It’s not too early to start planning for this summer’s Carlisle Ford Nationals. Carlisle is offering a 20% discount running through Wednesday, January 2nd. When you register your Cougar, be sure to choose COUGAR CLUB OF PA/NJ/DELMARVA club affiliation. Where they place the Cougars on the show field and what size tent they give us is based on our preregistration numbers. So be sure to click the COUGAR CLUB OF PA/NJ/DELMARVA option.
2019 will be the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Cougar and the host clubs (the DCC, the CCNJ/PA and the CCNE) are working with Carlisle on a special Eliminator display.
I plan on being there, but will have my Bullitt (sorry - another late model Mustang). We are having our Bullitt Nationals during the show this year. Carlisle has been on my bucket list for a long time, so this will be a good opportunity to finally go. That would be cool if there were several hundred Cougars there!
So far, the Eliminator display will be under a large tent in the Cougar area of the show field. Space in the display buildings has been spoken for 5-6 years ago by the Mach 1, Boss and other groups where 1969 was a banner year for their model. There may be one or two Boss 302 Cougars in the building. Other than those, all other show Cougars will be in the Cougar section.
Like every year, I am very much looking forward to Carlisle. If you’re a Ford Fanatic, it’s one of the best places on earth for cars, parts and best of all to reunite with friends you might not see any other time through the year. We have a great group that gathers under and around the Cougar tent. Bring a lawn chair and join-in. We make frequent trips to the concessions and the swap meet, so wear some comfortable shoes. Keep your lawn chair handy as after the show field we will also set-up at the Marriot parking lot to chat into the late night. I always bring my tuning tools and usually find myself making tweeks under a Cougar hood----this is one of my favorite parts of the event.
Even if you bring a non-Cougar, stop by and hang out for a bit at the Cougar tent.
Just one thing----no seafood this year. The time at Carlisle is too precious to spend laying on the bathroom floor.
See ya there,
Mark Piechowski
Cougar Club of New England
Hey guys I partially retract my previous post about Eliminators not being in the display building. Recently I spoke with Carlisle events to confirm set-up for our Cougars. It was mentioned that there is room for 4 or 5 Eliminators one being a Boss 302. There are already two Eliminators approved for display. Both of these cars are blue. From this point, other colors are preferred. To celebrate the Eliminator marque as a whole, both 69 and 70 Eliminators are eligible for display.
If you have an Eliminator that you’d like to have on display in the building at Carlisle you can submit this application: https://www.carlisleevents.com/inv/carlisle_invitational_application.aspx
On page 2 of the application check the box for “invitational display”.
Any cars that are chosen for featured display must be available for parking in building T no later than 5pm on Thursday. And must stay until 3pm on Sunday. The car stays in the building for the length of the show.
The determination of which cars are chosen is up to Carlisle Events staff. Cars that are heavily modified may not be approved. Carlisle requires a firm commitment that the car will done and ready for the show and can stay the duration. Cars that are incomplete in hopes to be done before the show will be considered, but lower on the list until pictures of a finished car can be submitted. Cars that have already participated in a previous invitational display will be considered, but will come 2nd to a first timer.
I think this covers it. Any questions please reply here.
thank you,
Mark Piechowski
Mercury Cougar Club of New England
Hi - slightly off topic… are these Carlisle shows a good place to find cars for sale (outside of auction)? I have never been to a car show so complete newbie. I am hunting Cougar and wondering if this could be a place to bag one
Thanks
There’s always a decent amount of cars up for sale, usually at least a couple Cougars. I sold my Mustang there, and ended up finding my Cougar for sale on craigslist about 20min from the fairgrounds while I was out there. If you’re in the market it’s not a bad place to look.
