Chrysler 300 Club, Inc. History
When I got out of the Army in August 1968, I was driving a 1953 Chrysler Town & Country wagon – one cool ride. But unfortunately I got in a minor accident with it, and had to replace half the front end. In the meantime, I started looking for another Chrysler.
When I was in my teens, I used to look through the Motors Auto Repair manual my father had and used when working on his 1952 DeSoto Firedome (Hemi) car. I was always intrigued with the horsepower and torque ratings of the 300-G, not to mention the front end drawing – aggressive grille with canted headlights, no less. So one day soon after the accident, my dad and I cruised 82nd. Avenue in Portland where all the used car dealers were.
Low and behold, one lot had a bright red 300-G for sale. It was $650, and I found myself test driving it on the way to the bank for the loan. Little did I know the transmission was bad, and so first order of business was to have it overhauled. This was in late 1968.
At the time, I was going to college in downtown Portland at Portland State College, and one day – walking to class from parking, spotted a 300-C. Looking through the drivers window, was surprised to see it had a 3-speed manual transmission. Back then you could go to the DMV and find out who the owner was from the license plate number. I contacted the owner, and he was willing to sell it to me for $450. Only problem – I had to sell the 300-G first to get the money. Enter Dan Motley – he bought the car, and I got the 300-C. This was in the Spring of 1969.
Soon there after Dan I stayed in touch (we both loved 300s), and decided to form a club for this great marque. So in October 1969 we held an organizational meeting in Portland to form the club. We ran an ad in the Oregonian (local Portland paper), and had a good turnout at Dan's home. And the club was born.
I was chosen to be President, and in early 1970 started the club newsletter – 300 Club Newsletter I believe – a quarterly publication. We may have run an ad in Hemmings Motor News about the club forming – too long ago to remember, but we quickly started growing.
Chapters were formed in Portland and Seattle, followed by California – mostly West Coast. When I moved to Ohio in 1978 a chapter was formed for the Ohio-Pennsylvania region, and in 1980 I moved to central Florida and began another chapter for Florida.
When Merle Wolfer passed away in 2015, the club went into demise as there was no editor for Brute Force – the life blood of the club. I was greatly pleased to see Randy Thorne revive the club, and Brute Force back in print. You guys are doing a great job!
The last time I recall seeing Randy was in about 1973 just before he moved back to Minnesota from Oregon with a 300-D convert. He and Virginia stayed at my place in Portland, and pulled up with the D pulling a giant U-Haul trailer. The rear bumper was almost dragging on the ground! I just couldn't imagine them making it back to Minnesota with the arrangement. So, a U-Haul truck was secured, things moved into it, and the truck set to tow the 300-D back home.
Looking forward to seeing the Club grow and prosper once again. Hopefully before too long a National Meet can be held.
With best wishes,
Ray Doern
La Grande, Oregon
