for each other from Ali-Frazier … but there is a real division among fans even when the cars are conceptually similar, as with Firebird vs.Camaro, GMC vs.Chevy trucks, or Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme vs. Pontiac Grand Prix vs. Chevrolet Monte Carlo vs. Buick Regal. Historically, it follows, as each division had its own engineering, marketing and production assets and managed its own dealership network. In specification and output there may not have been much difference between an Oldsmobile and a Buick V8, but no Olds division manager in the 1950s and 1960s would ever consider putting a Buick engine into one of his 88s or Starfires. An Olds was an Olds, a Buick was a Buick, a Chevy a Chevy, a Pontiac a Pontiac, and Cadillac stood alone. And each division had its own look, feel, tweaks and customer bonding. Even the individual engineers were so proud of their own designs that they competed against fellow engineers on other projects. So it became easy for an enthusiast to follow and buy one division for life, excluding all sister or brother badges within GM.

Sometimes the divide even comes from different generations of the same vehicle as with early- and late-model Corvettes, original and more recent Camaros and the Old School vs. New School evolution of Cadillac. Often, there is competitive debate within the same badge as with Pontiac’s Bonneville vs. Firebird or Firebird vs. GTO, Oldsmobile’s 88 vs. 98, or Chevy’s Nova vs. Chevelle (even though Chevelle was a midsize and larger than Nova). 

Now this isn’t to suggest animosity or enemy camps. It is more of an overwhelming pride in the vehicles or badged cars the fans grew up with, work on, drive or collect. And this pride supersedes any close relationships with other family members … stay away from Uncle Charlie; he will talk your ear off about his ’57 Bel Air.

There are exceptions. Corvette seems to have earned niche approval among most family members and is largely held in esteem like the favorite uncle or aunt that all the kids love. And Uncle Cadillac has evolved into a luxury sedan with as much power as his nephew Vette, and is revered by many family members for his history.

As car lovers, we can appreciate something about nearly all makes, models, badges and concepts, but if you have spent your life driving, working on and monitoring everything available on a specific badge … fandom keeps revered place for it in the hearts of car people.

In the case of Camaro vs. Firebird, the competitive fires burns logically, as both shared the same platform and were big players in The Pony Car Wars starting in 1967. With similar styling, one difference between the two cars was under the hood, and Firebird was marketed as an upmarket version of the Camaro, while Camaro became “the people’ car.” And both won at the racetrack. 

Another internal GM battle subject is the 1973 Olds Cutlass Supreme versus 1973 Pontiac GTO. That is a great topic that we might hear argued at a show, but probably not as spirited as the engine wars that pitted iron-headed big block engines -- 454 Chevy vs. 455 Pontiac vs. 455 Olds against each other. The conversations are spirited and part of the fun of attending big GM car events.

It comes down to this…GM is a family…of cars and enthusiasts, and as with any family, there is competition. Part of the fun and value of attending big car events is discussion and friendly rivalry. The Carlisle GM Nationals is the perfect stage for such a showdown, one in which the enthusiasts win.  As noted, the event runs June 25-26 and all aspects of registration are now open.  This includes registering for the National Parts Depot Showfield, becoming a vendor or simply purchasing spectator tickets (discounted if purchased online in advance).  There's also a bevvy of special displays planned, all of which are open for submission and consideration.  Get full details on the event by way of the show's page today and don't miss out in June at Carlisle!  

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

Every new car show season brings changes of some sort to the schedule for Carlisle Events.  Sometimes those changes are subtle, while other times they serve as a cornerstone to the season and the automotive enthusiasts who trek to Carlisle for their event of choice.  Commencing in 2021, Carlisle Events is excited to announce that American Collectors Insurance has been named "The Official Collector Car Insurance Partner of Carlisle Events."

This multi-year partnership sees American Collectors Insurance on-site and positioned on the Manufacturer’s Midway at most automotive events hosted at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and Carlisle Expo Center.  In addition, the partnership will kick-off with a visit to the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus in Lakeland, Florida as part of Carlisle Auctions’ Lakeland Winter Collector Car Auction (February 19-20).

American Collectors Insurance is a division of NSM Insurance Group which includes additional brands like Heacock Classic and Condon & Skelly.  The American Collectors Insurance brand will stand front and center for all to see, not only as part of the six specialty shows backed by Carlisle Events, but also for the automotive flea market events (Spring and Fall Carlisle) as well as Carlisle Auctions’ four offerings, Lakeland Winter, Spring Carlisle, the Summer Sale and Fall Carlisle.

Visiting with the experts from American Collectors Insurance at Carlisle isn’t just a visual experience.  They’ll talk with you about your cherished ride and work with you on an agreed value for coverage purposes, rates up to 40% less than standard auto policies and even offer a flexible mileage program so you’re not just paying for coverage on a ride you can never drive.  Their brand isn’t just about insurance either, as they have a strong social media presence designed specifically to further highlight the classic and collector car hobby.  Best of all, they WILL save you money.

“We’re truly excited about this unique partnership opportunity with Carlisle Events. This multi-year sponsorship reinforces our deep commitment to do our part to protect, expand and grow the loyal collector car community,” said Paul Choi, President – American Collectors Insurance. “By partnering with a respected leader in the automotive hobby arena, we can continue to offer our best-in-class insurance products and demonstrate that we’re extremely passionate about helping our clients protect their treasured investments.”

“We are excited to partner with American Collectors Insurance as our Official Collector Car Insurance Company,” noted Ed Scholly, Director of Business and Event Development.   “They are a strong company with insurance options that should meet the needs of everyone who loves classic cars and attends an event at Carlisle.  Their staff is professional and enthusiastic about being a part of the Carlisle Events family.  We look forward to car show season and growing with them into the future,” concluded Scholly.

The 2021 Carlisle Events season is already up and running, with the Lakeland auction event planned for the third weekend of February.  From there, Spring Carlisle starts it all in Carlisle (April 21-25).  Learn more about the Carlisle Events schedule and American Collectors Insurance online today at CarlisleEvents.com or visit with them at a Carlisle car event near you!

Ford began its off-road SUV experience in World War II, when they built GP (General Purpose) vehicles for Allied forces, and gained further GP experience building the troop utility vehicle, MUTT in the 1950s and ’60s. Following WWII, GIs returning home sought and bought familiar Army surplus GPs for work and outdoor play, but they did not provide the civilian comfort Ford was marketing. In the early 1960s, Ford began developing a more refined, spacious, yet durable off-road vehicle to meet this need – Bronco, which it referred to as a “sports-utility vehicle,” the first SUV developed by the company and first American manufacturer to use the term.

The original Bronco was nicknamed G.O.A.T. by Donald Frey, the Ford vice-president who helped initiate both Mustang and Bronco nameplates, He challenged engineering teams to deliver “go anywhere roadability.” The G.O.A.T. terminology was indicative of the desire to develop a “Goes Over All Terrain” vehicle. However, since the public already nicknamed the Pontiac GTO “GOAT,” and the Dodge Ram insignia was a mountain goat (ram), that terminology was eliminated. Not a company to forget, Ford has brought back Bronco for 2021 and has included a “G.O.A.T.” 4x4 system with an exclusive drive mode set-up, and unique Bronco-variant architectures with class-leading levels of capability and suspension technology. Ford markets the arrangement as a “go over any terrain” system.

The earliest sketches for the Bronco show the now-familiar box-shaped vehicle with the recognizable round headlights and two-door layout. The vehicle underwent constant revisions as its features were molded, and Frey described it as “neither a conventional car nor a truck, but as a vehicle which combines the best of both worlds. It can serve as a family sedan, as sports roadster, a snowplow, or as a farm or civil defense vehicle. It has been designed to go nearly anywhere and do nearly anything.” 

Brought out for the 1966 model year, Bronco was offered in three body styles: the Roadster (open-air model,) Sports Utility (with pickup bed,) and Wagon (two doors, tailgate, full top.) The Roadster was the most basic and least expensive of the three with doors and roof as options. The Sports Utility featured a short top, seating for two or three with a bench seat and a pickup style bed. Over time, the Sports Utility was known as the “half-cab.” The most popular model was the Wagon with a full-length hardtop roof and seating for up to five people with rear bench seat. While there were a large number of optional packages, all three models came with standard four-wheel drive, a 3-speed manual transmission, and a 105-horsepower, 170-cubic-inch, six-cylinder engine. On March 2, 1966, the 289-V-8 was offered as an upgrade and the Bronco’s horsepower and torque rating increased to the top of the sports-utility field.

Five generations of the Bronco were manufactured and sold from the 1966 to 1996 model years, with a sixth generation of the model line brought back for the 2021 model year. The 1966 Bronco joined Mustang as the second Pony in the Blue Oval stable, and originally competed against Jeep CJ-5 and International Harvester Scout.

The public quickly took to Bronco as a vehicle that could take you over any terrain and get you wherever you wanted to go in comfort. A personal case in point: in the late 1960s, my brother-in-law and I went backpacking and trout fishing in the High Sierras of California. Before we backpacked up, we drove my bro-in-law’s 1966 Red-and-White Bronco off-road, over rocks, through tightly situated trees, up steep access and across very rough terrain, as far as we could move on four wheels. We parked it and set off on our hike, and after rock-climbing, river crossing and tree skirting, we came upon an old-timer driving HIS Bronco across bigger rocks, steeper inclines and some flowing water. When I asked him how the heck he got his vehicle up here, he said, “A Bronco can go anywhere, fella.” He shook his head at us and Bronco’d on.

While upgrades were made to the Bronco after its introduction in 1966, the vehicle remained essentially unchanged until 1973, when power steering and automatic transmission were introduced as part of a “Bronco Revolution.” The 302 V-8 option came with the SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed transmission, and a new 200-cubic-inch six replaced the 170-cubic-inch six that had been standard since the introduction. 

In 1978, Bronco was entirely redesigned as Ford enlarged the Bronco as a short-wheelbase version of the F-Series pickup truck, Now a full-size SUV, Bronco set out to compete against larger sports-utes, and it offered two different V-8 engines and for the first time did not have a V-6 option. Additionally, the interior was completely redone as well, offering more space and more comfortable bucket seats in the front and, with a new recessed footwell, and much more legroom for the passengers in the rear seats.  The new model also had two first-time features -- air conditioning and AM/FM radios offered as options. 

The 1980 to 1986 third-generation Bronco became smaller, lighter, and more aerodynamic and fuel-efficient, based on the shorter F-150 platform featuring both V-6 and V-8 engines, coinciding with rising gas prices and attention to fuel economy. The third-Gen Bronco was the first to offer independent front suspension replacing the monobeam front end. A revolutionary front-wheel-drive independent front suspension and new frame were well received by the buying public and automotive press.

The Bronco II was introduced in March 1983 as a 1984 model. The smaller brother to the Bronco, the Bronco II was built through 1990 and was based on the smaller Ranger platform. Popular options included an Eddie Bauer trim package. Advertising touted the rugged toughness of the Bronco and Eddie Bauer gear. After 1990, the Bronco II was discontinued as the new Ford Explorer was introduced in that segment.

The 1987 to 1991 fourth-generation Bronco received an aerodynamically redesigned front end and a variety of modernized features. This generation saw the introduction of electronic fuel injection, rear anti-lock brakes and, after 1988, 5-speed manual transmissions.  Custom trim packages included a special 25th anniversary edition with a special Currant Red exterior and charcoal leather seating. 

The final Bronco generation between 1992 and 1996 included minimal body and styling tweaks, but showed enhanced safety and utility features. Ford advertised the 1992 Bronco as the “Smartest Bronco ever.” This generation was the first to feature driver’s side airbags, three point seat belt systems and, by 1994, an air conditioning system that used a refrigerant that was free of chlorofluorocarbons. It was a 1993 Bronco that O.J. Simpson was a passenger in during his two-hour slow-speed chase in June, 1994.

Dormant for a quarter-century, Bronco is back for 2021, with an all-new Bronco outdoor brand of Built Wild™ SUVs. The current Bronco family includes a two-door, first-ever Bronco four-door model and all-new rugged, small SUV, Bronco Sport – the only domestic brand of SUVs with standard 4x4.

Race-bred EcoBoost® engines plus class-exclusive 7-speed manual and available 10-speed automatic transmissions give the all-new Bronco the optimal combination of power, torque and gear ranges to perform in a wide variety of terrains and uses. The available 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine delivers 310 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque, while the 2.3-liter EcoBoost provides 270 hp and 310 lb.-ft. The 2021 Bronco is touted to provide on-road comfort, off-road and rock climbing capability. Purpose-built and ready for action, Bronco continues its heritage as a Goes Over Any Terrain beast.

From its birth, Bronco has held a special place in popular culture and has been featured in more than 1,200 films and 200 songs. Furthermore, since Ford ended its first production run in 1996, Bronco SUVs have gained a following with collectors and enthusiasts. The reemergence of Bronco has helped jump vintage valuations, with premium auction results showing a doubling of Bronco sales prices over the past three years from $39,763 to $74,820 with the 1966-77 Broncos gaining some 75.8 percent -- among the highest vehicle price increases of all collectible SUVs over the past three years.

With the new Bronco available to consumers, expect to see some at the Carlisle Ford Nationals presented by Meguiar's this summer, June 4-6 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds.  In addition to what will be on the National Parts Depot Showfield, Ford will likely have some as part of their display too.  Finally, Ford Nationals weekend spotlights all things Stroppe!  From the Stroppe Baja Broncos to the Lincoln and Mercury Stroppe racecars of old, a nice Stroppe themed mix will be on display inside and outside of Building T.  There are even some display specific surprises planned.  Stroppe owners are encouraged to be part of this display by applying for consideration at CarlisleFeatures.com.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.