In the Spring of 1988, we opted to caravan with the Riehls to Don Rook’s meet in Mena, Arkansas. At that time, our K convert was torn down into its individual components for restoration at RM Car Restorations so we opted to take our Daytona Turbo Z. That meant that there would be two black with red interior cars on the 750 mile trip to Mena. Out on the interstate our travels soon took on a pattern. I would be driving a steady 77 to 78 MPH average speed. The Riehl’s black 300J would fade until it was a mere dot in the rearview mirror. Just about the time I was thinking I should slow down to make sure George and Eleanor were all right, there would come a mighty roar and a black streak would flash by that would make me think the Turbo Z was tied to a post! If they passed me on the inside, I would look over and George would be wearing an ear-to-ear grin. If they passed me on the outside, I could see Eleanor with a stoic, less than impressed look on her face. I know George was having twice the fun but I was getting twice the gas milage.

On the second day, we arrived safely in Mena and after checking in at the motel, we headed east out of Mena to that well known landmark of Ink, Arkansas. Ink consisted of two dilapidated buildings and a sign, Never the less, here was where we turned onto some back roads to get to the Rook Ranch. At that time, Don and Cathy’s property consisted of a lot of land and a number of open-faced garages for Don’s vast collection of cars. One of the buildings housed Cathy’s kitchen where she industriously made jams and other preserves for sale. Don told us that if he could hear a vehicle, it was on his property. Besides their garages there was the starting of a 5,000 square foot house that was to be their permanent home. At that time Don, Cathy and Tammy were living in a tiny log cabin.

This was my second meet and we continued to increase our 300 Club Family. Ken and Shirley Quick was there with their beautiful black 300L coupe. They became dear friends. Dave and Carolyn Schwandt were there with their Polar Blue 300F coupe. Dave was a very hands-on guy and he had rescued this significant car from a wrecker. I always remember Ken and Ann Mack sitting on the curb at the motel drinking beer. Ken had restored their black 300C convertible. It wouldn’t be the last time. A garage fire led to a second rebirth of this car. Jim and Patty Golden were there with their white 300D coupe that Jim called Twin Fin. Jim had some excellent pictures of him and a gang of neighbors hoisting the 300D body back onto the chassis in his driveway.

You can go to the club web-site and read Don’s detailed account of his meet. Among the pictures you will see one of Tom Turner’s black 300E coupe with the left rear wheel off. Now here is proof that the very best place to break down with your 300 is at a National Meet. The wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm on hand is unmatched. In Tom’s case, the E was coming out of storage and Tom had taken it to a shop near his home for a complete mechanical check over before traveling from Alabama. Tom always demanded perfection for his cars. The left rear wheel cylinder had a build up of rust that caused the brakes on that wheel to lock up. The picture shows several guys tackling the problem, but the hero of the day isn’t in the picture. None of the local parts stores had a new wheel cylinder. No problem. Rene Kroeger yelled for his wife, Donene, to “get the Dentu-cream”. Who knew there was abrasives in Dentu-cream. Rene and his finger honed all of the surface rust off the bore in that wheel cylinder. Good to go and that’s how they got it done in Iowa. Bravo!