This year’s Carlisle Chrysler Nationals was one for the history books. The 2025 edition shattered all previous attendance records, drawing an amazing 3,201 Mopars to the Carlisle Fairgrounds, the largest turnout in the event’s celebrated history.
Despite sweltering temperatures that rose into the low 90s and humidity that clung to everything in sight, the weather ultimately cooperated. Though dark clouds loomed on Saturday with the threat of afternoon thunderstorms, the skies held, allowing for a whole weekend of sun-soaked celebration without interruption.
At the heart of this year’s show were two of the most iconic E-Bodies ever to leave a Chrysler assembly line: the 1970 Plymouth AAR ‘Cuda and Dodge Challenger T/A. Celebrating their 55th anniversary, these 6-barrel Trans Am homologation specials received a spotlight tribute that brought out an incredibly diverse lineup. Inside a central feature building and adjoining tent, several immaculate, concours-level restorations were highlighted. Just outside, a much larger fleet of AARs and T/As stretched across three long rows near the main stage.
The exhibition offered a visual journey, ranging from freshly restored examples and well-loved survivors to rust-bitten project cars. Each vehicle had a story to tell, and collectively, they captured the imagination of thousands of fans who came to honor the brief but unforgettable legacy of Mopar’s road-race warriors.
But the AAR and T/A were not the only stars. The show also honored several additional feature vehicles, including the legendary A990 and A864 factory lightweight drag racers from Plymouth and Dodge. The Neon was celebrated for its 30th anniversary, and a special display paid tribute to Chrysler’s history with the Chrysler 100 automobiles. Meanwhile, the Hershey AACA Museum curated an exhibit highlighting significant milestones across Chrysler Corporation’s expansive legacy.
The show field was nothing short of a rolling museum, a vast, living timeline of Mopar’s history. Every era was represented, from the majestic fins and flair of the Forward Look machines of the late 1950s through the explosive muscle car years of the 1960s and early 1970s. Malaise Era cars from the mid-to-late ’70s, often overlooked but now gaining recognition, added variety to the landscape.
Front-wheel drive icons from the ’80s and ’90s, such as Omnis, Shadows, Daytonas, and Spirits, held their own with strong club support. And as always, the grounds were flooded with late-model Mopar muscle, Challengers, Chargers, and 300s, along with legions of Ram trucks and off-road-ready Jeeps.
One of the most celebrated milestones at this year’s event was the 70th anniversary of the Forward Look era. The Forward Look club hosted an incredible showcase featuring Imperials, DeSotos, Chryslers, Dodges, and Plymouths.
Two- and four-door hardtops, sedans, and long-roof wagons graced multiple rows, each proudly displaying the sweeping lines, brilliant two-tone paint schemes, and futuristic interiors that defined Chrysler styling in the Virgil Exner era. The cars were a living tribute to a design philosophy that pushed the boundaries of American automotive style in the 1950s.
Of course, A-, B-, and E-body muscle cars continued to draw massive attention. Under the hoods, everything from humble Slant Sixes to rip-snorting 440s and dual-quad Hemis reminded attendees just how broad the performance spectrum was in Mopar’s golden age. True to Mopar’s performance-oriented roots, four-speed cars were well represented, more so, in fact, than at most GM or Ford events, and they never fail to draw a crowd.
The LX-platform community was out in full force. Large sections (mainly the entire hill of the fairgrounds) of the show field were dedicated to Chargers, Challengers, and 300s in an almost overwhelming array of trims and packages. From SEs and SXTs to Police Package patrol cars, R/Ts, and an collection of Hellcats, Redeyes, and Super Stocks, the diversity and sheer number of these modern muscle machines was staggering.
On the manufacturer’s midway, a strong lineup of aftermarket companies kept the energy high. Mancini Racing, Indy Cylinder Heads, Silver Sport Transmissions, Auto Metal Direct (AMD), and BluePrint Engines anchored the main vendor row, drawing consistent crowds.
Legendary Auto Interiors and Coker Tire were also on hand with impressive displays over in the swap meet zone, proving once again that Carlisle is not only a celebration but also a destination for builders, restorers, and dreamers.
This year, like last year, featured an autocross course, which provided owners with the opportunity to evaluate their machines in a controlled, competitive environment. With a mild but consistent line of participants eager to hit the cones (not literally), the cars ran all afternoon on Friday and Saturday.
While the car corral has had lower reduced numbers of vehicles for sale over the years, the swap meet more than made up for it. Spanning rows and rows of components, souvenirs, and project cars, the swap meet area was buzzing with activity.
Starting on Thursday through Sunday, deals were made, as evidenced by the parts carts, wagons, and hand trucks rolling out the gates loaded with treasures. For many, the search is half the fun, and at Carlisle, the right part is always just one vendor away.
With the 2025 edition now in the books, it is already time to mark your calendar for next year. The Carlisle Chrysler Nationals return July 10–12, 2026. Expect another unforgettable weekend filled with beautiful Mopars, celebrity guests signing autographs, a massive swap meet, an expanded midway of top vendors, and several special model celebrations. Carlisle never stops growing, and it never disappoints.
