[Chrysler300] Chrysler Production Totals verses Styling Changes

["Darrin Bailey" <Darrin.Bailey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Regarding the debate on styling of the 1962/1963 Chryslers, I find it of
interest the total production counts of all Chryslers between 1955 and
1966 show the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------

1955- 152,777 9th in total production with Chevrolet at 1.7 million

1956- 128,322 10th in total production with Chevrolet at 1.567 million

 

1957- 122,273 11th in total production with Ford at 1.676 million

1958- 63,681  11th in total production with Chevrolet at 1.142 million  

1959- 69,970  12th in total production with Chevrolet at 1.462 million

 

1960- 77,285  12th in total production with Chevrolet at 1.653 million

1961- 96,454  11th in total production with Ford at 1.338 million

1962- 128,921 11th in total production with Chevrolet at 2.0 million

 

1963-128,937 11th in total production with Chevrolet at 2.237 million

1964-153,319 11th in total production with Chevrolet at 2.318 million

 

1965-206,089 10th in total production with Chevrolet at 2.375 million

1966-264,848 10th in total production with Ford at 2.2 million

 

The above chart groups the years by body style or design.  The following
is noted:

 

-We all know the limited production numbers of the 300 letter cars by
year and even by transmission type, but no wonder why we see so few
Chryslers, not just Chrysler 300's at car shows and cruise nights.  Ford
and Chevrolets have dominated the productions totals each year.
Likewise, other MOPAR brands such as Plymouth, Dodge and Desoto (in
1957) produced far more cars each year than Chrysler.  Further, nearly
all the other GM divisions and most Ford divisions produced more cars
than Chrysler.  Chrysler was an average 11th place producer during this
period.

  

-1955 was a strong year for Chrysler with the new body style, and best
total production output.

-1956 production slipped with a carryover styling.

-1957 brought a new design, but production still lacked the prior year.

-1958 a recession year saw production of only half that of the prior
year.  Almost as many Edsels were produced in 1958 as Chryslers

-1959 a slight rebound, but total production fell to 12th place

-1960 brought a new look, but only slightly more production

-1961 production increased with a carryover body style

-1962 production increased again with the loss of the fins

-1963 production of a totally new body style finds only 16 more cars
produced over 1962!  Appears the public was about neutral on the style
change.

-1964 again production increased in a carryover design

 

-1965 a totally new look for Chrysler and its highest production to
date.  What could be said that the 300L was the most beautiful Chrysler?
That body style certainly was well received by the public.

-1966 a carryover design and again another record production total for
Chrysler. 

 

So what conclusions can be drawn?  The public appears to like the 1955
Chrysler and bought them.  So pleased, they did not return to the
showroom in the same great numbers for 1956 or again until 1965 with the
release of the next great Chrysler design?  Does this prove that the
great engineering and design can last a decade for some buyers?

 

Darrin Bailey

Owner of many 1965 and 1966 Chryslers (including 3-Chrysler 300L)



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