Carlisle All-GM Nationals

August 2006
Muscle cars were the main attraction at this year's Carlisle All-GM Nationals at the famous Carlisle Fairgrounds. Whether you are a died-in-the-wool Camaro fanatic, a GTO enthusiast or just a die-hard GM fan, you saw it all at this weekend's GM show. Cars from all marques and eras joined the General in putting their best wheel forward.

The biggest draw of the weekend was the appearance of the much-sought-after Camaro concept car. From the moment this awesome vehicle entered the building, it was surrounded by Camaro fans. One fan immediately asked upon seeing it, 'Where can I sign up to buy this car?' Judging from the numbers of spectators viewing the concept throughout the weekend, GM's concept Camaro had hit its mark. The GM team also brought two other concepts to Carlisle, the Avalanche and the Nomad.

A new twist to the GM show this year was a quality presentation of high quality private collections. Carlisle's Building T resembled a museum this weekend. There were exceptional rides from three of the finest collections in the U.S.--McDorman, Schmeekle and Sandlin. These collections were among some of the finest examples of GM beauty and engineering around. Event Manager Dave Witmer commented, 'I've been around a lot of great GM cars, but never have I been in a building that contained so many fine classic automobiles.' The private collections were joined by a great showing of the General Motors Corporation. GM brought six Camaro Pace Cars from major races throughout the last four decades. GM personnel attending, loved the show and the support of the crowds. They indicated they would be back with more great cars and displays in 2007.

Joining the private collections and General Motors in Building T were the automotive guru's from Baldwin-Motion, LLC. Baldwin-Motion is the firm responsible for the ‘60s and ‘70s Phase III Supercars. Baldwin-Motion was named 'GM Best Design' Award at SEMA in 2005. A recent 540 Camaro SuperCoupe sold at Barrett-Jackson for $486,000.

Kristin Coledo of Wilkes-barre, Pennsylvania came to the All-GM Nationals in her 1967 Camaro SS. She also won the title of Miss All-GM Nationals and $500. She was her Dad's 'tomboy' and learned about cars at an early age.

The fun Steelyard event was won by Mark Rohler in his 1997 Camaro SS on Saturday. The Steelyard competition is often called the 'teeter-totter', and is a test to see who can balance their car the quickest.

The Greater Northeast Impala SS Club won the trophy for having the most club members at the event with 61 members and their vehicles present. The prize for 'the most miles traveled' went to Michelle Radich of Stuart, Florida, trekking 1,050 miles to visit the GM Show at Carlisle.
The American Camaro Association held their annual Camaros at Carlisle. The club had over 150 members joining in the weekend fun.

An exciting finish to the GM event was the Giveaway car drawing. Eventually, Mark Wilhelm of Wrightsville, PA won. But not before someone had a wrong number and another contestant got to the stage one minute too late. At Carlisle, numbers are drawn until someone in the audience responds, but previously drawn numbers have 10 minutes to present their tickets. Wilhelm had a choice of a '77 Chevy Concours or $5,000 in cash. He chose the cash, 'I don't have any more garage space,' said the winner. An interesting aside, he bought his first car from Carlisle Events owner, Bill Miller, at Miller's former Chevrolet dealership in Elizabethtown, PA.

Next year's All-GM Nationals takes place June 22-24, 2007.

Carlisle Events, host of 10 collector car, truck and motorcycle events, attracts more than half a million people to its 82-acre fairgrounds in Carlisle, Pa., each year. Included in the annual schedule are two huge automotive swap meets – in the spring and fall – 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 attract automotive enthusiasts from around the world.

Photography coverage: Aaron Clarke