Motoring Heritage - On Location
Updates from vintage vehicle events we're attending!
Once again, we made the trek from our Vermont base of operation to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, this time to capture some of the sights and sounds from the annual Carlisle Chrysler Nationals. Although the event was scheduled to start on Friday, July 10, vintage Mopars of all type and from all eras began arriving for "early bird" day on July 9. Within hours of the gates opening, most of the swap meet vendors were set up and more than several hundred Mopars of all type decorated the show field. Here's a sample of some of the impressive variety of vehicles that we've run across thus far with two days of action ahead of us. Follow and Like us on Facebook and Instagram for more pics, video shorts, and info.
1975 Dodge D100 Custom
According to Dodge, its shortbed Custom was America's lowest priced full-size pickup on the market in 1975 and 1976, capable of achieving a 26 mpg highway rating from a standard Slant Six engine. "For a few dollars more," a customer could have added the Spirit of '76 package, which included star-spangled and Spirit of '76 decals, a premium interior upholstery package, added exterior brightwork, and bright finish wheelcovers, all of which are present on this example (save for the aftermarket wheels).
1977 Dodge Charger
During the 1977 season, Dodge released a Limited Edition version of the Charger mid-year, often called the Midnight Edition or Midnight Special. Regardless of nomenclature, each started off as a regular production model that was pulled from the assembly line and sent to Motortown Inc. for conversion. Obvious changes were made to include a body-colored grille, painted outside mirrors, and a landau vinyl covered roof cap. How many were built? According to a 1977 Motor Trend article, approximately 2,400 were to be made - it's been speculated far fewer were actually built and even fewer survive. This all-original example has only traveled 13,000 miles.
1961 De Soto
A shift in buying power combined with market overlap within Chrysler Corporation ultimately led to the demise of the De Soto brand just a couple months into the 1961 production run. The division had to have seen it coming, for the controversially styled cars didn't even sport a model designation. One could buy a two-door De Soto, or a four-door. Trim level? What trim level?
Just 911 two-door examples, such as this one, were built. Four-door production ceased after 2,123 rolled off the assembly line.
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
This is a magical combination for Mopar performance enthusiasts: a Challenger R/T convertible fitted with a 440 cubic inch V-8 engine. In U.S. market trim, like this one, the engine was paired with a four-speed manual just 34 times, whereas the V-8 was installed with a TorqueFlite automatic just 129 times.
1965 Plynouth Satellite
The one and only owner of this Satellite convertible was 18 when he purchased it. State law stated that because he was under 21, he needed an adult signature, so his mother co-signed on his behalf. With a pair of sisters recently purchasing cars, the local banking institution wasn't ready to do more business with the family, so a loan had to be secured through Chrysler financing. Look for a full feature about this incredible one-owner story in the near future.
1968 Fargo 100
What looks like a Dodge light-duty pickup but isn't a Dodge light-duty pickup? The answer is a Fargo: Chrysler Corporation's Canadian version of the American truck brand. This 1968 edition was in the famed, all-original "Survivor" tent at the show.
CELEBRATING AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY
Our Mission
Motoring Heritage, LLC is dedicated to preserving automotive history through entertaining publications that celebrate vintage vehicles and the passionate individuals who cherish them. Our mission is to share these stories and inspire future generations.
EXPLORE & EXPERIENCE
What to Do
2026 Fall Events
Join Us!
Motoring Heritage is pleased to announce that we will be attending Night at the Museum, hosted by America's Transportation Experience/AACA Museum, Inc., on October 6 in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Tickets must be purchased in advance to attend. We will also be at the museum on Wednesday, October 7. For more information visit Night At The Museum
2027 Events
Join Us!
Motoring Heritage is in the process of planning its 2027 event season. Our tentative calendar includes the Carlisle Ford, GM, and Chrysler Nationals, as well as several events at America's Transportation Experience/AACA Museum, Inc., and perhaps a concours or two.
Visit this space to see the latest updates pertaining to 2027 events Motor Heritage will be attending during the year.
Podcasts
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Motoring Heritage is currently in the process of developing a podcast, the details of which we will be announcing shortly. Stay tuned!
Classic Spotlamp
1934 Auburn 1250 Convertible Sedan
Auburn was but one of three crown jewels of the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg conglomerate based in Auburn, Indiana. The cars were renowned for elegant styling, refined cabins, and superior engineering, particularly during the late 1920s and early 1930s. This example was powered by a V-12 engine - which constituted only a small percentage of Auburn's entire production - and the styling on display represents the very pinnacle of graceful coachwork. According to records, this Auburn 1250 was purchased by a Florida resident for the handsome sum of $1,745, after which it was driven roughly 25,000 miles and then unceremoniously placed in storage until 1979. During the 1980s the paint, chrome and upholstery were refurbished; however, the convertible sedan was not fully restored until its current owner purchased the car in 2022. Currently only 12 examples are known to exist today.
Performance Spotlamp
1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS Race Car
Back in 1972, Pennsylvania brewer Schmidt's offered a sponsorship program to regional drag racers. It was a lucrative program, including $10 per hour if the car/driver combo made personal appearances. Drivers had to submit their application, as the sponsorship program wasn't automatically granted. Schmidt's ultimately awarded six packages that were then decorated on four Camaros, one Corvette, and one Ford Fairlane. Of the Camaros, it is believed the pictured example may have been the first to fly the Schmidt's colors on the quarter-mile: 1967 model factory equipped with a 327 cubic-inch engine that was subsequently punched out to 331, qualifying the car for G-Modified Stock for owner/race Rudy Rosa. Rosa set and holds a NAAR class record of 11.64 @ 120.13 mph recorded at Keystone Raceway Park on May 7, 1972. Look for a more detailed story about this vehicle soon.
Motoring Spotlamp
1979 Dodge Magnum
Dodge's design and introduction of the Magnum two-door coupe for 1978 had strong ties to NASCAR competition. At the time, the 1975 Charger was anything but aerodynamic, and a looming four-year body style rule in NASCAR meant the aero-friendly 1974 Charger would be outlawed by '78. The Magnum was a supplement to the Charger series, designed to better cope with aero demands at 190-plus mph. Richard Petty, Neil Bonnett, Buddy Arrington, Frank Warren, and country singer Marty Robbins all began the 1978 season in Magnums. Despite a promising start the Magnum proved unstable on the big tracks and, coupled with 360 cubic-inch engine development issues, both Petty and Bonnett opted to switch to GM brands mid-season. Built on the corporate B-body platform, Magnum production continued into 1979 and was then replaced by the M-body Mirada for 1980. Total Magnum production was 47,827 units for 1978, and 25,367 for '79. Pictured is a two-owner 1979 edition that was available for sale at the 2026 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals. Its odometer was showing just 37,500 miles at the event.
