Chrysler 300 letter series
Chrysler 300 represents an existing since 1955 series of car models of the Chrysler Corporation and DaimlerChrysler AG. Originally introduced as a sporty two-door, four-door sedans are the current models. Due to the earlier annually changing suffix letter in the name the original 300 were also called "Letter Cars".
Year after year
1955: 300 / C-300 (Series C68 -300)
The Chrysler 300 was introduced in 1955 and should be the new driving force ( "image car" ) are the Chrysler model range. The design in harmony with the other Chrysler vehicles this time; not least because you used many parts from existing productions for cost reasons. In essence, the new model was based on the Chrysler New Yorker, I the rear of the Chrysler Windsor. Parts of the front and the dashboard came from the Chrysler Imperial. The engine was a Hemi V8 engine with 5.7 liter displacement. It was an evolution of the 1951 featured 5.4 -liter "Fire Power" V8, the first V8 in the Chrysler deal. With an output of 220 kW was the 300 as the most powerful American production vehicle; DaimlerChrysler dubbed him later as the " most powerful production sedan in the world at that time ." 37 wins and a speed record (205 km / h in Daytona Beach ) at the NASCAR race and the American Automobile Association confirmed the advertised performance. Originally, the model designation was "300 " award. Later, the company was renamed in C-300, the C should stand for coupé, the 300 drew attention to the power of 300 bhp. In view of the subsequent Letter Cars 300A would have been just as feasible, which is why you sometimes also encounters this ( incorrect ) name. 1725 1955 Chrysler 300 were produced.
1956: 300B (Series C72 -300)
Was published in 1956 the 300B with the annual average in the U.S. changes to the body, including the tail fins were slightly higher. The customer had the choice of two 5.8 -liter V8 ( 254 or 265 kW) and addition to the existing 2- speed automatic 3- speed automatic transmission and a 3 -speed manual gearbox was introduced. The racing success of the previous year were continued, and the " Daytona Speed Week " 230 km / h were achieved with a 300B. 1102 vehicles were produced.
1957: 300C (Series C76 -300)
For model year 1957, the 300C appeared. The design of the vehicle was completely revised. Like all major Chrysler models had the 300C a forwardly inclined front mask, the " Forward Look ". The high tail fins rose straight. Their design went directly back to the Ghia Gilda, a 1955 designed by Giovanni Sovanuzzi show car Carrozzeria Ghia, which had exerted great influence on Virgil Exner in his presentation. The 300C was available as a convertible. The power was increased to 280 kW 6.4 -liter displacement, in a very small edition of 18 vehicles, the engine was brought up to 290 kW. Overall sales increased to 2402 vehicles.
1958: 300D ( series LC3 -S)
1958 was used in the previous 300D Hemi V8 for the last time. Standard this year was a displacement of 6.4 liters and the power was 283 kW. Chrysler paid - for the first time in company history - 35 vehicles with an electronic fuel injection system, which should provide 290 kW, but proved to be susceptible to interference. Most of these systems were replaced again by the usual dual carburetors. Sales plummeted to 809 vehicles, which is attributed to the poor economic situation of that time.
1959: 300E ( series MC3 -H)
In 1959, the 300E with a 6.8 -liter V8. In contrast to the previous Hemi engine had the wedge-shaped combustion chambers and was about 45 pounds lighter in an almost identical performance. However enjoyed the Hemi engines very popular, so that its cessation and the continued poor economic lowered the sales to 647 vehicles.
1960: 300F (Series PC3 -300)
In 1960, the power was increased again. The same 6.8 -liter V8 's performance in 300F now up to 300 kW - by a special intake system ( "cross- ram" ) is a high performance was achieved even at low engine speeds. The new self-supporting body ( " unibody " ) was adjusted by using the angular shape to the taste of that time. Only in this model year had the 300 a suggested spare tire cover on the trunk lid, but it was just a design element without practical value. 1212 300F could be sold.
1961: 300G (standard RC4 -P)
1961 were the changes to the 300G largely visual nature. The front end was heavily revised, a new "face" should convince potential buyers. The engines were the same as in the previous year, only a new three-speed gear up for election. Were sold in 1617 300G.
1962: 300H ( series SC2 -M)
1962 Several new features were introduced: In addition to the 300H, still a sporty luxury coupe, was an entry model of the Chrysler 300 (excluding letters ) presented as "non- letter series ". This replaced the previous Windsor series. The equipment was simpler than that of the H- models, and while these were further equipped with the 6.8 -liter V8, you got the 300 on request with a 6.3-liter V8. The 300 models also gave it the first time with four doors. Visually, both series were similar. Striking was the strong reduction of the tail fins that were only available as a suggestion. Both series had instead of the Chrysler New Yorker now the Windsor as a base, which brought a weight savings. From 300H only 558 pieces were produced, from 300 to 25,020 pieces far more. The base price of the 300 was 3323 USD, the 300H one got from 5090 USD.
1963: 300J ( TC2- M series )
In 1963, the 300J models (the letter I was skipped) rounded and tail fins was omitted entirely. The luxury 300J series consisted only of the two-door coupe, during, two-and four-door saloon was 300 still to have a convertible. In the four-door sedan, however, it was indeed the Chrysler Saratoga, which was offered as a Chrysler 300 in the Canadian market. The engines remained the same, the 6.8 -liter V8 power was increased slightly. Were produced 400 copies of 300J.
1964: 300K ( VC2 -M series )
In 1964 the 300K with two old virtues back: tail fins graced at least partly the tail, and you got in the Letter Series again a convertible. Through a somewhat simpler held interiors and a less elaborate Basic performance of the entry-level price fell compared with the previous model by over $ 1,000. The 6.8 -liter V8 now had a standard intake system and a single four-chamber carburettor, giving a power output of 268 kW. The "cross- ram" engine was still available for a surcharge. The 3647 sales rose to 300K.
1965: 300L ( series AC2 -P)
In 1965 with the 300L, the last representative of classical Letter series. With its straight lines of the design was the mid- 1960s, capturing the zeitgeist. The 6.8 -liter V8 was no longer available with the cross -ram- package, and the 300 models could be had with all the extras of the letter- Cars. A fully equipped 300 differed only by the nameplates of a 300L. The usual body styles and engines have been maintained largely (up to the cross - RAM). 2845 Chrysler 300L left the production.
1970: Hurst 300 (Series FC -M)
1970, there were in addition to the normal " 300 " for the first time a high- performance vehicles. A modified by the Hurst Performance Group, sporty special model, the 300 Hurst, differed visually from the large series by a two-tone paint in white and gold, hood and trunk lid were made of fiberglass. Front provided an air inlet for fresh air in the interior ( for the engine ) and the tailgate had an integrated spoiler, which did not bother the side line of the body. The engine was a big series against the slightly uprated 7.2 -liter V8, which delivered 645 Nm of torque at 3,200 min -1. The chassis has been adapted to high performance. 485 Hurst Special models were produced in 1970.