Wow, don’t you love it when a plan comes together? Working off a stellar, record-breaking event in 2021, this year’s Carlisle Chrysler Nationals will go down as the one to beat. For the many spectators and participants who took off the weekend to head out to this stellar show in Central Pennsylvania this event was the “perfect storm” of magnificent weather, top celebrities and miles and miles of stunning cars and parts resources stretched out along the fairgrounds in bucolic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Self-proclaimed as the “The largest Mopar event in the World”, the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals has been a staple in the Mopar world for the past 32 years. While other big shows have seen a decline in attendance over the decades, this show continues to grow exponentially, breaking records the last two post-Covid years. “This year’s official show car count was 3,101, a new Carlisle Chrysler Nationals record. It’s also the first time the event has drawn over 3,000 cars. Our swap meet/vending footprint was also sold out with over 3,000 vending spaces packed with millions of items for sale,” states Mike Garland, public relations manager for Carlisle Events.

Special guests included automotive host Cristy Lee, both the Golden Commandos and the Ramchargers racing teams, Sox and Martin driver Herb McCandless and Direct Connection racer Paul Rossi. Displays included Mopar Collectibles, a 50th Anniversary display that including the Mopar Class of ’72 along with the Class of ’70, whose day in the limelight was wiped out in 2020 due to the pandemic. Other draws were the Mopars with a Family Connection set up and the Plymouth Prowler tribute. Of course, the fairgrounds were packed with what you would normally expect here; plenty of E, B, C and A-bodys along with modern muscle, truck and Jeeps of all kinds, plus more.

So now we can look forward to another top-tier Chrysler show next summer at the Carlisle Fairgrounds. Garland gives a final thought; “When Mopar enthusiasts come together to show their cars or shop for parts, it exudes a unique level of excitement that can only best be understood in person. It was great to welcome back our Canadian and international automotive enthusiasts too, many of whom haven't been able to be with us since 2019. There's a lot of momentum within the Mopar community and with their support and that of Dodge, we can't wait to do it again next year, July 14-16, 2023."