Perhaps the first muscle car ever built, the Chrysler 300 letter series debuted in 1955. They would be assigned sequential alphabetical designations after the second year. For example, 1963 was the 300-J. However, a less powerful but equally impressive non-letter 300 was built in larger numbers from 1962-71, including the seller’s convertible. The car has been sitting in a garage/shed for nearly 20 years and there is no indication if it runs (the dirt and dust suggest it does not). But it’s a car you won’t see very often and its available here on Facebook Marketplace for $5,000 OBO in Belgrade, Montana.
The non-letter Chrysler 300 replaced the 1961 Windsor, which only had a one-year run as a successor to the Saratoga. Perhaps the biggest difference between the 300 and the letter series was under the hood. While the 300-J had a 413 Wedge V8, the 300 had the venerable 383 cubic inch powerplant. There would be no letter cars after 1965, so the regular 300 carried on for another six years in the line-up.
We’re not told why this ’63 300 has been laid up for 20 years. Did the car quit running and they never got around to fixing it? Was it involved in an estate that drug on for years before being settled? Or did they simply misplace the keys? In any event, the car is said to be original, right down to the blue paint and white interior. We assume the convertible top is white under all the dust. The car has the push-button TorqueFlite automatic transmission which Chrysler would go with another year before switching to the column shift like the rest of the industry.
The odometer reads 70,000 miles, which may be original, and there appears to be an aftermarket air conditioner under the dash and above the transmission hump. If this car could be made to run again, perhaps a thorough cleaning would at least make it presentable for showing. The money for these cars seems to be with the letter series as the straight 300 tops out at $16,000 according to Hagerty, but that’s for a hardtop.
For some reason that lead photo just seems so fitting. Lots of dust, old furniture cluttered around it, plus some of its parts? Other than the dust I suspect the storage conditions have been good– inside, relatively dry climate, concrete floor. I can’t really comment on the car itself. Typical poor Facebook Marketplace ad. And, what car is that in the background?
Car in the background looks to be a late 50’s Dodge, Plymouth or Chrysler..
The car in the background appears to be a 57 Dodge 4dr. My old eyes and small tablet prevent me from getting a good enlarged picture, but from what I think is a small chrome strip along the belt line, I’m thinking one of the mid-price range sedans. Going further, I’d guess a V-8 (not hemi) auto 2 spd. trans, 6.70-15 black wall tires, well used cigarette lighter and ashtray, with Camel tobacco residue, 87,317.2 miles, no A/C, and a pushbutton AM radio.
It appears to be a `57 Dodge; likely a Coronet sedan. I’d rather see more of that than the `63 bloated Chrysler. (Sorry, no fan of `63-`64 Chrysler models here; they are bloated boat anchors)
Might be a DeSoto, but its not a Plymouth or Chrysler
“Pending”, FB link dead…
Good looking actual barn find! From what I’m seeing it’s still available.
I love all manner of Chrysler products from this ear….except the 63-64 300 and associated similar bodied offerings. For what ever reason, they just don’t sit well with me.
Beauty is in the eye etc… I happen to think the ’63 Chryslers were a great design, and the 4 door hardtop and this were the tops looks wise. Almost bought one used in ’68 but it already had too much rust. It had plenty of guts, rode and handled well for 1968, lots of room inside and in the trunk, but needed a reliable road car, and ended up buying a new Chevelle to drive coast to coast and back, and every weekend to play somewhere, instead. Single, paid cash, those were the days.
Not sure why you said that the Windsor was a 1 year only model. It may have been revived for only 1 year, but it was a venerable Chrysler model for a number of years in 40s and 50s.
It should have a medallion on consloe door indicating it was a Pacesetter indicating it is a Replica of the Indy pacecar for 1963.
My oldest son drove mine to prom in 1993. Then college bills rolled in..
Not a Mopar man, but I really like this car. If I had the time I’d be on my way to Montana or wherever this car is to check it out and arrange transport to Houston.
God bless America
I owned a ’65 300 non Letter, and I loved that car. Sold it after several years to
a minor profit. If I had the room I’d buy this, give it what it needs, and drive it.
Car in the background is definitely a Dodge. The trim on the rear fender looks like a 57. No DeSoto or Plymouth had trim like this.
For the man from Houston who would come see it if he had time, it’s just outside Bozeman MT which would likely be a 1-stop flight. Might not take as much time as you think, but the cost of flights would eat up your transport costs to Houston!
I’ll confirm, having been gifted with one as a wedding present in 1965. I’d recognize that trim anywhere
This is what a Barn Find looks like, not the show poodles that have been filling these pages more and more.
Poor misunderstood ’63 & ’64 Chryslers get no respect!
Hope it gets a good home.