Carlisle All-Ford Nationals celebrates special anniversaries

CARLISLE, PA (PRWEB) February 16, 2004

See the prototype for the original Ford Mustang, reunions of the rare Thunderbolts and Mustangs, special guests, concept vehicles and more at this year’s Carlisle All-Ford Nationals, June 4-6, at the Carlisle (Pa.) Fairgrounds.

This year marks the 40th anniversaries of both the Mustang and the legendary Ford Thunderbolt. As part of the 40th Mustang anniversary display, the original Ford Mustang II prototype will be on display, along with other rare and unique Mustangs throughout the years. The 1963 prototype is on loan from Owls Head Transportation Museum of Owls Head, Maine. The newest convertible Mustang concept will also be on display.

You even have the chance to win a 1964-½ Mustang in great shape. Just be at the stage on Sunday, June 6, at 3 p.m. after the awards presentation for your chance to win. No purchase is necessary, but you must be present to win.

The Thunderbolt reunion could draw up to 25 T-bolts. Only 100 Thunderbolts were produced in 1964, and only about 61 are known to remain in existence, making them extremely rare and valuable. All the T-bolts were factory-prepared race cars, delivered with slicks, headers and everything needed to make them win “right out of the box.”

Benny Parsons will participate in the T-bolt display and will meet attendees on Saturday. Parsons, best known as a NASCAR driver and commentator, started his early career at Dearborn (Mich.) Steel and Tubing, working on the Thunderbolt project. Also, racer Dick Brannan will sign autographs and meet with fans, along with other drivers who made the T-bolt famous. The original Dick Brannan Thunderbolt and Tasca Ford will be on display as well.

Friday night drag racing at South Mountain Dragway will feature a ’60s-style match race between two T-bolts in an East Coast vs. West Coast contest. Phil Featherston of California in his ’64 Thunderbolt will face Ed Youmans at the wheel of Rich LaMont’s Norristown (Pa.) Ford T-bolt. Other vintage and late-model Fords, Lincolns and Mercurys will race as well. Free shuttle buses are available from the Fairgrounds to South Mountain.

Top Ford Motor Company executives will be in attendance at the event as well, including Chris Theodore, vice president of Advanced Product Creation.

The Carlisle All-Ford Nationals will feature a new display – the Carlisle Ford Originals display. If you have a Ford vehicle that is unrestored and in good condition, you’ll want to be in this display. Vehicles must have low original miles with original equipment unrestored. For details, call (717) 243-7855, ext. 122.

In addition to all those great attractions, many other activities will keep your entire family busy all weekend. Saturday night, the beauty contest will entertain attendees. Informative seminars educate guests all three days. Check your vehicle’s horsepower with dyno testing. The Women’s Oasis features free manicures and massages, as well as basket bingo, while Kids at Carlisle will delight the younger Ford fanatics. Sunday morning, the Salvation Army will conduct a non-denominational worship service.

The 2004 edition of the Carlisle All-Ford Nationals takes place June 4-6, 2004. Gates are open from 7 a.m. to dusk daily. Admission is $ 7 Friday, $ 8 Saturday and $ 6 Sunday. Introduce kids to the automotive hobby – children 12 and under are admitted free. Receive a free event magazine with admission. Show field participants may reserve on-grounds camping spaces by calling (717) 243-7855.

For the safety and enjoyment of all patrons, no golf carts are permitted on grounds. The Carlisle Fairgrounds is equipped with services to help our guests with disabilities enjoy their visit.

To learn more about the Carlisle All-Ford Nationals, or to register for the show field, visit www.carsatcarlisle.com/ford or call the Carlisle Events Info Line at (717) 243-7855. For lodging information, call the Hershey-Capital Regions Visitors Bureau at 1(877) 231-7666. Carlisle Events welcomes returning sponsor Meguiar’s, major supporter of all Carlisle automotive events.

Carlisle Events, host of 12 collector car, truck and motorcycle events a year, attracted more than half a million people to its events in 2003. Included in the annual schedule are two huge automotive swap meets and individual specialty shows featuring Corvettes, Fords, GMs, Chryslers, trucks, motorcycles, sport compacts and imports. Founded in 1974 by friends Bill Miller and Chip Miller, the “Cars at Carlisle” shows have attracted automotive enthusiasts from around the world.

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