Walter P. Chrysler Museum Legacy Gala

Here's your private, on the scene report from the Walter P. Chrysler Museum "Legacy Gala" celebration last night (Sat., 7/24/10). I hope you saw the nice article here in the Oakland Press. They did a nice job describing the museum and the fine comments both Richard Petty and Jay Leno had for the museum, Chrysler, the American auto industry, and Detroit. And I've got the REAL stories here for you.

First, though you could say Leno and Petty were the media darlings but there were two other honorees: Lee Iacocca and Virgil Exner Jr.; two guys who actually BUILT cars in their own way.

The talented stylist and designer, creator of the "Forward Look" (think "tail fins", long, & low) Virgil Exner, Sr. sadly passed away in the 1970's so his son accepted his award. And he did so most graciously. Mr. Exner gave us a glimpse of his dad as a gifted stylist, mechanical engineer, builder and tinker with cars, and an amateur racer. Also, he noted the high regard his dad had for the fellow stylists, engineers, and technicians he had worked with through the years at Studebaker, GM, and Chrysler.

Now all four honorees got great applause and welcomes from the crowd of some 500 auto enthusiasts, industry insiders, and dignitaries but without doubt the loudest and longest standing ovation was for Lee Iacocca. Mr. Iacocca is starting to get up there in calendar years but his mind and spirit is the same sharply pointed flash of light that it always was. Still the straight talk; right to the point; crisp and clear; and totally positive. And with his infinite credibility from saving Chrysler once and on to great prosperity he predicted that this "rough spot" would be survived and Chrysler would come roaring back. Thank you Lee Iacocca! From a guy who used to work for you and everybody else that has benefited from your leadership.

And Jay Leno provided a welcome and totally unexpected benefit for the museum. As you can guess the whole event was designed to coax lots of dollars of support from what was generally a fairly well off audience. One part of the program was to auction off two special items; one item was "a day with Richard Petty" (that you can accurately call that "sweeeeeet"!) and the other was a personal tour of Leno's "Big Dog Garage". Apparently Mr. Leno heard the bidding from his location off stage and didn't like what he heard. In typical Leno bluster he trotted up on stage, took the mic from the auctioneer and expressed his desire to really, really raise some big bucks for the W. P. Chrysler Museum! He asked for a show of hands from the audience (500 well-heeled folks) of who would 'give the museum a contribution of $500 for a personal tour of his "Garage"? Of course, this is Jay Leno the comedian, right? So me and about 1/2 the audience raised their hands wondering if this was a joke. Jay must have been impressed. So he continued to explain that this was a one-time offer to us folks who had already purchased a fairly pricey ticket and the donation would be needed that night only!
At this point, you could see most all the audience kind of squirming in their seats because it was apparently time to "put up or shut up". Another show of hands and Jay says 'okay, that looks like at least 30 people (actually it was about 60 or 70) and that would bring in at least $30,000. Bidding is over, the deal is on, sign up at the front desk! ! !' And that's how it was; a bit impulsive but a creative and generous act by Jay Leno. I say those free shows he did at the Palace were NO publicity stunt, this guy is FOR REAL.

Everything about the Gala made it a great show.
And the Walter P. Chrysler Museum is a great place. If you haven't been there, GET MOVIN'
bob