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Chrysler 300 non-letter series

This article is about Chrysler 300 models from the 1960s and 1970s. For the cars which proceeded these in the 1950s and 1960s, see Chrysler 300 letter series. For the 1999 to 2004 model, see Chrysler 300M. For the 2005 to 2023 model, see Chrysler 300.

The Chrysler 300 (Chrysler 300 Sport Series) was a full-size automobile produced by Chrysler from 1962 until 1971. It was a continuation of the earlier Chrysler 300 letter series. Chrysler decided to consolidate its product line and the sedan replaced the 1961 Chrysler Windsor, which itself filled the place in Chrysler's line previously occupied by the Saratoga just the year before that (1960) and also filled in for the discontinued DeSoto product line. At the time, it was considered a luxurious "muscle car", with all the performance of the Dodge and Plymouth products of the time, but with the luxury features expected of the Chrysler name.

Chrysler 300
1971 Chrysler 300
Overview
ManufacturerChrysler Corporation
Production1962–1971
AssemblyJefferson Avenue Assembly
Detroit, Michigan, United States
Body and chassis
ClassFullsize car
Muscle car
Body style4-door hardtop
2-door hardtop
2-door convertible
LayoutFR layout
RelatedImperial
Chrysler New Yorker
Chrysler Newport
Chrysler Saratoga
Chronology
PredecessorChrysler Saratoga
SuccessorChrysler Cordoba

The 300 was positioned as a more affordable version of the exclusive 300 "letter series", and a sporty variant of a full-size automobile, adding 4-door hardtop version and running alongside that model until its discontinuation in 1966. It became the sole 300 model until 1971, when production ended. The 300 name returned to the Chrysler line in 1979 as an option package on the Cordoba coupe.

1962–1964

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Chrysler 300 1962–1964
 
1964 Chrysler 300 4-door hardtop
Overview
Production1962–1964
DesignerVirgil Exner
Body and chassis
Body style4-door hardtop
2-door hardtop
2-door convertible
PlatformC-body
Powertrain
Engine383 cu in (6.3 L) B V8
413 cu in (6.8 L) RB V8[1][2]
Transmission3-speed automatic
3-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase122 in (3,099 mm)
Length215.3 in (5,469 mm)
Width79 in (2,007 mm)
Height55 in (1,397 mm)
Curb weight3,970 lb (1,801 kg) (4-door hardtop)[3]

The Sport Series was introduced in 1962 along with the letter series 300H when DeSoto was cancelled. The Sport Series was the hardtop coupe, sedan and convertible and had only bench seats installed for all passengers, while the letter series was the coupe and had only bucket seats for all passengers and a full length center console.

Chrysler expanded the 300 product line to include a 4-door hardtop, which was a previous appearance on the 1960 DeSoto Adventurer hardtop sedan, adding 383 V8 as a choice (letter cars had 413 V8 as standard).[4]

For Canadian market there was similar Chrysler Saratoga offered instead, also as a 4-door sedan, from 1964 named Chrysler Saratoga 300 and bearing a similar trim.[5]

1963 saw all-new sheet metal and the canted headlights were no longer offered.

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    1962 Chrysler 300 Sport Series 2-door hardtop
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    1962 Chrysler 300 Sport Series 4-door hardtop
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    1963 Chrysler 300 interior
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    1964 Chrysler 300 2-door hardtop
  •  
    1964 Chrysler Saratoga 300 (Canadian) 4-door hardtop

1965–1968

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Chrysler 300 1965–1968
 
1965 Chrysler 300 4-door hardtop
Overview
Production1965–1968
DesignerElwood Engel
Body and chassis
Body style4-door hardtop
2-door hardtop
2-door convertible
PlatformC-body
Powertrain
Engine383 cu in (6.3 L) B V8
413 cu in (6.8 L) RB V8
440 cu in (7.2 L) RB V8[6]
Transmission3-speed automatic
4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase124 in (3,150 mm)
Length218.2 in (5,542 mm)
Width79.5 in (2,019 mm)
Height54.9 in (1,394 mm)
Curb weight4,390 lb (1,991 kg) (4-door hardtop)[7]

There was an all-new sheetmetal in 1965. When the performance-first Chrysler 300 letter series was discontinued in 1966, the 440 V8 replaced the 413 V8 in this "non-letter" version, and there was a mild facelift.[8]

1967 brought makeovers which changed front and rear styling extensively. The 4-door sedan was dropped from lineup (leaving the 4-door hardtop, 2-door hardtop, and 2-door convertible), the 440 V8 remained and only available powerplant in two guises: base and more powerful TNT. 1968 face-lifting brought concealed headlamps which were to be 300 trademark until 1971.[9]

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    Canadian 1965 Chrysler Saratoga 300 4-door sedan
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    1966 Chrysler 300 2-door hardtop
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    1966 Chrysler 300 2-door hardtop interior
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    1968 Chrysler 300 2-door hardtop
  •  
    1968 Chrysler 300 convertible

1969–1971

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Chrysler 300 1969–1971
 
1971 Chrysler 300 2-door hardtop
Overview
Production1969–1971
Body and chassis
Body style4-door hardtop
2-door hardtop
2-door convertible
PlatformC-body
Powertrain
Engine440 cu in (7.2 L) RB V8
440 cu in (7.2 L) TNT V8[10]
Transmission3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase124 in (3,150 mm)
Length224.7 in (5,707 mm)
Width79.1 in (2,009 mm)
Height55.6 in (1,412 mm)
Curb weight4,320 lb (1,960 kg) (4-door hardtop)[11]

1969 was first year for "fuselage styling", there were two engine options; 440 and 440 TNT.[12][13]

For 1970, taking a cue from Oldsmobile, a Hurst 300 was offered in Spinnaker White trimmed in Satin Tan with leather interior (borrowed from the Imperial), powered by a 375 hp (280 kW) 440 cu in (7.2 L) TNT V8, as a limited edition of 485.[14] The single convertible built used a standard Chrysler 300 white interior.

In 1971, the convertible was no longer offered, as Chrysler halted production of convertibles across the entire lineup in 1971.[15]

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    1969 Chrysler 300 Convertible
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    1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst 2-door hardtop
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    1970 Chrysler 300 interior
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    1971 Chrysler 300 2-door hardtop rear

Engines

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engine displacement, type, carburetor type max. motive power at rpm max. torque at rpm
440 cu in (7.2 L) RB V8 (1971) 4-barrel 335 bhp (250 kW; 340 PS) [220 bhp (164 kW; 223 PS)] @ 4,400 [4,000] 460 lb⋅ft (624 N⋅m) [350 lb⋅ft (475 N⋅m)] @ 3,200
440 cu in (7.2 L) RB V8 (1969–1970) 4-barrel 350 bhp (261 kW; 355 PS) @ 4,400 480 lb⋅ft (651 N⋅m) @ 2,800
440 cu in (7.2 L) TNT V8 (1971) 4-barrel 370 bhp (276 kW; 375 PS) [305 bhp (227 kW; 309 PS)] @ 4,600 480 lb⋅ft (651 N⋅m) [400 lb⋅ft (542 N⋅m)] @ 3,200
440 cu in (7.2 L) TNT V8 (1968–1970) 4-barrel 375 bhp (280 kW; 380 PS) @ 4,600 480 lb⋅ft (651 N⋅m) @ 3,200
[ ] denoting net figures [10][16]

1979

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1979 Chrysler Cordoba with "300" option package

The 300 name returned to the Chrysler line in the spring of 1979; this time based on the Cordoba coupe. The 300 was a $2,040 option package featuring special emblems and traditional "cross-hair" 300-style grille.[17] It was available in Spinnaker White (perhaps 30 were painted Rallye Red) with a red-leather interior and red pin stripes. The model came with the code E58 195 hp (145 kW; 198 PS) 360 cu in (5.9 L) V8, featuring a four-barrel carburetor, a performance camshaft, and dual exhausts.

Other features included police-spec suspension with 15"x7" wheels, heavy duty torsion bars/leaf springs/shocks, front and rear sway bars, and a 3.23 rear gear ratio. The deteriorating U.S. domestic economic conditions that led to the early 1980s recession reflected in low demand and less than 2,900 were built. The 300 model was planned for the 1980 model year using the new 2nd-generation Cordoba (based on the downsized Chrysler J platform), but was instead called the "LS".

Notes

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  1. ^ History Of the Chrysler Three Hundred Series – 1962 Archived 2012-05-21 at the Wayback Machine. Chrysler300site.com (2000-05-31). Retrieved on 2013-05-11.
  2. ^ History Of the Chrysler Three Hundred Series – 1964 Archived 2012-07-17 at the Wayback Machine. Chrysler300site.com (1999-09-16). Retrieved on 2013-05-11.
  3. ^ "1963 Chrysler 300 Sport 4-door Hardtop Firepower 305 full specs, performance and photos (Since middle 1962 for North America U.S.)". Archived from the original on 2013-01-17. Retrieved 2012-06-10.
  4. ^ Chrysler 300 History and Gallery Archived 2012-05-21 at the Wayback Machine. Chrysler300site.com (2000-05-31). Retrieved on 2013-05-11.
  5. ^ Chrysler 1964. Chrysler Canada Ltd., 1964
  6. ^ Chrysler 300 History and Gallery Archived 2012-03-21 at the Wayback Machine. Chrysler300site.com (2000-01-18). Retrieved on 2013-05-11.
  7. ^ "1965 Chrysler 300 4-Door Hardtop Firepower-315". Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  8. ^ Chrysler C Bodies: The Big Guys. Allpar.com. Retrieved on 2013-05-11.
  9. ^ Chrysler 300 History and Gallery Archived 2012-07-17 at the Wayback Machine. Chrysler300site.com (1998-12-12). Retrieved on 2013-05-11.
  10. ^ a b "1971 Chrysler Features". Oldcarbrochures.com. p. 28. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  11. ^ "1969 Chrysler Data Book". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  12. ^ 1969 Chrysler. Fuselage.de. Retrieved on 2013-05-11.
  13. ^ Chrysler 300 History and Gallery Archived 2012-03-21 at the Wayback Machine. Chrysler300site.com (2001-02-18). Retrieved on 2013-05-11.
  14. ^ Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. American Cars 1960–1972 (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2004), p.734.
  15. ^ Chrysler 300 History and Gallery Archived 2012-03-21 at the Wayback Machine. Chrysler300site.com (1998-12-12). Retrieved on 2013-05-11.
  16. ^ "1969 Chrysler Data Book". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  17. ^ Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (16 July 2007). "1979-1982 Chrysler Cordoba 300/Cordoba LS". HowStuffWorks.com. Archived from the original on 8 August 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2014. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
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