Ford Racing was part of the...
Ford Racing was part of the impressive Ford display at Carlisle. At the Mustang Garage, technicians were installing Ford Racing performance parts all weekend.
The name has changed but the game is the same. Known as the All-Ford Nationals for the past 15 years, the annual June event at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, has been rechristened the Carlisle Ford Nationals thanks to a stronger partnership with Ford Motor Company. Otherwise, nothing has changed-it's still the same great event with a huge Showfield, Invitational Display, special reunions, manufacturer midway, car corral, and the giant swap meet.
Mustangs weren't as prominent at this year's event, held June 4-6, with feature status going to the Cougar Nationals, F-100 Explorer Reunion, and the Ford Euro Garage with Merkurs and Capris. However, the Cobra Jet Display celebrated the legendary CJ race cars with a special collection of mostly Mustangs, from '681/2 to the '08 and '10 cars from Ford Racing. The cars were scheduled for exhibition runs, piloted by 1960s drivers like Sam Auxier Jr. and Al Joniec along with former Director of Ford North American Motorsports Brian Wolfe, at nearby Quarter Aces Drag-O-Way on Friday night, but the event was canceled due to a monster thunder storm rolling through the area.
The Showfield, however, was Mustang central. Registered cars topped the 2,400 mark, not quite a Carlisle Ford Nationals record (2,600) but an improvement over last year's recession-hampered turn-out. As usual, the majority of show cars were Mustangs, dominated by late-models (a trend at every show these days, it seems) with plenty of nice '65-'73 vintage cars mixed in. Carlisle Event manager Rick Markko told us that the Manufacturer Midway was larger than ever with displays by Mustang-related companies like Mustangs Unlimited, Christiana Muscle Cars, TMI Products, MRT, Cervini's Auto Design, and Ford Racing, which set up its Mustang Garage for parts installs by a crew from Fred Bean's Ford.
Pony Trails 2010
Finally, the weather cooperated. After several years of rain, threatening rain, or blinding fog, the Friday morning of Carlisle 2010 dawned with bright sunshine and over 125 cars for our annual Pony Trails cruise from CJ Pony Parts, located on the east side of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It was great to pull into the CJ complex at 8:00 a.m. to see Mustangs packing the parking lot.
It was great to see sunshine...
It was great to see sunshine and a packed parking lot when we arrived at CJ Pony Parts on Friday morning. Over 125 cars made the 49-mile trek from Harrisburg to Carlisle.
Prior to our departure, Pony...
Prior to our departure, Pony Trails' participants shopped for parts and apparel in the CJ Pony Parts' showroom.
CJ service manager Bill Tumas...
CJ service manager Bill Tumas planned our route and led the cruise in his '04 Cobra-powered '96 Cobra.
As usual, the guys at CJ Pony Parts were great hosts, providing a T-shirt for each participant along with coffee and doughnuts while they perused the gathering cars or shopped in the CJ showroom. Our thanks to CJ service manager Bill Tumas, who planned the route through beautiful Pennsylvania countryside as we made our way to a park just outside Carlisle. Bill also led the cruise in his '96 Cobra that has been fitted with a supercharged drivetrain from an '04 Cobra.
A Cobra Jet Heritage of Legends...
A Cobra Jet Heritage of Legends display featured a number of old and new Cobra Jet Mustangs, including a pair of Don Fezell's '681/2 Mustang CJ drag cars, a white car restored to factory condition (#46 out of the 50 built) and Phil Bonner's "Daddy Warbucks" '681/2 CJ fastback. There were also several '08 and '10 Cobra Jet Mustangs in the display.
The Mach 1 Registry's club...
The Mach 1 Registry's club display incorporated both old and new Mach 1s, from the original '69s right up to the newer '03-'04 Shaker-scooped editions.
We love it when owners provide...
We love it when owners provide a sign with information about their cars. Otherwise, we would have never known that this '65 hardtop was originally owned by Sally Wilson, who is rumored to be the inspiration for the hit song "Mustang Sally." Sally and her Arcadian Blue Mustang were frequently seen cruising the street of Arcadia, California, during the mid 1960s.
This view from the top of...
This view from the top of the grandstands shows only a portion of the Carlisle Ford Nationals' swap meet, which includes vendors selling everything from leather belts and cleaning supplies to used and new Mustang parts. Many restorers arrive early on Friday to find NOS parts and the best deals.
Delaware's Christiana Muscle...
Delaware's Christiana Muscle Cars showcased this '69 fastback restomod build in their display at Carlisle.
Most attendees got their first...
Most attendees got their first look at the new '11 Mustang GT-with its gorgeous new 5.0 fender emblem-at Ford's display during the Carlisle Ford Nationals. Most also got a Mustang T-shirt, as evidenced by the line of people in the background for a Ford marketing campaign.
Several years ago, CJ Pony...
Several years ago, CJ Pony Parts hit on the idea of setting up a mini-store in a tent. It's been a hit with attendees, offering not only a store-like setting for parts shopping but also providing relief from sun or rain.
Jim Curry's '92 Feature Car...
Jim Curry's '92 Feature Car convertible was part of Carlisle's Invitation Display in Building T. It has been nicely modified with AFR heads, Ford Racing E303 cam, shorty headers, 3.55 gears, and other mild mods.
We know it's not a Mustang....
We know it's not a Mustang. But right before the Mustang was introduced in 1964, Rachel Veitch's husband bought her this '64 Comet Caliente. She still owns it today with over 562,000 miles on the odometer. Her best comment: "It's been more reliable than any of my three husbands."
From rough to ready, you never...
From rough to ready, you never know what you might find in the Cars for Sale section at the Carlisle Ford Nationals.
This was a colorful trio of...
This was a colorful trio of legendary Mustang muscle cars in the Carlisle show field-red '69 Boss 429, Grabber Green '70 Boss 302, and Grabber Blue '70 Shelby GT500.