Calling it “the nation’s first big car event of the year,” Carlisle Events reports that more than 2,200 vehicles were present for the annual Chrysler Nationals car show July 10-12 at the Pennsylvania fairground layout.
Activities began on Thursday evening when the Mopar Rebellion Car Club hosted a kick-off party at the Carlisle Expo Center, where more than 400 cars cruised in and owners and passengers took part in a mix of live music and barbecue.
The fairgrounds gates opened at 7 a.m. Friday morning and Carlisle Events reports that cars rolled in non-stop until mid-day. Among the special displays at the show were 50 years of Superbird, Challenger, Duster, Pro Stock and the 1970 Charger, as well as the 25th anniversary of the Neon.
Included among the Superbirds were one owned by Richard Petty and another that had been occupied by Jerry Seinfeld and Will Ferrell for an episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.
Also featured was a special display of original and unrestored Survivor cars.
Popular with show visitors were thrill rides in the latest Hellcat versions of the Dodge Charger and Challenger.
Added touches during the Chrysler Nationals weekend were a Saturday morning wedding ceremony, a ‘70s-themed car and costume parade and a special fund-raising effort that included an autographed Petty cowboy hat and a special message from “the King” to support a show guest’s fight against cancer.
Carlisle Events next event is the Ford Nationals, scheduled for July 31 to August 2. For more information, visit the Carlisle Events website.
Doesn’t everything have a Hemi? Celebrity guest Cristy Lee wings it
Excellent coverage Larry.
I was there. Attendance was better than I expected. It was a great show.
I also was there . I agree it wasn’t a bad turn out at all ! I’ve been going to it for 30 years!
I see my 57 🙂
I would have lost my sanity if I had not attended!! Now seeing my Neon here makes my day!