As a staff member of Barn Finds, my position could have come with a disclaimer: “The tips list can be hazardous to your wealth.” Make no bones about it; this ’66 Chrysler 300 hardtop is exactly the sort of car I like to buy. It’s solid but not perfect, and it’s been sitting forever so you know I’d have some mechanical work to do along the way. And I love ’65 and ’66 Chrysler C-Body hardtops. Unfortunately for me, I am forced to pass this one along to our good readers because it’s just a bit too long to store at home in the garage with the others, but someone can benefit from my lack of foresight when buying a house in my younger days. This big-block-powered 300 is for sale on eBay in London, Kentucky, with no reserve and a current high bid of just $6,700 (and climbing).
The seller’s dad bought the car from the family of the original owner about a year ago, and because it had been sitting for “a long while,” he had a new carburetor and gas tank installed. The seller claims that the 65,000 miles is accurate, and because of its prolonged sitting, it occasionally will smoke “out of the pipes.” That might be solved by putting some miles on it, but it may also need a fresh set of valve seals (author eyes toolbox where his on-car valve spring compressor is located). The 300 came standard with the 325-horsepower 383 four barrel, and this one has the optional air conditioning, although the seller hasn’t turned it on to see if it works. Not to be cynical, but it doesn’t.
The letter-series 300s breathed their last with the 1965 300L, but Chrysler maintained a sporting image with the base 300, which continued to be available. With standard bucket seats and the optional console, the 300 was sporty in the ’60s full-size idiom. A bonus for the new buyer: The console-mounted vacuum gauge still works. All the lights work, the AM radio plays your favorite news channel or baseball game, and the interior is entirely presentable somewhere underneath those plastic seat covers.
Yes, this 300 “rides, drives, steers, and stops,” but the new owner will get to do some enjoyable tinkering to make it a reliable driver, and that’s often the most exciting part of buying a new-to-you old car. There has to be someone out there in the Barn Finds universe who immediately feels that anxious energy when you see a car that is right up your alley. I felt it when I clicked on the eBay ad; let us know the complete story in the comments if you’re lucky enough to enter the high bid on Sunday.
LOL!! The Fingerhut “Panel Puff” seat covers; I can’t laugh too loudly, as I still have some on my ’74 Challenger! This is another big, beautiful, burly, Chrysler cruiser that I’d LOVE to have, but I’m already downsizing, so I don’t NEED anything else…or do I?! GLWTA!! :-)
My dad bought a new ’66 Coronet 500 (same color as this 300!) and immediately fitted it with Fingerhut clear vinyl floor mats (it was the first car we had with proper carpets after years with a rubber mat ’60 Valiant).
I remember getting mail order car accessories seemed extreme to 12 year old me – go figure……
With the change slots in the middle between the ashtrays. My dad bought a ’66 Newport 2 dr the same color, it looked like what the King was driving only bigger when it was unloaded off the hauler with the wheel covers still in the trunk. My brother drove it till the leaf spring came through the trunk floor. The only difference between 70 and 110 was the phone poles were going by faster.
These are my absolute favorite generation of full size Chryslers. Whether its a Newport, New Yorker, or a 300 like this, 2 door or 4 door hardtop, or a wagon, these were just great cars. Very handsomely styled, and you cant go wrong with a 383, or any other Big Block Chrysler had available in these. This 300 is in absolutely beautiful condition. Inside and out.
I feel your pain, Aaron. I too have the same issue with my old 1960s ranch home’s garage. It fits my 1970 442 with enough space to get around either the front or rear, but definitely not enough to fit a larger land yacht. As I told Bob from The Volunteer State a couple weeks ago, these larger cruisers have grown on me in recent years. Being able to buy one at reasonable prices, it may be a good thing my garage won’t fit one. I like this 300 too…
Ah, yes, those Fingerhut seatcovers. When my Dad bought his new ’68 Impala, he ordered a set of these, complete with the visor & door keck panel covers in the diamond pattern like the ones shown.
Being winter, I went with him to the mine shop where he worked to put them on. I can still see the garage. That car sure had a nice brocade interior. Memories.
Aaron, I have to agree with you. This one certainly checks the boxes! Love these first two years C bodies and the 300 is my favorite. Great colors and this one even has buckets and a console. Terrific original condition as well, The perfect driver. I went “whew” As soon as I learned, it was halfway across the country. If this car was reasonable distance I would be in big trouble of bringing it home. Someone’s going to get a real gem here……
Early 80’s had a White with two tone blue interior 66 300 come in on the hook. Died, wouldn’t restart. Charged battery, turn the key, fired right up. Couple of days later towed in again and it starts right up. Finally bought the car from the lady for $2-300 I don’t remember. But in passing she mentions she just went through divorce and the Chrysler was all she got. I finally figured out fuel was the cause. Drop the tank. The ex-husband had put raw egg in the tank. It would float around like a lava lamp until getting sucked onto the sock. The tow would knock it lose, repeat. Prettiest $300.00 car I ever bought. Also the biggest headache.
My parents bought a 66 300 with the 440. Could light the tires all day long. It was a 4 door hardtop. I surprised a lot of people at a stop light. Couldn’t corner worth a damn.
My dad’s would throw a front wheel cover on hard cornering too, I had to retrace my tracks on several occasions.
I can still smell those seat covers. 😄
My first car was a 66 Newport with the 383. After putting 100,000 miles on it(bought it with 66,000 miles on it), I sold it to my uncle. A comfortable cruiser that handled really well. I drove it from San Diego to Berkeley and back many times when I was attending law school. I’m tempted, but I know I won’t have the time to bring it back into shape. New valve seals, and maybe valves, should take care of any smoking and I’m guessing that rubber suspension components might need to be switched out and, of course, fixing/replacing the air conditioning. After that, I’m sure there will be a happy new owner.
My family, mom dad and 4 kids, owned a 1966 Plymouth Belvedere station wagon and a 1967 Chrysler New Yorker 4 door hardtop. I personally loved the look of both cars. The wagon had the 361ci and the 4 door the 440ci. I remember my dad saying he could figure out why he only got 8000 miles on a set of tires on both cars. Ok dad, you have a 16 year old driver in the family. Lol. I found out many years that my 16 year old was street racing my 2003 Hyundai Elantra. Him and a friend took off the govener, and did a few modifications for more horse power. Me being clueless always thought the car had nice pick up. Duh.
When my son was born in 1972 we sold our daily driver a 1960’s Triumph GT6+ figuring that the three of us would over fill the car. I bought this car in dark green over black with 48,404 miles. I paid less than a grand for it.
I cut a piece of plywood that covered the back seat and the legroom area. We tossed our son back there, gave him a toy or two and we were off.
I don’t remember when I sold it but the tin worms were winning the battle.
Love these. I had a 1966 Newport two door in the seventies. Big and I mean BIG trunk. Actually hauled a washer and dryer in there. Separately of course. Great cruiser. So tempted to bid on this. But I’d have to sell the Plymouth and I don’t want to do that. I envy the next owner. GLWTS.
Gosh, I really want this car, I don’t need it but it’s like my dad’s ’66 only better equipped. I’m tempted to take a buddy and get it I if thought it would make the 600+mile trip home.
Growing up my relatives were a Chrysler family! One set of grandparents had a ’56 Dodge, pink and grey then traded it for a ’63 Dodge Dart, big disappointment! But my other grandparents bought a new ’66 Newport 4 door and my great Aunt and Uncle followed immediately with a new ’67 New Yorker, my all time favorite! It was so long, smooth and luxurious!! So many great memories!!❤️💕🚘
Wow!, yet another 66 Mopar letter car 300 beauty this week. The other one this week was a 300 L with a 413 and manual trans with factory AC. Both are just stunning and it would be easy to fall in love with either one of them.
Piston style A.C. is a lot better than compression style. I have had both.
SOLD for $12,600.