From 1955 until 1962, Chrysler buyers who wanted performance in a full-size car shopped for the 300 Letter Series. These automobiles had the best that Chrysler offered in terms of muscle mixed with luxury. But in 1962, Chrysler added the Sport Series, which was basically a 300H with a smaller V8 and bench seating instead of buckets front and rear. As a result, Letter Series sales suffered, and the seller’s car is one of just a few hundred built that model year. Located in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, this Mopar is described as a project and is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $17,500.
While all Chryslers continued with slanted headlights up front, their famous tailfins were gone out back. The 300H (the letter portion was revised each year) had all those styling cues and looked the same as the new 300 Sport Series except for the “H” badging. The unique “AstraDome” instrument cluster was in its last year in the big Chryslers, which was a shame as I always thought it was the epitome of the effect the Space Age had on automobile design. One of the available exterior paint colors was Festival Red, which appears to be what this Chrysler wears, though badly faded (but might be waxed out).
While the 300H had a 413 cubic inch V8, a 4-barrel carburetor was standard now. The Cross-Ram set-up with two carbs was an option, though we don’t know how many of the 558 300Hs built in 1962 came this way. Of the 435 2-door hardtops assembled, one source indicates that just 161 are known to survive (we don’t know when this source was last updated). The seller’s car has an automatic transmission, which was likely installed in most of the ‘62s.
This Chrysler is said to have 65,000 miles on the odometer. It’s a complete car, but a restoration will be in order, with a new trunk pan being on the to-do list. There’s no mention of whether this car runs or drives, but a classic like this deserves the effort. We don’t know much about any other rust, but these Chrysler unibody automobiles were known to be corrosion-prone. The 300H was another instant classic developed by Chrysler designer Virgil Exner in his heyday at the company. And another great tip brought to us by T.J.
Cross Ram, boy, there’s a catch phrase, like hemi, or Corvette F.I., growing up, I never saw one. Today those so equipped cars get all the attention, because there were so few. Most all cars with multiple carbs, were the typical type seen here. That was 1962, jobs were a plenty, gas was a freakin’ quarter, with mostly 2 lanes, the dual, 4 barrel actually had some merit. It was necessary to pass those pesky diesel rigs in your way. While dogs off the line, the 30-80 mph pass, was where they shined.
Today? Gas has remarkably remained relatively cheap, adjusted for inflation, better than those $18 wiper blades, or food, but a 2 barrel would move this car just fine, but defeats the purpose of the 413, I guess. I used to live in “O5”,( Oconomowoc) and my brother still does. I know he would have noticed this car. The “letter car” used to be a hot number,,,another casualty of today,,,
Yep. In summer of 2008, regular was a bit over $4 in my location. Currently, it is about $2.80. Considering that $4 in 2008 is about $5 in 2024, one can see that complaints about the high price of fuel are ignorance. When it comes to gas guzzling vintage vehicles, the price of fuel is not a big consideration for a car that likely does not get driven more than 1000 miles per year. Over the years, i have seen one or two Cross Rams in person. Those letter cars also had decent handling in addition to a powerful motor and leather seats.
You are lucky with $2.80 gas prices, around here, SF Bay Area, Costco is the only place you can get sub-$4 gas. Within the last month there were two separate regulations enacted that should drive prices significantly higher by the end of 2025 and will only accelerate from there.
Steve R
A 4 barrel can be just as economical as a 2 barrel if you keep your foot out of it. You’re only using the front 2 barrels until you lay into it. We described opening back 2 barrels like flushing a toilet while you watched your gas gauge go down, but that was where the fun was.
25 cents per gallon gas in 1962 adjusted for inflation is about $2.60 per gallon today – that’s cheap, no argument there. We here in the Golden State, however, are paying close to $4.00 or more and the State is about to increase it by another 65 cents per gal. in order to Save The Planet by creating “induced demand” for EVs.
I’m no expert, but the carb setup on the subject car just looks like two 4-barrels, and not the cross ram setup. Here’s a photo of the cross ram setup from a ’60 Chrysler.
I agree, this car has the standard 2×4 intake, not the Cross Ram. More erroneous information from Barnfinds.
A few years back while chasing some 409 parts I came across a Mopar Cross Ram set up for sale. I didn’t buy it but did look into them before passing on it. I seem to remember that in 62 the 413 Wedge came with regular 2×4 standard, but the Cross Ram was an option.
It looks like this car’s complete and in pretty good shape overall, making it a worthwhile project for someone.
Just a second, in Russ’ defense, he never said this car had a Cross Ram, just a possible candidate. Please read the post carefully before YOUR erroneous response.
You are correct, the subject vehicle is 2x4bbl. But not cross ram. I think the cross ram was only installed in the race car (light weight) bodies from Dodge & Plymouth.
Rustytech: not true, cross rams were optional on regular weight street cars.
Rex:You are 100% correct. The photo you attached shows and early to mid 60’s Cross Ram while the setup pictured on the 62 Chrysler is a simple Daul Quad setup.
Here’s a 300H that was painted Flamingo (Red?, Pink?) on the assembly line: https://barnfinds.com/1-of-2-color-1962-chrysler-300h/#comments. That looks more like the polished paint color on the trunk lid than Festival Red to me.
I believe two inline 4-barrels and a 413 were stock on the 300H. Maybe the cross-ram set-up was an option; I just dunno.
I think this car is gorgeous and very well preserved… at least in the views we can see. Once again we have a seller with a very weak ad for what might be a great car. What a shame.
Not a cross ram car.. dual 4bl set up.. cross rams go over the heads. They had 2 versions, short and long rams.
had a 413 in a street rod I built in the early seventies, ported and polished the heads, 60 over pistons Isky cam and headers with a B&M torque flight, nothing could keep up with me, a bullet proof engine.
is the cross ram in the trunk?
One of Virgil’s best designs IMO.
Yeah, that’s an inline dual four barrel pictured, the cross ram is what Rex Kahrs shows. Wikipedia says “Under the hood of the 300H the cross ram engine became an option, and there was a return to the inline dual 4-barrel carburetor setup of the 300E as the base powerplant.”
Does this year have the awesome ‘Dome’ instrument panel? I think it might. Correct me if I’m wrong. Best dash ever made.
Yes 1960-62 had the AstraDome instrument panel.
Thank you Dave, I’d love to have one for wall art.
Howard A: Article titled as cross ram which car is not, I read this carefully.