Chrysler 300 Club International
Spring Meet in Geneva, NY

May, 2017

Our spring meet was held at the Ramada Lakefront in Geneva, New York. When club members started arriving Wednesday, we were greeted by sunny skies and cool temperatures. As we settled in, the weather forecast said rain and 40 degree temperatures for the next five days. We thought "You've got to be kidding."

The weather is beyond our control, but we did make plans in advance to deal with it. Pop-up tents, spare rain coats and umbrellas were packed. We also stationed Jamie's truck and car trailer at the hotel parking lot. You know how it goes; if you did bring it, you won't need it. But we did need it as John Hannon's 300D had transmission problems in Jamestown. The trailer was dispatched and delivered the Hannons with their D to the hotel.

Thursday morning arrived with some potential to be a nice day, albeit a bit brisk. With temperatures approaching only 45 degrees, none of our Letter Cars suffered overheating. Properly operating heaters were more of a concern as we went off to Legendary Interiors for a visit of their manufacturing plant. Brian Ridley gave an exhaustive tour of their facility and then it was off to Auburn for lunch…..for some of us. Word came that Noel and his 300F would not start at the Legendary parking lot.
There is no better place to have trouble than at a Chrysler 300 meet as half a dozen members descended on the stricken beast. Within a short time, the offending distributor wire was dispatched for a suitable replacement and all arrived in Auburn for lunch.

As we ate at the Lakeview Golf and Country Club in Auburn, thickening skies approached. We had a nice meal and long time members Jack and Mary Buttino from Cortland drove up to join us. It was good to see them again. It was also good to meet Jim Klein from Michigan and Chuck Schoendorf from Connecticut, both attending their first meets. After lunch we made the short drive to the Ward O'Hara Museum. Many members commented the museum was a delightful surprise. That visit completed, we were off to the Willard Chapel. This unique building was designed by L C Tiffany and built more than 100 years ago. Notably, it is still complete with Tiffany chandeliers and stained glass windows. It was just starting to rain as our departure was delayed by Jim Krausmann's no start C. Plenty of fuel, good spark, but the 13 year old battery had decided the Chapel parking lot was a good place to die. A jump from the reliable 66 of Rip Ripley and the C was back on its feet.

We were off to Golden Lion Grrrages, which is collection of old cars ranging from a 1935 Airflow to a 1966 300 with a few Letter Cars mixed in as well. There, our group of more than 65 people, some of who had been waiting in the rain for our arrival, poured into the garage. There were too many people to fit into the south garage, so the north garage was opened as well.
It all worked out as people stayed for a good two hours before making the drive back to Geneva. In the rain.

Back at the hotel, now warm and dry, Don Verity conducted a seminar on transmissions. Don had hauled a selection of transmission pieces from his home in Rhode Island. Many in the audience had never seen the inside of a transmission before now. Don not only demonstrated pieces, but provided a commentary on fit, function, and proper rebuilding. When it comes to Powerflites and Torqueflites, cast iron or aluminum, there is none better than Don.

Friday we drove to Hammondsport, which is on the south end of Keuka Lake. In the rain. There we toured the Glenn Curtiss Museum -- a great collection of Curtiss engines, airplanes, motorcycles as well as local history. The museum is restoring a P40 plane from WW2 and their friendly staff took time to explain the process. Some of our group liked the Curtiss Museum so much they skipped the scheduled lunch at Glenora to stay and spend more time at the Curtiss.

After Curtiss we were off in the rain to Glenora for lunch and a tour of the winery. This is a pretty area when the sun is out (it wasn't.) We returned to the hotel where some had another great dinner at the hotel restaurant while others found local eateries. The day was capped by the business meeting.

Saturday the hearty souls could be found washing their cars in the rain and 40 degree temps. We noted how all of the F trunk lid hubcaps were filling up with water....funny how none of the drains worked. We also noted who had the best wax job by comparing the size of water bubbles on fenders. While our cars sat in the rain, we took refuge under umbrellas and tents. The rain steadily increased. Passing traffic threw road water up in sheets. We called it a day at noon, yet some stood talking with each other out in the rain for another hour. At the customary Saturday night banquet, we handed out awards and Doug Mayer told stories about the constipated cow, the toothbrush from Chernobyl, and fourteen without Peters (You've got to be kidding).

It would be easy to think of the Geneva meet as one of endless precipitation and temperatures cold enough to make ice on Seneca Lake. Yet for all that, no one complained. People had a good time and found the positive in some of the worst weather we have had in years. The camaraderie and spirit......what a great group of people we have. When Grouch Marx said: "I wouldn't want to belong to a club that would have me as a member", he hadn't met us.



Our meet hosts

Jamie and Dawn Hyde, Bob Merritt.

Photo credits: Keith Boonstra, Jean-Yves Chouinard, Jamie Hyde,
Ron & Anita Krauth, Mick Kreszock, Noel Hastalis, Bob Merritt, Jeff Miklas, Gloria Moon, Mark Obermann, Tony Rinaldi, Caroll Ripley, Don Verity, and Joe Williams.

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