Fw: [Chrysler300] 2015 Diamond Jubilee- 60 At The 60th

After my last post I did some checking and need to clarify my comments. The 1954 did have the Chrysler logo but it was surrounded by the words POWER STEERING differing from all the previous versions. This would explain why the '53 style button was used being that the 300B stick cars were manual steering.

I find it interesting that going into the fourth year of power steering production they would now state this. Maybe they just needed something different???

If you Google "1954 Chrysler Horn Button" you can see the latter version. Also, the style of button that Don speaks of actually started in 1949 but through the years the background colors differed. I've seen red, green, gold and the silver for the later cars.

Remember, life is a learning experience and then you die....... When one stops learning or seeking information then you might as well die..........

John L.

On Tuesday, February 18, 2014 9:05 AM, Flathead Engineering <flatheadeng@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Starting the restoration of my second C300. It is totally dissassembeled. Had it painted tango red but code calls for white so while it is entirely apart we will change the color back to white to make it an authentic restoration. I will be selling my black C300 which you have judged in Golden. It was certified appraised at $75K and runs like new since it is almost new from engine to brakes, trans etc. Can be safely and reliably driven. History is fully known. If you hear of any interest please let me know. I will not advertise it untill the white one is fully under control. I have a ton of C300 parts including another car that can be restored but is very bad looking and requires a dedicated effort. Little to no structural rust. Will be selling all including a correct engine with air cleaner and carbs. At age 81 I am just being realistic.

----- Original Message -----

From: John Lazenby

To: Don Warnaar ; Rich Barber ; ccc300ClubListserver

Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2014 9:02 AM

Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] 2015 Diamond Jubilee- 60 At The 60th

The horn button between 1953 and 1954 differed in appearance. 1953 was the last of what Don is describing.

On the '55 and '56 Chryslers there is a chrome piece attached to the dash that covers over the top of the steering column. If you remove that piece you will see the opening to accommodate the shift rod for a manual trans car.

The stick shift cars for both 1955 and 1956 used the 1955 left dash panel. There are three pieces that make up the dash on both years.

John Lazenby

On Tuesday, February 18, 2014 5:29 AM, Don Warnaar <300country@xxxxxxx> wrote:

The steering wheel used in the manual trans. 300B was a carryover from earlier years. The clue is that it had the old ribbon and seal Chrysler logo in the center. No other Letter 300 ever had that logo on it. (except maybe on a tag under the hood). The 1953 was the last time it appeared on the exterior of any Chrysler until they brought it back on the Cirrus many years later. It had been featured from the beginning in 1924 until 1953. Most recently it was at the center of the winged logo.

Always like that logo. They again abandoned it with the current lineup. It's not likely to reappear, but who knows.

Don Warnaar

----- Original Message -----

From: Rich Barber

To: 'Carlton Schroeder' ; 'Doug Mayer' ; 'C Bilter'

Cc: bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ; 'Chrysler 300 Club' ; 'Tony Rinaldi'

Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2014 1:57 AM

Subject: RE: [Chrysler300] 2015 Diamond Jubilee- 60 At The 60th

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