This 300L Milestone Letter car is from the museum of professional racer Joe Amato . I have proof of his ownership when he put the car up for sale in 2008, along with two of his autographed posters, an original sales brochure, a 300 club spec sheet, lots of photos of the inside and outside of the car when Amato put the car up for sale (same 0 miles on odometer). The 4 Speed A-833 transmission and faux wood grain insert was present in Amato's 2008 photos (code D3), VIN C453235688, without the a/c installed. This is 1 of only 96 hardtop and only 12 convertible 300Ls ever made with the Chrysler 4 speed. I have replaced the oem open differential for an oem sure-grip with 3.23 rear gears. The 300 club estimates only about ten (10) of these very rare 4 speed hardtops are still on the road. This car has the original 413 cid Engine with forged rods, pistons and crankshaft from the factory, with 10.1 compression ratio, optimum oil pressure, hydraulic lifters, and it cranks instantly even when cold and not cranked for a week or longer. The 413 is the typical H.O. big block. It pulls hard, and never smokes or uses oil. I installed a New high performance Clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing, etc. which have less than 100 miles on them.
Optional features are the original black Leather seats, which look almost like new (no missing threads or tears, rips, etc.) and door panels, rare optional headrests, remote driver's side mirror, remote trunk release (incomplete), P/S, P/W, P/B, P/Seats, modern Am/Fm signal seek radio with power antennae. The glass headlight covers are perfect, the chrome and stainless are perfect, and the Black paint is extra nice for a 55 year old Milestone car, with only a couple of small imperfections, and the exterior shines like the top of the Chrysler building. All power windows work, as does the cold Vintage A/C, which has not needed freon added since I bought it. The enclosed closeup photo of the tachometer shows the engine rpms at idle speed around 850 rpms because I took that photo while the car was running, along with the photo of the exhausts. You will not see any smoke or soot blowing out of the exhausts, and it uses no oil.
Some folks have asked about rust, but any rust the car had is gone. The body panels are straight, and I see no signs of rust, probably because in August, 1965, it was given a bath of "complete rustproof" Ziebart treatment upon purchase when the first owner got it. I did find a little rust underneath, but this has been removed, treated, repaired. The panels are straight, the paint is shiny and excellent.
This car is restored to oem condition for trouble-free driving. No repairs needed driving for the new owner, though it is close to a number 2. I have done everything it needs, including new fluids, shocks, and maintenance. I never had a lien on this car, so title is clear.
The L handles extremely well in curves, and rides as smooth as a battleship. This car design gives Unusually good visibility for the driver in every direction, with no blind spots.The new electronic ignition has made a big improvement in gas mileage and performance, and the distributor and coil look absolutely stock. The coil, plugs, and plug wires are also new and look "stock", and I have also added a new, matching hi-performance clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing, giving the car better than oem durability and performance. The new Coker radial redline tires and other new parts have less than 100 miles on them. The dash pad is like new (no imperfections such as rips, tears or bad spots of any kind), the original Center grill running light works as new (and perfect repro grill medallions are available through the Chrysler 300 club site). All maintenance has been done. The Body is straight on all sides, top, hood and trunk lid. I'll post trunk pics when I have time; it is very nice. The trunk carpet could either be cleaned or replaced (not expensive, probably less than $50), but no one in my small town has the oem black material for me to do it. The black Trunk panels and spare tire, jack and tool are in place. This car turns-in like a much smaller car, even in the sharpest of curves. Tt rides extremely smoothly, and gets good mileage even when driving at the upper range of interstate speed limits [when I don't punch it too much].
Optional Remote adjustable driver's side outside mirror and power seat. Look at the reflections in the paint and you will see an amazing paint job. repaired/replaced parts needed to make this car very nice, dependable and fun to drive. It is ready to travel as far as you want to go.
Who I am: I have been Vice President of the Chrysler 300 Club, Inc, and have owned Chrysler 300s for the past 40 years, (including a 1957C convertible, a 300F convert, two 300ks, this 300L stick shift and a 2006 300c Heritage Edition convertible which we had custom built in High springs, FL. I can tell you this Milestone 300L 4 speed is a bargain and is extremely rare, as only about Ten (10) 4 speed hardtop survivors are know to exist. Most 300 club members have never even seen a 4 speed car, except maybe at 300 Club meets. When is the last time you saw a 4 speed L advertised for sale? Run a Google check and find another, if you can. I know a convert 4 speed is sale in St. Louis for around $35-40K, but I can find NO OTHER 4 speed L hardtop for sale at any price.
From my personal experience with the 413s, headers are not original and I have not put any header on a stock 300 Letter Car, but those who have added the long tube headers swear they add lots of horsepower and revs. The 413 replaced the 392 hemi in 1959, and the blocks were very similar, despite the new "wedge" heads. The 1960 race versions had French Ponte a'mousson 4 speeds (delicate, hard to find), and headers, and were VERY CONSERVATIVELY rated at 400 h.p. They probably made 450 h.p. (115 mph in 3rd gear). Andy Granatelli put two Paxton superchargers on his 300F and set a one-way full stock bodied one-way run of 196+ mph at Bonneville (if memory serves me). The weather conditions there prevented a run in the other direction, so he could not back up the first run. Anyway, this 300L has a much more durable transmission, and parts are plentiful today as these transmissions were used in Dodges, Plymouths and even in heavy duty vans, trucks and other working vehicles. Heck, I've never known of one that failed!
These photos show that this car is in beautiful driving condition: it cranks instantly, even after sitting for a week or longer, runs smoothly without missing, and draws compliments everywhere it goes, especially at stops. The A-833 4 speed stick shift and Hurst shifter (and Hurst rubber boot) accelerates as good as it gets for a big, comfortable car with the block 413 high output engine with forged internals and Stellite valve seats. Making 360 h.p., Chrysler reports that it runs the standing start quarter mile in 15.1 seconds, which is faster than nearly all of the Chrysler 300 letter cars.
The black 300L really draws a LOT of positive gestures by drivers I meet on the road, and when stopped or parked, it draws favorable comments from people of all ages. Frankly, I am a little surprised at how much other people like it, even though they don't know about the "Chrysler 300 Letter Cars" or their successful racing history.
I am a motivated seller, and You are invited to personally inspect the car thoroughly before making any decision. Or You can send or bring a mechanic or whomever with you for the inspection. I would be confident in driving this car on a long trip home, though old cars can surprise you on the highway! But I've done it before with other 300s without any mishap. Call me to discuss the car. I am in central time zone. Thanks for looking, and may the Good Lord bless you in every way.
