Though the Pontiac GTO usually gets credit for starting the muscle car movement, it started nearly a decade earlier. That’s when Chrysler introduced the Letter Series – largely New Yorkers that had been souped up. To capitalize on the sporty nature of the Letter cars, Chrysler added the Sport Series to the mix in 1962 – 300s with a little less power and a smaller price tag. The Letter Series ended in 1965, but the Sport Series stuck around through 1971. This ’71 300 looks well-baked by the Sun over the years and needs some mechanical attention to be a driver.
The 1968-71 generation of the Sport Series came in two body styles, both hardtops with either two or four doors. Nearly 14,000 were built in 1971 with the 2-door taking about 60% of the buyers’ attention. They continued as land yachts by today’s standards, roomy cars with a trunk large enough to put a microcar car in. The 383 cubic inch V8 was the basic engine with the seller’s car having the big 440 with a 4-barrel carburetor and an automatic transmission.
We’re told this Mopar runs when you hook up a can of gasoline, so the fuel tank is going to need cleaning out. That confirms this Chrysler has been sitting for a long time and the condition of the paint goes along with that. The sheet metal is 100% original except for the passenger side front fender which was replaced at one point (due to a small accident?). There are a few little holes in the trunk, but otherwise, rust may not be a factor.
This numbers-matching machine seems to be sporting its original white/cream-colored interior, which is going to need to be redone, too. We’re told the wheels are new and the rear tires are okay, So plan on putting on a new pair of donuts in the front. Located in El Paso, Texas, this 300 is available here on eBay where the current bid is just $1,525. But the seller’s reserve is somewhere north of there.
Plate does not match car…..
CA black plates with an H were issued quite a while before this car was built.
Ok…I have a issue with the seller. It’s not a 300.To me as I remember 300 had dual exhaust. And it had a performance 440. Pictures don’t lie. Single exhaust system . I see two different colors on this Chrysler. Teal green and that blue. The interior is spot on . Too many questions. Good luck to the seller.🐻🇺🇸
One of my customers has a 1971 Chrysler 300 with single exhaust–and the same exact interior, same color. Look at the grille. No Newport or New Yorker had a grille like that–only on the 300s.
Wouldn’t the VIN verify if it is or isn’t a 300? It reads CS23, the S is key, but isn’t clear in the online VIN decoders to someone unfamiliar with C-body Mopars, it also came with a T code 440.
These are great looking cars, not sure if this one makes sense once purchase and restoration restoration costs are factored in when compared to what it would cost for a survivor or one that’s already restored.
Steve R
Yes, Steve R, a CS23 would be a Chrysler 300 two-door hardtop. An engine designation of T would mean that it’s the base 440 4 barrel (the same 440 that was standard in the New Yorker and Imperial), not the optional, high performance 440 4 barrel TNT engine.
Phil D, thank you for your response and clarification.
Steve R
YOU MISSED ONE VERY IMPORTANT MODEL FROM 68-70. THE Convertible. I have an all original 68 Chrysler 300. Those non letter series had the standard base 440 with single exhaust. I think dual exhaust was an option. However the gas tank is different between single and dual exhaust.
YOU MISSED ONE VERY IMPORTANT MODEL FROM 68-70. THE CONVERTABLE. I have an all original 68 Chrysler 300. Those non letter series had the standard base 440 with single exhaust. I think dual exhaust was an option. However the gas tank is different between single and dual exhaust.