Imagine walking into your local Chrysler dealership in 1963 and handing over your cash for this 300 Sport Hardtop. Take your thinking one step further by considering whether you would possess the self-control to drive it an average of 427 miles per year for more than half a century. That is the story behind this classic, and the owner holds documentation that verifies the claim. They have decided that the time is right for the Chrysler to find a new home, so they have listed it for sale here on Craigslist. This beauty is located in West Seneca, New York, with a sale price of $18,500. I must thank Barn Finder T.J. for referring this remarkable survivor to us.
Chrysler introduced the 300 Sport Series in 1962 as a more affordable version of the company’s “Letter” Series. Buyers could order the Sport in Convertible form and a Two or Four-Door Hardtop. This Two-Door presents beautifully in Oyster White that shines well for its age. The seller mentions one minor touch-up on the rear quarter panel. Otherwise, the remaining paint is original. There are no significant chips, scratches, or other paint faults requiring attention. The panels are straight, with no signs of dings, dents, or, more importantly, rust. The Magnum 500 wheels are a recent addition, although the seller includes the factory originals and hubcaps in the sale. With glass that appears flawless, this Chrysler seems to have no cosmetic needs.
While it may not have possessed the plush interior trim that buyers expected in a Chrysler “Letter” Series vehicle, occupants in a 300 Sport Hardtop could hardly claim a life of hardship. They didn’t receive leather upholstery, a console, power windows, or other automotive tinsel. However, they also didn’t get the Letter Series price tag. If a buyer in 1963 ordered this car, the sticker price was $3,430. If they bit the bullet and ordered a 300J, the cost skyrocketed to $5,184. That represents a 50% premium that was beyond the reach of many buyers. Our feature car is trimmed in Red vinyl that presents well for its age. There may be one tiny split in the outer edge of the driver’s seat, but it is difficult to be sure due to the photo quality. If there is, it is small enough that a competent upholsterer could apply a blind patch to prevent deterioration. Beyond that, there is nothing to fault. The carpet is free from wear, there is no evidence of UV damage or abuse, and no signs of aftermarket additions. Comfort features don’t extend beyond an AM radio, but the overall appearance of the interior and the plushness of the upholstery helps it stand out in a crowd.
Buyers could select from two engines to power their 300 Sport, and this car’s original owner chose the 383ci V8 that produces a healthy 305hp. While a three-speed manual transmission was available, shifting duties, in this case, fell to a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. In keeping with this classic’s luxury leanings, the buyer receives power assistance for the steering and brakes. At 3,840lbs, the Hardtop is not particularly heavy for a car of this type and size. That makes its ¼-mile ET of 15.9 seconds no surprise. Interestingly, if a buyer ordered the 300J, they received the significantly more powerful 413ci V8 as standard fare. The “J” was considerably heavier thanks to the higher equipment levels. It produced a faster ¼-mile time than the Sport, but the cheaper car would still have been breathing down its neck as they broke the timing beam. The seller indicates that this classic has 25,750 miles on its odometer, and they hold documentation verifying that claim. That equates to this Hardtop covering a mere 427 miles per year, which is pretty astounding. It is numbers-matching, with the only aftermarket addition being a conversion of the exhaust to a dual system. Otherwise, the car remains untouched. We receive no information on how well it runs or drives, but the overall presentation and odometer reading leave me feeling positive on that score.
This 1963 Chrysler 300 Sport Hardtop is a remarkable survivor, and its odometer reading places it in elite company. Its presentation is impressive, and purists will welcome the fact that it remains largely unmolested. The few changes performed over the past fifty-nine years are reversible, adding further to its attraction. These are not a mega-dollar classic, although, like many in the current market, values are increasing as the world recovers from two years of trying circumstances. They haven’t quite reached their previous levels, but they are drawing close. That might make now the right time to park this classic in your garage. It could prove a wise long-term investment that offers the opportunity to experience some classic motoring pleasure. I can’t think of a downside to that scenario, can you?
Our neighbors had a 1964 Chrysler New Yorker white with green brocade interior. I thought it was the classiest thing on 4 wheels…until the ’65s were introduced.
Never thought I’d say , ” those magnum wheels need to go ” . But , that’s what I’m saying . Nice car .
This car’s about 8 minutes from me, and I’ve seen it in real life. The pics don’t do it justice. A very nice ride.
It is amazing to park a 1960 Chrysler next to a 63 like this to compare. The forward look era vehicles were ahead of their time. The 1960 letter car being the pinnacle.
Poor engineering and premature rust didn’t help. But looking at the 63 Chrysler threw everything at styling to distance itself from the earlier era.
The best styling of the day, in my opinion, was the ’63, the engine was great, the 3 speed automatic was much tighter than GM’s, the suspension was ahead of GM or Ford of the day, a great highway car. Not a museum piece, so you would not feel guilty about driving it another 100,000 miles, which, if you add Vintage Air, would make it a pleasure.
if I lived in the US still, I would not hesitate buying this gem. as a veteran in the car industry and a car nut who has owned over 50 cars, this is worth every dollar of asking. I am, frankly, surprised it’s still for sale.
Sharp car. Looks like a giant Valiant, but cooler.
Valiants….were never considered cool. Not in my world at least.
Nerdy yes….cool …No ! lol
Beautiful car. The wheels kinda detract – wheels and the car are from
a different era and don’t quite match.
This car is a deal for the asking. I need to take some of what’s left in the pot, buy it and enjoy it. Will be a better bet than your portfolio at this point.
Push-button auto trans just like my first car, ‘64 Plymouth Belvedere. Mine was also this same white w red interior. Love it!
I’m 58 years old and My Grandfather who died in 1986 had one of these push button automatics back in the late 60”s. He lived in Blandford M.A. and worked in NYC which is about 140 miles or 3 hours each way. Can you imagine driving such a distance to work and back in this “BAD” ride? This particular car looks to me like the perfect example of a time capsule with the exception of the dual exhaust which you have to give it a pass. Imagine checking off the color” “oyster-white”? It’s really quite a car that is truly hard to imagine how incredible this car had to be in order to be so dependable and still be running great today. We’re they really intending on these cars being on the road for over 60 years ?Great Example of Mopars finest!
Looks like someone ‘low-ridered’ this nerd-mobile. Age sometimes doesn’t change things.
My dad work for the local Chrysler Plymouth dealership in Detroit and bought my first car 1962 Plymouth unmarked detective car with 10,000 miles on it in 1964 ugly as all get out big time sleeper 318 CID Three barrel carburetor positive rear end big-time burn out got banned from the school parking lot parked the car on the street in front of the principles window he didn’t like that lol But nobody sped through the school zone
Power steering power front brakes no radio noaircondition as plain as plain can be I wish I had it now I had fun be safe
I’d love to see interior colors like this in modern cars. I know, I know; the workings of the modern auto sales machine mean dealers only order the most salable models and configurations, and nobody special-orders personalized cars anymore, etc etc etc. I’d bet that if makers of higher-end, higher-profit cars turned the interior and color designers loose and offered some flashy, flamboyant color schemes though, they’d find enough takers to make it worthwhile.
In the early 1980s I found a similar vehicle; a 1963 Chrysler 300 Sport convertible, in this exact color and interior. It was a one-owner car, always garaged, with about the same mileage. The car had only 2 major differences between the convertible and this hardtop featured here; It had the single 4 barrel 413 engine with dual exhaust, and factory Air Conditioning!
The elderly couple was only concerned about who would take over “their baby”, and chose me, provided I agreed to the price, and that turned out to be $100.00, no negotiation allowed!
I loved driving that car, it was 100% reliable, never gave me any problems. But what really surprised me was the same basic comments I would constantly get every time I took it to a car show: “Awww, it’s not a letter series 300, what a shame!” or “Too bad it’s not a letter series car!”
What I found in the trunk was a total surprise; Carefully rolled up were 2 cotton canvas signs 24″ square, each with 4 cotton attaching lines, one at each corner. The signs, both hand-painted, said: “The new Chrysler 300, official Indy 500 pace car!”. The couple explained the car was used for local parades like the 4th of July and high school events, and during the parades the signs were displayed outside on each car door. Back in the early 1980s not much was known concerning the pace cars, and I used to think this was THE actual pace car, until I finally saw a color photo and realized the pace cars were light blue.
Beautiful looking car. IMHO, it’s the best looking Chrysler 300 since the 1954-55 300, until the 1965 Chrysler 300.