Vehicle Description
1955 Chrysler C300 Hardtop
America's first mass-produced 300-horsepower car was the legendary
1955 Chrysler C-300 coupe, which many consider America's first
high-performance auto for the general public. Only the
limited-production, custom-body 1930s Duesenberg, built for the
very wealthy, had provided such power. It's difficult today to
realize what a sensation a 300-horsepower auto was in 1955. That
was a car-crazy year for Americans, who welcomed radically new,
unexpected body styles. For 1955, General Motors offered its racy
Chevrolet Corvette V-8 sports car and Ford introduced its sporty
Thunderbird V-8 two-seater. Chrysler Corp. had spent $100
milllion-then a huge sum-to dramatically restyle its 1955 models
and had no money or time to develop a two-seater. The 300's V-8
easier outpowered the Corvette and Thunderbird V-8s-not to mention
the costly Cadillac's top V-8, which had 270 horsepower. The C-300
arrived when the fastest, most powerful American mass-produced cars
were still mostly costly, full-size models. The Corvette and
Thunderbird were generally considered frivolous, as were two-seat
foreign sports cars. The big, gorgeous new 1955 Chrysler model was
officially called the C-300, with the "C" likely standing for
"Chrysler". But it soon was just referred to as the "300" to
prevent confusion because the second 300 was the 1956 300B, which
had 340-355 horsepower. Subsequent 300s carried the letters C
through L, except the "I" designation was skipped to avoid
confusion with the number "1". They're all Chrysler Corp.'s prized
collector "letter cars".
For consignment, adorned with a deep black paint job, a correct
drive train featuring an original dual-quad Hemi, the fact that it
is extremely rare (only 1,725 were built), and you have one of
today's strongest automotive investments currently available.
Courtesy Virgil Exner, the design is almost the opposite of
everything that was going on in the industry in 1955. It's lower,
wider, and almost devoid of extraneous trim and definitely had the
competition looking over their shoulders when this baby hit the
showroom floors. Having won 37 Grand National and AAA races in its
inaugural year, along with holding a 165mph speed record, Tom
McCahill said that the 300 was a "hardboiled magnificent piece of
semi-competition transportation built for the real automotive
connoisseur". With a $4,110 sticker price new, this was the second
most expensive car Chrysler had to offer. Born and coming to our
Hallowed Halls in its factory correct colors and sporting the
legendary Hemi V8, this car was, and still is, a powerhouse to be
reckoned with.
Exterior
Styled by Virgil Exner and his team, Chrysler had now positioned
itself at the forefront of the industry. The new look began with an
all new big split egg crate grille set below lowered front fenders
and hood lines and boasting heavy chrome. The black paint on this
car looks positively radiant under the lights in our photo studio.
Make no mistake, this is a big car, but its proportions are
cleverly disguised by brilliant design. Starting at the front
grille which uses wide openings and heavy horizontal and vertical
bars to create the cubby hole grille. It's a dual design and forms
a graceful V with a large cloisonne badge in its center on the
black bodywork. A single visored bezeled headlight is flanking the
grille and these are mounted on the rounded front quarters. A big
bumper below emulates the curve to the grille and turn signals and
running lights are rounded and placed just below the main head
lighting. On the sides is the beginnings of a long chromed trim
spear which runs the gamut of the side to the rear bumper. The door
panels and slab sides are straight and rust free and other
trimmings interrupting the black steel are sparse for the time
period, but very effective. A bubble rear glass is seen and this
meets up with a large trunk lid and deck. On the back a large
bumper is on the bottom and trim spears on either rear quarter
panel top create a housing for the tall and thin chrome encased
"twin tower" tail lights. Dual exhaust tips peek out the back and
black painted 15-inch steel wheels are on all 4 corners and are
wrapped by like new 235/75R15 rubber and the factory beauty covers
are included with your purchase.
Interior
A swing of the well-balanced doors and we get a taste of the
interior on the door panels. Here we see smooth beige leather
covering the doors. This is broken up by more curved trim spears on
a much smaller scale than on the exterior. The window cranks and
the door actuator is nice and shiny. Inside, the luxurious interior
is 2 long benches and the one in front has tuck and rolled, piped
and square paneled leather and presents like new. The rear bench
presents in the same pattern and is very clean. Upfront the curved
overhang padded topped dash is full metal jacket and trades off
between tan and black painted steel. Gauges, knobs, levers and
switches abound, and we see the transmission shift lever to the
driver's right. In the center dash a lineup of round knobs for all
the controls including the radio and heater delete panels. In front
of the passenger is a rounded door and speaker vertical ribbed tan
metal panel with a round dial insert just above the glove box door.
Above all this is a beautifully preserved tan headliner, and even
on the B pillars inside are more ribbed trimmings. Can you say lap
of luxury and textures?
Drivetrain
Under the big hood is a very detailed engine bay. Shoehorned in is
a rebuilt 500 miles ago 331ci V8 Hemi engine that is rated at
300hp. On top are Carter dual 4-barrel carbs, and actuating the
valves is a factory hi-lift solid flat tappet camshaft. Behind this
Hemi is a Powerflite 2-speed automatic which has proven to be
pretty much bulletproof. The optional 3.54 rear axle is on the
back. Noted are gold painted accents including the sculpted air
cleaner cover covering the dual quads, and gold valve covers. All
else is dirt and grease free and clean including the upgraded 12
volt alternator and high torque starter.
Undercarriage
Here we find a heavy coating of rustproofing and can see some chips
exposing the factory steel underneath. A strong black painted frame
provides the backbone for the body and bolt ons and we note the
body hangers remain intact as do the inner rockers. Custom built
headers are on along with like newglasspack muffler equipped dual
exhaust and independent coil spring suspension is in front and leaf
springs for the back provide the ride. Drum brakes are on all 4
corners with the added benefit of a dual reservoir master
cylinder.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter and a bit of a menacing idle with a slight exhaust
leak noted and after a short warm up we were off to the test track.
It accelerated nicely and stopped on a dime which is good when
behind this deceptively large car. I found the tachometer to be
inoperable, but all else was working as it should. A beautiful and
comfy interior with lots of power to give the competition a run for
the money.
A rare item with only 1,725 built, and today one can only
guestimate how many are surviving, let alone in the condition of
our consignment. A rebuilt drivetrain under the hood, a like new
comfy leather interior, a papertrail a mile long including the
build sheet and ready for you to turn the key and race off into the
sunset....Gentlemen, Start Your Engines....after the check clears
of course.
3N552676
3N-C300
55-1955
2676-Sequential Unit Number
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