The Chrysler 300 Letter Series debuted in 1955 as a full-size luxury/performance automobile. And it was in the mix through 1965. To capitalize on the name, Chrysler added the 300 Sport Series in 1962 with many of the same features, but a less potent engine. This 1965 300 is a Sport Series car (per the VIN), not a 300L. It’s been stored for 30 years and may have been an estate sale discovery. Located in covered quarters in Lyman, South Carolina, this dusty convertible is available here on Hemmings for $23,000 (negotiable).
While the Letter Series only came as a 2-door hardtop and convertible, the Sport Series also offered a 4-door hardtop (and a 4-door sedan through 1965). While the 300L enjoyed a potent 413 or 440 cubic inch V8, the Sport Series had to “make do” with a 383. Perhaps unusual, the seller’s car has a factory-installed 4-speed manual transmission with a Hurst shifter! The mileage is listed as 11,200, but surely the odometer has turned over unless the seller has documentation.
This Chrysler wears Royal Turquoise Metallic paint, which could be original (just a hunch). The body seems okay, and the limited photos don’t display any corrosion. The convertible has a black top, which may be okay, and the interior is mostly white with black accents (leather?). Bucket seats and a console make sense with the 4-speed shifter. The car is loaded with options, including factory air conditioning and power windows.
The drop-top version of the Chrysler 300 Sport was rare even when new, as only 1,418 copies were assembled in 1965. This one has been out of the elements for three decades, and we don’t know if it was parked because it was broken or because the owners didn’t want to drive it anymore (leading to my estate sale theory). Maybe if you clean out the fuel delivery system, this old Mopar will come back to life! A great tip brought to us by Barn Finder T.J.
This looks like it might be a nice car but who can tell. It’s been said on here many times but I’m going to say it again. If you want top dollar for your car pull it out of the garage and wash it, maybe add a coat of wax, and take some decent pictures. No one wants to guess.
This is absolutely gorgeous!! One of my favorite colors too!!! And the 4 speed….. Icing on the cake!!! My only thought it, for that kind of money, some photos of it outside and washed would be nice. ( I couldn’t get the photos to open) But this color combination it absolutely beautiful. Hope this gets back on the road
I agree completely. My cousins husband has one of these in “arrest me red” with a white convertible top. Although the likelihood of him getting arrested is quite low. I think his is an automatic transmission though.
The 4spd is the strong selling point. The convertible, bucket seats, console, power windows are all plus’s, but the stick shift makes it a unicorn. There are certain cars, where condition and price take a back seat to desirability, this combination fill that bill.
Steve R
Beautiful land craft.
Ah yes, the estate sale! The young’uns look up some comps online, and run with a number that is listed for a pristine condition example that is clean and that actually runs.
Then they wonder why nobody bites.
This car has a lot going for it if they’d clean it up and get it running. Not $23k worth, but it seems to be a decent car.
You are wrong about this one. Unless there is significant rust not visible in the pictures this car will sell quickly. The options, especially the 4spd will drive interest. It will spread among enthusiast websites like this one attracting attention.
Steve R
Just like Driveinstile, when I went to Hemmings for more details, it keeps jumping to the same filtered grouping of cars. Didn’t think you had to be a member to look at an ad. Don’t know how you managed it, Russ.
In any case, I’ll second the critique of the offering – sitting for 30 years, covered in dust and debris, limited photos, and an astronomical asking price. No claim that it runs and drives or any comments about the systems’ viability.
Everyone commenting likes the ‘idea’ of the car, as do I (although the slab-sided neo-Ford approach to Chrysler’s formerly unique designs doesn’t do great things for me). Where is Tom McCahill when we need him (I know, pushing up daisies…rhetorical question).
These were such great looking cars. Wouldn’t you have loved to have met the original owner when this was new?
I had a family friend who drove a new ’66 New Yorker, loaded. What a beauty, too. Aqua, with a black vinyl top.
Nice car to have and restore. However, the new owner will not recover the investment. So just buy it for the joy.
Beauty.
Memories! Lots of people who weren’t into Cadillacs and Lincolns went the more or less understated look of these mid 60s Chryslers.
My Dad had a 66 New Yorker in this colour with a white interior. This one looks so good if I had the means I’d bring this one home, get it in top mechanical condition, detail and enjoy. GLWTS
“While the 300L enjoyed a potent 413 or 440 cubic inch V8, the Sport Series had to “make do” with a 383.”
The ’65 300L never had a 440 — that engine wasn’t offered until 1966. And though the non-letter 300 “made do” with the 383 as its standard engine, the same 360-horse 413 that was in the 300L could be had as an option. And that was the problem with the letter series 300 by then — it just wasn’t all that different from the non-letter 300.
looks decent and good be a good cruiser but not at 23k. more like 7500.00. too many unknowns