I just spent about two minutes staring into the distance pondering an important question: Have I really not driven a Chrysler C-Body, of any kind? I don’t think I have. I’ve driven hours to look at big Chryslers I’ve found in the classifieds, but none of them apparently elicited a test drive. It’s too bad, because anyone who’s owned one seems to be a fan for life. They’re big, roomy, powerful, easy to drive, and they look nice. Plus, you don’t see them at every car event. If you haven’t ever driven a C-Body, or if you are a past owner looking to get back into the old car life, here’s a solid ’67 300 with a 440 under the hood that’s ready to drive. It’s on eBay in Davis, South Dakota, with a current high bid of $1,975.
Stepping up from a Newport Custom to a 300 cost the 1967 Chrysler buyer about $300, but it was money well spent. Not only did they get some swoopier styling, front and rear, they also got a standard 440 with 350 horsepower, an 80-horsepower increase from the Newport’s two-barrel 383. The tough 727 Torqueflite was also standard on the 300, a $222 option on the Newport. Dual-circuit brakes were standard on all cars in 1967. Air conditioning was a $406 option that this car has, and the seller doesn’t mention that it “just needs a recharge,” so we’ll blissfully assume that it works. The engine has had a “recent overhaul and runs very strong.”
The interior has been treated to new upholstery, as the 300 came with standard vinyl seats (with optional leather, according to the brochure). They are now velour, so it’s most likely been a day or two since the work’s been done, but the material matches and is nearly indestructible. Every time I see a ’67 or ’68 Chrysler, I’m taken in by the dashboard; it angles out to a point somewhere in the center. It’s tough to see the effect in this picture, but it’s certainly unique, and those who have driven these cars have commented that it’s not distracting when you’re actually sitting behind the wheel. This is a well-optioned 300, with power windows in addition to the aforementioned air conditioning. It also has a console, which has either a “performance indicator” or a tachometer nestled under the dashboard. I have to assume that the performance indicator is a vacuum gauge.
Perhaps the only thing to criticize about this 300 is the paint; it’s certainly seen a few years out on the Dakota prairies. If it’s original, it is Silver Mist Metallic, and one always wonders if a half day out in the garage with a buffer and some compound would bring it back to life. If not, the car just looks like it’s had some life experience, which is never a bad thing. As I mentioned earlier, the rear end of the 300 was completely different from the less expensive Newport’s, and this picture shows off the improvement well.
The seller of this 300 says that it “could be driven anywhere,” but I wonder about those tires; the ad claims that they’re new but I haven’t seen Eagle STs on the rack for decades. It might be worth asking the seller if you’re a serious buyer. If you are, tell us how things go; after all, some of us C-Body novices might have to live vicariously through your adventures.
I don’t think I have ever seen this year and variant of the 300 and I must say it’s quite handsome. Reminds me of an executive version of a Dodge Charger for the professional who wanted something more gown up but still likes something sporty. Now the question is do you have the garage space for this spaceship?
Alpha, I have essentially the same car, but in the Newport Custom version. I also have a 1965 Chrysler New Yorker 4-door town Sedan.
Surprisingly, the 2-door Newport “coupe” is somehow longer (right at 18 feet) than the NYer 4-door sedan which is at 17′ 8″. Go figure.
I’d source a set of Chrysler Road Wheels and a set of white wall tires and cruise this baby! If buffing doesn’t work, new paint would be on the menu!
GLWTA! :-)
Aaron, the strongest endorsement of a C Body I have ever seen – nice job.
Some, you have to drive to understand.
We see the “luxo-***” comments in this section when LTDs, etc are featured and it misses the point- I say drive one. These were our rides when we were growing up and some of these big machines were police interceptors and some solid classics still running 50-60 years later. We still appreciate the hardware to this day.
What a fine ride this looks to be.
Thanks! I fell absolutely in love with a ’65 New Yorker 2-door hardtop for sale about 10 years ago, but sadly, it wouldn’t fit in the garage the way my fleet is currently configured. I was close enough to say “I’ll figure out the logistics later” and started doing some serious research though…maybe someday!
I was driving my dad’s 1967 Chrysler Town & Country Wagon with a 383 under the hood. When my brother pulled up next to me at a stop light, driving his 1958 283 Corvette, well, what do you think any two red-blooded American youth would do. The Town & Country easily beat the Vette off the line. Oh, that dad had sprung for the 440 option!
Not all 3oo’s are created equal. This one is equipped nicely. With the bucket seats console,and floor shift. Drove a 66′ Newport with the 383 4bbl. Ran out strong. Recently scored a 69′ 440 coupe with power windows. Go figure!
Absolutely love the pre-70’s “C” bodies!
Hard to beat Mopar-Muscle/Luxury. For a fraction of the price of a B body, you can bury that speedo past 120 with ease.
I did it in HS in Dad’s 68 NY w/a 440.
The biggest thing that separates these from a Wildcat, Grand Prix, Ford XL, (etc) are torsion bars that help the 300 corner like a true muscle car.
I enjoyed my 1966 Newport two door back in the day. It had the 383 two barrel, Torqueflight and not much else. Biggest trunk in a car that I ever owned. I hauled a washing machine in it.
My neighbor bought one of these that year. Green with a vinyl top I think. The last time I saw it, it was ready for a new muffler system.
High speed cruising? Yup, we can do that!! I had a dear friend who had a ’69 Newport wagon, with the 440, and he had installed a vacuum gauge on the side of the dash: he drove 75 and feathered the gas to maintain the highest observed vacuum, and regularly approached 18 mpg. An absolutely awesome car for 250 miles at a time. Extremely comfortable and smooth! And when the local hot rodder crowd needed humbling, he could smoke the tires for half a block off the line. He didn’t lose many of the challenges.
This one looks like fun! Yes, please!
My families 2nd car was a 1967 Chrysler New Yorker 4 door hardtop. It was bought used in 1971. I loved the body style. I drove it quite a lot. It had the 440, power windows, but I don’t remember if it had a power seat or power locks. It had factory a/c, rear heat and rear window defroster. The heat was a slot on the transmission hump, the defroster was a slot in the package self. They both blew our hot air. It also had the turn indicators on the front edge of the fenders. Dad traded it in 1973 for a 1969 Plymouth Satellite wagon because of the oil embargo. We went from the 440 to a slant six. It was quite a disappointment for me, a 20 year old college student.
These 60s Chrysler letter cars were gentleman’s luxury, Land yachts in their day. With a 440 and most options, this 67 is hard to beat. Again, I’m glad it’s all the way in South Dakota, looks like a super straight rust free body. If it’s running driving and stopping, it’s a great buy. Jealous of it’s buyer.
I owned a 67 300 with the TNT 440 it had 375 horsepower and disc brakes. It was quite a runner , unfortunately it never passed a gas station.