----- Original Message -----
From: "RLS" <obiwan10@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Burton Bouwkamp" <northburt@xxxxxxxxxxx>; <chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 10:05 AM
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] Daytona Beach in 1956.
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]
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