Re: {Chrysler 300} Passing of Burt Bouwkamp

[Noel Hastalis <cpaviper@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

John and Fellow 300 Club Members,

We celebrate the life of Burt Bouwkamp. Our 'Burgers with Burt' gatherings at Keith's in 2017 and 2018 were indeed memorable. Visiting with Burt was truly visiting with Chrysler and Letter Car Royalty. Having started with Chrysler in 1951 following his graduation with a Masters in Engineering from Chrysler Institute, Burt helped develop Dodge's 241" Red Ram Hemi, then to DeSoto where he helped develop that Division's 276" Hemi, and then to Chrysler in 1954 working on the manufacture of the 331" Hemi under Bob Rodger.

Burt was also Chrysler's in-house technical contact to Carl Kiekhaefer. We can only imagine how some of those discussions played out!

Here's the link to Burt's speech from years ago, that he later published as a book, entitled "The Chrysler 300 on the Sands at Daytona Beach, 1955 through 1961" 

https://www.allpar.com/threads/chrysler-300-letter-cars-racing-at-daytona-beach-1955-1961.228232/

You may also enjoy the videos in our Club's website of our visits with Burt.

Noel

On 10/27/2022 5:14 PM 'john begian' via Chrysler 300 Club International <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

All:

The Chrysler 300 community has lost on of the pioneers of our cars, Burt Bouwkamp.  Burt passed away yesterday.  Several of us participated at the home of member Keith Boonstra on two occasions to meet Burt and pick his brain on the whys of the Chrysler 300 program. Burt was heavily involved in the development of the 1957 Chrysler 300 program, and, even in his 90's, was sharp and was able to recall events and details of the program for us curious 300-ites.  It's a sad day when the people involved are leaving us, but fortunately some of us were able to meet with him and record the sessions, which are available on our website.

I have attached his obituary and photos of some of his work at Chrysler.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=3289340464612313&set=pcb.3289340864612273&__cft__[0]=AZVtl5ZSWugT1flfXWex8KO0JULMk7VcnPw4AN1MqVNdBp7Y6ljJJcm9R-SHStdNyeE6ZDsLGC3fwvc0OEZ0S_s8rFZ7ahpXXXLaG0HjurvwkVe_TlArmX6SzSEe726zlPLSlo3_SwLmpECsD77cuuEO7ZMYPPl4K43oCoNH9ku5UJmlennQyYhcOPjvolzSgi4PEcmg6IhmIl7wTeap6fKO&__tn__=*bH-y-R

Obituary for Burton Bouwkamp | Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Service

Obituary for Burton Bouwkamp | Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Service Share memories & support the family

Rest in peace Burt!

John Begian

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