Before the Pontiac GTO muscle car, there was the Chrysler 300 “Letter Series” of automobiles. Built from 1955 to 1965, they were full-size high-performance personal luxury vehicles as a sub-model of the Chrysler New Yorker. Production numbers were generally low, and in 1964 they added up to 3,022 coupes and 625 convertibles. While this example is rough around the edges, it’s already had a lot of mechanical work done with receipts that would add up to more than the seller’s asking price. Located in King George, Maryland, this Mopar is available here on craigslist for $4,500. Thanks for the neat tip, T.J.!
From 1955 to the early 1960s, the Chrysler 300 “Letter Series” earned the reputation of being “banker’s hotrods” because they combined muscle with creature comforts. But the brand got diluted in 1962 when Chrysler created the 300 Sport Series, which was in the image of the Letter Series but without quite as much oomph. Chrysler would go on to sell far more of these “regular” 300s over the Letters, so the company pulled the plug for 1966.
The cars received a restyle in 1963 that followed that of all of Chrysler’s full-size machines. As a result, the ‘64s were nearly identical with the telltale differences being the shape of the taillights. And the push button controls for the TorqueFlite automatic transmission moved from the dash to the console where a lever was there instead. We don’t know how long the seller has owned this 300K, but long enough to have done some much-needed work.
Since the seller has owned this Chrysler, the following items were replaced: the alternator, power steering pump, fuel lines, hoses, voltage regulator, and coil, and then gave it a tune-up. But this work was based on a rebuilt 413 Wedge V8 that is dated from 1965. Before the seller and besides the motor, added items included an Edelbrock manifold, 4-barrel Carter carburetor, and an upgraded camshaft, plus a rework of the brakes. All that being said, the car runs and drives but is not registered to go out on the roadways – yet.
The body is going to need some TLC before applying new paint, but the underside has already been treated to some detailing and looks great, especially the new gas tank. The interior has its share of minor issues, but a new cover on the driver’s bucket seat and new carpeting will make it more presentable. Overall, this looks like a solid project where a fair amount of the heavy lifting has already been done. That should simplify things for the next owner to finish the job.
.. 🎶 🎵 but the 413’s really diggin in 🎶
If there’s minimal rust to deal with and all the mechanicals are sorted out as they claim, $4500 is a steal for this. Interesting car with a big ‘ol 413. Black would look better but still not a bad price at all.
The K was the sales champ of the letter-series 300s, likely due to a price cut of more than 20 percent compared to the ’63 300-J. The following year’s 300-L was the second-best seller, but sold about 800 fewer units than the K despite nearly identical pricing.
’63-64 Chryslers don’t get the design credit they deserve. They’re just beautiful, chiseled looking.
That rounded look predates GM’s ’65s fluid “Coke bottle” theme.
The ’65-68s seem to get all the love and that’s really a shame.
This two door hardtop is the best example of the two years, but even the four doors look good.
And the hardtop wagon from any brand is a find.
http://oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Chrysler_and_Imperial/1964_Chrysler/1964_Chrysler_Brochure/1964%20Chrysler-08-09.html
A guy in our town had a Chrysler like this with a 4 on the floor
There is no King George, Maryland. This car is located south of the Potomac River, In King George, Virginia.
A 300K was available either with the base 413 V8 with a single 4 barrel carb, or the optional cross ram two 4-barrel carbs. Sadly, this has the single carb engine. The K was also the first time a full-size Chrysler was available with a console shift automatic. To keep the base price down, the 300K’s leather interior was made an option, not on this car.
This is still a very good price, even for a single 4-barrel carb version. These cars rusted badly when given the opportunity, and the rust appears minimal on this car, especially the cabin floors and trunk floor.
It’s still possible to find complete late Cross Ram setups, but they are getting expensive [probably more than the asking price of this car]. That said, I think the addition of the dual 4-barrel carb setup is worth the investment. When I had a 300K with the dual Cross Rams, I used to call the hood my “Religious epiphany hood” because it seemed every time I opened the hood at a car show or parking lot, people would exclaim “Oh my God!”
As a 1955-68 Hi-Po MoPaR fan, had this car become available when I was younger, it would likely be in my shop by now, as it’s not very far away. For a Barn Finds viewer, I can be talked into checking this car over, just contact me. billmccoskey[at]aol.com
The other difference in the 64 from the 63 was the addition of the little fins on the trunk lid (aka boot lid). User complaints about the 63’s flat downward sloping rear deck had to do with being unable to judge when parking where it ended and the next car began. The fins rectified that issue, although, to me, detract from the cleaner look of the 63 rear. For a very late letter 300, this is a grab-it-and-run price (unless there’s hidden tin worm problems).
I love this deal and I want this car! I’ve had a couple big Mopars in my time and loved em to death! This car belongs in my driveway! I hope it stays around till next week cause I want to go look it over but am tied up this wkend, I dont think its gonna stick arpind that long tho….
Although cars are pretty much useless to me, I’d love to own this quality built classic and just drive it as is. It’s the right color and gas mileage should be decent with just one carb. No offense to you folks who like black cars, but they are really hard to keep clean and I don’t like black paint anyway. As much as I love the ’66 Imperial, it’s too nice to run up and down the gravel road I live on. I prefer pickups and vans because I never know when my next motorcycle or parts will show up.