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 Spring Events
Join Us!
Motoring Heritage is pleased to announce that we will be attending the GM Nationals, hosted by Carlisle Events on June 19 - 20 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. While in the area, we will also be attending the AACA Museum Inc. event on June 20 in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Stay tuned for further details.
2026 Summer Events
Join Us!
Motoring Heritage is pleased to announce that we will be attending the 2026 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals on July 10 - 12 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. For event information, visit carlisleevents.com.
Stay tuned for other 2026 events Motor Heritage will be attending during the summer/fall.
Seminars
Join Us!
UPDATE: Motoring Heritage, in conjunction with the AACA Museum, Inc., will be presenting a seminar about America's station wagon and its place in the U.S. auto industry history starting at 11 am on Saturday, May 16, 2026. If you can't attend in person, stream it live by visiting www.aacamuseum.org
Motoring 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.
