Carlisle Events Hosts A Blue Oval Invasion In Florida

Long before the morning sun began its assault on showgoers, a steady stream of vintage muscle and a healthy representation of hot rods began rumbled into Carlisle EventsWinter Florida AutoFest at the Sun ’N Fun campus in Lakeland, Florida. The event, which is adjacent to the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport and Florida Air Museum, is an automotive-themed weekend that features an exciting 500-plus collector vehicle auction presented by Carlisle Auctions and a free car cruise-in.

Additionally, the popular Mustangs & Mustangs car show — which gives participants the opportunity to have their cars photographed with a real P-51 aircraft — is held on location as part of the event. Plus there’s an automotive swap meet where you’ll also find vintage and antique memorabilia, a car corral where you can make deals directly with the vehicles’ owners, aeronautical-themed displays and activities plus a variety of entertainment suitable for all ages.

Cars were lined up early to find new homes Saturday morning at the Carlisle Auction.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit Carlisle’s Winter Autofest, the first thing you will notice is the size of the event.  Aside from the exciting auction activities which encompass multiple buildings on site, there are hundreds of acres of vendors. Auto parts, collector cars, and late-model vehicles are for sale in the swap meet areas as well as a variety of foods to satisfy virtually any taste.

Visitors in need of reprieve from the Florida sun can also enjoy the beautiful air museum and see displays and actual aircraft up close on the grounds. For the more adventurous, visitors can experience aircraft or helicopter flights sure to be a memory to last a long time.

Mustangs & Mustangs

The popular Mustangs & Mustangs show, hosted by the Imperial Mustangs of Polk County Florida, is held in conjunction with Carlisle’s Winter AutoFest and brings out some of the best Ford-powered machines in Central Florida.

Nearly as bright as the sun overhead were these early and late-model Boss 302s.

If you crave pony power or all things Ford, then the Winter AutoFest car show was the place to be. The 21st annual Mustangs & Mustangs…Legends Havin’ Fun Mustang and Ford show was just as big as the name would indicate.

Late-model Mustangs made up more than half of the field including these colorful examples of Ford muscle.

Mustangs, Shelbys, Steedas, Saleens, and Ford-powered cars and trucks converged on the show field in what seemed to be an unending line of Blue Oval traffic. This show earned a can’t-miss reputation for quality cars and beautifully restored P-51 aircraft, and this year’s installment didn’t alter that reputation.

A steady crowd perused officially licensed Ford merchandise available in the Mustangs & Mustangs show area.

With an impressive list of volunteers and judges at its disposal, the host club clearly has plenty of experience putting on a well-run show and this year’s effort was no different. Boasting nearly 200 cars in attendance, Mustangs & Mustangs at Carlisle Winter Florida Autofest is one show you’ll want to add to next year’s calendar. If it looks like a good time to you, you can keep your eyes on the club’s site for updates about next year’s 22nd annual show here.

Enthusiasts of other Ford offerings found plenty to see including this sharp Falcon and a pair of Cobras.

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About the author

JP Emerson

My affliction with vintage iron is matched only by my knowledge of classic Rock ’N Roll. Although a heavy lean to all things Ford blue, I have a sharp appreciation for all makes and models, especially those that gulp gas and drop oil to mark their territory. Having provided work for multiple magazines, manufacturers, SEMA, and a top secret list of celebrity and auto insiders, I understand the bond between cars and owners.
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