For three hot and steamy days in July, legions of what can be best described as a Mopar® Army encamped at the Carlisle Fairgrounds, just a stone’s throw away from many Civil War skirmishes. In what has become a summer tradition for many who bleed “Chrysler Corporate Blue”, the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals is the highlight of these staunch lovers of the many brands that have fallen under the umbrella of the company Walter P. Chrysler created many years ago. For many who preach the gospel of Chrysler with verses that proclaim that on the “7th Day, God Created the HEMI®“, the annual Carlisle Chrysler Nationals has become a pilgrimage. For many, they’re seeking out AAR ’Cudas, T/A Challenger, Superbirds, Daytonas, Road Runners, Super Bees, Max Wedge & HEMI Super Stockers, Dusters, Darts, Demon 340s, Valiants and more. The Carlisle Chrysler Nationals has become a crossroads where old-school Mopar Muscle meets modern-day SRT® Demons, Hellcats, Scat Packs and other Challengers and Chargers built in the 21st century. Carlisle is a “judgement-free zone” in which one can roll into the massive show with a 1999 Dodge Neon ACR or a 1987 Omni GLH and get accepted into the “de facto” Brotherhood of Muscle like a distant relative at a family gathering.
“We had over 3,201 cars registered for the show field, setting an all-new high for our Chrysler weekend,” said an exuberant Ed Buczeskie, who’s been the event show manager for many years and is a diehard Mopar Man! “This total is 51 more than the previous record set in 2023 and marks just the fourth time since the event’s inception in 1991 that the show field totals topped the 3,000 mark. It’s also the fourth time in as many years, demonstrating that this event continues to gain popularity. The show is so popular that, despite not officially starting until Friday the 11, by mid-afternoon on Thursday, July 10, the grounds were already packed with guests eager to squeeze as much fun out of their vacation as possible, and that included shopping for parts within the sold-out automotive swap meet.” But Ed knows it takes an army to pull off this great event. “I couldn’t possibly be prouder of the show or the Carlisle Events staff. I also had some incredible help from Bill Adams and Robert Soule of the Walter P. Chrysler Club as well as Frank Rhodes, great-grandson of Walter P. The display and celebration that we pulled off was breathtaking. People were excited to see one Chrysler Turbine Car in person, but we were all blown away by having TWO of them displayed together. Now I have to find a way to do even better next year,” smiled Ed.
Since the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals understands many of these cars that their attendees love, the event staff go out of their way to recognize historic dates and milestones. Since the Chrysler brand turned 100 years old, many iconic vehicles from Chrysler’s illustrious past gathered at the Carlisle Expo Center and the fairgrounds to highlight the definitive moments over the last century that made Walter P. Chrysler’s vision a reality. From a 1926 Chrysler Six, a WWII Sherman Tank, a 1950s Chrysler HEMI engine-powered Air-Raid Siren, to even the revolutionary Turbine Car of 1964 that gave motorists a glimpse of what the future of motoring could be, fans were treated to some great eye candy that will never come together in one location ever. Even some modern-day Chrysler concepts, such as the Atlantic and the equally stunning Halcyon, were on display, showing the company’s emphasis on style and technology.
Other featured marquees at this show included the 55th anniversary of the 1970 Plymouth AAR ’Cuda and Dodge Challenger T/A. These two models were created to do battle with the Boss 302 Mustang, Camaro Z/28, AMC Javelin and Firebird in the popular Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Trans Am series. While both the AAR and T/A suffered teething pain due to an accelerated development program to meet the first race of the 1970 season, they didn’t fare well against the more seasoned Ford, Chevy and AMC teams that had a two-year running start on the Chrysler teams. However, the street versions of the AAR ’Cuda and T/A Challenger with their unique fiberglass hood, spoilers and wild stripes, not to mention the 340 Six Barrel/Six Pak engines that were exclusive to these cars, have made them legendary among enthusiasts and highly sought after by collectors.
Another landmark date that was recognized during this year’s Carlisle Chrysler Nationals was the 60th and 61st Anniversary 1964 “A864” and 1965 “A990” Dodge and Plymouth Super Stock HEMI Package Cars. This awesome display was the brainchild of longtime Mopar Super Stock historians Harold Laplatte, Jim Kramer and show manager Ed Buczeskie. These rare race machines took Chrysler to a whole new level in NHRA and AHRA national competition while putting Ford Thunderbolts and “Swiss Cheese” 421 Pontiacs on the trailer.
There was plenty of high-octane, tire-smoking activity during the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals with their “Real Street Shootout”, “Rolling Exhaust Contest”, “Burnout and Donut” competitions, and other activities that got the adrenaline bubbling for many of the show’s attendees. Carlisle Events even went out of their comfort zone and organized the first-ever Downtown Carlisle Association Chrysler Parade. Here, over 140 classic and modern muscle cars rolled from the Carlisle Expo Center through the historic downtown district, much to the delight of the local community.
The Carlisle Chrysler Nationals is also much more than muscle cars and historic vehicles; it’s also about people who shaped the Mopar brand for many decades. These living legends can also be considered national treasures, and they include the legendary Buddy Martin of the Sox & Martin Racing Team, Herb McCandless, Butch Leal, the Original Ramchargers, Golden Commandos and the “First Lady of Motorsports” Miss Linda Vaughn. These folks formed a lasting impact not only in the drag racing world but also in the marketing of Dodge and Plymouth muscle cars and their domination at drag strips across the country. They signed autographs for the fans and swapped stories with other racers.
So, if you missed this year’s awesome Carlisle Chrysler Nationals, mark your calendars now for the 2026 event (July 10–12, 2026). Ed and his staff are working on some cool vehicle displays, including celebrating 60 years of the Dodge Charger, the “Adult Toys from Dodge” of the late 1970s that included the Street Van, Power Wagon pickup trucks and Ramcharger SUV, and other cool exhibits that make the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals the ultimate Mopar show!
Here’s a brief glimpse from this year’s show!
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