To capitalize on the image of the 300 Letter Series, Chrysler introduced the 300 Sport Series in 1962. Less powerful and using a bench seat instead of buckets, the Sport Series opened the 300 brand up to a wider audience. The seller has a first-year edition that has been sitting for a few years, so it needs a tune-up and brake work. Located in Livermore, California, this Mopar land yacht is available here on craigslist for $8,900. Kudos to Jack M. for another trip down Memory Lane!
The 300 Sport Series in 1962 had a 383 cubic inch V8 as standard, while the 300 Letter Series employed a 413. We assume the 413 was optional in the lesser series as a 380-hp version of that motor is in the seller’s car (numbers-matching?). How well did the ploy of offering two 300 cars work out for Chrysler? Well, they sold just 435 300-H 2-door hardtops in 1962 compared to 11,341 of the same body style in the Sport Series. Plus, both offered convertibles, and the Sport also came as a 4-door hardtop.
We’re told that this ’62 300 is a barn find, but that term doesn’t necessarily imply a barn is involved. The car is a runner after sitting, but it’s not yet roadworthy. The odometer reads 38,000 miles, but a fair hunch would be that the dial is on its second time around. It has a push-button automatic transmission, which was Chrysler’s thing from the 1950s until 1964. The seller describes the car as a survivor, so we could assume the white paint is original, though some red primer appears here and there. And we wonder if the 300 has been lowered, given its stance.
The interior is okay, as the seats seem to have been redone. But the door panels and carpeting are worn out, and the Chrysler should spend some time in the upholstery shop having those things corrected. The 1962 Chryslers kept their angled dual headlights, but the 1950-ish tailfins were finally gone, literally shorn off. And check out the inside of the trunk – you could shove several folks in there to sneak into your local drive-in theater! (Are those even still around?)
Banker’s hot rod…nice find. The ploy of offering two “300” models sounds like what Mercedes Benz does with AMG…AMG trim packages versus AMG trim plus the the mechanical bits
These have one of the best dashes ever put in an automobile with that “space globe” cluster, and their radios are excellent sounding units as well. And the styling? A bit polarizing to be sure, especially the front, but as for me I like those canted headlights. Fun fact..early 383 engines were called “Golden Lion” by Chrysler.
This doesn’t appear to have power breaks. With a 413, it’s gonna take a lead foot or feet to stop this beast.