Rare Mopar_® Muscle Machines to be Featured at 2025 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals

The 2025 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN) is raising the bar even higher this year, but don’t let the “Corvette” name in the show’s title fool you. This massive indoor event brings together hundreds of rare and unique muscle cars of all makes and models. And once again, Dodge and Plymouth high-performance vehicles will be prominently featured at the vast Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, located in Rosemont, Illinois, just a short distance from Chicago. In years past, there were rows of Dodge Charger Daytonas and Plymouth Superbirds, with their front nose cones all pointed the same direction, resembling ICBM missiles ready to launch at DEFCON 1. Or the mass gathering of 1970-71 HEMI^® ’Cudas and HEMI Challenger R/Ts, whose combined value would exceed the GNP of some nations. The show promoters go out of their way to outdo themselves year after year and come up with themes, anniversaries and numerous unveilings of freshly restored cars that give a whole new meaning to the phrase “Extreme Makeover.”

On deck this year will be a huge selection of rare examples of 426 HEMI engine-powered and 440 Six Pack/Six Barrel cars, factory HEMI Super Stockers and exclusive mid-year 1970 color offerings of Dodge and Plymouth high-performance cars splashed in Panther Pink and Sassy Grass green. What made many of these cars scarce was that they were just everyday automobiles back in the day. They were deemed disposable just after four to five years of abuse. They were hurled down drag strips, flung about in the rain, snow and sleet. Some got sold due to marriage, kids, divorce and oil embargoes. In some cases, the second-hand muscle cars were sold to much younger buyers living with their parents. Some did survive and have been rescued and lovingly restored to better than new condition. Deemed by many as “rolling sculptures,” MCACN can also be called an art gallery of sorts by displaying the greatest muscle cars ever to roam the highways, byways, boulevards and avenues.

To accomplish this feat, Bob Ashton, MCACN’s Show Manager, scours the country, going to car shows, visiting private collections and even auctions looking for rare iron to invite to the show. It also takes an army of passionate volunteers to assist with laying out the show floor, spotting vehicle displays, ticket takers, and even judging these cars for accuracy and correctness. It also takes great partners to pull this show off, and with sponsors such as MECUM Auctions, Nickey Performance and Reliable Carriers, they make MCACN shine even brighter. Combine all these elements, and the show never disappoints. MCACN has earned a reputation for spotlighting “best of the best” when it comes to American muscle cars. The show is held on November 22 and 23, the weekend before Thanksgiving. It’s a great event to get your fix of high-octane big block muscle cars before dealing with your annoying in-laws during turkey day. In hopes of tempting you to head to the Windy City for this year’s gathering of gearheads, here’s a quick snapshot of what’s planned for this year’s MCACN show.

Mopar 426 HEMI B-Body Convertible Invitational

One of the biggest displays planned for this year’s MCACN show will be the Mopar 426 HEMI B-Body Convertible Invitational Presented by The Brothers Collection. Rare and original 426 HEMI engine-powered 1966-1970 Dodge and Plymouth B-Body Convertibles will be displayed on the red carpet when attendees walk into the convention center. While the 426 Street HEMI engine option would continue in 1971, production on Dodge and Plymouth intermediate convertibles would end at the conclusion of the 1970 model year. Some HEMI convertible examples at this year’s show will include a 1966 Plymouth Satellite, 1969 Plymouth Road Runner, Plymouth GTX, Dodge Coronets and more. One of the 1970 Plymouth Road Runner HEMI Convertibles will be unveiled during the show. This car is one of four that were built and is one of only three that remain today. It’s been restored by Michigan Mopar Works and will make its debut at MCACN.

Factory Drag Cars – Dodge and Plymouth A990 HEMI Super Stockers

Along with these rare HEMI engine-powered street cars, the MCACN show will also celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 1965 Chrysler “A990” Super Stock HEMI Dodge Coronets and HEMI Plymouth Belvederes presented by Kramer Automotive Specialties. These “turnkey,” lightweight, assembly line-built racecars showcased Chrysler’s engineering commitment in developing these “package cars” that still dominate the drag strips across the country even today. Through the efforts of Jim Kramer of Kramer Automotive, he’s assembled 12 prime examples showcasing how they were raced in the 1960s and 1970s. The A990 collection will even feature an “Altered Wheelbase” modified Dodge Coronet, along with the rare “Trans Canada” Dodge A990 driven by David Pearson.

Mopar Spring Fever Invitational

Another really cool display honoring Mopar’s commitment to the muscle car movement will be the Spring Fever Invitational by longtime enthusiast Dan Pausch. Looking to stimulate sales on its Dodge and Plymouth lineup, Chrysler came out with “Spring Special” colors in 1970 that included Panther Pink/Moulin Rouge, Sassy Grass/Green Go. These include Challengers, ’Cudas, Road Runners, Chargers and nearly a dozen prime examples of these unique high-impact colors.

Mopar Muscle presented by The Wellborn Muscle Car Museum

Once again, The Wellborn Muscle Car Museum will have a collection of rare Mopar vehicles at this year’s MCACN show. Some examples the museum have rounded up include a Panther Pink 1970 Charger, and a survivor 1973 AMC Javelin with a 401-cubic-inch engine paired to a four-speed transmission, and a host of other muscle machines. The Wellborn Muscle Car Museum has been a longtime supporter of MCACN.

Barn Finds and Hidden Gems

A MCACN tradition and fan favorite, especially for those who like to rubber neck when driving by an auto accident, the Barn Finds and Hidden Gems display has the sights and smells of dying and decaying muscle cars. Many of these battered, rusty, crusty and stinky machines epitomize the old cliché of “ridden hard and put away wet.” This year’s assortment will contain many Mopar vehicle that have been drug out of barns, fields and even swamps.

If you want to see more on the upcoming MCACN show or prior events, make sure to check out the MCACN Facebook and Instagram pages, along with their website!