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2010 Chrysler 300 news, pictures, and information
2010 Chrysler 300 — Luxury, Comfort And Legendary Value
New for 2010:• Keyless Entry/Keyless Go (standard on 300C)
• ParkSense® rear park assist system (standard on 300C)
• Chromed door handles and front- and rear-fascia accents (standard on 300 Touring)
Heated chromed mirrors (standard on 300 Touring)
• Supplemental Side-curtain Air Bags (standard on all models)
With its refined interior, premium technology features and unmistakable design, the 2010 Chrysler 300 continues to offer unmatched style, performance and excitement for any budget.
For those seeking the combination of maximum fuel economy with the panache of the Chrysler 300C, the new 2010 Chrysler 300 Touring offers a fuel-efficient 2.7-liter V-6 engine, providing 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, and even more upscale enhancements, including chromed mirrors and door handles, fog lamps and available steering wheel audio controls.
Upping the ante, the 2010 Chrysler 300C Heritage Edition tops the model lineup. Its legendary 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine with fuel-saving Multi-displacement System (MDS) technology produces 360 horsepower (268 kW), 389 lb.-ft. (527 N•m) of torque and 25 mpg highway capability. Premium amenities, including leather seating with suede inserts, Poplar Burl real-wood trim, Keyless Entry/Keyless Go, Boston Acoustics 5.1 surround sound with Digital Signal Processor (DSP), 20-inch chromed wheels, and performance steering, suspension and shocks, make the 300C Heritage Edition the ultimate Chrysler 300.
And for customers who are looking for even more all-weather capability from their Chrysler 300 sedan, all-wheel-drive models feature an active transfer case and front-axle disconnect. No other major manufacturer offers these two independent technologies together. The unique system seamlessly transitions between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive with no driver intervention. When all-wheel drive is not required, the system automatically disconnects the front axle to maximize fuel economy on all-wheel-drive Chrysler 300 models, while still providing the outstanding performance and handling inherent in rear-wheel drive.
2010 CHRYSLER 300 AT A GLANCE
Redefining the classic American automobile
• Chrysler redefined the classic American automobile with the Chrysler 300
• The Chrysler 300 continues the Chrysler brand's proud 'letter series' tradition in a thoroughly modern way
• With stunning, noble proportions, Chrysler 300 signaled an entirely new design direction for the Chrysler brand when it was first introduced in March 2004 as a 2005 model-year vehicle
• With unsurpassed comfort and spaciousness, Chrysler 300 has the interior space of a front-wheel-drive package in a rear-wheel-drive vehicle
• Chrysler 300 offers leading technology at a mid-market price
It's got a HEMI!
Chrysler 300C offers exceptional performance with the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine, which generates 360 horsepower (268 kW) and 389 lb.-ft. (527 N•m) of torque and features fuel-saving MDS technology that provides as much as a 20 percent improvement in fuel economy
• Best of both worlds — the security of all-wheel drive with the spirit and handling of rear-wheel drive
• All-wheel-drive Chrysler 300 models are equipped with an active transfer case and a front-axle disconnect — an active 'on-demand' system that disconnects the front axle from the drivetrain until all-wheel drive is necessary
• System allows the vehicle to switch between two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive to maximize fuel economy on all-wheel-drive Chrysler 300 models
Safety and security
Technologies, such as Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Brake Assist, all-speed traction control and four-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), have reached new levels of advancement to control rear-wheel-drive vehicles in a way that is transparent to the driver
Customer convenience technology
Available Boston Acoustics audio systems include a six-speaker 276-watt amplifier system or an eight-speaker 5.1 Matrix surround-sound amplifier including subwoofer
Available Uconnect™ Multimedia features a 30-gigabyte hard drive for ripping up to 6,700 songs from CD or USB memory devices in a compressed format, photo uploading for home screen personalization and the ability to display movies when the vehicle is in Park (as permitted by state regulations)
• Available Uconnect Phone features Bluetooth technology to provide voice-controlled wireless communication between the occupants' compatible mobile phones and the vehicle's onboard receiver
• Available Uconnect Navigation combines the features of Uconnect Phone and Uconnect Multimedia with navigation real-time traffic updates
• Available rear-seat Video Entertainment System (VES®) features seven-inch LCD screen and two wireless headphones for DVD and auxiliary audio/video entertainment
PRODUCT CHRONOLOGY
2009 Model Year
Deep Water Blue Pearl Coat replaced Steel Blue Pearl Coat
Antenna moves to rear window on all models
Seventeen-inch machined aluminum wheels standard on 300 Touring
Mesh-chromed grille and standard 20-inch chromed aluminum wheels on 300C Heritage Edition Upgraded interior accents include chromed door spears, chromed center console spears and cup holder rings, chromed instrument panel trim rings and satin silver instrument panel bezel on 300 Touring
Flexible trunk space with cargo net, grocery bag hooks, trunk scuff plate and trunk deck-lid liner standard on all models
Reversible trunk mat added on 300 Limited and 300C
Uconnect Multimedia with AM/FM/6CD/DVD/MP3 radio featuring touch screen added on 300 Limited
Automatic headlamps and Automatic Temperature Control added on 300 Touring
LED map-pocket lighting added on 300 Limited
LED-illuminated front cup holders added on all models
Normal cruise control added to adaptive cruise control added on 300C
EVIC automatically informs driver when in two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive on AWD models
EVIC automatically informs driver when using fuel-saving MDS technology by flashing 'ECO' message on 300C
New-generation 5.7-liter HEMI engine with fuel-saving MDS technology and Variable-Cam Timing (VCT) generates increased horsepower (360 horsepower) and torque (389 lb.-ft.) on 300C
Axle ratio of 2.65:1 added on 300C
All-wheel-drive models equipped with innovative Active Transfer Case and Front-axle Disconnect in order to maximize performance and fuel economy
Axle ratio of 3.06:1 added on 300C AWD
Comfort-tuned suspension added on 300 Limited and 300C with 18-inch wheels
Chrysler 300C Heritage Edition added performance steering, suspension and shocks from Dodge Charger R/T Daytona
Updated Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) warning message now appears as 'LO TIRE' (all models)
2008 Model Year
Clearwater Blue Pearl Coat, Dark Titanium Metallic Clear Coat and Light Sandstone Metallic Clear Coat replaced Marine Blue Pearl Coat, Linen Gold and Silver Steel Metallic
Exterior refreshed with new front and rear fascias and grille and new body-side molding, taillamp design and deck-lid
Interior refresh included redesigned instrument panel, instrument cluster, center console and door trim panels
New interior color combinations included Dark Khaki/Light Graystone and Dark Slate Gray
Upgraded seat cloth material
Upgraded soft-touch surfaces on armrests, center console and door trim
Faux wood interior accents added on 300 Limited
Repositioned cruise control stalk location
iPod® Control added to Uconnect Phone
New radio options
AM/FM/CD/MP3 radio (standard)
AM/FM/6CD/DVD/MP3 radio (optional)
Uconnect Navigation
Boston Acoustics eight-speaker 5.1 Matrix surround-sound amplifier including subwoofer (available on 300C)
LED lighting in front cup holders and front- and rear-door map pockets added on 300C (included in Luxury Package on 300 Limited)
Available adaptive cruise control on 300C
Available rear-seat Video Entertainment System (VES®) included one-year subscription to SIRIUS Backseat TVTM (available on 300 Touring Executive Series, 300 Limited and 300C)
Available Remote Start on 300 Limited
New 17-inch wheel covers on 300 LX
New 17-inch machined-face aluminum wheels on Chrysler 300 Touring
'Fuel Saver Mode' display added on 300C
Power adjustable pedals added on the 300 Limited
Side-curtain and seat-mounted air bags added on 300 Great American Package and available on remaining models
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system warning lamp added on 300 LX
Luxury Group bundled sun roof; Boston Acoustics six-speaker, 276-watt amplifier speaker system, Uconnect Navigation, California Walnut wood accent on steering wheel, door pulls and interior trim, Remote Start, LED-illuminated front cup holders and front- and rear-door map pockets, SmartBeam® headlamps and rain-sensing windshield wipers (available on 300 Limited)
Luxury Group II bundled adaptive cruise control, mirrors with supplemental turn signals and puddle lamps, passenger-side auto-dimming mirror, heated rear seats and California Walnut wood trim (available on 300C)
2007 Model Year
Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat, Marine Blue Pearl Coat and Steel Blue Metallic Clear Coat replaced Magnesium Pearl Coat, Midnight Blue Pearl Coat and Satin Jade
Large 18-inch chrome-clad wheels added on 300 Limited, 300C and all all-wheel-drive models
New interior color combination of Khaki/Light Graystone replaced Deep Jade/Light Graystone
Automatic oil change alert added on all models
SmartBeam® intelligent headlamp system control available on 300 Limited and standard on 300C models
Low-risk deployment air bags added on all models
Self-sealing tires added on Chrysler 300C
New W. P. Chrysler Executive Series long-wheelbase package added six inches and 10.2 cubic feet of interior space to 300 Touring and 300C rear-wheel-drive models
Luxury Group II bundled auto-dimming passenger-side exterior mirror; heated rear seats, and supplemental turn-signal mirrors with courtesy puddle lamps (available on 300C)
2006 Model Year
Linen Gold Metallic Pearl Coat replaced Deep Lava Red
Eight-way power passenger seat with power recline replaced six-way power passenger seat
Cruise control instrument panel indicator light added on all models
Optional DVD video entertainment system located in center console
Audio input jack added to AM/FM/CD radio
Five-speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick mated to 3.5-liter V-6 engine
Variable Line Pressure (VLP) feature added to four-speed automatic transmission
New Tire Pressure Monitor warning lamp added on 300 Touring and 300 Limited
New Tire Pressure Monitor display 300C
300 Touring featured new 17-inch machined-face aluminum wheel
Comfort/Convenience Group offered on 300 Touring
Power-adjustable pedals with memory added on 300C
SIRIUS Satellite Radio with a one-year subscription added on 300 Limited Package and 300C
Chrysler 300 Touring Signature Series Package offered in 2005/2006 model year
Chrysler 300 Great American Package introduced
Heritage Edition Package for 300C introduced
2005 Model Year
The all-new Chrysler 300 was introduced in model-year 2005 marking the brand's return to rear-wheel drive and the return of the HEMI engine after 50 yearsSource - Chrysler
In 1955, Chrysler introduced the C300. The 'C' stood for coupe and the 300 was the horsepower rating of the original Hemi engine equipped with , two four barrel carbs, solid lifters, special manifolds, and enlarged dual exhausts. This vehicle gave the Chrysler Corporation a performance and sporty image, a much needed persona in this post World War II era. Many European manufacturers, such as Jaguar and MG, had introduced high powered, small, responsive sports cars. American manufacturers countered with the Chevrolet Corvette and the Ford Thunderbird. The Chrysler 300 was a performance car with a contemporary 'Forward Look' designed by ex-Studebaker stylist Virgil Exner. The design was void of the popular chrome sides which was prevalent during this era. It was simple but aggressive gentleman's car.
The Chrysler 300 was outfitted with a hemispherical (Hemi) combustion chamber 5.4 litre V-8 that produced 300 horsepower and matted to a performance modified two-speed 'PowerFlite' automatic gearbox. The body came from the New Yorker; rear quarter moldings were compliments of the Windsor. The two piece grille came from the Imperial. An improved suspension was implemented to provided sporty and responsive handling. The base price was $4,055.
Sales of the C300 were fueled by its success on the stock car circuit. The C300 dominated the sands of Daytona Beach, Florida where it won the stock production class and took home the Tom McCahill trophy. From 1955 through 1957 it was the fastest American car.
In 1959, a 300D driven at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats by Norm Thatcher set a new Class E speed record of 156.387 mph. During the same year, Brewster Shaw achieved a quarter-mile time of 16 seconds with a trap speed of 94 mph at Daytona Beach, Florida.
For 1956, Chrysler increased the displacement of its Hemi engine to 5.8 liters and changed the name to 300B. With 355 horsepower, the V8 engine had one horsepower per cubic inch, an achievement that very few manufacturers were able to claim.
The letters continued to climb the alphabet annually until the 300L of 1965 (the letter I was skipped). They became known as the 'letter cars'. In 1959, the 392 hemi was replaced with the 413 cubic-inch Golden Lion wedge-head design engine. In 1962, the 300 Sport series became available along side the 300H. The 300, without a letter designation was continued until 1971. In 1970, the 300 Hurst was produced, built by Chrysler and modified by the Hurst Company. The modifications included two-tone paint, special striping, spoiler on the deck lid, and wheels. The 300 name was again revived in 1979 as the 300 Special Edition, but endured a short life span. It was based on the Cordoba platform and available only in white with red leather interior.
Even with eleven years of production, less than 17,000 were produced. The bodystyle's available were either a two door hardtop or convertible. The convertible was not available during 1955, 1956, and 1963.
In the early 2000's, Chrysler revived the model name with the 300M. For most 300 enthusiasts, it is a good attempt, but far from the original 300's. The original 300's, as argued by some MOPAR enthusiast, is considered to be the first muscle cars. Although they were fast, they were also large and luxurious, qualities that muscle cars did not typically process. The 300 did get American moving on the fast track to the horsepower and performance revolution, and looked good while doing it.
The Chrysler 300 was outfitted with a hemispherical (Hemi) combustion chamber 5.4 litre V-8 that produced 300 horsepower and matted to a performance modified two-speed 'PowerFlite' automatic gearbox. The body came from the New Yorker; rear quarter moldings were compliments of the Windsor. The two piece grille came from the Imperial. An improved suspension was implemented to provided sporty and responsive handling. The base price was $4,055.
Sales of the C300 were fueled by its success on the stock car circuit. The C300 dominated the sands of Daytona Beach, Florida where it won the stock production class and took home the Tom McCahill trophy. From 1955 through 1957 it was the fastest American car.
In 1959, a 300D driven at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats by Norm Thatcher set a new Class E speed record of 156.387 mph. During the same year, Brewster Shaw achieved a quarter-mile time of 16 seconds with a trap speed of 94 mph at Daytona Beach, Florida.
For 1956, Chrysler increased the displacement of its Hemi engine to 5.8 liters and changed the name to 300B. With 355 horsepower, the V8 engine had one horsepower per cubic inch, an achievement that very few manufacturers were able to claim.
The letters continued to climb the alphabet annually until the 300L of 1965 (the letter I was skipped). They became known as the 'letter cars'. In 1959, the 392 hemi was replaced with the 413 cubic-inch Golden Lion wedge-head design engine. In 1962, the 300 Sport series became available along side the 300H. The 300, without a letter designation was continued until 1971. In 1970, the 300 Hurst was produced, built by Chrysler and modified by the Hurst Company. The modifications included two-tone paint, special striping, spoiler on the deck lid, and wheels. The 300 name was again revived in 1979 as the 300 Special Edition, but endured a short life span. It was based on the Cordoba platform and available only in white with red leather interior.
Even with eleven years of production, less than 17,000 were produced. The bodystyle's available were either a two door hardtop or convertible. The convertible was not available during 1955, 1956, and 1963.
In the early 2000's, Chrysler revived the model name with the 300M. For most 300 enthusiasts, it is a good attempt, but far from the original 300's. The original 300's, as argued by some MOPAR enthusiast, is considered to be the first muscle cars. Although they were fast, they were also large and luxurious, qualities that muscle cars did not typically process. The 300 did get American moving on the fast track to the horsepower and performance revolution, and looked good while doing it.
In 2005, the wave of retro design that is still shaping American cars first washed over Detroit. American companies, with their stale product offerings, began looking towards their rich pasts to inspire new models with the design and flair of long-gone icons. It was in 2005 that Chrysler launched a modern iteration of the famed 300.
The 300 name had actually been revived by Chrysler several years before the 2005 300's introduction as a car called the 300M, but that model was dated even when brand new and didn't evoke nostalgic memories in the same way its replacement would. The 2005 300 was a total departure from the Chrysler models immediately preceding it. The sleek, low slung, 'cab-forward' design language of the 300M and others was replaced by the new 300's brash and blocky look. The 2005 Chrysler 300 was not merely an updated version of a bygone classic, but rather a revival of Chrysler's attitude during the company's most exciting times.
The new 300 went back to a rear wheel drive platform and reintroduced the muscular proportions of America's former bad-boy sedans. Available V8 power rounded out the package and a large, upright chrome grille stood proud in grand American fashion. The 2005 Chrysler 300 was met with great fanfare and positive press. For as exciting a car as the '05 300 was, though, it could barely capture the style and spirit of the car that inspired it. The original 300 was one of the most thrilling Chryslers ever released. It was a car whose inspirational design and performance will be lauded forever and whose legend will continue to be respected by Chrysler workers, owners and admirers, as well as by the flashy new car that shares its name.
Produced without interruption from 1955 through 1971, the Chrysler 300 in its earliest form was one of the very first muscle cars. Though production extended into the early 1970's, the best-known (and best-loved) 300s were the 'letter series' cars of 1955-1965. All 300s were part of this letter series until 1962, when both letter and non-letter variants were offered through 1965. Models made from 1966 on were not part of the letter series. Each Chrysler in the letter series used the 300 designation followed by a single letter. That letter ascended alphabetically once every year, making it up to 'L.' Confusingly, the first of the series was not called the 300A but the C-300. In that one instance, the letter 'C' simply stood for coupe. Revisions on the C-300 theme created the 300B for 1956, then 300C for 1957, 300D for 1958, and so on. The only other snag in the letter series system was the use of the letter 'J' for the 1963 300, instead of the 'I' for which the car was due. Chrysler likely used the 'J' nomenclature to prevent confusion between the letter 'I' and the Roman numeral I.
The letter series 300 introduced potent performance and a fresh design to Chrysler, whose other models had grown stale. In that sense, the original 300 arrived for the same reasons as 2005's remake. The name was chosen for bragging rights. Chrysler, with its aptly named C-300, had become the first American manufacturer to develop 300hp in a production car. That power led the 1955 Chrysler to become the fastest production car in the world, reaching 127.58mph at Daytona Beach. The C-300's engine was a 331ci Chrysler V8 with hemispherical combustion chambers and two 4-barrel carburetors. The aforementioned 300hp was achieved at 5,200rpm.
There was much more to the C-300 than formidable speed. The car was large, luxurious, and packed with comfortable features. At 220 inches in length, the C-300 was huge for a two-door. A weight of 4,300lbs gave it the bulk of a personal limousine. Its two speed automatic transmission required no effort on the driver's part. The car was rolling evidence that speed and luxury were not mutually exclusive traits. The C-300 was the fastest car on the road, and it may very well have been the most comfortable.
A superb combination of performance and comfort alone would have made the Chrysler C-300 a classic. But the car's quality didn't stop there. Designed by the talented and innovative Virgil Exner, the C-300 was a triple threat of sumptuous luxury, speed and, and style.
Before moving to Chrysler, Exner had worked for GM under the guidance of Harley Earl and for Raymond Loewy's own design firm. His experience led him to be a daring designer, but the 1955 C-300 was a subdued design. It was handsome and understated, free of the garish detailing the plagued so many of its contemporaries. With its regal proportions and proud stance, the C-300 separated itself from lowlier cars that used glitz and glam as their only stylistic values. A split egg crate grille, in chrome, dominated the frontal aspect of the C-300 and had a tastefully minimal chrome bumper running beneath it. The subtle fins picked up just aft of the doors and beneath the beltline. At the rear, the vestigial fins flowed into vertical taillights. With a base price above $4,000, buyers paid dearly for a fine congregation of elegant design, comfort, and rapidity.
Even more power was made available for the 1956 300B. A 354ci V8, at first making 340hp, was available with 355hp by the middle of its run—making it the first American engine to produce 1 horsepower per cubic inch. Three transmissions were offered: PowerFlite and TorqueFlite two-speed autos, and a three-speed manual.
Performance improvements in the 1956 300B were complemented by the availability of an even more comfortable interior. Air conditioning was offered as well as a clock in the steering wheel for the particularly punctual. And, of course, if the clock wasn't distracting enough, a record player could also be ordered.
The styling of the 300B featured a revised rear treatment, but the car was largely the same as 1955's C-300. For the 1957 300C, though, Exner thoroughly revamped the 300's shape. The new design was more brash but still tasteful and clean. It featured more pronounced fins and a quad headlight face with a large, one-piece egg crate grille. From the side, the 300C looked particularly good. Its long and low proportions were readily revealed from that angle. Also easily noticeable from the side, the 300C had a forward tilt to its front end that was mirrored by a rearward tilt to its fins. The balanced look was an Exner hallmark that worked wonderfully on the 300C. A convertible version was offered whose absence of a roofline emphasized the trapezoidal side profile of the 300C's body. A top speed of 150mph could be reached by the 300C.
For 1958, a 300D was introduced. It looked very similar to the 300C, but big improvements were still made. Fuel injection became an available option and power brakes were standard. With 380hp, the 300D could be propelled to 156mph. The 300E of 1959 offered similar styling but with a very different engine. The hemi-head V8 was replaced by a 413ci wedge-head V8.
The 300F brought major styling changes for 1960. While other companies toned down their use of fins for the 1960's, Chrysler gave its 300F a wild, one-year-only rear treatment with razor sharp fins. Ralph Nader, in his book Unsafe at and Speed that most famously criticized the Chevrolet Corvair's poor handling, called the 300F's fins 'potentially lethal.' Automotive writer Quentin Willson offered good reason for Nader's concern in his own work titled The Ultimate Classic Car Book, pointing to a 1963 traffic accident in which an unfortunate motorcyclist became impaled by one of the fins of a 300F.
With a front end that looked slightly awkward compared to the noses of its predecessors and a heavily criticized faux spare tire cover incorporated into the rear deck lid, the 300F's overall look lacked the thoroughly clean appearance of earlier models. But from the side at least the 300F still looked good, and performance and comfort were as impressive as ever. Up to 400hp could be had from the 413ci engine. A beautifully finished interior continued a tradition of comfortable motoring. The interior was so inviting that the seats literally offered themselves to driver and front passenger, automatically swiveling to allow easy access whenever a door was opened.
The 300G was brought out for 1961 and was the last finned 300. The front end retained four headlights, but they were now stacked two per side in tilted columns. Standard power windows and cruise control further enhanced an already excellent list of convenience features, and performance options remained similar to those of the 300F. The 300H used the following year was similar in most respects to the 300G, but had a fresh tail design with a smooth, tapering deck where once stood fins. Production of the 300H was unusually low even for the exclusive letter series, but sales were bolstered by the introduction of a more affordable non-letter series variant, named simply the '300.'
For 1963, the letter 'I' was skipped and the 300J was introduced alongside a revamped standard 300. The 1963 models were plainer, with square styling that belied their still capable performance. The 1964 300K and 1965 300L were the last two models of the letter series. By 1965, the plain styling of the 300L and the narrow performance gap between it and the base 300 had created an uninspired package. After 1965, the letter series was discontinued.
The garden variety 300 soldiered on until 1971, losing sales and substance as it went along. Chrysler couldn't have picked a better time to pull the plug on the aging model, as allowing it to last any longer would have exposed it to stringent emissions regulations that instantly would have robbed the car of the only virtue it really had left—power. Even the very last 300 had a 440ci V8 that had a tremendous output compared to any American offering of the mid-1970's.
History has ignored any shortcomings of the largely average 300 produced from 1966-1971, focusing on the raw power and suave personality of the early letter series. Few American cars before or since have been able to offer so much speed and luxury wrapped in a shell of aesthetic excellence. From 1955 through 1959, the 300s were the uncompromised rulers of the American automotive kingdom—even the 1960-1965 models were superbly executed. Inspiring the successful 2005 Chrysler 300, the early letter series cars have shown that sometimes history is worth repeating.
Sources:
'History of the Chrysler Three Hundred Series.' The Chrysler 300 Site Web.28 Jul 2009. http://www.chrysler300site.com/cgibin/history.cgi.
Nerad, Jack. 'Great Classic Cars: Chrysler C-300.' AntiqueCar.com Web.28 Jul 2009. http://www.antiquecar.com/gc_chrysler_c300.php.
Willson, Quentin. The Ultimate Classic Car Book. First. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 1995. Print.Evan Acuña
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The 300 name had actually been revived by Chrysler several years before the 2005 300's introduction as a car called the 300M, but that model was dated even when brand new and didn't evoke nostalgic memories in the same way its replacement would. The 2005 300 was a total departure from the Chrysler models immediately preceding it. The sleek, low slung, 'cab-forward' design language of the 300M and others was replaced by the new 300's brash and blocky look. The 2005 Chrysler 300 was not merely an updated version of a bygone classic, but rather a revival of Chrysler's attitude during the company's most exciting times.
The new 300 went back to a rear wheel drive platform and reintroduced the muscular proportions of America's former bad-boy sedans. Available V8 power rounded out the package and a large, upright chrome grille stood proud in grand American fashion. The 2005 Chrysler 300 was met with great fanfare and positive press. For as exciting a car as the '05 300 was, though, it could barely capture the style and spirit of the car that inspired it. The original 300 was one of the most thrilling Chryslers ever released. It was a car whose inspirational design and performance will be lauded forever and whose legend will continue to be respected by Chrysler workers, owners and admirers, as well as by the flashy new car that shares its name.
Produced without interruption from 1955 through 1971, the Chrysler 300 in its earliest form was one of the very first muscle cars. Though production extended into the early 1970's, the best-known (and best-loved) 300s were the 'letter series' cars of 1955-1965. All 300s were part of this letter series until 1962, when both letter and non-letter variants were offered through 1965. Models made from 1966 on were not part of the letter series. Each Chrysler in the letter series used the 300 designation followed by a single letter. That letter ascended alphabetically once every year, making it up to 'L.' Confusingly, the first of the series was not called the 300A but the C-300. In that one instance, the letter 'C' simply stood for coupe. Revisions on the C-300 theme created the 300B for 1956, then 300C for 1957, 300D for 1958, and so on. The only other snag in the letter series system was the use of the letter 'J' for the 1963 300, instead of the 'I' for which the car was due. Chrysler likely used the 'J' nomenclature to prevent confusion between the letter 'I' and the Roman numeral I.
The letter series 300 introduced potent performance and a fresh design to Chrysler, whose other models had grown stale. In that sense, the original 300 arrived for the same reasons as 2005's remake. The name was chosen for bragging rights. Chrysler, with its aptly named C-300, had become the first American manufacturer to develop 300hp in a production car. That power led the 1955 Chrysler to become the fastest production car in the world, reaching 127.58mph at Daytona Beach. The C-300's engine was a 331ci Chrysler V8 with hemispherical combustion chambers and two 4-barrel carburetors. The aforementioned 300hp was achieved at 5,200rpm.
There was much more to the C-300 than formidable speed. The car was large, luxurious, and packed with comfortable features. At 220 inches in length, the C-300 was huge for a two-door. A weight of 4,300lbs gave it the bulk of a personal limousine. Its two speed automatic transmission required no effort on the driver's part. The car was rolling evidence that speed and luxury were not mutually exclusive traits. The C-300 was the fastest car on the road, and it may very well have been the most comfortable.
A superb combination of performance and comfort alone would have made the Chrysler C-300 a classic. But the car's quality didn't stop there. Designed by the talented and innovative Virgil Exner, the C-300 was a triple threat of sumptuous luxury, speed and, and style.
Before moving to Chrysler, Exner had worked for GM under the guidance of Harley Earl and for Raymond Loewy's own design firm. His experience led him to be a daring designer, but the 1955 C-300 was a subdued design. It was handsome and understated, free of the garish detailing the plagued so many of its contemporaries. With its regal proportions and proud stance, the C-300 separated itself from lowlier cars that used glitz and glam as their only stylistic values. A split egg crate grille, in chrome, dominated the frontal aspect of the C-300 and had a tastefully minimal chrome bumper running beneath it. The subtle fins picked up just aft of the doors and beneath the beltline. At the rear, the vestigial fins flowed into vertical taillights. With a base price above $4,000, buyers paid dearly for a fine congregation of elegant design, comfort, and rapidity.
Even more power was made available for the 1956 300B. A 354ci V8, at first making 340hp, was available with 355hp by the middle of its run—making it the first American engine to produce 1 horsepower per cubic inch. Three transmissions were offered: PowerFlite and TorqueFlite two-speed autos, and a three-speed manual.
Performance improvements in the 1956 300B were complemented by the availability of an even more comfortable interior. Air conditioning was offered as well as a clock in the steering wheel for the particularly punctual. And, of course, if the clock wasn't distracting enough, a record player could also be ordered.
The styling of the 300B featured a revised rear treatment, but the car was largely the same as 1955's C-300. For the 1957 300C, though, Exner thoroughly revamped the 300's shape. The new design was more brash but still tasteful and clean. It featured more pronounced fins and a quad headlight face with a large, one-piece egg crate grille. From the side, the 300C looked particularly good. Its long and low proportions were readily revealed from that angle. Also easily noticeable from the side, the 300C had a forward tilt to its front end that was mirrored by a rearward tilt to its fins. The balanced look was an Exner hallmark that worked wonderfully on the 300C. A convertible version was offered whose absence of a roofline emphasized the trapezoidal side profile of the 300C's body. A top speed of 150mph could be reached by the 300C.
For 1958, a 300D was introduced. It looked very similar to the 300C, but big improvements were still made. Fuel injection became an available option and power brakes were standard. With 380hp, the 300D could be propelled to 156mph. The 300E of 1959 offered similar styling but with a very different engine. The hemi-head V8 was replaced by a 413ci wedge-head V8.
The 300F brought major styling changes for 1960. While other companies toned down their use of fins for the 1960's, Chrysler gave its 300F a wild, one-year-only rear treatment with razor sharp fins. Ralph Nader, in his book Unsafe at and Speed that most famously criticized the Chevrolet Corvair's poor handling, called the 300F's fins 'potentially lethal.' Automotive writer Quentin Willson offered good reason for Nader's concern in his own work titled The Ultimate Classic Car Book, pointing to a 1963 traffic accident in which an unfortunate motorcyclist became impaled by one of the fins of a 300F.
With a front end that looked slightly awkward compared to the noses of its predecessors and a heavily criticized faux spare tire cover incorporated into the rear deck lid, the 300F's overall look lacked the thoroughly clean appearance of earlier models. But from the side at least the 300F still looked good, and performance and comfort were as impressive as ever. Up to 400hp could be had from the 413ci engine. A beautifully finished interior continued a tradition of comfortable motoring. The interior was so inviting that the seats literally offered themselves to driver and front passenger, automatically swiveling to allow easy access whenever a door was opened.
The 300G was brought out for 1961 and was the last finned 300. The front end retained four headlights, but they were now stacked two per side in tilted columns. Standard power windows and cruise control further enhanced an already excellent list of convenience features, and performance options remained similar to those of the 300F. The 300H used the following year was similar in most respects to the 300G, but had a fresh tail design with a smooth, tapering deck where once stood fins. Production of the 300H was unusually low even for the exclusive letter series, but sales were bolstered by the introduction of a more affordable non-letter series variant, named simply the '300.'
For 1963, the letter 'I' was skipped and the 300J was introduced alongside a revamped standard 300. The 1963 models were plainer, with square styling that belied their still capable performance. The 1964 300K and 1965 300L were the last two models of the letter series. By 1965, the plain styling of the 300L and the narrow performance gap between it and the base 300 had created an uninspired package. After 1965, the letter series was discontinued.
The garden variety 300 soldiered on until 1971, losing sales and substance as it went along. Chrysler couldn't have picked a better time to pull the plug on the aging model, as allowing it to last any longer would have exposed it to stringent emissions regulations that instantly would have robbed the car of the only virtue it really had left—power. Even the very last 300 had a 440ci V8 that had a tremendous output compared to any American offering of the mid-1970's.
History has ignored any shortcomings of the largely average 300 produced from 1966-1971, focusing on the raw power and suave personality of the early letter series. Few American cars before or since have been able to offer so much speed and luxury wrapped in a shell of aesthetic excellence. From 1955 through 1959, the 300s were the uncompromised rulers of the American automotive kingdom—even the 1960-1965 models were superbly executed. Inspiring the successful 2005 Chrysler 300, the early letter series cars have shown that sometimes history is worth repeating.
Sources:
'History of the Chrysler Three Hundred Series.' The Chrysler 300 Site Web.28 Jul 2009. http://www.chrysler300site.com/cgibin/history.cgi.
Nerad, Jack. 'Great Classic Cars: Chrysler C-300.' AntiqueCar.com Web.28 Jul 2009. http://www.antiquecar.com/gc_chrysler_c300.php.
Willson, Quentin. The Ultimate Classic Car Book. First. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 1995. Print.Evan Acuña
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