Owner of rare muscle car prepares for Gaslight parade and car show

Ron Berkheimer has owned his 1956 Chrysler 300B for almost 40 years.

By Emily Blackwood
| 10:04 a.m. November 21, 2016

The 1956 Chrysler 300B was one of the earliest muscle cars, according to a spokesperson from the Volusia Region Antique Automobile Club of America (Photos by Emily Blackwood).

Ron Berkheimer has owned his 1956 Chrysler 300B for almost 40 years.

Ormond Beach Observer
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Nearly 40 years ago, Ron Berkheimer was feeling down.

He was going through a divorce and went to a big antique car show to take his mind off of everything. That's when he first laid eyes on this rare, 1956 Chrysler 300B.

"I needed a therapy product," he smiled. "Something to make me feel good."

And for the next 40 years, the car did just that.

According to Berkheimer, only a little over 1,000 of cars were made and the value in his, which he's kept in good condition, has only increased over time. Especially because this particular model only has 39,000 miles on it.

"I'm 99% sure it's the lowest mileage and the most original 300B in the world," he said. "I think there are only 125 still in existence."

Berkheimer is currently getting the car ready in hopes of participating in the upcoming 59th-annual Gaslight Parade and Birthplace of Speed Antique Car Show in Ormond Beach. Held on East Granada Boulevard Nov. 25, the parade begins at 7 p.m. at The Casements and travels down to A1A. The car show opens at 10 a.m. Nov. 26 at Fortunato Park and features cars from the 1920s to the 1960s.