Samplingman
Old Man with a Hat
Thought this might deserve it's own thread.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chrysler-30...tr=true&hash=item2ee22f54fa&item=201363248378
CHRYSLER ENTHUSIASTS, PLEASE READ THIS AD THOROUGHLY. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY THE HOLY GRAIL FOR THE EARLY CHRYSLER COLLECTORS. THIS IS ALSO A TRUE BARN FIND. 1955 CHRYSLER C300, VIN NUMBER 3N551001. THAT’S CORRECT, THIS IS THE FIRST REGULAR PRODUCTION 1955 CHRYSLER 300! THIS CLASSIC WAS PURCHASED IN THE EARLY ’70’S BY WELL KNOWN CHRYSLER COLLECTOR STEVE MCCLOUD, OF TENNESSEE.
MR. MCCLOUD ALSO OWNED THE ONLY 1970 CHRYSLER 300 HURST CONVERTIBLE BUILT. THIS CAR IS ALSO ON EBAY. CHECK OUR OTHER AUCTIONS.
FOR YEARS THE STATUS OF THIS CLASSIC HAS BEEN UNKNOWN. WHETHER IT WAS JUNKED, PARTED OUT, OR JUST MISSING, NO INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. HERE IS YOUR ANSWER. MR. MCCLOUD PARKED THE CAR IN A BARN IN THE EARLY EIGHTIES, AND IT HAS REMAINED THERE SINCE, UNTOUCHED FOR YEARS. SADLY, MR. MCCLOUD PASSED. THE CAR IS STILL IN THE POSSESSION OF MR. MCCLOUD’S IMMEDIATE FAMILY. NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE FOR THE FIRST TIME. THIS CAR WAS LITERALLY TAKEN OUT OF THE BARN ON MAY 31, 2015 AND PHOTOS WILL SHOW THE CAR IN THE DAYLIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN DECADES! THIS CAR IS IS PART OF MR. MCCLOUD’S ESTATE LIQUIDATION. IN THE COMING DAYS, THE CLEAN UP PROCESS WILL BEGIN, AND WE WILL POST THE PHOTOS AND MORE INFORMATION AS IT PROGRESSES. PLEASE BE PATIENT- THE CAR WAS ONLY REMOVED FROM THE BARN ONE DAY AGO! THESE FIRST PHOTOS ARE FOR THE PURISTS THAT WANT TO SEE A BARN FIND AT THE EXACT MINUTE IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE BARN! IN ADDITION TO THE VEHICLE, THE ORIGINAL BUILD SHEET, PARTIAL INVOICE FROM SAN JUAN MOTORS, PERIOD PHOTOS, AND MAGAZINE ARTICLES ARE ALSO WITH THE CAR! THIS IS AN UNBELIEVABLE BARN FIND, THE RAREST CHRYSLER 300 EVER BUILT. NUMBER ONE. A 1955 331 HEMI FROM A NEW YORKER (#NE55-11684) WAS INSTALLED IN THE CAR BEFORE MCCLOUD PURCHASED IT. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS UPGRADED TO 300 HP SPECS WITH THE ADDITION OF DUAL FOUR BARRELS AND INTAKE, HEADS, AND CAM. ALSO, ANOTHER CHRYSLER 300 ENGINE (3NE55 PREFIX) IS WITH THE CAR. THE CAR IS JUST AS IT WAS WHEN PUT AWAY OVER THREE DECADES AGO. NEEDS TOTAL RESTORATION.
PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK. THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW KNOWN ARCHIVAL PHOTOS OF 1001 WHEN IT WAS STILL ON THE ROAD, AND THE LAST KNOWN PHOTO BEFORE MR. MCCLOUD PUT THE CAR IN STORAGE. BELIEVED TO BE FROM 1984.
http://s514.photobucket.com/user/redeuce/media/1955 300 LAST PIC/55A2.png.html
CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VIEW MR. MCCLOUD AND THE CAR FEATURED IN THE CHRYSLER 300 CLUB NEWS, FALL,1980. PHOTO WAS TAKEN AT THE FALL MEET IN GATLINBURG, TN:
http://s514.photobucket.com/user/redeuce/library/1955 300 CLUB MAG
THIS IS THE CAR DELIVERED TO BREWSTER SHAW’S SAN JUAN MOTORS GARAGE PRIOR TO NASCAR DAYTONA SPEED WEEK IN 1955. THIS IS ALSO THE CHRYSLER, PILOTED BY BREWSTER SHAW HIMSELF, THAT FINISHED SECOND ONLY TO WARREN KOECHLING, IN THE DAYTONA FLYING MILE RUN. KOECHLING WAS DRIVING THE 300 WITH VIN NUMBER 3N551002, FROM THE MEGA DOLLAR CARL KIEKHAEFER CHRYSLER TEAM. ALTHOUGH THE WHEREABOUTS OF 1002 IS WELL KNOWN AND THE CAR HAS BEEN RESTORED, 1001 HAS BEEN OUT OF CIRCULATION UNTIL NOW. THIS CAR IS CURRENTLY UNRESTORED. THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME FOR THE CHRYSLER COLLECTOR. NOT ONLY IS THIS THE FIRST CHRYSLER C300 SCHEDULED FOR PRODUCTION ON THE ASSEMBLY LINE, THERE IS A RECORD SETTING RACE HISTORY BEHIND IT. ONLY 1,725 CHRYSLER C300’S WERE MANUFACTURED IN 1955. EXPERTS ESTIMATE THAT LESS THAN 10% OF THESE STILL EXIST TODAY. THIS IS NUMBER ONE.
CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR ANOTHER MAGAZINE ARTICLE ON THE CAR. THIS WAS ALSO TAKEN SHORTLY BEFORE THE CAR WAS PARKED:
http://s514.photobucket.com/user/redeuce/media/1955 300 MAG 2/1955A.jpg.html
CLINK ON THIS LINK FOR DOCUMENTATION. THERE ARE THREE PHOTOS. ONE IS THE ORIGINAL COPY OF THE MICRO FILM OBTAINED FROM CHRYSLER HISTORICAL. ONE IS AN ENHANCED COPY, WITH INFORMATION FILLED IN FOR CLARITY. THE LAST IS A PARTIAL DEALER INVOICE, FROM SAN JUAN MOTORS, MADE OUT TO ORIGINAL OWNER JAMES GILLEY, OF WELCH, W.V.:
http://s514.photobucket.com/user/redeuce/library/1955 300 DOCS
CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR SOME MORE PERIOD PHOTOS OF THE CAR:
http://s514.photobucket.com/user/redeuce/media/1955 OLD PHOTOS/1955M.jpg.html
1955 marked the beginning of a new era for auto manufacturers. The Korean War had ended. The U.S. economy was back on track. All major automakers had transitioned back from war production and were anxious to get back to full time auto production. 1955 was the year that they would bring out their totally redesigned vehicles. Some of the styles hadn't been totally redone since World War II.
In February, 1955 Chrysler released the first mass-produced, high-performance supercar to the motoring public. The brainchild of Chrysler-Imperial Division Chief Engineer Bob Rodger, the C300 was also the first American production automobile to generate 300 hp from a V8 engine. Rodger’s dream, combined with designer Virgil Exner’s visionary creativity, produced a vehicle recognized by many enthusiasts as the first American muscle car.
The car's "Forward Look" styling can be attributed to designer Virgil Exner. The front clip, was borrowed from the Imperial of the same year. The midsection was from a New Yorker, with a Windsor rear quarter. Exner wanted to create the image of a sleek performance car. Therefore, he removed many exterior elements such as back-up lights, hood ornament, side trim, and exterior mirrors. Power was provided by MOPAR's top engine, a 331 Cu. In. Hemi V8 with two four barrel carbs, a full-race cam, solid lifters, special manifolds, fat dual exhausts, and 300 HP. The Hemi engine derived its name from its hemispherical combustion chambers. These chambers required a pair of rocker arm shafts on each cylinder head, with the spark plugs fitting between the valves. The Hemi was backed by a special performance Power Flite automatic. Firm, heavy duty suspension was installed, giving the car superior handling compared to those of the competitors. The 300 was offered in only three colors- Black, Tango Red, and Platinum. Completing the package was a luxurious tan leather interior.
The true fact is, this car was manufactured for NASCAR and other racing circuits, but marketed as a luxury performance car to the retail market. The 300 was wildly successful on the racing venues. At the retail level, however, there were a few glitches. Some regular Chrysler customers did not fully comprehend the personality of the car. They were expecting the usual soft, floating luxury ride. The aggressive horsepower, performance exhaust, heavy duty suspension, and even a lope from the solid lifter cam at idle on the new 300 took some by surprise. Some even traded their 300’s in for other models.
CHRYSLER C300 IN RACING:
The success of the 300 in racing is undeniable. In fact, many racing experts have deemed the 1955-1956 Chrysler 300’s as the most dominant car model in racing history. Remember, in that era, stock car racing was exactly that. These cars were factory stock models with some safety components added, and only slight modifications allowed.
Brewster Shaw, owner of San Juan Motors, the Daytona Beach Chrysler dealership, was a fixture at the Daytona Speed Week events. Shaw took delivery of the Platinum colored 1001, as well as other C300’s, before Speed Week started. When delivered, no one paid much attention to the VIN number, and few realized it was the first C300. Shaw himself piloted his cars in various speed week events, but not in the Grand National (As the series was called at the time) race. Shaw held the existing record for the two way Flying Mile, set in 1954, at 117.065 MPH. The day of the Flying Mile event was filled with excitement and anticipation. Mercury Outboard magnate Carl Kiekhaefer had entered number 1002, the second C300 off the assembly line, driven by Eastern Airlines pilot Warren Koechling. Shaw made his run, and set a new record at a blistering 126.542 MPH average. This shattered his own record for the previous year by nearly 9.5 MPH. Chrysler 300 number 1001 had shocked the spectators. The record was not to stand, however, as Koechling’s run edged out Shaw by 1.038 MPH at 127.580 MPH. Car 1002 and 1001 finish first and second in the event. Chrysler dominated the Speed Week events, and finished first and second in the 160 mile Grand National beach race.
LEE PETTY:
Any discussion of Brewster Shaw and San Juan Motors must include a short paragraph on Lee Petty. In 1954, Petty not only won the Daytona Grand National race in a San Juan Motors sponsored Chrysler, but also the 1954 Grand National Championship. This was Chrysler’s first championship, breaking the hold of Oldsmobile and Hudson. In 1955, Petty again competed in the race behind the wheel of a San Juan Motors sponsored Chrysler 300. He finished second, behind Tim Flock in a Kiekhaefer sponsored Chrysler 300. Petty finished third in the NASCAR standings that year. It is unclear whether the Chrysler Petty drove at the Daytona race was actually number 1001, another car from San Juan Motors, or a Petty built car.
What is known, however, is that 1001 is indelibly etched in the record books for the other Speed Week events.
DOMINANCE OF THE CHRYSLER 300:
The 1955 300 was virtually unbeatable in competition that year, winning its first NASCAR Grand National race. It took the checkered flag at 37 NASCAR and AAA ( Later known as USAC) races of more than 100 miles.
Much of this credit also goes to Carl Kiekhaefer, the Mercury Outboard magnate. Kiekhaefer appeared virtually overnight with a powerful Chrysler 300. He brought the car to Daytona without a driver, but quickly approached Tim Flock. A deal was struck, and Flock won the 1955 Daytona race in his first start with Kiekhaefer. During the 1955 NASCAR championship season, Flock won 18 races and Kiekhaefer Chryslers won 22 of the 39. Kiekhaefer assembled what is commonly recognized as the most successful race team ever, including Tim and Fonty Flock, Frank Mundy, and Buck Baker. Their record is unparalleled. In 1955, Tim Flock won the NASCAR Grand National Championship, Frank Mundy won the AAA championship, and in 1956 Kiekhaefer Chryslers also won the NASCAR Championship and AAA Championship. In 1955 and 1956, Kiekhaefer Chryslers won 51 of 101 races entered, and 11 more with Dodges. After the 1956 season, Kiekhaefer abruptly disbanded his race team. Tim Flock’s departure and disagreements with other team owners were noted as contributing factors.
The original C300 was a performance icon of its era, showcasing the abilities of the early Hemi engines on the hard-packed sands of Daytona Beach. Production ended June 24, 1955 with serial number 3N552725.
CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR A FILE OF ADDITIONAL PHOTOS INCLUDING MANY JUST HOURS AFTER THE CAR WAS REMOVED FROM THE BARN:
http://s514.photobucket.com/user/redeuce/library/1955 PHOTOS 2
After Chrysler 1001 had completed the Daytona events, it was made available for sale. James Gilley, of Welch, WV., traveled to Daytona to purchase the car from San Juan Motors. Mr. Gilley kept the car until February, 1969, when it was sold to F.E. Hearne, of West Virginia. In the early ’70’s Steve McCloud bought the vehicle. Since then, it has never been offered for sale, and the car is now in the possession of McCloud’s immediate family. Mr. McCloud at the time was an active member of the Chrysler 300 Club, although in later years he ended his membership. Mr. McCloud drove the Chrysler, attended many Chrysler events, and displayed the vehicle at many shows.
Some time around 1984, he parked the car in a barn, and that is the last time 1001 was in the public view.
As stated, the car needs total restoration. However, Mr. McCloud was an experienced collector. He knew how to store cars. Blocks were placed under the frame, so the bottom of the car hasn't been buried in mud for years, rotting away. It has been elevated, dry, with air circulating underneath.
The frame is solid. There is long term oxidation from storage that could easily be bead blasted off. The trunk floor needs replacement. Front driver’s pan could use one patch. All components are on the car, it has not been cannibalized.
The body is basically solid and in good shape. The bottoms of the front fenders and bottoms of rear quarter panels need some work. Passenger rocker needs replacement. Driver’s can be repaired.
The interior is in good shape for the age and circumstances. Everything is there. Dash, speedo, controls, etc. in good shape. Glass is all good. Pot metal trim is solid and good shape. Needs buffing or polishing.
A 1955 Chrysler New Yorker 331 Hemi was in the car when Steve bought it, still in the car. Has been switched over to dual quads and upgraded to 300HP specs. Serial # NE55-11684. There is also a 1955 Chrysler 300, 331 Hemi, 300 HP, that goes with it. 3NE55 code, but can’t make out the serial number yet. Condition of spare engine unknown. Powerflite automatic.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chrysler-30...tr=true&hash=item2ee22f54fa&item=201363248378
CHRYSLER ENTHUSIASTS, PLEASE READ THIS AD THOROUGHLY. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY THE HOLY GRAIL FOR THE EARLY CHRYSLER COLLECTORS. THIS IS ALSO A TRUE BARN FIND. 1955 CHRYSLER C300, VIN NUMBER 3N551001. THAT’S CORRECT, THIS IS THE FIRST REGULAR PRODUCTION 1955 CHRYSLER 300! THIS CLASSIC WAS PURCHASED IN THE EARLY ’70’S BY WELL KNOWN CHRYSLER COLLECTOR STEVE MCCLOUD, OF TENNESSEE.
MR. MCCLOUD ALSO OWNED THE ONLY 1970 CHRYSLER 300 HURST CONVERTIBLE BUILT. THIS CAR IS ALSO ON EBAY. CHECK OUR OTHER AUCTIONS.
FOR YEARS THE STATUS OF THIS CLASSIC HAS BEEN UNKNOWN. WHETHER IT WAS JUNKED, PARTED OUT, OR JUST MISSING, NO INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. HERE IS YOUR ANSWER. MR. MCCLOUD PARKED THE CAR IN A BARN IN THE EARLY EIGHTIES, AND IT HAS REMAINED THERE SINCE, UNTOUCHED FOR YEARS. SADLY, MR. MCCLOUD PASSED. THE CAR IS STILL IN THE POSSESSION OF MR. MCCLOUD’S IMMEDIATE FAMILY. NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE FOR THE FIRST TIME. THIS CAR WAS LITERALLY TAKEN OUT OF THE BARN ON MAY 31, 2015 AND PHOTOS WILL SHOW THE CAR IN THE DAYLIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN DECADES! THIS CAR IS IS PART OF MR. MCCLOUD’S ESTATE LIQUIDATION. IN THE COMING DAYS, THE CLEAN UP PROCESS WILL BEGIN, AND WE WILL POST THE PHOTOS AND MORE INFORMATION AS IT PROGRESSES. PLEASE BE PATIENT- THE CAR WAS ONLY REMOVED FROM THE BARN ONE DAY AGO! THESE FIRST PHOTOS ARE FOR THE PURISTS THAT WANT TO SEE A BARN FIND AT THE EXACT MINUTE IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE BARN! IN ADDITION TO THE VEHICLE, THE ORIGINAL BUILD SHEET, PARTIAL INVOICE FROM SAN JUAN MOTORS, PERIOD PHOTOS, AND MAGAZINE ARTICLES ARE ALSO WITH THE CAR! THIS IS AN UNBELIEVABLE BARN FIND, THE RAREST CHRYSLER 300 EVER BUILT. NUMBER ONE. A 1955 331 HEMI FROM A NEW YORKER (#NE55-11684) WAS INSTALLED IN THE CAR BEFORE MCCLOUD PURCHASED IT. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS UPGRADED TO 300 HP SPECS WITH THE ADDITION OF DUAL FOUR BARRELS AND INTAKE, HEADS, AND CAM. ALSO, ANOTHER CHRYSLER 300 ENGINE (3NE55 PREFIX) IS WITH THE CAR. THE CAR IS JUST AS IT WAS WHEN PUT AWAY OVER THREE DECADES AGO. NEEDS TOTAL RESTORATION.
PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK. THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW KNOWN ARCHIVAL PHOTOS OF 1001 WHEN IT WAS STILL ON THE ROAD, AND THE LAST KNOWN PHOTO BEFORE MR. MCCLOUD PUT THE CAR IN STORAGE. BELIEVED TO BE FROM 1984.
http://s514.photobucket.com/user/redeuce/media/1955 300 LAST PIC/55A2.png.html
CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VIEW MR. MCCLOUD AND THE CAR FEATURED IN THE CHRYSLER 300 CLUB NEWS, FALL,1980. PHOTO WAS TAKEN AT THE FALL MEET IN GATLINBURG, TN:
http://s514.photobucket.com/user/redeuce/library/1955 300 CLUB MAG
THIS IS THE CAR DELIVERED TO BREWSTER SHAW’S SAN JUAN MOTORS GARAGE PRIOR TO NASCAR DAYTONA SPEED WEEK IN 1955. THIS IS ALSO THE CHRYSLER, PILOTED BY BREWSTER SHAW HIMSELF, THAT FINISHED SECOND ONLY TO WARREN KOECHLING, IN THE DAYTONA FLYING MILE RUN. KOECHLING WAS DRIVING THE 300 WITH VIN NUMBER 3N551002, FROM THE MEGA DOLLAR CARL KIEKHAEFER CHRYSLER TEAM. ALTHOUGH THE WHEREABOUTS OF 1002 IS WELL KNOWN AND THE CAR HAS BEEN RESTORED, 1001 HAS BEEN OUT OF CIRCULATION UNTIL NOW. THIS CAR IS CURRENTLY UNRESTORED. THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME FOR THE CHRYSLER COLLECTOR. NOT ONLY IS THIS THE FIRST CHRYSLER C300 SCHEDULED FOR PRODUCTION ON THE ASSEMBLY LINE, THERE IS A RECORD SETTING RACE HISTORY BEHIND IT. ONLY 1,725 CHRYSLER C300’S WERE MANUFACTURED IN 1955. EXPERTS ESTIMATE THAT LESS THAN 10% OF THESE STILL EXIST TODAY. THIS IS NUMBER ONE.
CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR ANOTHER MAGAZINE ARTICLE ON THE CAR. THIS WAS ALSO TAKEN SHORTLY BEFORE THE CAR WAS PARKED:
http://s514.photobucket.com/user/redeuce/media/1955 300 MAG 2/1955A.jpg.html
CLINK ON THIS LINK FOR DOCUMENTATION. THERE ARE THREE PHOTOS. ONE IS THE ORIGINAL COPY OF THE MICRO FILM OBTAINED FROM CHRYSLER HISTORICAL. ONE IS AN ENHANCED COPY, WITH INFORMATION FILLED IN FOR CLARITY. THE LAST IS A PARTIAL DEALER INVOICE, FROM SAN JUAN MOTORS, MADE OUT TO ORIGINAL OWNER JAMES GILLEY, OF WELCH, W.V.:
http://s514.photobucket.com/user/redeuce/library/1955 300 DOCS
CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR SOME MORE PERIOD PHOTOS OF THE CAR:
http://s514.photobucket.com/user/redeuce/media/1955 OLD PHOTOS/1955M.jpg.html
1955 marked the beginning of a new era for auto manufacturers. The Korean War had ended. The U.S. economy was back on track. All major automakers had transitioned back from war production and were anxious to get back to full time auto production. 1955 was the year that they would bring out their totally redesigned vehicles. Some of the styles hadn't been totally redone since World War II.
In February, 1955 Chrysler released the first mass-produced, high-performance supercar to the motoring public. The brainchild of Chrysler-Imperial Division Chief Engineer Bob Rodger, the C300 was also the first American production automobile to generate 300 hp from a V8 engine. Rodger’s dream, combined with designer Virgil Exner’s visionary creativity, produced a vehicle recognized by many enthusiasts as the first American muscle car.
The car's "Forward Look" styling can be attributed to designer Virgil Exner. The front clip, was borrowed from the Imperial of the same year. The midsection was from a New Yorker, with a Windsor rear quarter. Exner wanted to create the image of a sleek performance car. Therefore, he removed many exterior elements such as back-up lights, hood ornament, side trim, and exterior mirrors. Power was provided by MOPAR's top engine, a 331 Cu. In. Hemi V8 with two four barrel carbs, a full-race cam, solid lifters, special manifolds, fat dual exhausts, and 300 HP. The Hemi engine derived its name from its hemispherical combustion chambers. These chambers required a pair of rocker arm shafts on each cylinder head, with the spark plugs fitting between the valves. The Hemi was backed by a special performance Power Flite automatic. Firm, heavy duty suspension was installed, giving the car superior handling compared to those of the competitors. The 300 was offered in only three colors- Black, Tango Red, and Platinum. Completing the package was a luxurious tan leather interior.
The true fact is, this car was manufactured for NASCAR and other racing circuits, but marketed as a luxury performance car to the retail market. The 300 was wildly successful on the racing venues. At the retail level, however, there were a few glitches. Some regular Chrysler customers did not fully comprehend the personality of the car. They were expecting the usual soft, floating luxury ride. The aggressive horsepower, performance exhaust, heavy duty suspension, and even a lope from the solid lifter cam at idle on the new 300 took some by surprise. Some even traded their 300’s in for other models.
CHRYSLER C300 IN RACING:
The success of the 300 in racing is undeniable. In fact, many racing experts have deemed the 1955-1956 Chrysler 300’s as the most dominant car model in racing history. Remember, in that era, stock car racing was exactly that. These cars were factory stock models with some safety components added, and only slight modifications allowed.
Brewster Shaw, owner of San Juan Motors, the Daytona Beach Chrysler dealership, was a fixture at the Daytona Speed Week events. Shaw took delivery of the Platinum colored 1001, as well as other C300’s, before Speed Week started. When delivered, no one paid much attention to the VIN number, and few realized it was the first C300. Shaw himself piloted his cars in various speed week events, but not in the Grand National (As the series was called at the time) race. Shaw held the existing record for the two way Flying Mile, set in 1954, at 117.065 MPH. The day of the Flying Mile event was filled with excitement and anticipation. Mercury Outboard magnate Carl Kiekhaefer had entered number 1002, the second C300 off the assembly line, driven by Eastern Airlines pilot Warren Koechling. Shaw made his run, and set a new record at a blistering 126.542 MPH average. This shattered his own record for the previous year by nearly 9.5 MPH. Chrysler 300 number 1001 had shocked the spectators. The record was not to stand, however, as Koechling’s run edged out Shaw by 1.038 MPH at 127.580 MPH. Car 1002 and 1001 finish first and second in the event. Chrysler dominated the Speed Week events, and finished first and second in the 160 mile Grand National beach race.
LEE PETTY:
Any discussion of Brewster Shaw and San Juan Motors must include a short paragraph on Lee Petty. In 1954, Petty not only won the Daytona Grand National race in a San Juan Motors sponsored Chrysler, but also the 1954 Grand National Championship. This was Chrysler’s first championship, breaking the hold of Oldsmobile and Hudson. In 1955, Petty again competed in the race behind the wheel of a San Juan Motors sponsored Chrysler 300. He finished second, behind Tim Flock in a Kiekhaefer sponsored Chrysler 300. Petty finished third in the NASCAR standings that year. It is unclear whether the Chrysler Petty drove at the Daytona race was actually number 1001, another car from San Juan Motors, or a Petty built car.
What is known, however, is that 1001 is indelibly etched in the record books for the other Speed Week events.
DOMINANCE OF THE CHRYSLER 300:
The 1955 300 was virtually unbeatable in competition that year, winning its first NASCAR Grand National race. It took the checkered flag at 37 NASCAR and AAA ( Later known as USAC) races of more than 100 miles.
Much of this credit also goes to Carl Kiekhaefer, the Mercury Outboard magnate. Kiekhaefer appeared virtually overnight with a powerful Chrysler 300. He brought the car to Daytona without a driver, but quickly approached Tim Flock. A deal was struck, and Flock won the 1955 Daytona race in his first start with Kiekhaefer. During the 1955 NASCAR championship season, Flock won 18 races and Kiekhaefer Chryslers won 22 of the 39. Kiekhaefer assembled what is commonly recognized as the most successful race team ever, including Tim and Fonty Flock, Frank Mundy, and Buck Baker. Their record is unparalleled. In 1955, Tim Flock won the NASCAR Grand National Championship, Frank Mundy won the AAA championship, and in 1956 Kiekhaefer Chryslers also won the NASCAR Championship and AAA Championship. In 1955 and 1956, Kiekhaefer Chryslers won 51 of 101 races entered, and 11 more with Dodges. After the 1956 season, Kiekhaefer abruptly disbanded his race team. Tim Flock’s departure and disagreements with other team owners were noted as contributing factors.
The original C300 was a performance icon of its era, showcasing the abilities of the early Hemi engines on the hard-packed sands of Daytona Beach. Production ended June 24, 1955 with serial number 3N552725.
CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR A FILE OF ADDITIONAL PHOTOS INCLUDING MANY JUST HOURS AFTER THE CAR WAS REMOVED FROM THE BARN:
http://s514.photobucket.com/user/redeuce/library/1955 PHOTOS 2
After Chrysler 1001 had completed the Daytona events, it was made available for sale. James Gilley, of Welch, WV., traveled to Daytona to purchase the car from San Juan Motors. Mr. Gilley kept the car until February, 1969, when it was sold to F.E. Hearne, of West Virginia. In the early ’70’s Steve McCloud bought the vehicle. Since then, it has never been offered for sale, and the car is now in the possession of McCloud’s immediate family. Mr. McCloud at the time was an active member of the Chrysler 300 Club, although in later years he ended his membership. Mr. McCloud drove the Chrysler, attended many Chrysler events, and displayed the vehicle at many shows.
Some time around 1984, he parked the car in a barn, and that is the last time 1001 was in the public view.
As stated, the car needs total restoration. However, Mr. McCloud was an experienced collector. He knew how to store cars. Blocks were placed under the frame, so the bottom of the car hasn't been buried in mud for years, rotting away. It has been elevated, dry, with air circulating underneath.
The frame is solid. There is long term oxidation from storage that could easily be bead blasted off. The trunk floor needs replacement. Front driver’s pan could use one patch. All components are on the car, it has not been cannibalized.
The body is basically solid and in good shape. The bottoms of the front fenders and bottoms of rear quarter panels need some work. Passenger rocker needs replacement. Driver’s can be repaired.
The interior is in good shape for the age and circumstances. Everything is there. Dash, speedo, controls, etc. in good shape. Glass is all good. Pot metal trim is solid and good shape. Needs buffing or polishing.
A 1955 Chrysler New Yorker 331 Hemi was in the car when Steve bought it, still in the car. Has been switched over to dual quads and upgraded to 300HP specs. Serial # NE55-11684. There is also a 1955 Chrysler 300, 331 Hemi, 300 HP, that goes with it. 3NE55 code, but can’t make out the serial number yet. Condition of spare engine unknown. Powerflite automatic.
