In 1951, the Chrysler corporation took a bold step forward by introducing the now famous Hemi head engine. Thus began the horsepower race, causing the conception of a special car.

In 1955, Chrysler took an even bolder step by introducing the Chrysler 300, a limited production factory hot rod. This series of great automobiles was to last for 11 years. Today they are considered a landmark in the history of the auto industry. They are admired and sought by many around the world.

In 1970, a dream was realized - a club dedicated to preserving the Chrysler 300 Letter Series automobiles was formed. I served as Secretary/Treasurer of this club for about eight years; first unofficially, then officially. I have often been asked this question: "How did this club get started?"

For me, it all started with a '58 300D 2 door hardtop purchased in 1960 by my father, the late Robert Dupin, Jr. This car had the heritage of having been owned by Susan Hayward, the actress, but that's not why he bought it. Having been a Chrysler enthusiast for as long as there had been Chryslers, he felt this to be The Ultimate Chrysler to own. I shared his dream too, but it was a long time until I could own my part of it.

For years we believed we were the only ones with an interest in 300s. One day something happened that was to change history in a small way. It started as most days do. It was early spring in 1968. I was working for a car dealer in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. I was working on the company's books when I was told someone wanted to see me. "Send 'em back" I said. In walked this man who said his name was Duane DeButts. He and a few of his friends were in town looking for 300s. They had spotted my father's 300 sitting in a parking lot. Pictures were taken; they checked it out with great admiration, for it was in very good condition. Asking the lot attendant who owned the car, they learned the owner was unavailable. He told them to contact me as I worked nearby and should be able to talk with them.

Duane and I talked for a while and I told him I also owned a 300D. We went out to see my car and I met the rest of his group. They were Gil Cunningham, Terry McTaggart, and Pat Teague. They had come here from Michigan in Pat's 300F. We talked about 300s some more while they looked at my car. I got the rest of the day off and we headed for my house. Gil rode with me while the others followed in Pat's F.

At my house we sat in the living room talking of 300s I knew of in the area; the best places to look for them, etc. While we were talking, my mother came home from the grocery in her 300C. The fact that there were several 300s in one family blew their minds.

The talk of 300s continued long after midnight, when my father got home, and throughout the weekend. The group from Michigan spent what remained of the night in a nearby motel, as we didn't have room for them all. We spent the weekend checking out other 300s in the area. They also looked through my father's collection of Chrysler pictures, books, and magazines while 300 talk continued.

To our knowledge, there had never been this many 300s gathered together in one place. On Sunday, we couldn't resist lining them up in the front yard and taking some pictures. Our neighbors had always felt the Dupins were a little strange and a bit crazy - now they had proof. As people happened to pass by they gawked at all the cars and at the fellows taking pictures of them.

As our friends departed we agreed to keep in contact, and to let each other know what we had found in the way of Chrysler 300 cars and parts. Keep in contact we did, and as we found other 300 enthusiasts we added them to our list of names and addresses. One of these people figured very heavily in the Club's history. Jim Bartuska was the first to join our group and become one of the original six.

I had access to a Xerox copier and decided that it was only proper to let our group of 300 enthusiasts know of anyone else we came across. I began making copies of the list for each person on it. As time passed, the list grew to the point where it was 6 pages long, with more than 30 names on it. Since I was using the machine, at no cost to me, I began getting dirty looks from the owner/renter of it; it was costing him money for paper and such. So we - the Original Six - decided to meet and discuss the idea of forming a club. Gil, Duane, Jim, my father and myself met at my house. Terry was in Pennsylvania by this time and unable to attend, but he sent his best and was with us in spirit.

We discussed the idea of forming a club from a lot of angles. We decided to meet at Gil's house in May to find out if there was enough interest generated to form a club. We ran an ad in Hemmings Motor News to reach any other 300 enthusiasts around. We also sent flyers to those on our list, announcing the Holly, Michigan meet.

My father and I headed to Gil's Friday before the date of the meet. We got up Saturday morning to find about six 300s already in front of Gil's, and more coming up all the time. In all, seventeen cars made it. We heard from a lot of others that couldn't come. All things considered, we got off to a good start.

We had grown from a group of six men sitting around a table discussing 300s to a club of over thirty people. All this because four guys from Michigan went looking for 300s and found a white 300D sitting in a parking lot in Kentucky.