Hosted
by Len & Betty Astroth and Jim & Karen Birr
May
11 – 15, 1994 spring meet of the Chrysler 300 Club
International was well attended with around forty registrations and
over seventy people present. Attendees came from as far as Colorado,
Nebraska, Wisconsin, Florida and New York. Best of all there was a
representation of approximately 30 classic 300s and Hursts that
graced the parking lot. I believe that we had Letter Cars from every
year except ’56 and ’59!
Wednesday
morning found the hosts making last minute preparations in
anticipation of the next 5 days. First arrival to the hospitality
room was Bob Merritt from New York, despite the problem that his
Imperial had broken down in Arkansas while attending Don Rook’s
auction. Bob pitched in and helped with some of the final
preparation. Other early arrivals started trickling in by the
afternoon, with a respectable group present by evening’s end.
A curious F was pulled up on a trailer late in the afternoon and
spent the rest of the meet parked at the back of the lot. At least
no one can say that I never brought my car to a meet! Everyone spent
the rest of the day getting acquainted with new faces, re-acquainted
with old friends and relaxing from their journey.
Thursday
morning found the group caravanning in their cars for a short drive
just across the river to the Missouri riverfront town of St. Charles,
first capital of Missouri. The morning and afternoon were spent
exploring the historic district with its brick streets, gas lights
and various shops and restaurants. That evening a dozen cars
traveled to a popular local 50s style drive-in called “Chuck-
a-Burger”, while others journeyed to “Ted Drews” (a
famous custard stand) on old Route 66. Worry crept in, when we
noticed the lights were out a few blocks, just prior to the drive-in.
Fortunately, “Chuck-a-Burger’s” lights were on and
the parking lot fairly vacant, with car hops ready to serve. Seeing
all of those cars pull in and take over the place was fantastic. Did
anyone (Bubba?) buy anything from the curious local who pulled up in
an old Fury and was trying to sell some of his Chrysler possessions?
And who is that mysterious woman whose face appeared in the left-hand
corner of one of my pictures? Could it be someone from say …
Quincy, Michigan?
Friday
brought another beautiful day and found the group traveling a short
distance down the highway to catch St. Louis’ new rapid transit
(Metro-Link) to the downtown area. Metro-Link officials (Bi-State)
were very helpful, having a roped off area waiting for the cars and
security watching over them throughout the day. The Metro-Link
operator was kind enough to specifically point out to the “Chrysler
300 Club Members” some of the famous sites along the way
(namely a local junkyard). Everyone was offered the opportunity to
visit and travel to the top of the famous “Arch”, view
the St. Louis waterfront and wander around the rustic”
Laclede’s Landing”. Then all were encouraged to hop back
on the Metro-Link and stop off at the recently restored “Union
Station” with its many shops and restaurants for an afternoon
of shopping or browsing. Friday evening’s business meeting
offered the typical lively discussion with a video presentation of
what promises to be a very enjoyable meet in Tallahassee, Florida
next spring. A drawing was also made for Chrysler Turbine car rides
being offered at the National Museum of Transport the next day.
After the meeting, many reconvened in the hospitality room for
refreshments and more conversation.
Saturday
everyone travelled to the National Museum of Transport to display the
cars and see what the museum had to offer. I didn’t realize
that the club had so many closet railroad fans! Free Turbine car
rides were given in the only operational Chrysler Turbine car!
Everyone seemed excited as they congregated around the Chrysler
Turbine car, in anticipation of a ride and to view this wonderful
historic vehicle. It was like watching a bunch of children in a
candy store! The car’s operator, Mike Eberhardt, graciously
offered additional rides, above the originally promised number,
allowing most everyone to ride in this amazing car. Can you say,
power by Hoover? Although it rained intermittently, spirits remained
high and everyone had an enjoyable time. The awards banquet was held
that evening with a sit-down dinner, awards presentation and a number
of door prizes given out. A big storm threatening hail whipped up
during dinner, but fortunately only delivered heavy rain. Curiously,
it seemed like an awful lot of people had a birthday that evening.
Did they think that they were at Denny’s or something? People
must have enjoyed themselves as no one wanted to leave the banquet
facility. Afterwards, many adjourned to the hospitality room to
visit with some chewing the fat until the wee hours of the morning
(4:00 am). Hey Andy, should we bring Mary to the fall meet?
Sunday
morning, everyone awoke to another beautiful day, perfect for the
journeys home. Some jumped across the river for an impromptu
breakfast while others slept in. Members leisurely made their way to
the parking lot for final goodbyes and eventual departure. The
parking lot was clear by mid-afternoon with the previous four days
destined to become memories for everyone to look back on. On behalf
of my wife and co-hosts, we thank all who attended, hope everyone had
a nice time and hope to see you in Michigan this fall.
The
host with the “F” on the trailer: Jim Birr.
People’s
Choice Award Winners
Group
1: 1955 C300 – 1958 300D
1st
Place: 300D owned by Jim Golden, Topeka, Kansas
2nd
Place: C300 owned by Lavonne Linnenburger, Topeka, Kansas
Group
2: 1959 300E – 1962 300H
1st
Place: 300F owned by Dave Schwandt, Earlville, Iowa
2nd
Place: 300F owned by Len Astroth, St. Louis, Missouri
Group
3: 1963 300 J – 1970 300 Hurst
1st
Place: 300 Hurst owned by Roman Robaszewski, Chicago, Illinois
2nd
Place: 300 Hurst owned by Howard Stoll, Chelsea, Michigan
Long
Distance: Bob Crawford, 650 miles from Kintore, Ontario, Canada
Hard
Luck: Bob Cornett – fuel line and power steering problems
300s
At St. Louis
C300: Lavonne
Linnenburger
300C: Bill
Elder, John Hannon, Ed Lanfer, Spencer Siracusano
300D: Jim
Golden, Bob Hays
300F: Len
Astroth, Jim Birr, Mike Burke, Dave Schwandt
300G: Andy
Mikonis
300H: Bob
Crawford, Ed Phillips (convert)
300J:
George Riehl
300K: Bob
Cornet (convert)
300L: Marlin
Thyer (convert)
Hurst:
Roman Robaszewski, Howard Stoll
1962: William
Berry, Don Smallwood
1963: Mark
Rayner
1966: William
Berry
1967: Ton
Hartmeier (convert), Ken Smeicer
1968: Galen
Wollbrink (convert)
1979: Terry
Hoeman
Thanks to Bill Elder for typing this article for the web