Chrysler 300 letter series

This article is about the Chrysler 300 cars from the 1950s and 1960s. For the cars which succeeded these in the 1960s and 1970s, see Chrysler 300 non-letter series. For the 1999 to 2004 model, see Chrysler 300M. For the 2005 and later models, see Chrysler 300.

Chrysler 300 letter series
1964 Chrysler 300-K Convertible
Overview
Manufacturer	Chrysler Corporation
Production	1955–1965 1970
Assembly	Los Angeles, California, United States
Body and chassis
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Chronology
Predecessor	Chrysler Windsor
Successor	Chrysler 300 non-letter series

The Chrysler 300 "letter series" are high-performance personal luxury cars that were built by Chrysler in the U.S. from 1955 to 1965. After the initial year, which was named C-300, the 1956 cars were designated 300B. Successive model years were given the next letter of the alphabet as a suffix (skipping "i"), reaching the 300L by 1965, after which the model was dropped.

The 300 "letter series" cars were among the vehicles that focused on performance built by domestic U.S. manufacturers after World War II, and thus can be considered one of the muscle car's ancestors, though full-sized and more expensive.

The automaker began using the 300 designations again for performance-luxury sedans, using the 300M nameplate from 1999 to 2004, and expanding the 300 series with a new V8-powered 300C, the top model of a new Chrysler 300 line, a new rear-wheel drive car launched in 2004 for the 2005 model year. Unlike the first "letter series" series, the successive variants do not feature standard engines producing at least 300 hp (224 kW), except for Chrysler's current top-line 300C models.

Production numbers

1955 (C-)	1,725
1956 (B)	1,102
1957 (C)	2,402
1958 (D)	809
1959 (E)	647
1960 (F)	1,217
1961 (G)	1,617
1962 (H)	570
1963 (J)	400
1964 (K)	3,647
1965 (L)	2,845
1970 (Hurst)	501

1955 C-300

Chrysler C-300
1955 Chrysler C-300
Overview
Production	1955 1,725 produced
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop
Powertrain
Engine	331 cu in (5.4 L) FirePower V8
Transmission	2-speed PowerFlite automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	126 in (3,200 mm)
Length	218.8 in (5,558 mm)
Width	79.1 in (2,009 mm)

This first of the letter series cars did not bear a letter, but can retroactively be considered the '300A'. The 'C-' designation was applied to all Chrysler models; however for marketing purposes the numerical series skipped more than 225 numbers forward in sequence in order to further reinforce the 300's bhp rating. The 300 originally stood for the 300 hp (224 kW) engine. The C-300 was really a racecar aimed at the NASCAR circuits that was sold for the road for homologation purposes, with Chrysler's most powerful engine, the 331 cu in (5.4 L) FirePower "Hemi" V8, due to the hemispheric shape of the combustion chambers, fitted with twin 4-barrel carburetors, a race-profiled camshaft setup, solid valve lifters, stiffer suspension, and a performance exhaust system. By 1956, this would be the first American production car to top 355 hp (265 kW), and the letter series was for many years the most powerful car produced in the United States.

The car's "Forward Look" styling can be attributed as much to the Chrysler parts bin as designer Virgil Exner. The front clip, including the grille, was taken from the Imperial of the same year, but the rest of the car did not look like an Imperial. The midsection was from a New Yorker hardtop, with a Windsor rear quarter. Exner also included base-model Chrysler bumpers and removed many exterior elements such as back-up lights, hood ornament, side trim, and exterior mirrors. An electric clock and two-speed windshield wipers were standard. There were few options available including selection of three exterior colors (red, white and black) and only one color of tan leather interior. Power windows and power seat were available but air conditioning was not available in 1955.

Measured at 127.58 mph (205.32 km/h) in the Flying Mile, and doing well in NASCAR, the C-300 aroused interest that was not reflected in its modest sales figure of 1,725.

When the C300 competed in NASCAR, it was painted to advertise that it was the "world's fastest stock car".

1956 300B

Chrysler 300B
Overview
Production	1956 1,102 produced
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop
Related	DeSoto Adventurer DeSoto Fireflite
Powertrain
Engine	354 cu in (5.8 L) FirePower V8 (340 hp) 354 cu in (5.8 L) FirePower V8 (355 hp, option)
Transmission	2-speed PowerFlite automatic 3-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	126 in (3,200 mm)
Length	218.8 in (5,558 mm)
Width	79.1 in (2,009 mm)

The 1956 300B was fairly similar externally, distinguished by a new tailfin treatment, but with larger engines, two models of 354 cu in (5.8 L) Hemi V8 with either 340 or 355 hp (257 or 265 kW). A companion of this generation was introduced as the DeSoto Adventurer, which was less luxurious, while still sharing much of the mechanicals, giving DeSoto a performance enhanced model. A total of 1,102 were sold. Performance was a little better than the previous year's, being measured at almost 140 mph (225 km/h). A 6.17 ratio rear end was also added to the options. Front leg room was 44.6 inches. New was the Highway Hi-Fi phonograph player.

With the optional 355 hp (265 kW) 354 cu in (5.8 L) engine, the 300B became the first American car to produce 1 horsepower per cubic inch, besting Chevrolet with their fuel-injected 283 cu in (4.6 L) by one year.

1957 300C

Chrysler 300C
Overview
Production	1957 2,402 produced
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop 2-door convertible
Related	DeSoto Adventurer
Powertrain
Engine	392 cu in (6.4 L) FirePower V8
Transmission	3-speed TorqueFlite A488 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	126.0 in (3,200 mm)
Length	219.2 in (5,568 mm)
Width	78.8 in (2,002 mm)

The 1957 model year 300C was restyled, featuring a "yawning" wide front grille and larger tailfins. The Hemi engine was upgraded to 392 cu in (6.4 L) with 375 hp (280 kW), or as a limited edition 390 hp (221 kW) version (18 built). A convertible model was available for the first time. The car had a number of red, white, and blue '300C' medallions on the sides, hood, trunk and interior. 1,918 coupes and 484 convertibles were built. Air conditioning was a $495 option.

• 
  Chrysler 300C 1957
• 
  Chrysler 300C 1957
• 
  A Hemi engine in a Chrysler 300C

1958 300D

Chrysler 300D
Overview
Production	1958 809 produced
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop 2-door convertible
Related	DeSoto Adventurer
Powertrain
Engine	392 cu in (6.4 L) FirePower V8
Dimensions
Wheelbase	126.0 in (3,200 mm)
Length	220 in (5,588 mm)
Width	78.8 in (2,002 mm)

The 1958 model year was to be the last use of the FirePower Hemi in the 300. The engine was still 392 cu in (6.4 L), but tuned to 380 hp (280 kW) as standard. Thirty-five cars were built with fuel injection and delivered 390 hp (290 kW), but the system was troublesome and most cars soon had it replaced with the standard twin-quad carburetor setup. A 300D was driven to 156.387 mph (251.680 km/h) at the Bonneville Salt Flats that year. A total of 618 hardtops and 191 convertibles were produced, in part due to a recession.

1959 300E

Chrysler 300E
Overview
Production	1959 647 produced
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop 2-door convertible
Related	DeSoto Adventurer
Powertrain
Engine	413 cu in (6.8 L) Golden Lion V8
Dimensions
Wheelbase	126 in (3,200 mm)
Length	220.9 in (5,611 mm)

The 1959 model year saw the Hemi engines replaced by Chrysler's new Golden Lion wedge-head V8 at 413 cu in (6.8 L) displacement (which Chrysler called "lion-hearted"). Power output remained about the same at 380 hp (280 kW). Total sales included 522 coupes and 125 convertibles. Power swivel seats were standard.

1960 300F

Chrysler 300F
1960 Chrysler 300F Hardtop
Overview
Production	1960 1,217 produced
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop 2-door convertible
Related	DeSoto Adventurer
Powertrain
Engine	413 cu in (6.8 L) RB V8
Transmission	3-speed automatic 4-speed Pont-à-Mousson manual (racing/special order)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	126 in (3,200 mm)
Length	219.6 in (5,578 mm)
Width	79.4 in (2,017 mm)

The 1960 300F introduced a new 413 cu in (6.8 L) Wedge engine delivering 375 hp (280 kW) in standard form. To boost power at lower and mid rpms, a special "cross-ram" intake manifold was derived. Instead of the normal V8 engine central intake manifold with carburetor(s) on top, the cross-ram consisted of two pairs of 30 in (760 mm) long tuned pipes that criss-crossed so that each set fed the opposite side of the engine. The carburetors and air cleaners hung off the sides of the engine over the fender wells. These long tubes were tuned so that resonances in the column of air helped force air into the cylinders at those engine speeds. Also new were four individual, leather bucket seats with a full length console from dash to rear seatback. Swivelling front seats were fitted as standard equipment.

A special 400 hp (300 kW) "short ram" version was produced for competition; in this, the tuned portion of the stacks was only 15 in (380 mm) long (though the overall tube length remained at 30"), so that the resonant effect was produced at higher engine speeds. Only 15 "short ram" cars were produced; these were also fitted with the exotic but often troublesome French Pont-a-Mousson 4-speed manual transmissions developed for the Chrysler-powered Facel Vega. Approximately 4 of these "Special GTs" are known to exist, including one convertible and one with air conditioning; it is believed that 15 were originally produced.

The bodywork was also redone for 1960, using Chrysler's new lightweight unibody construction and given sharper-edged styling with outward-tilting fins that were visually separated from sides. The "toilet seat" trunk lid contributed to a demeaning opinion of the 300F and was done away with after this one year of production.

Sales increased to 969 coupes and 248 convertibles.

Chrysler 300F Hardtop

The 300F featured swivelling front seats as standard equipment

Chrysler 300F cross-ram

1961 300G

Chrysler 300G
1961 Chrysler 300-G
Overview
Production	1961
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupe 2-door convertible
Powertrain
Engine	413 cu in (6.8 L) RB V8
Transmission	3-speed manual 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic 3-speed "Code 281" manual (race/special order)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	126 in (3,200 mm)
Length	219.8 in (5,583 mm)
Width	79.4 in (2,017 mm)

The 1961 300G saw another restyle. The grille, formerly wider at the bottom than the top, was inverted; the quad headlights, formerly side-by-side, were arranged in angled fashion, inward at the bottom, in a manner reminiscent of 1958-1960 Lincolns, 1959 Buicks and the 1963-1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud Mulliner Park Ward coupe. Small parking lamps below the headlights were likewise slanted and V-shaped, and the front bumper was canted up at each end, scoop-like. At the rear, the taillights were moved from the fins to the tail below them, and the fins were made sharper-pointed. Power windows were standard.

Mechanically, the cross-ram "short ram" and "long ram" engines remained the same, although the expensive French manual transmission was dropped, and replaced by a more reliable and still expensive Chrysler racing manual transmission (referred to as 'option code 281'). There are currently only five cars with this transmission. Code 281 cars may have been built for the 1961 Daytona Flying Mile, although like the 1960 F Specials, no specific records were kept by Chrysler. Unlike the 300F Specials (which were randomly pulled from the line and upgraded for the Flying Mile), the 300Gs had a specific build code (281).

1962 300H

Chrysler 300H
Overview
Production	1962 570 produced
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupe 2-door convertible
Powertrain
Engine	413 cu in (6.8 L) RB V8
Transmission	3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	122 in (3,099 mm)
Length	214.9 in (5,458 mm)
Width	79.4 in (2,017 mm)

From 1962s 300H, the fins were gone, as was the letter series' unique place in the Chrysler lineup; there was now a whole Chrysler 300 Sport Series (which included a four-door hardtop along with a two-door hardtop and convertible), along with the 300H. Externally there was little difference between the 300H and the 300 Sport Series (except for a "300H" badge on the driver's side of the trunk), and many of the 300H's features could be ordered as options on the other models. Under the hood of the 300H the cross ram engine became an option, and there was a return to the inline dual 4-barrel carburetor setup of the 300E as the base powerplant. With a slight power boost and a 300 lb (140 kg) lighter body, the 300H was faster than the 300G, but the loss of exclusivity coupled with high prices made this the slowest-selling letter series year yet, with only 435 coupes and 135 convertibles sold. The regular 300 (non-letter) series used a 383 cu in (6.3 L) B engine.

All 300s for 1962 were demoted to the Chrysler Newport/Dodge 880 122-inch wheelbase body.

1963 300J

Chrysler 300J
Overview
Production	1963 400 produced
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupe
Powertrain
Engine	413 cu in (6.8 L) RB V8
Transmission	3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	122 in (3,099 mm)
Length	215.5 in (5,474 mm)
Width	79 in (2,007 mm)

Further restyling for the 1963 300J (the letter "I" was skipped because people would confuse it for the numeral "1".) left the car with a smoother, more angular 1960s look. (Shared with the Newport and New Yorker series, this body design was the last one styled during Virgil Exner's term as Chrysler's styling chief.) The letter-series convertible was dropped, leaving the hardtop. The only engine available was the 413 cu in (6.8 L) ram-induction V8, with an increase of 10 hp (7.5 kW) from 1962. A redesigned and more sumptuous interior featured an oddly squared steering wheel. The 300J was faster than the standard 300H of the year before, with a 142 mph (229 km/h) top speed, 8.0 seconds 0-60 mph, and a standing quarter mile time of 15.8 seconds with a terminal velocity of 89 mph (143 km/h). Sales were especially poor, with only 400 cars produced. As for the non-letter 300, the 300 convertible was the official pace car for the 1963 Indianapolis 500-Mile Race. Power steering was standard.

1964 300K

Chrysler 300K
Overview
Production	1964 3,647 produced
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop 2-door convertible
Powertrain
Engine	413 cu in (6.8 L) RB V8
Transmission	3-speed automatic 4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	122 in (3,099 mm)
Length	215.5 in (5,474 mm)
Width	80 in (2,032 mm)

The convertible returned for the 1964 300K, but the "cross-ram" engine became an extra-cost option available on the 300K only. A 413 cu in (6.8 L) Wedge with a single Carter AFB 3614S 4-barrel carburetor, a regular intake manifold, and 360 hp (270 kW) was the new standard engine. Leather upholstery was no longer standard either. All this reduced the baseline price by over a thousand dollars, and sales responded with the largest total ever; 3,022 coupes and 625 convertibles. A center console was standard.

1965 300L

Chrysler 300L
1965 Chrysler 300L Convertible
Overview
Production	1965 2,845 produced
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop 2-door convertible
Powertrain
Engine	413 cu in (6.8 L) RB V8
Transmission	3-speed TorqueFlite automatic 4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	124 in (3,150 mm)
Length	218.2 in (5,542 mm)
Width	79.5 in (2,019 mm)

The 1965 300L was the eleventh and final model in the traditional letter series. Like every other 1965 Chrysler, it featured a completely restyled body with the crisp lines, slab sides and a tall greenhouse that were introduced by Elwood Engel, successor of Virgil Exner as Chrysler's head of styling. It was a linear look and the panoramic windshield that had been used since 1957 was abandoned. The car had grown two inches in wheelbase and three inches in overall length. Both 2-door hardtop (with crease lines in the roof sheetmetal for the then-popular "convertible look") and 2-door convertible body styles were available. The cross-ram 390 hp engine had been discontinued, leaving the 413 cu in (6.8 L) engine with regular inlet manifold, single 4-barrel carburetion, unsilenced air cleaner, special camshaft and dual exhaust as the only engine option. Engine output was 360 hp (268 kW; 365 PS), as in the previous year. The buyer could choose between the standard 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic and the no-cost option 4-speed manual with Hurst shift linkage. Every feature on the 300L could be ordered as an option on the regular 300; thus, the only difference was the 300L-exclusive ornamentation. This consisted of round "300L" medallions at the center of the die-cast grille star and in the middle of the textured aluminum applique between the taillights, a red-paint-filled full-length beltline molding, and a rectangular die-cast "300" badge on rear fenders. Tested by car magazine Motor Trend, a TorqueFlite-equipped 300L 2-door Hardtop accelerated from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) in 8.8 seconds, and covered the quarter mile in 17.3 seconds with a terminal speed of 82 mph (132 km/h). A total of 2,405 300L hardtops and 440 convertibles were produced.

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  1965 300L 2-door Hardtop
• 
  1965 300L 2-door Hardtop

1970 Hurst 300

Hurst 300
Overview
Production	1970 501 produced
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupe 2-door convertible
Powertrain
Engine	440 cu in (7.2 L) TNT V8
Transmission	3-speed Torqueflite A727 automatic

See also: Chrysler 300 non-letter series § 1969–1971

The 1970 Hurst 300 lacks the single-letter suffix of its forebears and appeared five years after the last Letter Series Chrysler, the 300L. Many automobile historians do not include the Hurst 300 as a Letter Series model. The concept of the car, however, does fit with the Letter Series cars, as it was a high-performance variant of the luxury 300, built with the input of aftermarket parts manufacturer Hurst Performance. Only 501 units are believed to have been built.

The Hurst 300s were all 2-door and shared a white and gold paint scheme similar to the Oldsmobile and Pontiac Hurst models of the day. The scooped hood and trunk lid (with a molded spoiler) are both fiberglass. All Hurst 300s had satin tan leather interiors that were straight out of the Imperial and could be had with column- or console-mounted 727 automatics. All came with the 375 hp (280 kW) 440 cu in (7.2 L) 4-barrel TNT V8 engine.

Of the 501 units sold, one convertible is documented having been used as a Hurst promotional car and another is believed to have been dealer equipped with a 426 cu in (7.0 L) Hemi, also, a convertible.

Collectibility

All original letter series cars are considered collectible as of 2005, but the early years are much more desirable. The C-300 and 300B, especially red/maroon examples, are increasingly becoming some of the most valuable models of all 1950s performance cars due to their exquisite styling, high performance, and rarity. The 300C through 300G convertibles are the most desirable price-wise due to their scarcity and low survival rates; the coming of the regular 300 series cars in 1962 makes the subsequent letter series seem less special and less desirable to collectors.

At an auction at the Robson Estate in Gainesville, Georgia on November 13, 2010, the sole 1960 300F convertible equipped with the factory 400 hp (298 kW) engine and the Pont-a-Mousson 4-speed sold for $437,250.

There was one concept vehicle called the Chrysler 300, created in 1991. It featured a sports car body and a Viper engine. It was never produced.

The 300 letter series name was resurrected in 1999 on the Chrysler 300M; but it is the 2005 300C that is closest to the original with its rear-wheel drive, and V8 engine once again bearing the "Hemi" name.

See also

• Chrysler 300
• Chrysler FirePower engine
• Chrysler RB engine
• Hemi engine