To compliment the entry-level Mopar collector car that appeared here on Barn Finds recently, is this beautiful original 1966 Chrysler 300. This pillar-less four door hardtop is offered for sale here on the Mattoon, Illinois craigslist for $2,850! While the convertibles and coupes will always rule the roost with regards to collectability, the sedans are finally beginning to get the respect they deserve. Since cruising is fun, that fun is only multiplied by how many friends or family members you can bring along. With this car, you’ll be able to bring a lot of them! Before we get into the standard boat and airport runways on the hood comments, let’s take a look at this fine specimen.
Although only one side is shown, the body appears to be very straight and rust-free. The seller states that it has 38,000 original miles, and looking at the interior, it’s not hard to believe. There are no photos of the engine, but the seller says it’s a 440. I’d be inclined to check that out for myself, as that power plant is identical in appearance to the 383, which by the way happens to be the smallest engine this car was available with.
The mammoth proportions and knife’s edge styling of this car were the work of Chrysler stylist Elwood Engel, noted protégé and successor to the great Virgil Exner. This car is the proper 1960s progression from the “Forward Look” Mopars of the fifties.
In the interest of full disclosure, I’m not an impartial witness, as if that weren’t obvious at this point. I have previously owned a ’65 Chrysler and other ’60s full-size Mopars. If you’ve ever driven other similar era offerings from GM and Ford, they aren’t the same and here’s why: First, on the subject of body integrity, the Chrysler engineers weren’t fooling around. They came to work early and stayed late. These are among the heaviest and most substantial-feeling big cars available. Second is the front torsion bar suspension. The pillow-soft big GM car ride is not present here. The ride is firm, but not harsh. Incredibly sure-footed in the snow. Not that I’d drive this one in snow…
The price per pound here is an absolute steal for a driver collector car that doesn’t need a ton of work. While the rest of the world slowly figures that out, I may have already made room for this one in my driveway. Now, let the Moby Dick, aircraft carrier, and B-52s Love shack comments begin!
I always like the fenders and front ends on these. I’d gladly drive one of these.
The backside isn’t bad either. 440, I’m drooling.
I grew up in one of these … sort of….. My parents parked a 66 Newport 2 door during the gas crisis of the 70’s. The side profile is very similar. As kids we played in that thing all the time and took imaginary journeys. It was a car, a spaceship, a boat, it became our fantasy vehicle of choice. Great memories.
I paid more than that to rent a car last time I went to USA.
Would have this car in a minute if it were near Tampa, and if I weren’t in the middle of my 65 Skylark. Well, Skylark notwithstanding I’d but this if it were in FLA. Love this old Mopar.
This thing is clean, I love it. What’s the catch? Marty, if you can pick this up do it and please show us more of it!
Great find. Chryslers of this vintage were great hi-way cruisers. Plenty of power and decent handling for such a large car. More pictures would be nice. The price seems to be very fair for a car in this condition. I see under the dash, an aftermarket air conditioner. I hope it still works.
The 66 Chrysler is one of my favorite cars. They handle well for the time that they were built, and have plenty of power. My parents owned a 66 Newport convertible and a 66 New Yorker coupe with a 440 and a floor shifted automatic. Both cars had factory air cold enough to use as a meat locker. The New Yorker had the most options of any car that I had seen in those years. Chrysler offered an early style cruise control that was a knob on the dash board that had numbers that corresponded with the speed in 10 mph increments. It adjusted from 3 to 9. You could set that thing on 7 for 70 and cruise all day long. This car looks to be in good condition. I would love to see the car in person. If it has no rust on the undercarriage, it is quite a buy. I hope it finds a good home with someone who will care for it properly and enjoy it.
Certain cars look good as a 4 door, and this is one of them.
Looks like quite a bargain!
When the NJ to NYC buses went on strike in mid 70s, a few neighbors bought a 65 Newport paren post) four-door in the same white. As designated driver, I chauffeured the group into New York every day for a number of years. Moby, as she was called (not so original I know) was hi – style commuting for $800 total. This one looks like it even better bargain, go for it! LD71 :D
I bought a 1 owner 1966 Newport wagon in 2002 for $300.Had fun shopping for it. Requirements were full size with fake wood and a roof rack. Had 383, with a 4bbl. No backup lights but neat little blank out plates that probably cost more to make than lights.
I traded it on a new 1974 Fiat 124 Sport coupe. Fiat dealer never saw as I parked it down the street. We agreed on a trade in value of 5 cents a pound. They used it that afternoon to pull their race car trailer.
Typo? How did you buy a ’66 Newport in 2002, and trade it for a New 1974 car?
WANT WANT WANT
no space or $$ :(
somebody get it – its a gift if its any where as described
My family had a 66 Newport Station Wagon. It was a beast. Front and rear AC units. Ours was a 383, 4bbl. 10-12 mpg in town, 13-14 on the Hwy. But it was indestructible and could pull a little Airstream like it was a tin can. As I remember, my Dad finally sold it after its second transmission rebuild. But that was at well over 200K miles.
Great find. Great car, treat it well.
My uncle still has a 1971 Dodge Polara Custom Sedan in his yard. 383-2bbl and column shift auto. Owned by his grandmother and been in family since 1971. 48000 miles on the odometer
Nice..
I’d totally snatch this up if it were in Seattle
I had an identical Chrysler 300 (white/1966) with a 440 under the hood. I sold it in 1980. I just could not afford the gas. I called it my “boat” and it floated down the highway so nice and smooth. For one brief moment in my life I had class.
I recall there was a very cool sports version of the newport (?) that came with a 440 Magnum and a floor shifter 4 speed, It had fins so was earlier I guess