The other night, I was watching a video on YouTube about the “Duct Tape Drags” in Tucson, Arizona, where car enthusiasts from around the country gather to celebrate their liberation from the perfect. At this event (and many others), it’s cool to drive what you have. Bad paint? No problem. A few rust holes in the floor? Extra ventilation. I have to say I’m all for it. If people get out and have fun with their cars, it’s good for the hobby (as long as their cars are safe). This ’63 Chrysler 300 (not a letter car, obviously) fits that ethos; it’s a running and reasonably solid car for a decent price. It’s on Craigslist in Virginia, sent to us by Henry Reining. Thanks, Henry!
There’s only been one time that I’ve bought a car that had been well-maintained by a previous owner. Mostly, they have been dragged out of storage and given a half-hearted cleanup, and that’s where my work began. That work’s been mostly done on this big Chrysler. The advertisement offers us a litany of maintenance tasks: a rebuilt carburetor, cleaned up fuel tank (although it will likely need a replacement), hoses, pumps, brake booster, master cylinder, transmission service…the list goes on. If you’ve ever revived a car, the list will look familiar, and the current owner seems to be one of us. Kudos to anyone who’s willing to save these old things.
In case you’re worried about the proverbial matching numbers, the seller says that this is the original 383, which originally came with a two-barrel carburetor and a rated 305 horsepower.
The interior is fair, though a different driver’s seat has clearly been installed. Please take a quick look at the steering wheel.
Now look at it again. Am I seeing things, or are there two different steering wheels in two different pictures? Regardless, this squarish one was available on some models and apparently subscribed to the Wendy’s hamburger school of design, i.e., different to be different. And there’s nothing wrong with that, except that the steering wheel seems like one of those inventions that was already fairly well perfected. Nevertheless, there’s a vague Italian sensibility about the dashboard; it has a greater sense of symmetry than some early-’60s Chryslers. All-in-all, this is an underrated control panel.
Yes, there are some dings and dents, in addition to some minor rust in the floors and beneath the rear glass. It’s not perfect, but it’s also not too bad, and at least your patina will be real. If you want to attend Duct Tape Drags next year, this four-door hardtop would be gladly welcomed; as previously mentioned, it’s for sale in Virginia with an asking price of $3,200.
Not sure what that orange thing is to the left of steering wheel – bypass horn button?
It’s a warning light that indicates the parking brake (small pedal on the left) is engaged. ’63 was the first year with a “Park” function on the TorqueFlite (lever left of the pushbuttons). Maybe the thinking was people would also use the parking brake and needed a reminder it was on. On Imperials, the parking brake disengaged automatically so no warning light was needed.
My folks owned a ’63 300 4 DR HT and a ’64 Newport 2 DR HT in the late ’60s.
Talk about memories, this went off to my brother. It was practically the exact car he had while stationed in NC, circa, 1973. The paint was faded in a similar manner, and may have had a 361, it’s tough to tell the difference. Regardless, that car rolled like thunder. They made the best road cars then and my brother would agree, you can’t go wrong here. They were great cars and here’s your chance. You won’t find many others.
And yes, Joe, I think it’s a horn button. The copper slip ring in the wheel hub wears making the horn inoperative.
Duct Tape Drags you say? Have to go
check it out sometime. Couldn’t have
pucked a better car. These old crabs
were built to last. And yes Aaron, I do
recall that drag strips did indeed have
so-called “Run whatcha bring” or street class. Just uncork the headers,
put on a helmet, and go racing. Next
was the B/MP or Modified Production
class. You could add some go fast
goodies like different carbs, headers,
and traction bars. And again, you didn’t need a rollbar, just a helmet and
seatbelts. What a great way to go fast! They should bring that class back so we can get all these young
street racers off our streets and onto
strip. Charge maybe $10-$15 a pass
and require safety stuff where needed. Would be great fun I think. As for this car, if restos rock, then beaters are neater!!!
Great idea Kenneth to get the street racers off the road, except a lot of those clowns just like to do donuts and drift. This would be a great car for a letter tribute, except for the four doors. Looks basically solid. Clean up the rust and repaint with a ten foot respray. Reupholster that driver’s seat to match and voila.
I owned a 300 during the early 70’s. Mine also had the square steering wheel. If the car had an adjustable steering wheel or column ( I don’t remember which) option, it came with a round steering wheel.
Mine was a two barrel V8 which I equipped with glass packs. The mellow sound made it go much faster.
Same steering wheel. Check the position of the horn ring. On the long shot it’s turned a quarter to the right. Optical delusion.
Needs a 413.