Aug 17, 2008 By Josh Krysak 4 min read

Coronet. Barracuda. Belvedere. Windsor. De Soto. Town & Country. Valiant. Signet. Imperial. Those are names that some might recognize as makes of cars. It’s a list of names that a select few recognize as models of the nation’s great automakers – Chrysler.

Hundreds of Chrysler enthusiasts recently gathered at the Summit Inn in Wharton Township for the annual national meet of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Region of the Walter P. Chrysler International Club.

The chrome detailing on more than 100 classic Chryslers and Chrysler division cars glinted in the summer sun as area residents had an opportunity to glimpse the history of one of America’s enduring automobiles.

Woody and Sandy Hummer of New Jersey said they have been members of the club since 1978 and have been in love with Chryslers since 1965.

“I have always enjoyed cars,” Woody said. “We go to the national event every year.”

Sandy Hummer, who is one of the national directors of the club, said the group has become an extended family for the Hummers.

“We have known so many people over the years and gotten to be friends. This is our main vacation every year,” Sandy said.

Tom Steiner of North Huntingdon made the short trip to the Summit Inn to show off his blue 1971 Plymouth Duster.

The car, which Steiner said he purchased brand new after getting out of the Navy more than three decades ago, was his “everyday runner” for 10 years, and, although it now spends a lot of time being polished instead of driven, still holds a special place in his heart.

“This is a great car,” Steiner said.

The Westmoreland County Community College placement adviser said that the Duster is “something special” but added that he loves Chryslers of all kinds and said he currently owns a Chrysler Intrepid, a PT Cruiser and a Dodge Avenger as well as several Plymouth Barracudas.

He said that the club gives him a chance to show off his cars.

“I wanted to join the club to be part of a group of people with similar interests to mine,” Steiner said.

One of the showpieces of the meet was a 1955 Chrysler Imperial owned by Chip Loree of Lafayette, N.J.

Loree said he and his wife drove the car – which consists of all original parts – more than 300 miles to attend the event, breaking ranks from many of the participants who used trailers to haul their autos to the show.

The regal automobile, stylishly sleek and eye-catching, has a 331 hemi engine and cost as much as four cars of a similar make by Chevrolet when it was sold new in the mid-1950s.

Loree said he was born into a love for Chryslers, noting that his uncle was the 36th person to own a Chrysler franchise in 1924, the year the car was first produced.

In addition to his 1955 Chrysler Imperial, Loree said he owns the only 1955 Chrysler Imperial convertible ever produced.

“It was a prototype produced for the chairman of Chrysler. It is an amazing car,” Loree said.

Harold Garrett, who made the drive to Fayette County from of Louisiana for the meet, said he feels that the Imperial is one of the most prestigious cars in American history, topping the Cadillac in its heyday.

Notables such as Howard Hughes, Frank Sinatra and Willie Mays drove an Imperial.

“It is one of kind. I just love this old, beautiful car,” Garrett said in a soft southern drawl. “I have always loved the old cars.”

While chrome was a staple at the meet, several cars accented with wood doors and trim also drew a lot of attention.

Frank Scudese of Hardwick, N.J., was busy wiping down his wood-accented 1947 Town & Country.

Scudese said his father purchased the car in 1962 and it has remained in the family ever since.

“He died earlier this year, so I wanted to bring it out in his honor,” Scudese said.