Carlisle Chrysler Nationals: 60,000 Attend, Charger and HEMI Hit 60
Recap of the 2026 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals, including the Dodge Charger and Street HEMI anniversaries, the next-gen Charger demo, and 2027 show dates.
A Massive Turnout at the Fairgrounds
Neither blistering temps nor downpours kept more than 60,000 attendees from coming through the gates at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in central Pennsylvania for the 2026 Chrysler Nationals. The show field, organized by body style across 70 years of production, included vintage muscle, modern-era machines, trucks, vans, and just about anything else a Pentastar was attached to.
Charger and Street HEMI Turn 60
The 2026 show celebrated the 60th anniversary of both the Dodge Charger and Chrysler's 426 Street HEMI. Charger displays spanned every generation, while the Street HEMI celebration included 1966-powered Plymouth Belvederes, Satellites, Dodge Coronets, and Chargers from the engine's first year. A separate display acknowledged 100 years of the Chrysler Imperial, rounding out a set of major brand milestones.
Next-Gen Charger Demo in Purple Haze
Dodge Charger Product Manager Ashton Munoz took the wheel of a 2026 Charger Scat Pack in the new 'Purple Haze' color and proceeded to perform massive burnouts and donuts on the show grounds. The demonstration gave attendees a firsthand look at the next-generation Charger's power delivery and tire-smoking capability, with the bright purple hue making the car easy to track as it spun.
Dodge Adult Toys Display Pays Tribute
Show manager Ed Buczeskie said he enjoyed working on the Dodge Adult Toys display, which paid tribute to that marking program with Power Wagons, Little Red Express and Warlock pickups, along with Ramcharger SUVs and Street Vans. He noted he had never heard of the Viking Special and that most trucks in the display were true Survivors. Volare and Aspen Street Kit Cars rounded out the exhibit, capturing Chrysler's last gasp of performance before the bankruptcy and Iacocca era.
F-Body 50th Anniversary Display
The Mopar F-Body 50th anniversary display celebrated the platform's available packages, with rare colors and options, a true Kit Car, and a Super Coupe go kart that organizers called the icing on the cake.
Mopar Survivors Draw a Crowd
The Mopar Survivors Display drew a collection of original Mopars that had survived the ravages of time and abusive owners over the past decades. These un-restored cars offered a time-capsule look at how the vehicles aged, standing apart from the restored examples elsewhere at the show. The display highlighted authentic paint, interior wear, and mechanical originality.
Racing Legends Share Stories
The Mopar Racing Legends panel brought together Buddy Martin, Herb McCandless, The Ramchargers, and Paul Rossi, who shared first-hand tales from the golden era of drag racing and provided historical context for the performance machines on the field. Claudia Abel, Miss Direct Connection 1984, signed autographs and posed for photos, while Joe Zolper from TV's Garage Squad attended. It was a rare chance to hear stories directly from the factory drag era.
Swap Meet Spans Endless Rows
The swap meet at Carlisle ran through endless rows of over 3,000 vendors selling engines, blocks, intakes, sheetmetal, trim, emblems, interior seats, literature, collectables, and much more. From full crate engines to single emblems, the parts selection was broad enough to cover a complete restoration in one pass, and the sheer scale made it a must-browse for anyone working on a Pentastar machine.
Used Car Pavilion Offers Turn-Key Rides
The usual array of project cars in various states of disrepair dotted the grounds, but for those who wanted a turn-key ride, the Used Car Pavilion carried a massive selection of restored and survivor examples. Everything in the pavilion was ready to drive, with prices open for haggling, and the mix of fresh builds and original examples gave buyers a range of options. It was a chance to leave in a Mopar without a weekend of work.
2027 Show Dates and Features Announced
The 2027 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals returns to the Carlisle Fairgrounds on July 9-11, with feature showcases for 60 years of the Plymouth GTX and Dodge Coronet R/T, along with the 1967 RO & WO Street HEMI Super Stockers. The event continues its tradition of marking major nameplate and engine anniversaries, with organizers promising another celebration of Mopar passion. The 2026 show's success set a high bar for the return, and the announced features give enthusiasts a full year to plan their attendance.