[Chrysler300] Re: 58 300 D Daytona Stick Shift Car.. Pictures after Restoration

["RLS" <obiwan10@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I've personally seen a wealth of photos of this car taken in 1958 (both at Detroit where the owner picked up the car in a snowstorm,,,I've noted this in an earlier posting,,, and at Daytona with these exact as restored graphics on the car).  Included in this information there are newspaper articles and from at least one magazine that I saw.  

The car was painted white in all of these early pictures, including delivery in Detroit, at Daytona and in Redwood City at the selling dealer.  One thing that threw a bit is that there are 2 outside mirrors on the car in Detroit, but only mirror on the car in Daytona.  Perhaps one was removed for the event.

There additionally are photos of the car which had been taken in front of the dealership in Redwood City, California.  The dealership was named Ely Motors or some such.  These photos show both the owner of the dealership and the owner of the car.  These photos were taken after the car left Florida and came to California where the owner lived.

There appears to be substantially more exacting documentation of this car than is found with many of the other so called rare cars that are too often touted by those who believe they have or wish others to believe they have a vehicle that has a special interest history.  The documentation I've seen appears genuine but just as some claim that the first man on the moon was not actually there but photographed on a sound stage, I can only assume that this car ran at Daytona.  Yes someone could have staged the event to set up this "conspiracy" in 1958 so that the car would be able to be sold to some unsuspecting victim in 2010.   I was not there and I did not see it as it was created but given that caveat I assume that it is genuine until proven otherwise.

I suggest that the car be taken for what it is,,,a extremely nicely restored automobile to very high standards when  compared to it very dire condition at the Lake Tahoe Nationals, where it was likely the star of the show, and would have qualified as a candidate for a cash for clunkers program.  That in itself is worth a lot, to take a car of such rarity and to spend the many thousands (likely hundreds of them) of dollars to bring it back to life is worthy of celebration and not condemnation.  The fact that it is a standard transmission as documented by micro fiche records (and likely 1 of only 1 or 2 produced) is likely to 300 D owners  of as much special interest as are purported 4 speed F's for those who fortunate enough to own any of the number of them produced

I did not post these pictures to set renew and inflame any personal political (or business) disputes that may be the passion among some of our members.  I did so because I was asked to and it is a beautiful car and should be seen by all our members who have an interest to see it.  Likely many of our members will enjoy and take them exactly for what they are and nothing more.

I may note too, that neither of the parties involved in the exacting restoration of this automobile (Caveat,,,,I am not a judge and have not judged it for perfection to Club standards), nor was the owner of the car informed, or are aware that I've sent these photos or that I've even brought up the topic of this car on our listsrv,,,until now anyway.

Roger Schaaf
300 B Calyfornua
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Wayne Graefen 
  To: Bob Merritt Simplex Mfg ; RLS ; John (W) Lazenby ; Owen Grigg 
  Cc: Bill Madden ; Burton Bouwkamp ; Larry Jett ; Rich Barber ; Bob Jasinski 
  Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 7:00 AM
  Subject: Re: 58 300 D Daytona Stick Shift Car.. Pictures after Restoration


  Gentlemen

  The photos are a promotion more of the restorer than the car.

  Was the car originally black or red?   Why is it white now?   What is the paint code on the data plate?   Why wasn't the car restored to its code?

  What does Ely Motors, Redwood City, CA, have to do with the history of this car?  I am not aware there is any established racing history or documentation for this motor car company or this vehicle.  If so, why is it being created (other than for resale value)?    Was the car entered at Daytona Speed Weeks?   If so, do you have proof of that?   If so, was it even competitive in its class?

  If this is just another car that has been restored with a strictly PROFIT motive in mind that is going to have a history of HALF-TRUTHS propagated around it, that we will see hit the show circuit for two years to establish the lie along with a couple of magazine articles and then at some big auction following that, if the last few standing HONEST HISTORIANS such as John Lazenby, Owen Grigg, Burt Bouwkamp and myself are going to have to spend hour after hour answering questions about the veracity of this car's faux racing history, then I find this whole photo receipt disgusting but appreciate the warning of what is coming down the pike.

  Will Bob Merritt take the bait and promote yet another undocumented car history, making the 300 Int'l an accomplice to yet another profit scheme?   Will Gil Cunningham of the 300 Int'l sit on his hands as always and let another undocumented car rise in worldwide acknowledgement or will he find his voice?   This is the club that considers itself "the keepers of the legend" and that is such a joke as proven by its ongoing actions.

  As far as I know that 300D happened to be the only manual transmission 1958 Letter Car produced.   Not a horsepower option car;  simply an anomaly out of the factory.   Beyond that, show me some documentation it is something special and has history and then lets start there.  Until then, I am not a believer in a couple of decals and some sign shop lettering.   

  Promotions to historians start with documentation, not photos of the product ready for eBay.

  I've watched other "also ran" Speed Week entrant restorations go through auctions over the decades;  all had very disappointing results.

  Wayne Graefen




  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: RLS 
  To: Bob Merritt Simplex Mfg 
  Cc: Bob Jasinski ; Rich Barber ; Larry Jett ; Burton Bouwkamp ; Wayne Graefen ; Bill Madden 
  Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 2:17 AM
  Subject: Fw: 58 300 D Daytona Stick Shift Car.. Pictures after Restoration


  Bob:

  Rich Barber suggested that I forward these pictures to you and you could get 
  them uploaded to our website.  You are welcome to choose any that you feel 
  worthy.

  I've cut them down to around 80 K for transmission.  I've 2 MB versions if 
  anyone has a need for them.

  Unfortunately the setting is not the best, but this was just before the car 
  was taken out for its very first shakedown drive after restoration.

  I've also enclosed a rather interesting shot that I had taken at Lake Tahoe.

  Roger Schaaf
  300 B Calyfornua
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: "RLS" <obiwan10@xxxxxxxxxxx>
  To: "Chrysler 300 list service" <chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 9:56 PM
  Subject: 58 300 D Daytona Stick Shift Car.. Pictures after Restoration


  > I'm uncertain how the procedure to upload photos to our website.  I know
  > that I've done so before, but seem to have forgotten.
  >
  > If you all receive these, perhaps you can select those that are suitable. 
  > I
  > also have 2 meg plus versions if you wish any of them, let me know.
  >
  > Thank you
  >
  > Roger Schaaf
  > The message is ready to be sent with the following file or link 
  > attachments:
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  >
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  > 


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



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