Chrysler’s “Letter Series” vehicles provided buyers with a winning combination of luxury, performance, and exclusivity. This 1961 300G Convertible lifts that last characteristic to a high level as 1-of-337 drop-tops produced during that model year. It has undergone a meticulous restoration, leaving it in showroom condition. Cars like this don’t come along every day, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting the Chrysler listed here on Craigslist in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Classics of this rarity and caliber are rarely cheap, as proven by the seller’s price of $139,000. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel, with the seller indicating that they may consider an appropriate trade plus cash.

Chrysler released its first “Letter Series” model in 1955, with subsequent models making an annual appearance until 1966. The 300G broke cover in 1996, with Chrysler producing 1,280 Hardtop Coupes and a mere 337 Convertibles. Our feature car is one of the latter that underwent a meticulous restoration. It wears the same Formal Black shade that was a new addition to the 1966 Letter Series range. The Tan power top provides a striking contrast to a car that appears to be virtually flawless. The paint shines richly, the trim is spotless, and the glass is crystal clear. One interesting design feature is the hubcaps. The 300G is a heavy car offering impressive performance. However, that combination can take a heavy toll on the brakes if pushed too hard. Therefore, the hubcaps and slotted steel wheels hiding beneath allowed for more cooling air to find its way around the brakes to improve the situation.

As with many cars of this type from this era, the 300G is strictly a four-seater. The back seats are effectively buckets that are separated by a full-length console. The same Tan shade that is featured on the Chrysler’s soft-top finds its way inside this Convertible in the form of leather trim. Once again, the presentation is impressive, with no evidence of wear or other problems. The dash is perfect, but the “AstraDome” gauge cluster is probably the highlight. It saw service across several Chrysler models in 1961, and with America in the grip of the space race, it looked like it was destined to find its way into a rocket bound for the moon. This interior isn’t merely about looks, with the new owner enjoying the benefits of air conditioning, power windows, swivel front seats, and a pushbutton radio.

The 300G Convertible tips the scale at 4,490 lbs. Therefore, Chrysler needed to provide something pretty special if progress was to be anything but glacial. It came to the party with a 413ci V8 that inhales deeply through a pair of four-barrel carburetors to produce 375hp and 495 ft/lbs of torque. A three-speed TorqueFlite transmission handles shifting duties, while this Chrysler wouldn’t be a genuine luxury car if it didn’t feature power assistance for the steering and brakes. Most buyers weren’t as concerned about outright performance as they were with luxury, although this car’s ability to cover the ¼-mile in 15.3 seconds was considered impressive when the curb weight was taken into account. The seller supplies no information regarding the Convertible’s mechanical health or how it drives. However, it would be fair to expect perfection from a car of this type within this price bracket.

This 1961 Chrysler 300G Convertible demonstrates why it pays to do your homework before committing your funds to a classic purchase. Both Hagery and NADA indicate that the seller’s price is realistic, but it is worth noting that values have softened slightly during the past year. My investigations uncovered a previous successful sale for this car in March 2024, with the car changing hands for $116,000. The seller’s current figure is considerably higher, but do you feel it is justified?