Re: [Chrysler300] Daytona Beach in 1956.

["RLS" <obiwan10@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Burton:

Perhaps you could answer other questions that I've had for some time.

I had read or heard somewhere that there were 5 different B's that had 
exceeded 2 way runs of 135 MPH at this event.  One of them driven by a lady. 
Another had a one way run of 144 MPH.  Are my memories correct on this.

Also would you know the rear axle ratios that any these cars were running 
and were any of them considered the so called 355 HP option?  Were they 
running stock Blue Streak Goodyear's and running thru the stock exhaust 
systems.

This is all interesting, especially given that these large sedans had 
basically the aerodynamics of a sail running against the wind.  Reminds me 
of an the old Bob Segar Song.
http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/bob+seger/against+the+wind_20021964.html

I recently have seen the outcome of its full total frame off restoration of 
the standard transmission 58 300D that ran at the Daytona Speed Weeks in 
1958.  Those of you who attended the Club's national event at Lake Tahoe a 
few years ago will well remember this car.  At that time it was basically 
and old rusty looking body (but fairly solid) with the interior almost 
completely gone and the factory 3 speed lying in the trunk.  The car was for 
the most part complete but it was one of the sorriest looking things I'd 
ever seen.  For those of you who remember Randy Hastie's 300 F convertible 
(hauled to a National event for the Western Club with hay bales hanging out 
it) before its restoration, it was likely a tie to which was more a sorry 
sight. This 300 D apparently was of very low mileage, claims of 17,000 miles 
stick in my mind.

The car is now spectacular and likely would win Best of Show at not only 300 
meets but many other top pen Concours.  It is white with the "PURE OIL" 
graphics posted on the side just as it was when it ran in 1958.  I also saw 
a wealth of photos and news articles of the car just as it was when it ran. 
Also photos of the car when it was being delivered in Detroit, basically in 
a blizzard/snowstorm just before it was driven from Detroit to Daytona. Car 
was purchased new by a California man who picked it up and Detroit and drove 
to Daytona.  Fascinating historical car.

I've taken photos of it that I will figure how to upload to our website. 
Timo Tanskanen and another restorer from Danville, Calif. worked together to 
complete the restoration.  There are likely many photos of the car on our 
website as the car was before it was restored.  These would have been taken 
by many members at the Lake Tahoe Nationals.  Even in its miserable 
appearance then, it was likely the most popular car at that event.

Car is owned my a rice farmer who lives in northern California.

I'm going to forward this missive off to the Forward Look website.

Thank you for sharing your memories with us.

Roger Schaaf
300 B Calyfornua



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Burton Bouwkamp" <northburt@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2010 4:31 AM
Subject: [Chrysler300] Daytona Beach in 1956.



RLS,
Thanks for the website address.

Here are my memories of being at Daytona Beach in February, 1956.

Bob Rodger (Chrysler's Chief Engineer) sent me to Daytona as an "observer" 
with no official duties except to help the Chrysler nameplate - with 
automotive writers for example - and help Chrysler drivers - like our dealer 
Brewster Shaw of San Juan Motors - in any way that I could. And also to 
serve in a liaison roll with Carl Kiekhaefer. We knew that Carl was going to 
run cars in the Sunday oval race (on the beach and highway) but we did not 
know that he was preparing a car for the beach speed trials to be driven by 
Tim Flock the NASCAR Grand National Champion.

Tim Flock raised the flying mile record by 12 MPH! The car had a manual 
transmission and was prepared to perfection by the Kiekhaefer organization 
for the beach run. Carl had the car painted with the Mercury Outboard logo 
because he knew that he was going to win - and set a new record doing it. He 
wanted to showup the factory effort - and he did!

After Tim Flock's two-way run of 139.4 MPH, Gene Carr (worked for me) and I 
went over to the Armory to observe the inspection. NASCAR required removal 
of the intake manifold and one cylinder head so that they could measure 
carburetor and port sizes, bore, stroke, valve sizes, piston head height and 
cylinder head combustion chamber volume to assure that the engine was within 
specifications. Without completing this inspection successfully the results 
were not official. We waited - and waited - and waited but Tim Flock and the 
car did not show. NASCAR gave us a time deadline to "produce the car at the 
Armory or else" so Gene and I went over to the Kiekhaefer rented facility 
and there was the 300B. Carl said he wasn't interested in the inspection 
because he said that he proved what he wanted to prove. After some intense 
discussion Carl said "take the car". We did and we made the deadline at the 
Armory - but we did not have any mechanics to disassemble the engine. Gene 
and I were capable of doing it but we didn't have any tools. We borrowed 
tools from mechanics working next to us but it was obvious that wasn't going 
to work because we needed the same tools and were interfering with their 
work. So I called Carl Kiekhaefer and told him that we needed his help. He 
went through his standard dissertation that his efforts were not appreciated 
by Chrysler - but within ten minutes Carl came marching in through the open 
Armory garage door carrying a tool box in each arm and with two mechanics 
trotting behind him. We were the last ones out of the Armory that evening 
but the engine met all specifications and Chrysler had the official record - 
which was broken by six 300F's four years later.

Burt Bouwkamp

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



------------------------------------

To send a message to this group, send an email to:
Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

For list server instructions, go to 
http://www.chrysler300club.com/yahoolist/inst.htm

For archives go to http://www.forwardlook.net/300-archive/Yahoo! Groups 
Links






------------------------------------

To send a message to this group, send an email to:
Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

For list server instructions, go to http://www.chrysler300club.com/yahoolist/inst.htm

For archives go to http://www.forwardlook.net/300-archive/Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chrysler300/

<*> Your email settings:
    Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chrysler300/join
    (Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
    Chrysler300-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
    Chrysler300-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    Chrysler300-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/