1960 Chrysler 300F Convertible

There were just 248 Convertible examples built of the 300F. These 'letter cars', first introduced in 1955 with the C-300, firmly established Chrysler as a performance leader. They were advertised as 'Beautiful Brutes,' and they exemplify the American high-performance grand touring concept. Through 1958, these cars were powered by various Hemi engines; in 1959, the lighter 413 Wedge made its debut and provided the same brute force.

For 1950 the 413 was given a tuned cross-ram induction system that mounted a pair of four-barrel carburetors on a unique intake manifold that had 30-inch runners. Along with a hotter camshaft, a low-restriction exhaust system, and all-new lighter unit-body construction for 1960, the 300F continued to be an outstanding performance machine that 300 buyers had come to expect. In sanctioned competition at Daytona, a 300F beat the Flying Mile record set by the 300B in 1956 with a speed of 144.92 mph, and racer Andy Granatelli reached 189.99 mph at Bonneville with a supercharged 300F.

The jet aircraft-inspired bodyline of the 300F was attractive and modern. They came equipped with all standard New Yorker amenities, plus swiveling front seats and nylon tires with white sidewalls. The luxurious aircraft cockpit-style interior featured four individual leather seats that were divided by a console running the length of the passenger cabin. The dash design had a three-dimensional 'Astra-Dome' instrument cluster with electroluminescent lighting that had been developed in collaboration with Sylvania, which was an industry first.

This Convertible 300F has a Factory Build Code Interpretation from the Chrysler 300 Club International, which states it was delivered with Alaskan White paint and a beige leather interior. The car was shipped from the factory on April 14, 1960, and was listed as an export model, but its destination was not specified.

Since new, the car has been fully restored. The car has a cross-ram powerplant, Torqueflite pushbutton automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, power windows, a power top, power swivel front bucket seats, air conditioning, a clock, and an AM radio with a power antenna. At all four corners are B.F. Goodrich Silvertown whitewall tires mounted to steel wheels with full-wheel covers.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2014