By the early 1960s, monstrous chrome bumpers, giant fins, and heavy-looking grilles gave way to lighter and less imposing faces. Chrysler’s Letter Cars established a niche for buyers who wanted impressive performance in their luxury coupe, and this 1960 Chrysler 300 would have been the flagship in that market. This Candia, New Hampshire classic seeks a new owner here on ClassicCars.com with an asking price of $23,000.
Designer Virgil Exner’s fins swept across the Chrysler brands in 1957 and changed Detroit. Fins were “in,” and cars without them were old and, frankly, disrespecting America’s role in space exploration. This 1960 model featured sharp fins that began mid-way across the driver’s door. Fins continued to grace the lineup for 1961, and then they were gone. This 300F included a faux spare tire bulge on the trunk lid, a nod to earlier days when the motoring elite carried a spare tire or two on their trunk, leaving golf bags and picnic basket unsullied by muddy tires.
The AtraDome instrument cluster shames the cockpit of ’60s-era jets. The combination of two-tone interior and plenty of shiny trim suggests rocket-like thrust at the bidding of a dapper and confident pilot who knows where he or she is going in this Chrysler, and in life.
Enthusiasts debate the definition and origin of the “Muscle Car,” but clearly the 300F’s 413 cid V8, with cross-ram induction feeding twin four-barrel carburetors, wasn’t built for sedate trips to church on Sunday. This one’s been rebuilt and installed only for ease of sale. Certainly, the new owner will set it aside while treating the rest of the car to a no-expense-spared restoration. A cache of the car’s removed parts comes with the sale. What price would you put on this beauty if you were selling it?
And there we have it…..sweet.
Boy, do you buy this car then add what is needed to bring it to 50k or look at the one and maybe buy at the bottom of the listing page for 50k.
Comparing, I prefer the the black $50k boat to this one. Ready to go now, and appears to have everything in place, and looks great. Saves at least 6 months . I’d go for the OBO.
You could have the “Fin” of my ’59 Imperial or the “Clipped Chicken” of my ’62 300 Special.
Love 59 and 61 Imperials. Had 3 59’s. One a dual air LeBaron. Daughter drove to hi school. The 59 Crown 4 door came with the original window sticker. Pink.
here is the other one…
Love the 413, even more so the 426. Like the car, but my eyes aren’t as good as they once were, what’s that car visible through the windshield?
Its called a free teaser. Two cars for sale for the price of one.
Riley RM series?
No 426 Ram cars made.
But there were a couple 426’s made. Max Wedge and 365 horse, single 4 barrel. Then 426 Hemis.
Is the “F” model the rarest ?
The Cross Rams are amazing.
If its all there ciuld be a great buy if you could reassemble yourself.
Its not cross rams. It is Ram Induction. Cross ram is the staggered dual quads on max wedges. Now, production figures: 55-1,725. 56-1,102. Both years are hardtops only. Following years, coupe is first #, second is converts. 57-1,918, 484. 58-618, 191. 59-550, 140. 60-964, 248. 61-1,280, 337. 62-435, 123. 63-400. No converts. 64-3,022, 625. 65-2,405, 440. 62, 63, 64 and 65 are the letter car numbers only.
Gettin ready to go to local car show. Later car dudes
Not by a long shot.The previous year 300E production was 550 hardtops and 140 convertibles and 1963’s (Letter Series) record was even lower.
Del, the `58s with the last 392 Hemi are the rarest.