See the print edition of Barracuda for more photos of excellent Mopars from the Chryslers At Carlisle event!

Once again, all roads led to Carlisle, PA for the annual big daddy of Chrysler shows and swaps. Hundreds of classic Mopars, parts dealers and dreamers filled the 81 acre Carlisle Fairgrounds for the three-day ceremony.

The hallmark of this year's event was the overall quantity and quality of cars in attendance.

This was not strictly a Mopar muscle event. There was an impressive collection of station wagons, slant six models, even a handful of mid-60s Dodge Tradesman camper vans--very cool.

Also prominent was a veritable armada of c body cars, many from the post-1971 years. Many would argue that these battleships are actually muscle cars with additional girth. Big block engines, heavy-duty transmissions and suspensions were all but standard for many of these models.

A '69 Sport Fury driver from Maryland came to Carlisle to sell. But he said, "The ride up to the show was so floaty and cool, like riding on a cloud at 80 mph. And it only took a 1/4 tank. I can't wait to drive her home." (Editor's note: that's a 24 gallon tank on that car!)

It's high time for these heretofore neglected and scorned Granny cruisers, boat towers and cop cars to be rightfully acknowledged as restoration-worthy cool rides. The days of shame, disgust and ridicule over these vehicles needs to be behind us. Okay, so I like boats and burning lots of gas.

The blood and guts of this tribe is still, however, the continuing celebration of muscle car-era Mopars, with all of its gas and rubber burning. Model names like Charger and Challenger just say it all. These and other Mopars were once available right from the dealership, suitable for drag racing. This kind of power and adrenaline rush is a drug and Carlisle was full of addicts, nuts and big block peddlers looking to blow out some carbon.

Most of these cars were special and collectable from day one. Guaranteeing this were short model runs and rare option packages which made shadetree modification all but impractical.

Like fine art dealers, Chrysler enthusiasts seem to have more of a reverence for the 100% factory correct mark. Nowhere else do you find such scholarly cultural historians and appraisers, shamans and gurus who know production codes and the difference between a part and an artifact.

But all I really know is I like to step on the gas pedal and get my fix.

Barracuda Magazine: Are there any plans you have, any political agenda that you want to fulfill now that you are Miss Chryslers at Carlisle?

Miss Chryslers at Carlisle: No. There was no obligation that came with the title. Even without being in the contest, I would usually be at the car shows anyway. So, it was fun for me and I would have shown up there anyway. I just started doing these contests.

BM: Do you plan on defending your title as Miss Chryslers at Carlisle next year.

MCC: If I'm still around here, in this area, I will. By that time, my agency might have their Crown Imperial all fixed up. They have a 1953 Crown Imperial limo. It needs to be restored. Once its fixed up, it'll be awesome. Only 48 were made. It has a .331 hemi. That's going to be a project.

BM: Do you have any other pageant titles from car shows?

MCC: Summer Carlisle '99, I just won that. I didn't think they were going to let me enter [Chryslers at Carlisle] because I won the last one, but they did. It was very fun, it was a blast.

BM: What was the competition like at Summer Carlisle, was it more fierce?

MCC: I'd say it was about the same. You know what the next one is? Corvettes, and I want that Corvette sash to go on my car. That is the one that I want the most -- Miss Corvette.

BM: What's more important to you, winning the title or winning he show with your car?

MCC: Oh, the title. I want the sash to go on my car.

BM: Do you get to keep your sashes?

MCC: Oh, yeah. They're in my room, proudly displayed.

BM: Rumor has it you like to turn a wrench.

MCC: Yeah. My father and brother both restore cars for fun. They take me to all the shows. I'm learning all I can from them, but it's difficult. It's hard getting people to take me seriously. A lot of mechanics will try to get one over on me. But I work on my own car.

BM: What are your favorite cars?

MCC: My favorite cars are the '70-'75 Corvettes. I drive a '73 Stingray rag top. It's all stock and original, .350 engine, bright orange paint, white top, black leather interior. It's a unique car, so it gets a lot of attention. I haven't opened it up yet, though I've had a lot of offers. I will be the one to open it up first. My favorite Mopar is probably the Dodge Challenger.

BM: Are you more interested in working on engines or doing body work?

MCC: Engines. Engines, definitely. I want to know everything about how an engine works.

BM: How do you feel about stock vs. modified?

MCC: The car I have is worth more in its original state, which is why I am not modifying it. But as far as street rods and things like that, I think they are worth more modified. I think, the bigger the engine, the better.

BM: Any future plans?

MCC: Winning the Miss Corvettes at Carlisle beauty contest, going to M.I.T. for a chemical engineering degree and being a famous swimsuit model.