If you read barn finds, chances are at least 50/50 that you’re a bargain hunter. I fall for it every time; I’m a sucker for the “running project.” At least time has made me aware of my weaknesses, and I like working on cars, so it all works out, even if I end up spending more in the long run than if I just bought a nicer car. I’d say that this 1964 Chrysler 300 falls into what I call the “Aaron Special” category; it looks fine from ten feet away (ish), and it probably needs quite a bit of tinkering. Our man T.J. found it on eBay being listed by a fairly prolific dealer, Beverly Hills Car Club. Their purview seems to be the project car, and the asking price for this one is $12,750.
The only problem is that the dealer doesn’t mention what’s wrong with it, only that it’s “a running and driving car that…will require extra work to reach its full potential.” With that being said, there are $11,903.89 in service receipts for the car that are dated from August 2016 to February 2020, and they’re all pictured in the ad. All kinds of work has been done, including an engine rebuild and a front end rebuild. Also, you’ll be getting a solid car; the 1964 Chrysler has a unit-body platform, and the undercarriage photographs show nice, dry sheetmetal. The original “ball-and-trunnion” driveshaft joint is still taking up residence behind the pushbutton Torqueflite; it’s a reliable piece, but the rubber boot tends to fail, and that can create quite a ruckus as it beats against the transmission tunnel. Yep, it’s happened to me before.
The standard engine in the 300 was this 305-horsepower 383 with a two-barrel carburetor, which would have originally been a Carter BBD, but a Holley accelerator pump is just peeking out from underneath the air cleaner, so it has a new carburetor (verified by the receipts). The odometer reads 97,179, which is not bad at all if it hasn’t rolled over. The big Chrysler has power steering and power brakes, but no A/C for our friends who enjoy hot climates.
The dashboard of the 1963-64 Chryslers has to be one of the best of the sixties; it’s almost European, and maybe only a Studebaker Lark or Avanti beat it for instrumentation. It’s even symmetrical in a way that you don’t expect from a Virgil Exner-led design. The 300 had standard bucket seats, and aside from carpet that’s a little faded, the interior looks amazing. I’m still wondering what’s needs to be done on this car.
It’s always something. The selling dealer includes a good number of pictures, and they show a car that is a little tired in the looks department; there’s some incidental rust down low and some dings and dents here and there. So much work has been done that there has to be light at the end of the tunnel, right? Right? Sigh, I know how that always goes, but the journey is often much of the fun.
Nice big Chrysler. It could be a letter car tribute but is fine as it stands. I wonder too what the project part could be.
I would check reviews on Beverly Hills Car Club and see this in person before taking the plunge.
They were about to take on a great new body style the next year thanks to Elwood Engel.
The intererior beckons, “C’mon in, sit down, and be very cool.” The outside says, “Welcome to the Nerd-burgering Aughtto-Be-Banned.”
I would not buy a used wheelbarrow from these people. They misrepresent and usually they sell overpriced junk. Runaway as fast as you can
I sold my sister-in-law’s Alfa Romeo to Alex Manos, owner of the company. The transaction went smoothly and everybody was satisfied. I realize his business model is not going to appeal to everybody, it depends on what you’re looking for and what your expectations are.
I had one of these, while in my early twenties. Fast, good looking car. But I couldn’t get the brakes, door handles, and gauges to work properly. I succeeded it with a ’63 Buick that was many times the car.
Rats ! Would have like to have had a chance at it before BHCC got it .
Darn good lookin’ car. Does it come with an interior??? (LOL)
Ooops! Did not scroll all the way down on ebay . . .
I’ve owned a few 63/64 Chryslers, in fact, I still have my 64 300-K convert that I’ve had since the late 70’s (yeah, I’m old). I don’t know what this car needs, but if it’s being represented responsibly, it doesn’t look like it needs much! Good motor, hopefully the brakes are up to snuff as I spent waaaay too much money reviving my ‘driver’, interior looks good, the chrome even has a nice luster still. These cars are NOT that difficult to work on, so if it just needs a little ‘tinkering’ it’s going to be a fine car for someone!
really mustang hubcaps? give me a break. at least put some Mopar caps on it
No kidding! I’ll GIVE them a correct set of wheel covers!
No 413? NO THANKS!!!