Hidden in this garage under a pile of odds and ends is an American classic that perfectly combines stunning performance with a luxurious motoring experience. It is a 1964 Chrysler 300K. Part of Chrysler’s legendary “letter series,” its original owner parked it in this spot way back in 1980. When the seller dragged it from hiding, he discovered a remarkably well-preserved and solid survivor. He feels that it needs to go to a new home and someone willing and able to return the car to its former glory. Located in Woodinville, Washington, you will find the 300K listed for sale here on eBay. Subdued bidding has pushed the price to $1,526 in this No Reserve auction. If proceedings don’t become more lively, somebody could score themselves a lot of car for their cash. I have to say a huge thank you to Barn Finder Larry D, who has used his eagle eye to spot another fantastic classic for us.

For automotive enthusiasts, the name Virgil Exner is written boldly in the pages of history books. He was the man who pioneered Chrysler’s “forward look” design and was a staunch advocate for tailfins. He believed they served a strong aerodynamic and aesthetic function, and he was disenchanted when they began to disappear from the market. By the time our feature car rolled off the line, Exner was on the verge of leaving his position as a consultant with Chrysler, a role he had assumed after Chrysler fired him as head of design in 1962. Those who knew him said that he found the 300K more satisfying than its predecessor because this model once again featured small tailfins. It was an evolution of the previous 300J, but Exner saw the tailfins as a small victory and vindication of his stance. When the seller dragged this Chrysler from hiding, he found that it wore most of its original Formal Black paint. A couple of areas have received a minor touch-up, but the rest is as it left the Chrysler production line. There’s no denying that the paint now shows its age, but if the next owner wants to treat the car as an original survivor, it will pass with flying colors. The panels are pretty straight, with only minor bruises and marks. The good news is that because the car has been stored undercover for the last four decades, it has remained largely rust-free. That is a significant achievement because these cars were prone to problems in that area. The only evidence of problems includes some surface corrosion and a couple of bubbles near one wheel opening. Most of the exterior trim is in excellent condition, with the chrome sparkling nicely. There are a couple of small items that sport damage, but nothing significant. The tinted glass appears flawless, and if the buyer isn’t keen on a repaint, this exterior needs nothing.

At 4,200lbs, the 300K would never pass as a lightweight. Therefore, it required something special under the hood to offer performance to match its looks. Chrysler didn’t fail because this car features the 413ci “Wedge” V8 that produced 360hp. This classic also features a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, power steering, and power brakes in keeping with its luxury leanings. Chrysler’s focus may have been firmly set on luxury with the 300K, but that didn’t prevent it from storming the ¼ mile in 15.3 seconds. This classic comes with mixed messages for potential buyers. It does appear to be numbers-matching and unmolested and even features original ancillaries like its carburetor. Unfortunately, the original owner didn’t perform any preparation before placing the car into storage. The result is that the beautiful V8 is frozen, but the seller believes that getting it free might not be difficult. That may well be the case, but it will almost certainly benefit from a rebuild even if it does turn once again. If the buyer intends to perform a thorough restoration, pulling the engine would also provide an opportunity to detail everything to the highest standard.

When the next owner starts to consider what path they will follow with this Chrysler, they will have to think carefully about its interior. The dash and pad look good, and I believe these and the door trims would respond positively to a deep clean. The headliner is excellent, but the carpet and seat upholstery may lighten their wallet. The carpet isn’t so bad because a replacement set retails for around $275. The seat upholstery is a different matter, and potential buyers may need to sit down when they find out the price. Covers in the correct material and color are available, but a complete set will leave little change from $1,500. Adding to their pain, the beautiful translucent steering wheel now sports several cracks. Restoring this in a home workshop would not be viable, and my brief online search has not located a replacement. This is one of those situations where potential buyers may need to be patient, and even then, it could cost a pretty penny. However, all of these items represent a one-off expense in a restoration of this type, and once complete, should never need to be touched again. The original owner equipped this car nicely. I am surprised that it doesn’t feature air conditioning, but it does come with a console with a vacuum gauge, power windows, cruise control, a tilt wheel, an AM radio, and a clock.

This 1964 Chrysler 300K shows plenty of promise as a project car. However, it will also leave its owner with a few decisions to make. There’s little doubt that fully restored, it would make a bold statement. Leaving it largely untouched but returning it to a mechanically roadworthy state would be the least expensive option, and it would allow the car to wear its survivor badge with pride. The deciding factor may well be the final auction price and how much room it will leave for a financially viable restoration. The harsh reality is that you can wander out into today’s market and secure some nice examples for under $20,000. Having said that, values continue to climb slowly but steadily. That means that while a restoration may not seem financially viable in the short term, if the next owner is willing to retain the car for a few years, they could still turn a profit when they sell it. It is a point to ponder, and it’ll be interesting to gauge your feelings on this one.