It’s Whammer-jammer time and today’s recipient of that esteemed designation for very large, cool cars is a 1966 Chrysler 300 convertible. While not a letter series, this Chrysler still has plenty of oomph under its expansive hood and it’s a convertible to boot! Located in Valrico, Florida, this eighteen-and-a-half-foot-long cruiser is available, here on craigslist for $25,000.
Sandwiched between the Newport and the New Yorker, the 300 was the “sporty” Chrysler for ’66. While it was offered in a four-door hardtop body style, it’s the two-door hardtop and the convertible, such as our subject car, that are most fondly remembered. Auto production was brisk in ’66, it was a good year for the domestics! Chrysler put up 264K copies, earning it a tenth place finish and a 28% improvement over 1965. For comparison purposes, number one Ford (excluding the Mercury and Lincoln brands) knocked together 2.2 M units.
This 300 shows excellently, it’s hard to find fault with any aspect of it. The body is nice and straight and the finish is clean. The seller mentions that the top has a tiny rip but that’s the only demerit given. The aftermarket wheels are an interesting choice, they work OK but wouldn’t have been on my top five list for a car of this stature.
Power is provided by a 325 gross HP 383 CI V8 engine that is described as “runs excellent, drive this anywhere“. The typically found TorqueFlite A727 automatic transmission backs up the V8 but interestingly, buyers could have opted for a standard three-speed manual gearbox if so desired – that would be a truly rare find!
The interior is in magnificent condition which is often not the case with convertibles as weather, both sun and rain can take their toll. The front seat qualifies as a pair of buckets but it’s a cross between that and a split-bench – very functional! A nice inclusion that’s not always found with convertibles of this era is A/C – and it works. It appears as if the old-style Mopar compressor has been replaced with a Sanden variety.
Claimed as a 66K mile example, though there is no documentation provided, this 300 looks like it needs nothing – buy, drive and enjoy! My initial inclination is to think that the $25K ask is within the realm of reasonableness and there is an OBO attached to the price so this may be a great example for anyone looking to get into a mid-sixties, wind-in-your-hair cruiser, wouldn’t you agree?
This era of C-bodied Mopars are probably the finest cars Chrysler ever built.
I have two of them, and they’re great.
Personally, I’d add a set of white wallls to really make this beauty pop!! GLWTS!! :-)
White walls to be sure! This is how I’d do it….original.
It’s better this way.
Right wheels and tires. Value the car.
The wheels and tires that are on it would be great for a trailer.
Factory hubcaps and whitewalls are the best way to go. One option would be either 60 or 72 spoke wires, or the fine-blade turbine style wheels. Both were popular back then, and for good reason.
Chrysler’s electroluminescent “Astrodome” gauge cluster in 1966 was a thing of beauty! It’s glow at night is unequaled!
I believe that was 60-62 and it was absolutely beautiful.
I’ve got the same car in the Town & Country wagon version … white/black/440 engine. These cars are a dream!
That is so perfect. A/C and everything. Imagine taking a drive on the new-ish interstates in the mid 60’s in this cruiser.
Chrysler owned interior designs in this period. Just gorgeous
I really like the 69-71 300 body style but next in line is this gorgeous 66
I am wondering why the front fender/door trim is all wrong. Other than that, beautiful car.
I am not a Mopar expert , but I’m real surprised it only had a 383 and not a 440 . A bucket seat console interior would have been nice too . I see it dropped a good amount of weight with the exchange of A/C compressors from the York piston unit to what looks to be a Sanden . I like it but not $25k worth . I would give $17.5-$20k if its as nice in person as the pictures show . I had a 69 , Buick 225 convertible for a few years and I loved it . There is nothing better than cruising through the countryside in a big 60’s-early 70’s full size top of the line American convertible .
I’m currently resurrecting my FIL’s red ’66 300 convertible, the sister to this car. It’s been sitting in his garage under piles of garbage for 40 years. I just got it to light off on Father’s Day after careful preparation; I’m now getting it to run off a boat tank so I can pull it out into the sunlight. It is scratched and dirty but it’s still a beautiful car.
Wayne, I don’t know what’s going on with the fender and door trim either; the one I’m working on has chrome spears along the crease lines and the fake vents are all chrome as well. Someone decided to get clever, I guess.
Fix the side vents and add a set of chrome 14 in. Dayton wires and send it!
The A/C is an add-on, it’s not the original Chrysler Airtemp.