Vehicle Description
1956 Chrysler 300B Coupe
The Chrysler 300B coupe was a high-performance car that dominated
NASCAR tracks, a luxury car that was poised at the top of the
Chrysler model lineup, and a 65-year-old piece of history for
people who are in love with the past. In short, there's something
here for everyone.
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 1,102 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 1956. It's lower,
wider, and almost devoid of extraneous trim, definitely had the
competition looking over their shoulders when this baby hit the
showroom floors. Residing in the comfortable garages of the same
family for 40 plus years, it has had a pampered life, and a rebuilt
engine in the early 1990s. Anything that was replaced since, has
always been NOS parts when possible.
Exterior
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. 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
either side for the rear a large bumper is on the bottom and it
rises on either corner to create a housing for the tail lighting
which could be from a cathedral chandelier. Dual exhaust tips peek
out the back and wide whites wrap slotted wheel covers with solid
centers and a Chrysler badge on all 4 corners.
Interior
A swing of the well-balanced doors and we get a taste of the
interior on the door panels. Here we see smooth tan leather
covering the doors. This is broken up by more curved trim spears on
a much smaller scale than on the exterior. Power window toggles are
neatly lined up and the door actuator is nice and shiny. Inside the
luxurious interior are 2 long benches. The one in front has tuck
and rolled, piped and square paneled leather seat and back tops,
and smooth darker tan bolsters. Power seats are installed as an
option along with seat belts. The rear bench presents in the same
pattern and is very clean. Upfront the curved overhang topped dash
is full metal jacket and trades off between tan and black painted
steel. Gauges, knobs levers and switches abound, and we see push
button transmission to driver's left. In the center dash a lineup
of round knobs for all the controls including factory air (one of
only 23 known to exist). In front of the passenger is a rounded
door and speaker vertical ribbed tan metal panel with a clock
insert just above the glove box door. Above all this is a
beautifully preserved white 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 354ci V8 Hemi engine that is rated at 340hp. On top are numbered
Carter dual 4-barrel carbs, (2444S and 2445S) and our consignor
states that the carburetors were recently rebuilt. Behind this Hemi
is a Torqueflite 3-speed automatic which has proven to be pretty
much bulletproof. A 3.73 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 is all good.
Undercarriage
Here we find a heavy coating of rustproofing and can see some rough
repairs on the rear frame rails. Inside the wheel wells near the
rockers are also subjected to invasive rust with some chip off of
the rustproofing and very bumpy surfaces, which may signal
additional rust underneath. Body hangers are mostly intact, but a
few will need some eventual attention. Exhaust has a few holes in
it, and independent coil spring suspension is in front and leaf
springs for the back provide the ride. Power drum brakes are on all
4 corners. Consigner states new kingpins and wheel cylinders were
recently installed.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter and a bit of a rough idle, but we made it to the
test track where it warmed up but continued to run just a bit
rough. It does accelerate nicely and stops on a dime which is good
when behind this deceptively large car. I found the A/C to be
inoperable, the right rear tail light and turn signal to be
nonfunctional, and the charging system at idle is below normal
voltage. A beautiful and comfy interior though!
A rare item with only 1,102 built, and today only 246 are known to
still survive with a mere 100 still roadworthy, the others for more
parts donating. Power brakes, power windows, power steering, and
A/C are just a few of the conveniences this car is loaded with.
VIN DECODE
3N561941
3N56-1956 Chrysler 300 B
1941-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
