Re: [Chrysler300] What makes a 300 "real"??

["PaddyCaddy ." <paddycaddy@xxxx>]

For what it's worth, I agree that it is a ridiculous and elitist notion 
worthy more of a giggle or two rather than a strict adherance to someone 
else's idea of ideological purity (sic).

I have great respect for the members of this club and listserver who started 
and maintain both, and I thank them once again for their efforts whether or 
not they agree with me.

But still, all this reminds me of way back when...

I bought a 1962 Chevy Impala SS coupe. My girlfriend at the time (and her 
sister) asked me over and over why I had spent so much more on that car than 
I did on my 4 door hardtop plain Jane Impala. After weeks of trying to get 
away with saying ÿou don't understand" - I finally had to come to grips with 
the very real notion that I had spent triple or quadruple the money for what 
ultimately boiled down to the great honor and respect afforded only to those 
SS owners who could boast of having the SS grab bar mounted to the passenger 
side dash. All the other little details (metallic swirl trim, bucket 
seats) could be ordered with and other Chevy - even the "lowly" Biscayne I 
think. The powertrain was identical to my other car.

Needless to say - they both got quite a laugh at this, and me. And I 
learned an embarrasing but important lesson about cars from two girls who 
didn't know a thing about them.

Even now - you can see these silly guys at meets like Hershey busily having 
pissing contests about VIN's, body codes, and build sheets. AKA, is this 
car really an LS6 and worth $60,000 more because it originally had different 
valve relief on the pistons (which have been replaced since then anyway....) 
?

It's OK with me if someone in the 300 Club is proud to have a specific 
letter car - especially if it is, say, a version that featured the crossrams 
and other unique powertrain options.

But I'll be just as impressed if someone saves a plain Jane non-letter car 
from the crusher and restores it. It is no less a piece of automotive 
history - and no less a car to admire. At least in my book. After years 
and years of seeing the same top end"" cars at meet after meet by the dozen 
- I'm getting fonder all the time at running into an old Satellite, DeSoto 
Hemi, station wagon, Corvair Pickup, etc.

Sean.










> From: "Fern Rivard" <crc@xxxx>
> To: <chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, "KELLY PIERCE" 
> <jkrestor300@xxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] What makes a 300 "real"??
> Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2004 00:29:17 -0800
>
> Hi Kelly:
> I agree with your comments. I recall going to several car meets where
> both the WPC and Chrysler 300 meets were combined at same location and 
> dates
> which turned out very good. I'm thinking of one in Victoria BC back in 1995
> or so and another one either later that summer or following year held in
> Portland Oregon.
> Cheers from Fern in Cranbrook SE BC
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "KELLY PIERCE" <jkrestor300@xxxx>
> To: <chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2004 10:52 PM
> Subject: [Chrysler300] What makes a 300 "real"??
>
>
> > Greetings group-
> >
> > Yep here I go again- can't resist jumping in on this discussion. When 
> you
> look at the first 300 and look at a K for example, quite a change in
> MARKETING philosophy, as well as a changing market. A 62 300 with "H"
> options and only difference being a speedometer and seats could be looked
> upon as more of a "letter car" than a standard equipment only K. Can we sit
> here 40+ years later and "judge" a sport 300 as a step child, or look down
> on K's and L's because the market and the corporate philosophy changed? The
> sport 300 wouldn't be around if not for the lettercar, nor the change in
> corporate thinking and marketing. The letter cars did what Chrysler was
> after- Image and sales-(along with other things) not necessarily letter
> cars, but Chrysler Products. Even at the high for their day price tag, I
> doubt that Chrysler made much if any profit off the letter cars by
> themselves. Lacking a "letter" after the 300 makes them something other 
> than
> "real'? What are they then, A Newport? Saratoga? NO- Chrysler named them
> 300.......
> > Even un-intentional negative comments or perceived as negative,
> comments about one or any club other than this one can cause members to
> leave. I have seen clubs wither and die from things of this very nature.
> > Think about this for a bit- A meet with both clubs, same time and
> place, each hosting it's own "show" with awards etc. Two shows in one 
> place,
> those in both clubs could be in the middle, and if meeting all aspects to
> belong in both meets(a letter after the 300) be the buffer zone so to 
> speak,
> and bring everyone who owns or just loves the cars together in one place 
> and
> time. In 20 to 40 years if we don't get more people to see the cars and
> learn about them, get excited about owning one some day, embrace all 300's
> as a club, (judge them separate but judge them all),(my opinion only) there
> will be future generations that will only know of the 300 in pictures in a
> book, like many makes and models you NEVER see, at a show or on the road.
> Other than the "old 300M's" they will not know the joys known as 300, or of
> Hemi power, fins, dual quads, leather, long rams, short rams, un-silenced
> carbs,etc. in person. I know my opinion expressed here is not shared by
> many. All I ask is that you think about it, nothing more. 300 related, so
> it counts but in a "letter to the editor" opinion type way. Again forgive 
> me
> for being long winded.
> > Joe Pierce 300Kx3 +M+64 sport + 64 sport wagon(one of none)
> P.S. Is a "M" real or not?
> >
> > [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
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >

_________________________________________________________________
Optimize your Internet experience to the max with the new MSN Premium 
Internet Software. http://click.atdmt.com/AVE/go/onm00200359ave/direct/01/