RE: [Chrysler300] 2015 Diamond Jubilee- 60 At The 60th
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RE: [Chrysler300] 2015 Diamond Jubilee- 60 At The 60th
- From: "Rich Barber" <c300@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2014 22:57:55 -0800
I recall that the steering columns for the stick '56's were from 1954 or
earlier Chryslers-which had the hardware for a column shift. I believe
those columns were also used in the '55 Windsors which came with standard
3-speed manual transmissions. I don't know whether '56 and later Windsors
also came standard with that little three-speed manual-which could not take
Chrysler hemi power.
I have enclosed a picture of a stick '56B interior. I've also read that the
lone stick '55 C-300 was built on demand by Carl Kiekhaefer who did not like
being out-dragged from the pits by stick shift Chev's, Fords, Pontiacs,
Mercuries, Buick Centuries and Olds 88's. With PowerFlite low only good for
about 55-60 MPH, his race car drivers also needed an additional cog in the
tranny. I believe the one-off was a modified truck transmission. Carl got
what he wanted with HD sticks and a 355 HP 354 CID engine for the '56B's.
Mostly for the tracks, I'd assume. We can celebrate the 355 HP 300B engine
as being the first US "stock" engine with at or over 1 HP per Cubic Inch
Displacement-not the injected 283/283 Mickey Mouse V8 from Chebby in 1957.
Remember-this was the start of the horsepower war-and it ain't over yet!
The 2014 Chrysler 300 SRT8 produces 470 HP from a naturally-aspirated 392
CID semi-hemi engine and is rev-limited to 175 MPH. Wouldn't have Tim,
Fonty, Warren, Buck and Vicki loved to get their teeth into one of the new
ones?
C300K'ly,
Rich Barber
From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Carlton Schroeder
Sent: Monday, February 17, 2014 9:21 AM
To: 'Doug Mayer'; 'C Bilter'
Cc: bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; 'Chrysler 300 Club'; 'Tony Rinaldi'
Subject: RE: [Chrysler300] 2015 Diamond Jubilee- 60 At The 60th
Hello,
I'm pretty certain I recall seeing a stick 56 B owned by a Club member in
Connecticut. I believe the Club member was Bill Dahms. I remember thinking
the steering wheel looked like it came out of a much earlier car. Bill was
also building a Willy's Coupe with a big Hemi in it.
Carlton Schroeder
More snow for us today in Eagle River, WI..
From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Doug Mayer
Sent: Monday, February 17, 2014 10:45 AM
To: C Bilter
Cc: bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; Chrysler 300 Club; Tony Rinaldi
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] 2015 Diamond Jubilee- 60 At The 60th
R. Ackerson reported about the C300, back in the 1990's, that "one car #1206
had a manual 3 speed;" other than that one, the only transmission offered
was the 2 speed powerflite transmission.
Doug Mayer
Northport, Maine
sent from my older iMac
On Feb 17, 2014, at 11:29 AM, C Bilter wrote:
Regarding the J, an RPO factory manual 3 speed stick was available from the
factory. Seven of the 400 J's built were so equipped per the microfilm
records. Gil C. saw one back in '63 in Michigan, but none have been found
since the Club began tracking VINs, making it probably the rarest factory
letter car of all.
I suggest each model year consultant review the data Tony supplied for
accuracy. I will review 1963.
300Jly,
Carl B
From: Tony Rinaldi <mailto:awrdoc@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, February 17, 2014 9:35 AM
To: bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ; Chrysler 300 Club
<mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] 2015 Diamond Jubilee- 60 At The 60th
Hi Group,
Can anyone help Bob me re availability of manual transmissions from FACTORY.
See Bob's reply below.
Thank you,
Tony <https://overview.mail.yahoo.com/?.src=iOS>
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
_____
From: Bob Merritt <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>;
To: Tony Rinaldi <awrdoc@xxxxxxxxx>;
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] 2015 Diamond Jubilee- 60 At The 60th
Sent: Mon, Feb 17, 2014 3:23:22 PM
Minor points:
Wasn't the manual transmission offered in 55?
I dunno, I thought it was.
Manual was offered in 57, 58 for sure.
I don't think man trans available
in H or J, you say racing 3 speed. I could be
wrong........
On 2/16/2014 3:16 PM, Tony Rinaldi wrote:
Hi To All,
Preparations started 3 years in advance for this special Joint 300 Clubs'
Chrysler 300 60th Anniversary Meet being held in conjunction the large
Macungie, PA show.
Chrysler 300s are the featured Marque.
We need to prepare a history of the Chrysler 300 Marque from the first C-300
thru the current 300 offerings. Before distributing that history for review
by everyone, please take time to review the following info that will be on
placards for 300 Letter Car examples under the main tent.
All constructive remarks will be appreciated. Remember, these are meant to
be short synopses. Each will have a large letter associated with the table
and short description.
You have 18 months to get your 300s ready to bring to this
Meet-Of-A-Lifetime on August 5-9, 2015. We are looking for 60 300s to
attend. Sorry, Macungie rules will not allow 300-Ms of new 300s.
We Want You And Your 300! Be There.
Macungie Meet Co-Hosts,
Mark Souders
Tony Rinaldi
Tony Bevacqua
Please remark:
1955 C-300 Overview
Production
1,725 Produced
Body and Chassis
Body Style
2-Door Hardtop
Powertrain
Engine
331 cu in (5.4 L) 300 hp V8
Transmission
PowerFlite 2-Speed Automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase
126 in
Length
218.8 in
Width
79.1 in
The Chrysler letter cars were born when they married the "Hemi" engine with
Virgil Exner's radically re-designed line creating what became known as "The
Forward Look".
The design was simple but strong without much chrome on the sides, creating
the illusion of fast forward movement. It was named the 300 because in 1955,
when it was introduced, it came equipped with Carter 4 barrel carburetors, a
solid lifter camshaft, and a larger exhaust that produced 300 horsepower,
the first modern American production engine to accomplish that.
The New Yorker would contribute its two-door body, the Imperial, its
two-piece grill with Windsor rear quarters. Exner also included base-model
Chrysler bumpers and removed many exterior elements such as back-up lights,
hood ornament, side trim, and exterior mirrors.
Measured at 127.58 mph (205.32 km/h) in the Flying Mile, and doing well in
NASCAR. When the C300 competed in NASCAR, it was painted to advertise that
it was the "world's fastest stock car".
1956 300-B Overview
Production
1,102 Produced
Body and Chassis
Body Style
2-Door Hardtop
Powertrain
Engine
354 cu in 340 hp (Opt 355 hp) V8
Transmission
2 & 3-Speed Auto/3 Sp Manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase
126 in
Length
218.8 in
Width
79.1 in
In 1956, the 300-B was released and all future models would be labeled with
a
sequential letter after the 300.
The 300-B 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. With the optional 355 hp 354-cu.in engine, the
300B became the first American car to produce 1 horsepower per cubic inch.
Performance of the new 300-B improved as it averaged over 90 mph in the
Daytona Grand National and hit a new flying mile record, 139.373 miles per
hour in the Flying Mile at Daytona Beach.
1957 300-C Overview
Production
1,918 Coup; 484 Conv Produced
Body and Chassis
Body Style
2-Door Hardtop & 2-Dr Convertible
Powertrain
Engine
392 cu in (6.4 L) 375 hp V8
Transmission
3-Speed TorqueFlite A488 Auto
Dimensions
Wheelbase
126 in
Length
219.2 in
Width
78.8 in
The 1957 300-C is generally considered the classic year of the 300 "letter
series". New styling was brought in, with a yawning wide front
grille and fins; the Hemi engine was upgraded to 392 cu in (6.4 L) with 375
hp, or as a very limited edition 390 hp version (18 built). A convertible
model was available for the first time. The car had a number of red, white,
and blue '300-C' medallions on the sides, hood, trunk and interior.
With the introduction of the 1957 300-C, 300 Letter Cars became known as the
"Beautiful Brutes."
The 1957 300-C did not compete in NASCAR track events, but with its 375HP
hemi engine, again won the Daytona Beach flying mile, making the Chrysler
300 the fastest American car for the third straight year.
1958 300-D Overview
Production
618 Coup; 191 Conv Produced
Body and Chassis
Body Style
2-Door Hardtop & 2-Dr Convertible
Powertrain
Engine
392 cu in (6.4 L) 380 hp V8
Transmission
3-Speed TorqueFlite A488 Auto
Dimensions
Wheelbase
126 in
Length
220.0 in
Width
78.8 in
The 1958 model year was to be the last use of the old Fire Power Hemi in the
300. The engine was still 392 cu in (6.4 L), but tuned to 380 hp as
standard.
Thirty-five cars were built with fuel injection and delivered 390 hp, but
the fuel
injection system was troublesome and most cars soon had it replaced with the
standard twin-quad carburetor setup.
A 300-D was driven to 156.387 mph (251.680 km/h) at the Bonneville Salt
Flats that year, and at Daytona, one was driven to an et of 16 seconds with
a 94mph trap speed.
1959 300-E Overview
Production
550 Coup; 140 Conv Produced
Body and Chassis
Body Style
2-Door Hardtop & 2-Dr Convertible
Powertrain
Engine
413 cu in 380 hp (6.8 L) V8
Transmission
3-Speed TorqueFlite A488 Auto
Dimensions
Wheelbase
126 in
Length
220.0 in
Width
79.5 in
The big news for 1959 was the new Golden Lion V8 that replaced the heavy and
expensive Hemi V8. The new Golden Lion V8 sported Chrysler's new
wedge-shaped combustion chamber design. The new 413 "Wedge" V8 continued to
use dual four-barrel carburetors. Acceleration was fast at a claimed 8.3
second 0-60 time.
The appearance of the 300-E was similar to the previous model. The most
significant change was the use of narrow horizontal red bars highlighted by
four chrome bars in place of the older egg crate grille. Red bars were also
used in the narrow air scoops for the front brakes that were positioned
below the headlights. Also new were the "300" letters located on the lower,
driver side portion of the hood. At the rear were new taillights and a
larger bumper with recessed back-up lights.
1960 300-F Overview
Production
964 Coup; 248 Conv Produced
Body and Chassis
Body Style
2-Door Hardtop & 2-Dr Convertible
Powertrain
Engine
413 cu in 375 hp (Opt 400 hp) V8
Transmission
3-Sp TorqueFlite/Racing 4 Sp Man
Dimensions
Wheelbase
126 in
Length
218.8 in
Width
79.4 in
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 300-F introduced a new; higher power 413 cu in (6.8 L) Wedge engine
delivering 375 hp (280 kW) in standard form. A new, and completely unique
"Cross Ram" manifold was used, placing the carbs on each side of the engine.
The design was to have a "supercharging" effect in the heart of the rpm
range. Low range performance was helped with the design, but at the cost of
performance over 4,000 RPM. To solve that problem, engineers removed a
section of the inner walls to create the 400 HP versions. The "short" rams
looked just like the longer version, but were in effect half the length.
Only 15 of these "short ram" cars were built, mostly for Daytona or Flying
Mile racecars and were dubbed "Specials". Six of them captured the first 6
places at the Flying Mile event, with speeds ranging from 140mph-145mph. The
short ram option also included the French made Pont-a-Mousson 4 speed manual
transmission, which was made for the Facel Vega, a Chrysler powered French
luxury car.
1961 300-G Overview
Production
1,280 Coup; 337 Conv Produced
Body and Chassis
Body Style
2-Door Hardtop & 2-Dr Convertible
Powertrain
Engine
413 cu in 375 hp (Opt 400 hp) V8
Transmission
3-Sp TorqueFlite/Racing 3 Sp Man
Dimensions
Wheelbase
126 in
Length
219.8 in
Width
79.4 in
The 1961 300-G 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.
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').
1962 300-H Overview
Production
435 Coup; 123 Conv Produced
Body and Chassis
Body Style
2-Door Hardtop & 2-Dr Convertible
Powertrain
Engine
413 cu in 380 hp (Opt 405 hp) V8
Transmission
3-Sp TorqueFlite/Racing 3 Sp Man
Dimensions
Wheelbase
122 in
Length
214.9 in
Width
79.4 in
>From 1962s 300-H, the fins were gone. New management at Chrysler decided
that it was time to remove Virgil Exner's styling cues from the lineup.
The 300-H also now shared the smaller platform of the Newport line.
Both 413's received a 5HP boost, and the 300-pound weight savings of the
smaller wheelbase gave the 300-H the best power to weight ratio of any of
the letter cars.
Under the hood of the 300-H the standard cross ram intake was gone, and
there was a return to the inline dual 4-barrel carb setup of the 300-E. With
a slight power boost and a 300 lb (140 kg) lighter body, the 300-H was
faster than the 300-G.
1963 300-J Overview
Production
400 Produced
Body and Chassis
Body Style
2-Door Hardtop
Powertrain
Engine
413 cu in 390 hp (6.8 L) V8
Transmission
3-Sp TorqueFlite/Racing 3 Sp Man
Dimensions
Wheelbase
122 in
Length
215.3 in
Width
79.1 in
Further restyling for the 1963 300-J (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 from 1962. A redesigned and more sumptuous interior featured an oddly
squared
steering wheel. The 300-J was faster than the standard 300-H 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.
1964 300-K Overview
Production
3,022 Coup; 625 Conv Produced
Body and Chassis
Body Style
2-Door Hardtop & 2-Dr Convertible
Powertrain
Engine
413 cu in 360 hp (Opt 390 hp) V8
Transmission
3-Sp TorqueFlite/4 Sp Manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase
122 in
Length
214.9 in
Width
79.4 in
The convertible returned for the 1964 300-K.
The "cross-ram" engine became an extra-cost option available on the 300-K
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 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.
1965 300-L Overview
Production
2,405 Coup; 440 Conv Produced
Body and Chassis
Body Style
2-Door Hardtop & 2-Dr Convertible
Powertrain
Engine
413 cu in 360 hp (6.8 L) V8
Transmission
3-Sp TorqueFlite/4 Sp Manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase
122 in
Length
215.3 in
Width
79.1 in
The 1965 300-L was the final year of the traditional letter series. A
complete restyle, with crisp lines, slab sides and a tall
"greenhouse"-styling cues introduced by Elwood Engel when he succeeded
Virgil Exner as Chrysler's styling boss-brought a sleek mid-1960s linear
look to the cars.
Dropped was the panoramic windshield that had disappeared from other
Chrysler models in 1961.
The cross-ram engine was no longer available; the 413 cu in (6.8 L) engine
with
regular carburetion and inlet manifold was the only one supplied.
1970 Hurst 300 Overview
Production
501Produced
Body and Chassis
Body Style
2-Door Hardtop & One Convertible
Powertrain
Engine
440 cu in 375 hp (7.2 L) V8
Transmission
3-Sp TorqueFlite/4 Sp Manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase
124 in
Length
224.7 in
Width
79.1 in
The 1970 Hurst 300 lacks the single-letter suffix of its forbears and
appeared five years after the last Letter Series Chrysler, the 300-L. 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 trunklid (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 Torqueflite automatics. All came with the 375 hp 440 cu
in (7.2 L) 4-barrel TNT V8 engine.
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