This is one of the more unusual listings that I have reviewed. It’s a 1961 Chrysler 300 G which is a major collectible but nowhere in the listing is mention made of its engine – clearly the elephant in the room. This example is a bit banged up but if you’re looking for untouched originality and rarity, it’s one of only 1,280 produced, your ship has arrived! Located in De Pere, Wisconsin, this big Chrysler Cruiser is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $3,352 with the reserve not yet met.
The listing claims, “This Chrysler 300 just came out of 30+ years of storage. It was sold new from Mariners Chrysler-Plymouth in Newport Beach, CA“. The mileage is listed as 94K miles but no authentication is offered. The circumstances surrounding this valuable 300G’s 30+ year sojourn are not identified – not that it really matters. I guess what I was trying to determine is whether this car’s deterioration started before it was stored (probably) and continued as it was stored (probably again). The seller helps out with the description by notating, “The sheet metal has survived quite well, and the floors appear to be solid. The only known rust hole is on the far right-hand side of the trunk which is about the size of a baseball. The other rust is on the rocker panel on both the driver and passenger sides, but it’s very repairable”. Additionally, there is surface rust bleed through and dull chrome but he does add that it has “good bones“. It also has some titanic tailfins!
Back to that elephant (no, it’s not a Hemi) in the room, nowhere is it mentioned that this 300G is sporting a 400 gross HP, dual-quad fed 413 CI V8 engine (as if the standard 375 hp, single carburetor fueled engine wasn’t enough). This running example, video here, is equipped with those fabulous long runner intake manifolds. I guess when enough is just right, too much is perfect! As is usually the case, but not always, a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission allows the big “RB” engine to do some ground pounding.
As for the interior, its sordid condition is what got me wondering about this car’s slumber. The deteriorated dash pad looks like extreme sun damage so that means lots of outdoor time. But separate yourself, for a minute, from inspecting the environment’s condition, and drink in that 300 interior experience. The dash, instrument panel, shiftless center console – front and back, push-button gearbox activation, all of it – what an experience. Try comparing this to a modern Tesla where all you’re looking at is a video screen – we have really lost it, automotively!
Yes, this one needs a lot of work and it’s going to be an expensive undertaking, but what a subject car! The seller does mention that it’s 95% complete (not sure how that’s measured) and there are some extra trunk-dwelling parts like door panels and moldings. I cut it short in the presentation department but there are 65 excellent images included in the listing, be sure to check them all out. Yeah, I would have waxed on a bit more about that outrageous powerplant, how about you?
Love those crossram manifolds
BF quote” “…this 300G is sporting a 400 gross HP, dual-quad fed 413 CI V8 engine (as if the standard 375 hp, single carburetor fueled engine wasn’t enough).”
Uh, no. There was no “standard 375 hp single carburetor” engine in ’61 300Gs. Both the standard 375 hp and the optional 400 hp 413 had two 4-barrel carbs on the long cross-ram (ram-induction) manifolds. The 400 hp version had a hotter cam, solid lifters and larger carburetors and was more of a racing engine.
Yeah, you’re right. My first research source, automobile-catalogue, stated a single four as standard. The Hemmings source is more accurate and supports your claim.
JO
I believe the 400 HP engine had short rams for more top end. They look the same on the outside, the only difference is the length on the divider on the inside.
Would be gorgeous if restored. Since it’s a complete car with nice options, hopefully a new owner carefully does just that. I’m sure it would be fun to drive.
There’s a lot more rust there than you think. Not saying it’s not restorable, but this is an expensive restoration. Take it from someone that does Restorations
Looks like a 3 OH OH! Too bad! Last year for Exners fabulous finned fantasies for Chrysler. BUT too much unknown and too much needed! Hope SOMEONE saves it! I’m still searching for a 61 DeSoto. Even more collectible. If you find one, tell em Groucho sent you!
There’s a 61 DeSoto sitting in Espanola, NM. No response though after I have the guys wife my contact.
Wife probably sent it to Groucho! Marx my words! 😉 She said the secret word (DeSoto), the duck came down, and she got $50. 😄 😁 🤣
Really cool
I have a love/hate thing going on with these old Chryslers. First, I love the fins, the square steering wheel, cross ram 413, angle stack headlights. But, the low reduction starter and crappy brakes just annoy me. Yes I’d take it for less than 5 grand, but we know that’s not happening. Also the fact that said Chrysler Corp bought the Rootes Group and canceled the the Sunbeam Tiger, gives me more reason to stick to my fantasy that maybe I will own a 413 powered 300H someday. But, would I even take it??? Love/Hate, still goin’ on…….
Nice car not worth the money it will cost to restore, nicely restored cars are selling for 25/50k, just scroll to the bottom of the flea bay screen it’s worth checking out for a price reference
Wow! This is the second 1961 Chrysler 300s listed on BFs this week, and although this one is in rough shape everything is there. That, and there was no small engine fire questions like the other one listed. And also seller provided several, engine bay photos. The crossover ram intake and dual carbs still looks impressive, and this car came with fa tory AC. ASM, and Sue from Gas Monkey garage would have a field day restoring every inch of its interior. That’s gonna be expensive. Overall, a better car than the other one listed this week. Good find
“Richard you always bring me junk! A$$ Monkey!!”
Phil G, He wouldn’t be bringing Sue junk with this 1961 300 Chrysler project. Headliner, leather seats, door cards, dash pad, and carpet alone could be near $8-$10k or more. Such a Mopar beauty.
This car is cool even if it’s not my favorite style-wise. Key word here is STYLE! Something a Tesla does not have. A Tesla is an appliance. Like a washing machine. Please do not mention any Tesla in future reviews…
With this car and the one earlier this week, you should have everything you need to put to put together a nice one with a lot of great parts left over to sell.
Or a project for someone with some real talent and ambition.
many years ago I built a street rod using one of these engines, sixty over, forged pistons, big isky cam, manual, reverse valve body B & M torque flight trans, that was back in the early seventies when muscle cars were new, no one could keep up with my 35 Chevrolet powered by that 413, it was bullet proof, at twenty six hundred pounds it ran low elevens on street tires, I would consider buying this car just for the engine.
The Plymouth version of this intake system was called Sonoramic Commando. Supposed to help with torque I believe. Early sixties American cars were at the top of the world.
Oh, oh, me, me, me, finally get to use this one,,,ahem,,a Native American was paddling a canoe down the Fox River, when it overturned near this settlement. He exclaimed, “It’s deep here”, ( rimshot)
Another of the “makes you want to vomit”. This car was as if Chrysler opened the spigot, and this was the result. This car cost a whopping $5860 new. When a lowly Newport was around $3grand, the letter cars were not for everyone. There were 96,454 ’61 Chryslers sold. While we gaze upon the cross ram, it really was a slug. It got single digit mileage, hard to keep tuned, did 0-60 in around 9 seconds, and 16.2@87 mph in the 1/4. Not funny car times, although some say it looks funny, but this car was the epitome of personal luxury cruisers, the likes we’ll never see again. They were fantastic cars.
This? good heavens, now a Newport, I could see neglect, but a letter car was special from the get go should never have gotten this bad.
Some peoples kids, I swear,,,,
Looks like a good parts car, the body panels look OK and are those air conditioning vents atop that dash? That awesome cross ram 413 alone is worth much more than that current bid.
The 30 inch ram induction was for NASCAR and top end. The 15 inch were for the dragstip.
Not a cross ram. It’s a long ram manifold. Cross ram is two 4 barrels on the same “low rise” intake manifold,starting with the 413 max wedge and later with the 426 max wedge.
The driver side manifold “crosses” to the passenger side cylinder head and the passenger side manifold “crosses” to driver side cylinder head. Let’s not play semantics games.
JO
Well, that’s what Ma Mopar called them so who am I to argue with that?
They actually called it “Ram-Induction” but I’m not going to foam over it.
JO
The saying “if you’re buying a collector car, buy the best you can afford” sure applies here. Too much for too little and too costly to restore unless you are a realistic do-it-yourself person. Beautiful when done right, Gentleman’s Hot Rod.
@ Jim Odonnell You are correct on that. A certain Beach Boys song comes to mind. Shut Down was the song if I’m not mistaken.
Good recall! Lyrics to the final verse below:
JO
Pedal’s to the floor, hear the dual quads drink
(Ooo, pump it up now)
And now the four-thirteen’s lead is startin’ to shrink
(Ooo, pump it up now)
He’s hot with ram induction but it’s understood
(Ooo, pump it up now)
I got a fuel injected engine sittin’ under my hood
(Ooo, pump it up now)
I always heard these referred to as crossover ram intake manifolds on early 60s Chryslers like this. Whether someone else wants to call them inductions, is just semantics IMO.
413 really digging on. -had 62 chrysler 300h car.. limited models produced.. double console. overhauled that engine. dash looked like a rocket ship. this one breaks my heart. laying around ..love those old mopars.
When I was a kid in the 60’s we had an incredibly attractive neighbor who owned a red one of these. Man she looked great when she drove it! She worked the Hertz rental car counter at SeaTac. One day she came home from work and the Chrysler had been replaced by a blue with gold stripe Shelby GT350. We moved shortly after that and when we went back to visit a couple years later they had moved. I still remember how great her legs looked when she got out of the Shelby. It’s amazing some of the things you remember from when you were a kid! I can’t remember what I did last month, but I remember that like it was yesterday!
Memories light the corners of what’s LEFT of my mind! Now a Vintage Rolls Canardly, Roll down one hill and Can ardly get up the next, those wonderful memories are a blessing and a refuge from the increasingly crazy world we face today! As Archie and Edith sang, Those were the days! PLEASE don’t drink the KOOL Aid OR an ORANGE Julius! 😮
I’m curious what the cost of buying a Chrysler 413 cross ram long block or a short block would set you back. Even sourcing one in this used condition and its needing rebuilding. It would have to be pretty expensive, and surely more than this cars current bid is at $4900.
I’m probably the only person here who has had a 300G. Bought it back in 2013 for $4300 after it had been left abandoned at a repair shop for a number of years. Black with tan interior, had all the factory options including A/C (yep, A/C was an option on these cars). If I remember correctly it only had about 40k miles on it and only minor rust. It had the wrong grille (a Newport grille), so I located a 300G grille up in Massachusetts for $1,200 (allegedly the last NOS one anywhere). I got it running but never drove it (brake lines had snapped). Once I started looking at the costs to restore it (the air cleaner filters were $300), I realized I was way out of my league and sold it to a guy in Australia who did a full restoration on it. He occasionally sends me photos of it with kangaroos in the background.
Sold for $10,000. Cheap.