It’s On: 2021 Carlisle Ford Nationals Starts June 4th!
For Blue Oval fans, the Carlisle Ford Nationals is a bucket list event — and this year should be extra special.
It’s been nearly five decades since Carlisle Events hosted its first car show at the sprawling fairgrounds in central Pennsylvania, and since then, the Carlisle Ford Nationals has become the largest all-Ford car show in the world. Unfortunately, despite having grown up in a township just two hours from Carlisle, I’ve never actually been to any of the massive automotive events held there.
In my defense, I was too young to drive then, but thanks to the various editor hats I’ve worn over the years, I’ve dispatched loads of photographers to cover the action.
So I can assure you that if you’re a Ford fan on the east coast, this isn’t something you want to miss. Obviously, there will be loads of Mustangs there, from painstakingly restored first-gens, to wild customs, to drag cars, and everything in between. Given that most of the country spent the last year in lockdown, I can only imagine how electric the atmosphere will be, as gearheads from all over the country to flock there to bond over all things Ford.
Along with all row after row of hot hardware, there will be autocross events happening on Friday and Monday, along with presentations from Ford luminaries like Steve Saxty. This year, the former Ford Product Designer will be diving deep into the company’s archives, and giving talks on three distinct eras of “Secret Fords.”
Since this was done in partnership with Ford of Europe, I’m sure domestic fans will be blown away by his focus on, as the description says, “decades-worth of cancellated cars, one-offs and prototypes.” As someone who’s obsessed with the weirder elements of automotive history, I know I’d be.
That said, while the talks would be cool, and getting to walk through row after rows of cars would be great, there’s one element of this gearhead gathering which doesn’t really translate to photo coverage — and that’s the area I’m most curious about. I’m speaking of course, about the absolutely massive swap meet. Everyone who has ever experienced the Ford Nationals says it’s just incredible, and even in the era of enthusiast forums, eBay, and specialty shops, it remains a destination for folks looking for unobtainium parts for their vintage rides.
The show starts Friday, June 4th and runs through Sunday the 6th, and you can find ticket information, plus a full list of events, on the official Carlisle Ford Nationals website. Make sure to hit me up if you’re planning to go, as I’d love to see pics and hear about what it’s like on the ground there — it’s sure to be a blast.
Photos: Carlisle Events
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