When the sun rises on Friday, January 15, 2022 it will have been 727 days since Auto Mania last took place within the Agri-Plex building at the Allentown Fairgrounds.  The wait…is almost over!  Carlisle Events is excited to return to Allentown for 33rd offering Auto Mania, Pennsylvania’s largest indoor and heated automotive flea market for three days, January 15-17. 

Auto Mania takes place within a singular building and adjacent parking lot of the Farmers Market complex and thousands of enthusiasts travel from regional towns and cities to buy, sell, and trade anything automotive and more.  The over 200 vending spaces indoors and out make an otherwise cold weekend in Lehigh County an automotive hot spot.  In addition to an all-automotive sales floor, attendees have an opportunity to snag a collector car via the car corral.  This forum allows for owner and seller to deal directly with one another in a no pressure, no haggle environment.

Cars are for sale as noted within the car corral and outdoor swap area, but there can be a few within the inside vending spaces too.  Auto Mania isn’t a car show, rather it’s a parts buying buffet of nearly everything imaginable for all makes, models, brands and more.  The laid-back nature of Auto Mania affords deals that just can’t happen online or by way of social media.  Given the all-weather nature of Auto Mania, vendors sign up to bring the car or parts knowing as much.  The thrill of the hunt is a big draw too, between the variety of cars, parts, vintage advertising, merchandise, collectibles, and practical items available, there really is something for everyone.

At its peak, Auto Mania continues the tradition of selling out its vending space allotments and will once again offer items suited for any type of restoration project.  Back in 2022, Auto Mania will also have wine tasting from local vintner; Boyd’s Cardinal Hollow Winery.  Boyd’s, from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, has been recognized in Napa Valley wine circles for its unique Jalapeno Wine.  It and others will be available for “of age” attendees. 

Finally, the best part of the show is the ease and convenience of finding it.  The Allentown Fairgrounds are less than two hours from New York City, Philadelphia and Scranton with major roads like I-78, the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Route 22 all nearby.  In addition, because of its location on the fairgrounds property, ample FREE parking is available.

Don’t just sit around waiting for springtime and car show season, beat the winter blues with Auto Mania and experience a mix of food vendors, plus those selling car and automotive themed items.  There’s even a neighboring Farmer’s Market on Friday for day 1 attendees.  The doors open at 12 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.  Complete details can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.  Spectator tickets are just $10 (kids 12 and under are free) and must be purchased at the door during the event.  In addition, interested vendors who wish to be part of the event should connect with Carlisle Events via the aforementioned phone number. 

The 17th best-selling vehicle in America this year, and third in the GM arsenal behind only Chevrolet Silverado (3rd) and GMC Sierra (12th), the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox is a favorite for its smooth ride, solid handling and user-friendly infotainment system. It remains a top-seller even though it carries over from 2020 with no significant changes and receives a freshening for the 2022 model-year.

Launched as a mid-size crossover SUV in 2004 for model-year 2005 along with its twin, the Pontiac Torrent, the third-gen Equinox is now a compact sports-ute that was last redesigned in 2018. The Torrent is long gone, but the Equinox marches on. A refreshed model for the 2022 model year gets a new front grille, which extends into the redesigned headlamps, along with a restyled lower fascia with different foglamps. The rear also sees small changes in the way of redesigned taillamps and a different bumper. 

But for 2021, Equinox deletes  its powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter engine option, adds an available leather package on the LT trim and included Jet Black perforated leather-appointed seating  surfaces, memory settings, inside rearview mirror and outside heated power-adjustable and auto-dimming mirrors.

The top-seller of seven Chevy SUV/Crossovers, Equinox is offered in L, LS, LT and Premier models, a Midnight Edition and Sports Edition  are available on Lt and a Redline Edition is offered on Premier trim.

The 2021 Equinox plays on its only remaining-offered power source, a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder turbo DOHC DI that is rated at 170hp and 203 lb-ft of torque, and was EPA-rated at 25mpg in the city for AWD, and 29/highway for FWD and 30mpg/highway for AWD. My week of mixed-use driving averaged 26.7mpg in an all-wheel-drive vehicle.

The turbo was attentive with minimal lag in acceleration on the highway and in track tests, where I completed a zero-to-60mph dash in 6.6 seconds during a 15.-second-flat hand-timed quarter-mile. Handling is average for the class. During quick and slick maneuvers, the Equinox electric power rack-and-pinion steering was a bit slow to react, but true when given a moment. Interior sightlines are neck-craning but the ride is soft and passenger-friendly, though road feel suffers a bit for the driver. The independent MacPherson strut front suspension with specifically tuned coil springs, direct-acting stabilizer bar and its independent four-link rear smoothed all but the most extreme pavement irregularities, and Equinox’s switchable All-Wheel Drive – available on most trims -- enhances traction and control on slippery or snow-covered roads. Conveniently, you can leave switchable AWD on year-round, since the rear wheels only engage when the system senses reduced traction. In FWD mode, AWD components completely disengage for greater fuel efficiency.

Equinox may refreshen its front next year, but the current architecture is expressive, bold and sculptured. A mass-efficient body structure is at the center of the Equinox’s lean curb weight and helps make the most of its available turbo engine options. The rounded and clean Equinox architecture measures 183.1 inches long, 72.6 inches wide and 65.4 inches high on a 107.3 -inch wheelbase, for an 8.0-inch ground clearance with 19-inch wheels. The 2.0-liter Turbo AWD crossover I tested in the Premier trim had a curbweight of 3665 lbs.

Packed with amenities inside and out, standard exterior highlights include projector-beam headlamps and LED daytime running lamps, LED taillamps on uplevel models, a hands-free power liftgate, outside heated power-adjustable and auto-dimming body-color manual-folding mirrors with turn signal indicators and chrome mirror caps, 19-inch ultra-bright aluminum wheels and a chromed dual-outlet exhaust.

 

The Equinox cabin is accommodating, and filled with entertainment and function. With seating for five, the interior provides 40 inches of front headroom and 38.5 inches in row two; legroom is 40.9 inches in the row one and 39.9 row two, while shoulder room is 57.2 and 55.5.

Inside, the cabin has a “kneeling” rear seat that features tilting bottom cushions that enable a flat load floor for easier loading. Connectivity technologies include 7- and 8-inch-diagonal MyLink® infotainment systems designed to support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Teen Driver allows parents to set controls and review their teen’s driving habits and available Surround Vision offers a 360-degree bird’s eye view of the vehicle. Also inside are dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview auto-dimming mirror and standard active noise cancellation. In addition, my test Equinox Premium came with heated leather seats with driver memory, a heated steering wheel and wireless charging.

The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox is offered in FWD, AWD and four trims. Equinox pricing starts at $24,995 for the base L-trim model; the LS bases at $27,595; the LT trim starts at $28,795 and the Premier starts at $32,695, all in FWD. My test Premier upgraded to AWD at $34,295.

My Equinox Premier added Cajun Red Tintcoat exterior paint for $495 and was mated to a Jet Black, perforated leather interior. The Infotainment II Package (Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Premium System, Navigation and 8-inch diagonal touch screen, as well as a Bose® premium 7-speaker system, added $1125. Also added, for $1650, was the Confidence and Convenience II Package: Safety Alert Seat, HD Surround Vision, Adaptive Cruise Control – Camera, Front Pedestrian Braking, IntelliBeam® headlamps, heated steering wheel, 8-way power front passenger seat with power lumbar, Ventilated driver and front passenger seats and Heated rear outboard seats. With Destination Freight charges of $1195, my test 2021 Chevrolet Equinox Premium stickered at $37,565, but cash allowances and regional incentives cut my test ride by $2500, to a net price of $35,065,, so check with your local dealer.

You can expect to see three generations of Equinox and all-things GM, stretching more than 100 years, from antique to classic to present and future at the 2022 Carlisle GM Nationals, June 24-25 at the Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

The chance to enjoy a car themed weekend at Carlisle has been on the motoring radar of car lovers around the world since 1974. For nearly 50 years, access to some of the biggest events of their type in the world has been offered at a discounted price, all while expanding and growing to be destination events for car crazy enthusiasts of all ages. As Carlisle Events’ record-setting 2021 car show season concludes and all new showcases for 2022 begin to appear around every corner, Carlisle Events is pleased to offer its fans and followers an even deeper discounted opportunity by way of its annual Holiday Sale.  The sale is a great way to enjoy a weekend with more horsepower in America’s automotive hometown. Carlisle, Pennsylvania…at a discounted price! 

Holiday Sale 2021/22 commences on Black Friday, November 26 and doubles up on the savings for showing a car (20%), while offering unmatched discounts on ways to experience events as a spectator.  Anyone planning to show and save can be part of any or all events at a 20% discount. It doesn't matter which event, if showing a car/truck is your way in, you'll save 20%.

But wait...there's more. Continuing the savings theme, spectator admission tickets for single day or multi-day event access are also offered at a 20% discount.  Why pay full price for something you enjoy when a cheaper option for the same fun is available to you?

Online sales for all discount options commence on Black Friday, with phone and in person orders starting November 29 at 8 a.m. The discounted gift of a Carlisle car show continues through 5 p.m. on January 3, 2022. Phone and in person ordering options run through December 22, with only online orders available thereafter (Carlisle offices closed for the holidays).

Call 717-243-7855 today to learn more or visit www.CarlisleEvents.com starting November 26 to accelerate your purchase!  The annual Carlisle Events holiday sale...capitalize on the savings and give the gift of Carlisle this holiday season.

Carlisle Auctions and Lakeland Florida have gone hand in hand for nearly 10 years and for two days, November 11-12, 2021, the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus once again came to life with the sights and sounds of classic and collector cars.  In addition to the cars, the people enjoyed the excitement of the Lakeland Fall Collector Car Auction.  In fact, more than 50% of the 400 or so lots sold, tallying just over $3 million in sales.  This final auction of the year caps a stellar season for Carlisle Auctions, who amassed around $19 million in total sales spanning four events and on average, sold about 65% of all lots.

Decades of classic and collector cars were represented in and around the auction arena for days leading up to the auction, with a preview day taking place on November 10.  Once the fun started, it went until sun down each day and included an all-truck hour on November 11 AND a special charity sale of a World War II era Jeep where proceeds benefitted the Rescue 22 Foundation.  Trucks are just as popular in Florida as they are in Pennsylvania and with the holiday season right around the corner, bidders were in the giving mood, helping net over $30,000 for the Jeep and Rescue 22.

Speaking of top sellers, the top 3, plus the Jeep sale for Rescue 22 tallied over $210,000.  The top 3 are as follows:

1. 1965 Ford Mustang Restomod - $64,900
2. 1972 Chevy Chevelle - $61,525
3. 1961 Cadillac Series 62 - $56,710

Along with this trio of top dollar cars, there are many that are STILL FOR SALE.  Still for sale lots span decades as well and with the help of the Carlisle Auctions expert team, are available to you post-sale.  Visit CarlisleAuctions.com to view auction results, still for sale vehicles, and call Carlisle Auctions at 717-960-6400 to make a deal.

"On behalf of the entire Carlisle Auctions team, thank you to everyone that helped to make our Lakeland Fall Collector Car Auction a roaring success,” noted Director of Auction Operations Tony Cline.  “The market remains strong and we look forward to carrying this momentum into 2022 with you as part of our Lakeland Winter Collector Car Auction, February 25-26,” continued Cline.  “We are currently accepting consignments for that event."

As Cline mentioned Carlisle Auctions returns to the SUN n’ FUN Expo Campus, February 25-26, 2022.  Consignments are actively being processed as are requests for bidder registration.  Official results from the Lakeland Fall Collector Car auction, forms, flyers, and more are available online at CarlisleAuctions.com or by calling 717-960-6400.

Ford’s top-selling non-F150 is the Explorer, 15th-best selling 2021 vehicle sold this year and 7th top-selling SUV on the market and sits as America’s all-time best-selling SUV.

Explorer was all-new in 2020, after a nine-year run with its fifth generation, redesigning the sixth-gen as a lighter, longer and more powerful vehicle.

The vehicle that is credited with mainstreaming sports utility vehicles, Explorer began as a trim package offered on Ford F-Series trucks from 1968 to 1986. It became its own model line and replaced the Bronco II in 1991 and the mid-size remained the best-selling SUV for two decades and four generations. The 2021 Explorer continues the adventure with new style, power, performance, safety and capabilities, while retaining Explorer ruggedness, toughness and a pampering environment.

Now, for 2022, Explorer will add a new ST-Line trim with a turbocharged four-cylinder powertrain, and it will be available in rear-wheel drive. High-end King Ranch and Platinum models will increase horsepower to 400hp, and can be equipped with either a second-row bench seat or a pair of captain's chairs.

For 2021, Explorer upgraded from the 2020 redesign with reduced prices on all trims with lower-priced, RWD Enthusiast ST trim added to lineup;  King Ranch and Timberline trims added to line-up; uptweaked interiors for Limited, ST, and Platinum trims with power-adjustable front passenger seat; increased wheel choice ranging from 18 to 21 inches; standard heated front seats and optional Sport Appearance package on the XLT trim; enhanced performance packs; and a hybrid now offered for the Platinum trim with RWD powertrain. New exterior colors include Carbonized Gray, Infinite Blue Metallic Tinted Clearcoat and Stone Gray.

Built in North America at Chicago Assembly Plant, Explorer’s look changes subtly with each trim level, and remains Explorer confident, with a rear-wheel-drive architecture, athletic roundness and increased aerodynamics. Explorer measures 198.8 inches long (the ST trim is 199.3 inches long), 89.3 inches wide (including mirrors), and 70.2 inches high on a huge 119.1-inch wheelbase. Minimum ground clearance is 8.2 inches, and curbweight for the 4WD Platinum version is 4727 lbs. -- the base trim is 382 lbs. lighter.

My test Explorer Platinum exterior was enhanced by body-color door handles with satin aluminum insert, a body-color liftgate spoiler, Satin Aluminum Lower bodyside cladding accent, Quad Chrome Exhaust Tips, a unique grille with satin-aluminum finish, a Hands-Free, Foot-Activated Liftgate, LED Signature Lighting, power folding mirrors with autofold and heated glass, Rain-Sensing Wipers, Rear Bumper Step ,Acoustic-laminate window glass in front and Privacy Glass in the Second and Third Rows.

The 2021 Explorer offers three engine choices (with four set-ups): The 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-4 produces 300hp and 310 lbs-ft of torque (same as last year); the 3.3-liter hybrid is good for a combined horsepower of 318 and torque of 322 lb-ft; and the new 3.0-liter EcoBoost V-6 that powered my test ride, provided 365 hp and 380 lbs-ft of torque, while another version of the 3.0 stampedes 400 horses and 415 lb-ft for the ST.

The hybrid is EPA rated at 27mpg/city and 29/highway; the 2.3 gets 21/city and 28/highway and the 3.0 version gets 18 and 24. My test Explorer Platinum 3.0 averaged 20.0mpg on the highway, around town and on soft-road excursions.

The 400hp ST can complete a zero-to-60mph sprint in 5.2 and beat 14 seconds in the quarter-mile, but my 365-horse Platinum accelerated well and finished off the sprint in 6.1 seconds (hand-timed) during a 14.6 quarter-mile.

Inside, the Explorer is spacious, well-appointed, tech-savvy, luxurious, functional and comfortable with good sightlines. With seating for six or seven, front headroom is 40.7 inches with 40.5 inches in row two (and 38.9 when there is a third row); legroom is 43.0 inches up front and 39.0 in the second seats (and a tight 32.0 inches in a third row), and shoulder room is 61.8 (row one), 61.9 (row two) and 54.6 (row three).

Explore had been awarded a 5-star safety rating and features dual-stage front airbag, front-passenger knee airbag; Safety Canopy® System; SOS Post-Crash Alert System™; Traction control; AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ and Curve Control; Anti-Lock Brake System; battery saver with headlamps-off delay; four-wheel disc with Illuminated Entry System; rearview camera; SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System; perimeter alarm; and individual tire pressure monitoring system (excludes spare).

The 2021 Explorer drops in price from the 2020s by from $540 to more than $5000 depending on trim level. The base Explorer is priced at $33,470 (RWD) and 4WD adds $2000. The XLT trim raises the RWD price to $35,245 and the Limited trim hybrid goes $44,167. My top-of-the-line 2021 Ford Explorer Platinum started at $55,725, a drop of $3000 from the same crossover I tested last year. It was decked out with Intelligent 4WD, Tri-Diamond Perforated Leather Seating Surfaces with Accent Stitching, Twin Panel Moonroof, Active Park Assist 2.0, Evasive Steering Assist, Remote Start, Heated Steering Wheel, Voice-activated touchscreen navigation and 12.3-inch Digital Cluster. The Premium Technology Package added $1195 for Multicontour front Seats with Active Motion®, a 10.1-inch LCD Capacitive Portrait Touchscreen with Swipe and Pinch-to-Zoom Capability and 14-speaker, 980-watt Bang & Olufsen B&O sound system. Splash Guards added $205 and the sticker added Destination Charges of $1195 and an Acquisition Fee of $645, but regional incentives of $1750 were applied (and may be available, so check with your dealer), making the price-as-tested $57,220.

You can see the 2021 and 2022 Ford Explorer as well as vintage Explorers and more than 3200 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Euro Fords that span decades, including just about everything Ford has offered since 1903, at the 2022 Carlisle Ford Nationals, June 3-5, 2022 at the Carlisle(PA) Fairgrounds.

Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.