Big red convertibles might not be as American as apple pie, but they have been part of American summers for a long time. This Chrysler listed on eBay in Andover, Minnesota looks the part, top up or down. It’s being sold with no reserve so it will be interesting to see what people think it’s really worth. From the pictures, it looks like it just might be the perfect driver for summer fun. It’s a one owner rust free car repainted 37 years ago. The chrome is a little flaky but the top is nice with a clear back window.
The interior looks pretty nice in this view. The back seat looks pretty decent as well.
It looks like things under the hood have been looked after. It’s the 383 so it will burn plenty of gas but won’t be nearly as exciting as the 413 Wedge in the last one I wrote about last year.
This is a pretty nice looking drop top from back here as well. It won’t look as nice in person, of course, but it should still be a nice “twenty footer”. The car is said to run and drive nicely and has done well on trips. Thanks to Jamie for finding us this nice looking convertible. The best thing about this car is that it’s only had one owner. It’s been well taken care of since new so it’s original and unmolested. The auction has a week to go as I write this. For those of you who appreciate this car, what do you think it’s worth? How much will people be willing to bid? It will be interesting to watch and see.
I never understood what happened in 1963 with the 300. The 300J was available that year as a coupe only, and this 300 convertible didn’t get the letter with the number 300; the next year, they were back to both having a letter.
A convertible did pace the Indy 500 that year.
The letter series 300’s had high performance engines. The non-letter 300’s had ordinary engines with 300 trim. Non-letter cars started with 1960 model year.
Wasn’t it 62, with the one year only Sport in addition to the 300H?
12pack. You are right.
Looks like quite a bargain right now, but 4 days to go….
LD71😄
Nice car but to me, a car that has been repainted is no longer original and unmolested.
I agree it’s not original, but it’s certainly not molested, particularly if the color is original and well done.
My brother had a ’63 Newport. While it was no 300, that car still “rolled like thunder”. Chrysler was king of the road in the late 50’s, early 60’s. Very nice car.
Had a 63 New Yorker when I was teen, had blast fast & big enough for a party. Miss those days!
always loved the Exner styling
Glenn, the ’62’s were Exner’s last Chrysler – Elwood Engle was in charge of the ’63’s. I love the Forward Look cars and own a ’57 New Yorker, but the cars done on Engle’s watch, especially the Ghia bodied Turbine car, the ’64 Imperial and in particular the ’65 Chryslers are beautiful.
Car looks great, but a lot of Dart cues in there…I don’t consider a good repaint as disqualification for an original car, almost always it’s an improvement. New carpet, new seats, new dash, new glass, new bumpers…that’s when the originality gets lost imo.
I will politely disagree with you there Tom. New paint almost always is not an improvement. Unless a car is completely stripped and professionally sprayed, it will never be as good as what was originally done at the factory. Basecoat clearcoat jobs may be shinier, but I will take an original single stage anyday.
I agree Jesse, anything less than a professional paint job is likely not an improvement, and thankfully single stage paints are still favored by many. Personally – my view on this subject is changing…I have a couple original paint cars that I have defended for years, and now, I see the paint as their weak link. Early car interiors built with metal and glass vs chrome paint and faux wood appliqué withstood the test of time very well…as did many of their mechanical bits, but paint quality has been a struggle for most automakers and continues to be. Ok, you’re right , I’m on the fence…but usually (for me), it’s the whole package that says patina or paint…
this car is beautiful but I would paint it white while I owned it and then back to original factory paint for the next owner.
If one wanted to be technical, the moment you replace anything on a car, i.e. Tires, brake shoes, etc. it is no longer original. A quality paint job in original color to me is nothing more than maintenance. To me non original is when major components were replaced with non original components like different eng size, transmissions etc. Even a restored car can be original.
Auction got up to about $7500, last I looked, then it was gone a day early. Guess it wasn’t looking like it was gonna do the money, so they pulled it. Popped up a couple days later with a $17500 BIN or B/O. Too rich for this guy.