1961 Chrysler 300G 2/door Sport Hard Top "National Award Winner/Spectacular"

Description for Chrysler 300 Series 1961

Out of 1280 Hardtops made, nly 445 known to exist & this is 1 of the very Best!
Exterior Color: Mardi Gras Red (Factory Code PP1.....71203)
Interior: Tan Leather (Gary Goers Legendary Craftsmanship)
Engine: Original 413 CID V-8 with Ram Induction/Dual Carter 4bbl Carburetors (professionally Rebuilt)
Horsepower: Factory rated at a very conservative 375 Horsepower
Torque: 495 Ft. Lbs @ 2800 rpms.
Rear Axle: 3:23 sure grip
Transmission: Three Speed Automatic Push Button Torqueflite (Professionally Rebuilt)
Mileage: Exempt(Less than 5,000 since restoration)
PAPERWORK: Included are from the Chrysler FCA Historical Services a letter documenting the authenticity of this car anda copy of the factory Build Record Certificate.Also lots of paperwork about the 1961 Chrysler 300G Letter cars from Chrysler FCA Historical Services and News Letter from the Chrysler 300 Letter Club International.
Also a Hemmings Classic Car Magazine featuring the 1961 Chrysler 300G Sport Coupe, n ad from 1961/ on the 300Gshowing the 300G "flying" along the Beach in Daytona, lorida where it set the flying mile record in the Fall of 1960 and an ORIGINAL Chrysler 300G Service Bulletin from October 1, 960 on the 1961 300G
Serial Number: 8413160191
This car has its ORIGINAL VIN Plate and it's ORIGINAL DATAorTRIM PLATE. If you e-mail us direct atluvdg@aol.comafter you speak with myself at(954) 873-6495we will be happy to send you photos of each one.
Decoding the serial number.
Serial Numbers Started at 8413100001
VIN DescriptionTotal Digits: 10
Digits 1: Make-8= Chrysler
Digits 2: Series & Body style-4= 300G Sport 2 Door Hard Top
Digits 3: Model year-1= 1961
Digits 4: Assembly plant-3= Jefferson Plant, etroit, ichigan
Digits 5-10: Production number- 160191
Plate on front door hinge post. (See Photo Of Vin Plate)
TRIM PLATE also referred to as DATA Plate
REGION #73= San FranciscoDealer Code #: 09291= Reno, VBerrmann & Wilson, nc.
Body Type: 842= 2 Door HardtopColor: WW1= Alaskan WhiteTrim: 883= Beige Leather
A/C: 1= Air Conditioning & includes HeaterRadio: 8= Golden Touch Tuner incl. Rear Seat SpeakerTinted Glass: 1= All WindowsTires: 96= Bluestreak Nylon WSW 8.00 X 15 (5)Axle Ratio: 2= 3.23Power Equipment: 3= SeatDefogger: 9 = Rear WindowDifferential: 9 = Sure GripVent System: 7 = Closed CrankcaseInstrument Panel: 1 = Safety Padded
Shipped Date: February 24th, 961
MSRP of 1961 300G 2/Door Sport Hard Top: $5413.00MSRP of Convertible: $5843.00
Optional Equipment Offered in 1961 for 300G
383 = Remote Control LH outside Mirror = $18
293 = Power Front Seats = $101.90
422 = Golden Tone Radio = $99.80
427 = Golden Tone Radio with Rear Speaker = $117.10
423 = Golden Touch Tune Radio = $124.10
428 = Golden Touch Tune Radio with rear Speaker = $141.40
429 = Rear Shelf Radio Speaker = $17.30
441 = Solex Tinted Glass (all windows) = $43.10
306 = Acc Grp. Golden Touch Tune Radio W/rear Speaker / Heater/ Rear window Defogger/ Power Antenna & Grp A= $302.55
301 = Acc Grp A .. Door edge Protectors, ear license plate frame & Vanity Mirror = $10.50311 = Air Conditioning, nit W/Heater = $510.40
313 = Air Conditioning. Ordered with Accessory Grp # 306 = $408.50
324 = Power Operated Radio Antenna = $25.90
617 = Permanent Antifreeze = $5.90
387 = Crankcase Vent System ( required on CALI Cars ) = $5.20
339 = Rear Window Defogger (HT only) = $20.85
298 = Vacuum Door Locks = $36.60
379 = Sure Grip Differential = $51.70
315 = Custom Conditionaire Heater = $101.90
Paint Codes.............. Ditzler Combination
BB-1 = Formal Black .................. 9000
PP-1 = Mardi Gras Red ...................... 71203
RR-1 = Cinnamon ....................... 71140
WW-1 = Alaskan White ..................... 8218
Summary Of This Car
MSRP of 1961 300G 2/Door Sport Hard Top: $5413.00
293 = Power Front Seats = $101.90311 = Air Conditioning, nit W/Heater = $510.40428 = Golden Touch Tune Radio with rear Speaker = $141.40306 = Acc Grp. Golden Touch Tune Radio W/rear Speaker / Heater/ RearwindowDefogger/ Power Antenna & Grp A= $302.55379 = Sure Grip Differential = $51.70383 = Remote Control LH outside Mirror = $18441 = Solex Tinted Glass (all windows) = $43.10617 = Permanent Antifreeze = $5.90
Total: $6587.95Additional Costs were Shipping and any dealer Prep, ndercoating, ales Taxes, tc.
The "out the door" price on this magnificent 300G wasright at $7000. The ONLY American made cars that could have possibly been afew hundred dollars more if you ordered every single option could have been a Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible or Lincoln Continental 4 door convertible.
We have beensellingthe best of the best in Vintage & antique classic cars on Ebay since March of 2000.
We have 912 Positive Feedbacks, ll most all are for Vintage cars.
In actuality, e have sold over 3000 vintage cars since 2000! However, nly 1 out of 3 buyers wants to use the Ebay process.
Click here to see the cars we have sold this year :click hereWeunderstand that many collectors who are buying a car like this are doing so for investment purposes and do not want anyone else to know their final price of acquisition.
Whatever your choice, e will respect your decision. We never disclose to anyone what the final purchase price is of any of the "GARAGEMEMORIES" we sell.We have sold more than $125 Million dollars of Vintage cars thru Ebaymotors.com.
We know that many sellers of vintage cars only want to make the car look good! We think it to be of equal importance to make the car run good and perform as they did when new.
So here is what we already have done....followed by a list of the things that will be done before this car is shipped or picked up by the lucky winner bidder.
We drained all the fuel from this car and added new fresh 93 Octane.
We removed the ORIGINAL Carter AFBcarburetors and had each professionally rebuilt.
We had afreshset of spark plugs installed and a new set of points and acondenser.
The radiator was drained and flushed and new anti-freeze installed. The Oil & Filter were changedand the chassis lubricated.
We completely rebuilt the brakes on this car. We had all the brake drums turned, ad all the brake cylinders rebuilt and had all new correct brake shoes installed on the car.
I drove this car and it goes like Gangbusters! As we use to say back in the late 50's and early 60'S this car HAULS A**!
With the new brakes you can stop it aswell...but keep in mind this is a 4250 car Dry (4600 lbs wet) and was and is capable of 140MPH...so PLEASE drive careful & thoughtful careful when you unleash this beast!These cars were made to GO FAST....NOT TO STOP FAST!
One of the windows did not work. We pulled the motor, ad it rebuilt and also replace the drive gear. While working on the windows, happen to find some incredible NEW IN THE ORIGINAL PARTS BOX some incredible 1961 Chrysler parts so we bought them all.
Installed in this car are a Brand new 1961 Chrysler 300G Fuse Block, brand new 1961 Chrysler 300G Power Supply for the Electroluminescent Dash, brand new 1961 Chrysler 300G 4/button power window switch and a new 1961 Chrysler 300G Rear power window 2/button switch.
These few parts were OVER $1000.
The labor was another thing ---many, any $1000,s of dollars!
Being done at this time.
While on the Internet I found a terrific company (husband & Wife) in Canada who hand manufacturers the complete, olor correct and colorcode wiringharness as well as the Air-conditioning wiringharness and the rear tail light, rake light and turn signal wiringharness.
You can see a photo of these in one of the trunk photo and everything is being professionally installed at this time.EXPENSIVE but worth it....Fantastic workmanshipand attention to detail!
We will make sure everything works in this car when we ship it to the new owner.If anything doesn't work, e will let you know in advance....nobody likes surprises.
Speaking of owners, n the auction is a photo from 1962 of theoriginal female owner with her beautiful Daughter taking her Mom for a ride...not the 1962 Ford Thunderbird seen behind the 300G. Pretty cool stuff!!!
Finally...The Steering Wheel.
It is the original one that came with the car in 1961. We are having it complete remolded and finished AS NEW. This is a VERY, ERY expensive process...more than $1500! This car deserves the best!
To discuss the lowest acceptable price, leasecallus at954-873-6495and we will be happy to discuss that with you.(we will not respond via e-mail for this information)
I WOULD LIKE TO DEDICATE THIS AUCTION TO THE MEMORY OF SEVERAL OF MY CAR PALS WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY AND I KNOW ARE DRIVING AROUND IN THEIR FAVORITE RIDE IN "CAR HEAVEN"
JUST TO NAME A FEW.... EARL "MADMAN" MUNTZ, ARRY ISSACSON, ARRY FISHER, ERRY J. MOORE, IMMY LEAKE, OM BARRETT,CARROLL SHELBY, OHN WILLMENT, IR MALCOLM CAMPBELL, IR DAVID BROWN, ALLY PARKS,NELLIE, USS, amp; BRIANJACKSON, ERBIE LIVINGSTON, EORGE BARRIS, ACK FRIDAY,JIM RATHMANN, AROLD & JACK WILCOX,FIREBALL ROBERTS,MICKEY THOMSON, ORA ARKUS & ELFIE DUNTOV,HARLEY EARL, ILL MITCHELL, ILL JENKINS, D WEAVER, OIS EMINGER, ARVEY CRANE JR., OB GITTLEMAN, ARRY SHINODAAND SMOKEY YUNICK.
The 300G represented Chrysler’s last and most dramatically styled letter cars. Retaining the flamboyant fins of its predecessor and extensive brightwork, he 300G was a sight as it came hurtling down the road. Without a doubt one of the more lavishly appointed cars when it came to the interior, hey were luxurious and exceptionally fast, imed to the moneyed motoring enthusiasts of the early 1960s. The Wedge head V8 offered ample performance and ride control was excellent. They offered dramatic new styling, ut at the same time, till remained clearly conceived and built on the foundations of 300C.
The 300G unquestionably represents one of the last great letter series cars. In the ensuing years the cars were shaped more by social concerns than by engineers and, s such, he 300G continues to be one of the most collectable cars of the 1960s. With its distinctive styling and driving manners, t will continue to appreciate in both value and enthusiasts’ esteem.
Photograph of the Chrysler factory Final Assembly line in 1959. "They don't make them like they use to"



Chrysler's domination of the Flying Mile at Daytona Beach
In 1961 on the hard packed sands of Daytona Beach,"THE FLYING MILE" was wonby a private owner in a Chrysler 300G 2 Door Hardtop, r. Gregg Ziegler. His car was equipped witha 3 Speed manual transmission and was a 413 CID V-8 with 2-4's (Ram-Induction) rated at 400hp.
His winning MPH was 143MPH, full 10mph faster than the Chevrolet Factory's 409 whichturned in a time of 133.1MPH.
Chevrolet also won 3rd, th and 5th but it is important to note that 3 other privately ownedChrysler 300G's were disqualified because a piece of aluminum windshield moldingweighing only a few ounces flew off their cars during their runs.
If not, hrysler would have won 1st, nd,3rd and 4th place. The owners and their 300G FLYING MILE times were as follows:
Mr. Fauble at 145.9 mph, hrysler 300GMr. Fisher at 144.1 mph, hrysler 300GMr. Koechling at 142.3 mph, hrysler 300G
I have always been slightly partial to GM, robably because my late Uncle was a winner of the Indy500 in 1960and opened a Chevrolet/Cadillac Dealership in 1961. I successfully raced and campaigned several Chevysat drag strips throughout the U.S. Jim Rathmann passed away in 2011 and at that time was the oldest living winner of the Indianapolis 500. Jim is greatly missed by all who knew him.
However, o be perfectly honest, t wasn't the couple of ounces of molding that were blown off atthe flying mile competition in 1961 at Daytona Beach...it was the DOORS OF ALL THE COMPETITIONthat tried to best the Chrysler 300G in a TOP END race.
Let me share briefly my 1st hand experience with a 1961 300G. This really has nothing to do with the auction and if your not interested in hearing abouta couple of kids racing their Father's 300G than please skip this story.
My Father's Brother had bought a new 1961 Chrysler 300G right off the showroom floor of a ChryslerDealership in Youngstown, hio. I really don't think he had a clue that his Son (my 1st cousin) had persuaded him to buy a car capable of almost 140mph with 375hp.
Within a couple of weeks Sam was able to get the use of his Dad's 300G and that Summer was one I'llnever forget. Youngstown was only 10 miles from the Pennsylvania Border and every Saturday nightwe would drive the 20 miles to New Castle, A on Route 422 and head to the Wonder Boy Drive-inrestaurant.
Sam would challenge every car at the Wonder Boy to a "Top End" race for $50 (a lot of $ in 1961)
He always managed to find at least 1 or 2 takersand we would head back out of New Castle on Route 422.
There was a nice 5 mile flat stretch of highwaythat ended just as you left Pennsylvania and crossed the border into Ohio. In 1961, he State Police could notcross from one State to another to give out speeding tickets so we knew we couldn't be pursued from Pennsylvania into Ohio.
We had that 5 mile stretch measured off intofive, ne mile increments with a "spotter" at each mile marker. We gave every challenger a 10 car lead...but not a rolling 10 car start...a standing 10 car lead.It didn't matter...we could have given them an 1/8th mile or 1/4 mile standing start lead.
Once that 300G shifted into high gear and was turning 4500-4800rpms, e passed every challenger so quickly that several guys told me that "I had to look at my tach to make sure my engine hadn't shut off"
Needless to say we were never really challenged and thankfully never "blew" the engine in the 300G.However, everal guys "lunched" their engines trying to catch the 300G.
After a mile of running as fast as we could, would back off and do the remaining 4 miles at 120mph which was like a "Sunday Afternoon Cruise" in the 300G. I knowSam & I EACHwon over $2000 in the Summer of 1961...money that enabled me to trade in my 1960 348/335Hp Chevrolet Impala for a 1962 Chevy Impala SS 409/409 at my Uncle's Chevy dealership in Melbourne, lorida. (Jim Rathmann Chevrolet/Cadillac)
These Chrysler 300G's were and still are spectacular looking works of mechanical art designed by Virgil Exner and engineering marvels from the genius engineers who worked at Chrysler in the 50's and 60's.
Now back to this 300G being offered onebaymotors.com
So how nice is this 300G? In one word.....SPECTACULAR!
The paint is gorgeous....with a deep gloss that looks like you could almost stick your hand inside the finish.
This car shows no signs of ever having been rusty or in need of body repair. The doors, ood andtrunk all fit and close fabulous.
The chrome, rim and pot metal are still show quality. I carefully looked at every piece and could not find any pitting or discoloration of the chrome or trim. It really is gorgeous!
You can kneel down and look along either side of this work of mechanical art and there are no waves or ripples in the body panels.
When restored in 1997 and 1998 the undercarriage was undercoated. There is no rust on the undercarriage, rame, loor pans and your encouraged and welcomed to either come in person or send your hired inspector. We are very proud to offer this car for purchase on Ebaymotors.com
Where is this car? It is located in a private residence in Jupiter, lorida in an air-conditioned garage that holds 15-16 cars.
You will need to send a photo ID in advance of coming to inspect this car and will have to show the same photo ID to be allowed to enter this security minded gated community in Jupiter, lorida.
A lift isavailable to view this car's undercarriage.We will be happy to take you for a test ride in this incredible piece of rare automotive mechanical art.
This car was originally Alaskan White and professionally andmeticulouslychanged to Mardi Gras Red when restored. You can not find any sign that this car was ever any color other than Mardi Gras Red!
The test of a really great restoration is not how the cars looks when 1st done...or how it looks just1 or 2 years later....but how the car stands the test of time 5, 0, 5 or even 20 years later.
The awards this car received were from 1997/1998-2000 which validates that the nut & bolt very expensive restoration was probablyfinished in1997.
This 300G is of the same quality of a 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible we sold recently for $125,000 that was restored in 1994. The 68 Shelby & this Chrysler 300G both looklike they were restored within the past year or two.Please check out our EBAY Store which can take you to our web sitefor Garage Memories.
The interior is fantastic and it is Gary Goers Leather. Gary iswithout a doubtthe finest ultimatefabricator of Chrysler 300 interiors in the world...no one even comes close. Gary fabricates 100's of partsfor MoPar Cars from the 50's & 60's and lives in Kalispiel, ontana.
We spent many $1000's of dollars on this car making all the power windows, ower seats, adio,power antenna, actory air-conditioning, orn, ights, ipers, tc. work as they should.
There were a couple of places on this car that evidently had acquired small chips in the paint and were touched up. We have a fantastic painter who matched the paint to perfection and we had the entire panels repainted and I would challenge anyone to look at this car and to try and detect where this work was done. Forty years of painting cars plus the use of a modern daycomputer that matches paint to perfection is a winning combination!
We are extremely fussy and are car lovers and collectors first and foremost. Before we even considerselling any car...it first has to be nice enough to take it's place among all of our other cars in our museum.
Only then do we offer it for sale!
Looking nice if a must...but so is they way it starts, dles, uns and drives. We made this car run anddrive just as it looks...FANTASTIC!
Here is a fabulous photo of another 300G car taken by Marc Rozman that can be seen at Allpar.Thisis NOT the car we are selling, ut it is the same color combination. Kudos to you Marc for taking such a fabulous photograph!!!
Options and standard features included remote control outside mirror, ay/night mirror (attached to the dash), ushbutton air conditioner (dual setup available on some cars, ut not convertibles), wivel seats, ure-Grip differential, ower locks and windows, lectric clock, ushbutton automatic, ushbutton windshield washer, owerbrakes, ushbutton radio (Golden Touch had a foot-operated station changer), ower antenna, ear speaker, nd cruise control, et by dial.
For those interested...here is the history of the Chrysler 300 letter cars as masterfully told by Tony Rinaldi.Thank you Tony for a very well written account of Chrysler 300 letter car history!
Chrysler 300 Letter Car HistoryNovember, 014by Tony RinaldiFirst Generation: 1955-1956Officially offered for sale on February 10, 955, he first Chrysler 300 was athleticlooking with 300 gross horsepower aboard, t was among the quickest cars of its time. It was able to achieve 60 mph in just 9.8 seconds, ccording to a test in Mechanix Illustrated by “Uncle Tom” McCahill. Uncle Tom also spurred the car up to a full 130mph. Tom McCahill and others in the contemporary automotive press, sed the term Beautiful Brutes” to describe Chrysler 300 series cars.Besides being the most powerful production car of its time, he first Chrysler 300 was also among the best handling, hanks to a heavy-duty suspension. It can very well be considered an ancestor of the later muscle cars, hough much more expensive, uxurious and exclusive.The most prominent display of the first 300’s attributes did not come in any showroom, ut on racetracks around the Southeast. Back in 1955, ASCAR stock cars were, n fact, tock production vehicles. Except for some crude safety equipment and numbers on the doors, hey were almost indistinguishable from the cars the public could buy. With absolutely no financial support from Chrysler, ercury Outboard founder Carl Kiekhaefer campaigned a fleet of white 300s during the 1955 NASCAR and AAA seasons with drivers like the Flock brothers (Tim, onty and Bob), orm Nelson, uck Baker, peedy Thompson and Frank Mundy to name a few.The Kiekhaefer 300s were spectacularly dominant and overwhelmed the factory-backed Chevrolets and Fords. Tim Flock took the driver’s championship while winning 18 races. He finished in the top five an astounding 32 times. His brother, onty, ook another three victories, hile Chrysler campaigner Lee Petty took home three trophies. Suddenly, he 300 had a glorious racing heritage in addition to its advertised Hundred Million Dollar Looks.Considering the short model year for that first 300, 725 were sold at an expensive $4,109 base price.C-300
(1955)This was the car to start the legacy. It had Virgil Exner’s distinctive styling and the 331hemi. The 1955 300 had a two door coupe body and clean, imple Chrysler Windsor side and rear quarter trim. Up front were two large Imperial “egg crate” grilles. This first of the letter series cars did not actually bear a letter. Chrysler’s original manuals named it the C-300, hich was an appropriate name for the car. The “C-” designation was applied to all Chrysler models, nd the 300 stood for the engine horsepower.It was THE first modern American production car to achieve this output. Power came from an updated source already available; the fabled “Hemi”331 cubic inch hemispherical head engine, odified with a “full race” cam, arger dual exhaust, nd topped off with 2 4-barrel carburetors. The suspension was made firmer, llowing it to handle far better than most cars. It was given a special performance PowerFlite transmission, hile the inside remained pure luxury.Notably, t was fast. The battle lines would be drawn, hen it did 127.58 mph in the flying mile at Daytona, nd averaged 92 mph in the Daytona Grand National stock car race. This car dominated the stock car circuit, arning the NASCAR and AAA championships its first year out.The car was only available in three exterior colors: Black, ango Red and Platinum, ombined with a luxurious tan leather interior.Production: 1,725 units300-B
(1956)From 1956 – through 1965, ach year’s model used a new letter of the alphabet as a suffix. It was no surprise that the 1956 300 was pretty much a carryover machine. Actually, he easiest way to tell the ‘56 300-B from the ’55 C-300 was Exner’s new bigger fins. Of course, t now wore the name “300-B.”Beyond that name modification and new taillights, he 300-B also featured the latest version of the Hemi V8, ow displacing 354 cubic inches and producing 340 hp. In addition, here was also an optional version featuring a 10.0:1 compression ratio that was rated at 355 hp, hereby achieving the long sought goal of one hp per cubic inch engine displacement. (One year before Chevrolet’s 283/283 of 1957!) Standard for the 355 hp hemi was a special three inch exhaust system.The 300-B transmission availability was a PowerFlite 2-speed automatic or a 3-speed manual. Later in the year, he 3-speed TorqueFlite would become available. Twin 4-barrel carburetors were still standard.In the racing arena, he increased output helped the 300-B to win the Daytona Flying Mile with a top speed of 139.373 mph, new record. Again the 300-B dominated the Grand National circuit to take its second Grand National Championship. The 300’s accomplishments, rom 1955 and 1956, ould give it legendary status in the car world.Success on the racetrack continued, ut sales softened a bit.Production: 1,102 unitsSecond Generation: 1957-1959Virgil Exner, hen Chrysler’s design chief, alled his new styling direction the “Forward Look.” Upswept tailfins adorned the car’s rear flanks. The car that best exemplified the new look was the 300-C. This car was glamorous. From its Ferrari-like grille to the bold rear fins, he 300-C exuded sex appeal in a way no domestic car had before it. The original 300-C is still considered by many to be among the most beautiful and desirable 300s of them all.More than just the sheet metal was new, s Chrysler put a whole new chassis under its cars for ‘57-’59, eaturing a torsion bar front suspension.300-C
(1957)The first two years of the 300 may have established the marque’s performance credentials, ut it was the 300-C that added to the 300 aura of greatness. The 300-C was also the first 300 available as a convertible. This car featured a massive cross based frame, o it handled as well as its stiffer bodied coupes. The 300-C received 6 red, hite and blue &rdquo300” badges of a totally new circular design. Brake cooling ducts (probably a first) were also standard.The hemi engine grew to a final size of 392 cubic inches and a standard output of 375 hp. The 300-C advertising boasted that it had America’s Most Powerful Production Engine. For even more performance, more radical cam, nd 10.0:1 compression, aised the output to 390 hp. These very limited production higher hp engines also had larger diameter exhaust pipes. The standard motor received the newly upgraded 3-speed TorqueFlight, n outstanding and responsive automatic transmission.Three-speed manual transmissions were included in and only available in the 18 special high performance chassis package 300-Cs that also included the 390 hp engine, pecial cam and exhaust. To go with the new higher performance 300-C Hemis, here was also a new torsion bar based front suspension. It featured angled upper and lower control arms to reduce dive under braking. There were twin leading shoe front brakes, ith 9.00 x 14 inch Goodyear Blue Streak Nylon race tires on wider rims.Fins were now the Industry wide rage, nd the 1957 300-Cs took fins to a new, et pure level. They started at the rear edge of the door opening, nd continued in one near straight simple line up to the top of each tail light tip.
The only chrome on the clean side styling was a simple spear-like trim on the rear quarters, hich included a proud 300-C in a simple chrome ring medallion. This red, hite, nd blue 300 medallion design was also featured on the grille, love box door, runk and steering wheel center. Virgil Exner continued the stunningly successful development of his “Forward Look” with fins and a bold grille that filled the front of the car . This would remain both the 300 and Exner’s trademarks for five 300 model years.The 300-C again won The Flying Mile at Daytona, aking it the fastest American car for the third straight year in Class 7. Along with excellent engineering and record setting performance, he 300-C had a high luxury level, ncluding standard leather seats, aking these the most desirable cars in Chrysler’s line up, nd a powerful “Halo” car drawing customers into Chrysler showrooms.Despite a sticker price higher than most US Luxury Cars, ales were strong.Production of 1,767 Coupes; 484 Convertibles300-D
(1958)Available, or the first time for Chrysler Corporation cars was electronic fuel injection, hich added another 10 horses to the base motor. This system, lthough ahead of its time, roved unreliable with the electronics then available. Most of the 21 300-Ds built with the system were recalled and retrofitted with the stock 2 4-barrel carburetors. The TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic was continued from 1957. The 2 known 300-Ds, ith manual transmissions, ere carburetor equipped.Styling was little changed for 1958. Why mess with a good thing?During Proving Grounds testing, hrysler found that Exner’s “Forward jutting” chrome ”eyebrow” header on top of the front windscreen cost 5 mph in top speed. So in a massive tooling change, he convertible’s compound curved type “bubble windshield” was adopted on all models to become 1958’s biggest body change.Other main changes included taillights that were shorter and did not reach the top of the fin; wheel covers with the 300 medallions; and redesigned leather interior patterns.Performance was still world class and best demonstrated when a modified 300-D was driven to a new Class E record of 156.387 at the Bonneville Salt Flats. However, roduction was down, nd the Hemi would disappear in the next model year.Production: 619 Coupes; 191 Convertibles300-E
(1959)The exterior was similar to the previous year, ith the most significant changes being the use of narrow red horizontal bars, ighlighted by 4 aluminum bars in place of the last year’s egg crate grill. The rear bumper and tail lights were updated considerably from the ’57/58’ styling. The side 300 emblems were moved from behind, o in front, f the rear tire. Inside the car, wivel front seats were standard, inished in perforated leather upholstery embossed in a basket weave pattern. This allowed the circulation of air in warm weather. The seats could swivel through a 60 degree angle to ease entry and exit from the car.
The 392 Hemi carried over from 1957, s did the majority of styling with upgrades to interior and ornamentation. The engine received another horsepower bump to 380. This was accomplished through 10.0:1 compression, ew camshaft, nd piston modifications.
The big news for the 300-E was the introduction of the new “Golden Lion” V8 that replaced the tried and true Hemi. This engine had a wedge-shaped combustion chamber, 13 ci displacement and was lighter and less expensive than the 392 it was replacing. The 2 4-barrel carbs remained, nd compression was slightly higher (10.1:1 vs. 10.0:1). Horsepower was unchanged, ut torque was up from 1958 with the new engine. The 3-speed TorqueFlite transmission was the only transmission offered. The tires remained the same 9.00 X 14 Goodyear Bluestreak Nylons as in the previous two years.
However, t was not all good news. With the loss of the hemi, ame the loss of sales as production reached a low that would not be seen again until 1963.Production: 550 Coupes; 140 ConvertiblesThird Generation: 1960-1962All the new 1960 Chryslers looked different from their predecessors. They truly were different as the corporation adopted uni-body construction techniques for all its full size cars except the Imperial line. So the 300-F would be the first 300 to lack a traditional ladder frame underneath it.The 300-F adopted an elegant styling adding even more beauty to the powerful 300 beasts. The tail fins were now canted out and ended in a point. Up front, here was a spectacular, et tastefully simple, rille with just two thin chrome bars intersecting at the grille’s center adorned with a red, hite and blue 300-F medallion.Matching the elegant exterior, he 300-F’s leather interior featured four individual bucket seats with a center console running the length of the cockpit between them. The “Astradome” instrumentation put a 150 mph speedometer and gauges under a large, lear plastic dome.300-F
(1960)The 413 ci wedge continued to take the place of the old hemi, ut it was improved for 1960. In standard trim, t was good for 375 hp, ut optional goodies could bring out 400 ponies from this motor. “Ram Induction” was used with a new, nd completely unique, Cross Ram” manifold placing 4-barrel carbs on opposing sides of the engine.
The design provided a “supercharging” effect in the heart of the rpm range. Low range performance was helped with the design, ut at some cost of performance in the higher ranges.To solve that problem, ngineers removed a section of the inner walls to create the 400 hp versions. Externally, he 30 inch “short rams” looked similar to the 30 inch “long rams”, ut the internal runners were in effect half the length. At least 8 of these “short ram” cars were built, ostly for Daytona or Flying Mile racecars that were dubbed “Gran Turismos.” Six of them captured the first 6 places at the Flying Mile event, ith speeds ranging from 140 mph-145 mph. Four of the 8 still exist and are among the most rare of the post war collectable cars.The “short ram” option also included the French made Pont-a-Mousson 4-speed manual transmission, hich was made for the Facel Vega, Chrysler powered French luxury car. The standard “long ram” 375 hp engines received the 3-speed automatic. The car was lightened with the use of uni-body construction, hich also helped performance.Production: 964 Coupes; 248 Convertibles300-G
(1961)Both engine variations were continued from 1960, ut the standard axle for ’61 was changed from 3.31:1 to 3.23:1 ratio giving the 300-G a higher top speed potential than the 300-F. The high output engine also received a heavy duty Chrysler 3-speed transmission replacing the more expensive 4-speed French unit. The standard engine was available with either the 3-speed automatic or the 3-speed manual transmission.Other performance enhancements included stiffer torsion bars, 0 inch leaf springs that were stiffer than standard, nd 8.00 x 15 inch Goodyear Blue Streak Nylon white sidewall tires.An alternator was standard, eplacing the generator of previous models.A GT 300-G won the Daytona Flying Mile and a stock 300-G won the One Mile Acceleration Run.Production: 1,280 Coupes; 337 Convertibles
This would be the last year for Virgil Exner’s fins. A major exterior redesign gave the 300-G a new, nverted grille shape and canted headlights. The taillights were moved down from the fins to just above the rear bumper. Numerous options, vailable in 1960, ere again available including A/C, emote control outside mirror, ix-way power seats, ower door locks, nd the “Sure-Grip” differential.
Article which appeared in Hemmings Magazine in June of 2013 by Mathew Litman.
This well-written article makes a case that the 1st true Muscle car was a Chrysler 300.Historical significance and historical fact should never be confused.
Thank you Mathew! I think your "Right On"
For instance, he 1964 Pontiac GTO was historically significant in that it spawned the boom of what became known as the American muscle car.
When the muscle car as we know it was actually conceived and introduced to consumers is a detail that's long been debated. Those who argue their case beyond the '64 line of demarcation often point to the late Fifties and early Sixties, hich gave rise to fuel injection, uperchargers and multi-carbureted big-blocks among Detroit's manufacturers, nd those beyond, o say nothing of the concurrently developed fleet of venerable and surprisingly powerful small-blocks.
Although the post-'57 letter cars were no longer eligible for circle track racing, he 300G was still a muscle car to be reckoned with in street trim, hanks to performance equipment that not only sounded good--413 cubic inches; Cross-Ram; dual four-barrels--but backed it up with 375 or an optional 400 horsepower and a 0-60 MPH time of 8.2 seconds (Motor Life, pril 1961). Though not the fastest time turned by contemporary road test periodicals, t occurred during a period when most full-size cars could barely achieve 60 MPH in less than 10 or 11 seconds while simultaneously maintaining an air of luxury.
Along with other Chrysler letter cars, 961's 300G is today an alternative Mopar performance car that is respected for its stunning combination of power and styling, olstered by low production numbers--1,280 hardtops; 337 convertibles--for those who like to add rarity to their performance figures.
ENGINES.Chrysler engineers specified a 413-cu in wedge to go under the hood of every 300G. Introduced into the RB-Series of V-8s in 1959, he 413 was bestowed with 4.18-inch bores filled with pistons that traveled 3.75 inches courtesy of a forged steel crankshaft; compression was advertised as 10.1:1, hanks in part to the cylinder heads, hich also featured 2.08/1.60-inch intake/exhaust valves; a .430-inch lift, 68-degree camshaft dictated valve action. Also included was a pair of Carter AFB four-barrel carburetors. There were, owever, wo versions of the 413 installed, hich were differentiated by the intake manifolds.
Referred to as Ram Induction and initially appearing in 1960, he elongated aluminum intakes were designed based on much older principals involving resonance and its effect on a compression wave of, n this case, fuel/air mixture.
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