Oregon couple and their Chrysler 300 celebrate long marriage

John and Arlys Chesnutt are Chrysler fans. John and Arlys are shown here with their 1957 Chrysler 300C. John bought the car from a friend on July 19, 1958 for $3,000 and took Arlys on their first date in September. In a photograph from that date, Arlys is sitting on the car’s front bumper while it was parked at a scenic overlook in Sunset Park near Mt. Rainier.

On July 25, 1959, John, Arlys and the Chrysler were married. They’ve been together ever since. They went on their honeymoon in the Chrysler and it brought their children home from the hospital. John still drives it today.

The Chesnutts are real fans of the Chrysler and Imperial. They have a two 1965 Imperial Crown Coupes, one in Persian White, the other in Spanish Red Poly with a black vinyl top, and a Bahama Blue 1970 Imperial LeBaron two-door hardtop with a white vinyl top

John and Arlys are members of the WPC Club and two Chrysler 300 Clubs. Pictures of their Imperials have been published in the WPC Club annual Photo Contest. The 1970 Imperial appeared in the April 2006 issue of Collectible Automobile magazine.

Photo by Jamie Francis for The Oregonian. Copyright 2009 by The Oregonian.

 Like on Facebook