Although never considered part of its “Letter Series,” Chrysler revived the concept almost five years after the 300M left the line with the 1970 300 Hurst. As with its predecessors, the “Hurst” was a potent Personal Luxury Car that commanded a premium price. Production numbers fell below expectations for various reasons, and many of these classics have succumbed to rust and other factors. Our feature car needs plenty of love, but it appears to be a solid foundation for a project build. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Chrysler listed here on eBay in Olympia, Washington. Bidding sits at a mere $1,525, which is below the reserve.

Collaborative efforts are not a new phenomenon; Chrysler enlisted Hurst to produce the 300 Hurst. Spinnaker White cars rolled off the line at Jefferson Avenue in Detroit and were shipped to Hurst’s facility in Warminster, Pennsylvania. Hurst set to work replacing the original hood with a fiberglass unit with integrated twist locks. A new deck lid with a spoiler was added, with rear quarter panel extensions to give the spoiler a more “complete” look. Hurst then applied Satin Tan paint highlights to the exterior and wheel centers. The finished product made a visual statement that was impossible to ignore. This “Hurst” has spent most of its life in California, and still wears its original blue plates. The seller moved it to its current location a few years ago, storing it indoors to protect it from the elements. As a result, there is plenty of surface corrosion in the usual places, but the seller believes that the only penetrating rust is a small area around the rear window opening. If that proves the case, whipping the body into shape could require more time than money if the buyer adopts a hands-on approach. Three of the distinctive wheels and the back window are missing, but the remaining glass looks okay, and many trim pieces may be salvageable.

With an overall length of around nineteen feet, the 300 Hurst was not what many would consider small. However, Chrysler equipped it with a drivetrain that guaranteed respectable performance. It slotted its 440ci “TNT” V8 under the hood, delivering 375hp and 480 ft/lbs of torque. The remaining drivetrain components were standard across all cars, including the three-speed A-727 TorqueFlite transmission, the 3.23 rear end, and power-assisted steering and brakes. This car’s engine bay is empty, although it may not be the end of the world. The seller includes a 1970-coded 440 requiring a rebuild, along with a freshly rebuilt TorqueFlite. Sure, this classic won’t be numbers-matching, but it should have no trouble replicating its original performance figures once returned to its rightful place on our roads.

Chrysler left nothing to chance when developing the 300 Hurst, delving into Imperial’s Parts Bin for many interior components. The result was beautiful Satin Tan leather trim complementing the exterior paint highlights, and a wide range of creature comforts. These included air conditioning, power windows, power locks, six-way power front seats, cruise control, a remote trunk release, and a rear defroster. This Hurst increases its desirability, courtesy of the radio/8-track player. The seller is candid about this classic’s interior, admitting that the Californian sun has exacted a high toll. A complete retrim is the only solution, and while almost everything required to recapture its good looks is available, this aspect of the build will add around $5,000 to the restoration budget.

That the 1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst failed to set showrooms alight is unsurprising. If we exclude the price as a factor, it suffered from an appalling lack of communication between its creators. Chrysler believed that Hurst would handle most of the promotion, while Hurst felt that was Chrysler’s role. That led to a situation in which the 300 Hurst was one of that model year’s best-kept automotive secrets. As a result, the production tally was far below expectations. Sources vary, placing the figure between 485 and 501 cars, making this a rare beast. The reality is that returning it to its former glory will require a nut-and-bolt approach, but are you up for the challenge?