Some manufacturers release limited edition vehicles with low production numbers by design. However, the 1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst Edition achieved that status accidentally. The advertising for the model could best be described as haphazard, with the left hand not knowing what the right hand was doing. The result was a limited edition that sold a reputed 501 vehicles before Chrysler permanently ditched the program. This “Hurst” requires TLC, but it is a complete classic with its vital upgrades intact. Helping the restoration towards fruition is the seller’s decision to include a parts car. The package is listed here on eBay in Harrisburg, South Dakota. It has received two bids that have pushed the price to $5,000, which is short of the reserve. Barn Finder Larry D’s ability to spot fascinating classics knows no bounds, so thank you for referring this Chrysler, Larry.

Chrysler approached the production of the 300 Hurst as an exercise in excellence, intending to produce a distinctive and exclusive personal luxury car. The candidates rolled off the line in Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, wearing Spinnaker White paint. The company shipped the vehicles to the Hurst factory in Warminster, Pennsylvania, for the upgrades that would help them stand out from the crowd. The process included removing the steel hood skin and fitting a fiberglass replacement with functional twist locks, a non-functional scoop, and “300H” badges on either side of the hood bulge. The trunk lid received an integrated spoiler with end caps on each rear upper quarter panel to provide a more “complete” appearance. Hurst added Satin Tan paint to the hood, trunk lid, and flanks, with the same shade applied to the wheel centers. As a styling exercise, it was a winner. However, as a sales exercise, it was a damp squib. Part of the problem lay in the program’s timing, with funding approval for the Hurst coming late. It meant the cars didn’t appear in showrooms until part-way through the model year. Or, more accurately, they failed to appear in showrooms. The situation was one of poor communication. Chrysler believed Hurst would handle the promotional duties for this model, while Hurst thought that Chrysler would. In the end, neither did much, with the laughable result that buyers wandered into Chrysler showrooms to order a 300 Hurst, and many dealers didn’t know they existed! This Hurst is original and unmolested, but it requires plenty of TLC to return to its former glory. The panels sport many minor dents and bruises, although none are severe. There is visible rust in both lower front fenders and rear quarter panels, but I feel patches would eliminate those problems. The seller indicates that the floors are essentially solid, with only the driver’s floor requiring replacement. The trunk pan is beyond help, and stitching in a new one is the only option. However, all is not lost. The seller includes a 1970 300 parts car with no such problems. It could represent the source of new floors if the buyer wants to minimize costs. Our feature car retains its distinctive “Hurst” features, which is a bonus considering replacements are almost non-existent. The glass looks good, and the trim, including the grille with its iconic hidden headlamps, remains presentable for a survivor-grade classic.

As part of the Hurst deal, Chrysler intended the company would equip each car’s interior with one of their unique shifters. This never happened, nor did the intended mechanical upgrades. Hurst’s contribution proved entirely cosmetic, and they never touched the interior. To justify the price and exclusivity, Chrysler equipped the 300’s interior with some of the best components at its disposal. However, nothing was unique, and the cost to Chrysler was minimal. They dipped heavily into the Imperial parts bin for seats, upholstery, and other items designed to endow the vehicle with luxury credentials. All cars rolled out of the factory trimmed in Satin Tan leather. Although most cars feature a column shifter, this one adds a console and floor shifter to increase the exclusivity. That’s the good news, but the photos reveal this interior requires work to return to its former glory. The process won’t be cheap, with the front seat leather badly shredded. Reproductions are available, with a set of front seatcovers lightening the wallet by $1,700. If the back seat is in a similar state, you can double that figure. However, the door trims, dash, and console look okay. With the seller including a new carpet set, that represents a reasonable starting point. For those intent on living in the lap of luxury, the “Hurst” includes air conditioning, power windows, power front seats, a vacuum-operated trunk release (with a cable backup), cruise control, a rear defroster, and this car seems to sport an aftermarket radio/cassette player.

In reality, little mechanically separated a Hurst from a regular production 300. Chrysler upgraded the front torsion bars and rear springs and planned that Hurst would add an upgraded ignition and a larger oil pan. However, those additions never came to fruition. Power comes from a 440ci “TNT” V8, which sends 375hp to a 3.23 Sure Grip rear end via a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. The car’s luxury credentials were cemented by the standard inclusion of power assistance for the steering and brakes. There’s no hiding the fact the 300 is a land yacht, with its dimensions revealing the truth. At nineteen feet in length and weighing 4,354lbs, its ability to storm the ¼-mile in 15.1 seconds was no faster than cheaper offerings within the “300” range. However, that figure and the car’s ability to wind its way to 131mph are impressive when we consider its vital statistics. Our feature car is a numbers-matching vehicle that is in sound mechanical health. The seller includes significant documentation, including the original Build Sheet. As a point to ponder, they offer another option that could prove too tempting to resist. The parts car features a healthy 383ci V8 with headers and a dual exhaust. They are willing to pull the motor and transmission from that car and lower the price accordingly to sweeten the deal.

Had the 1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst received better advertising coverage, it may have sold in higher numbers. However, the odds were stacked against it from the start. Its upgrades offered few performance gains, meaning the 300 struggled against genuine high-performance models. If that weren’t enough, it was expensive. Very expensive! With a sticker price of $5,939 before added options, the only way to buy a more expensive Mopar passenger vehicle was to opt for something from the Imperial range. The widely-held belief is that 501 of these classics rolled out of the Hurst facility, including a single Convertible utilized by Hurst for promotional purposes. Values collapsed during the 1970s and 1980s as buyers turned their backs on gas-guzzling land yachts, but times change. Today, you will struggle to find a good one below $40,000, although figures above $50,000 are common for perfect cars. This one needs love to reach that level, but the parts car will help that process. Guessing the reserve price would be pure speculation, but if you crave a Mopar product that is (just) rarer than the iconic 1969 Daytona, it might be worth monitoring this auction.