Chrysler 300 non-letter series

Chrysler 300
1971 Chrysler 300
Overview
Manufacturer	Chrysler Corporation
Production	1962–1971
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size car
Body style	4-door sedan 4-door hardtop 2-door hardtop 2-door convertible
Layout	FR layout
Related	Imperial Chrysler New Yorker Chrysler Newport
Chronology
Predecessor	Chrysler Windsor

The Chrysler 300 (Chrysler 300 Non-Letter Series) was a full-size automobile produced by Chrysler from 1962 until 1971. It was the replacement for the 1961 Chrysler Windsor, which itself filled the place in Chrysler's line previously occupied by the Saratoga just the year before that (1960).

It was slotted below the letter series, adding 4-door versions and ran along letter series until its discontinuation in 1966, becoming the sole 300 model until 1971, when production ended.

The 300 name returned to the Chrysler line in 1979 as an option package on the Cordoba coupe.

1962–1964

Chrysler 300 1962–1964
1963 Chrysler 300
Overview
Production	1962–1964
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 4-door hardtop 2-door hardtop 2-door convertible
Platform	C-body
Powertrain
Engine	383 cu in (6.3 L) B V8 413 cu in (6.8 L) RB V8[1][2]
Transmission	3-speed automatic 3-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	122 inches (3,100 mm)
Length	215.3 inches (5,470 mm)
Width	79 inches (2,000 mm)
Height	55 inches (1,400 mm)
Curb weight	3,970 pounds (1,800 kg) (4-door hardtop)[3]

The non-letter series was introduced in 1962; it expanded the letter series on the 4-door hardtop and 4-door sedan, adding 383 V8 as a choice (letter cars had 413 V8 as standard).^[4]

1963 Chrysler 300 convertible  1964 Chrysler 300 4-door hardtop

1965–1968

Chrysler 300 1965–1968
1965 Chrysler 300
Overview
Production	1965–1968
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 4-door hardtop 2-door hardtop 2-door convertible
Platform	C-body
Powertrain
Engine	383 cu in (6.3 L) B V8 413 cu in (6.8 L) RB V8 440 cu in (7.2 L) RB V8[5]
Transmission	3-speed automatic 4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	124 inches (3,100 mm)
Length	218.2 inches (5,540 mm)
Width	79.5 inches (2,020 mm)
Height	54.9 inches (1,390 mm)
Curb weight	4,390 pounds (1,990 kg) (4-door hardtop)[6]

In 1966, the Chrysler 300 letter series was discontinued, the 440 V8 replaced the 413 V8, and there was a mild facelift.^[7]

1967 brought makeovers which changed front and rear styling extensively. The 4-door sedan was dropped from lineup (leaving the 4-door hardtop), the 440 V8 became standard and only available powerplant in two guises: base and more powerful TNT. 1968 facelifting brought concealed headlamps which were to be 300 trademark until 1971.^[8]

1965 Chrysler 300 4-door sedan  1965 Chrysler 300 convertible  1966 Chrysler 300 2-door hardtop  1967 Chrysler 300 4-door hardtop  1968 Chrysler 300 2-door hardtop  1968 Chrysler 300 convertible

1969–1971

Chrysler 300 1969–1971
1971 Chrysler 300
Overview
Production	1969–1971
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door hardtop 2-door hardtop 2-door convertible
Platform	C-body
Powertrain
Engine	440 cu in (7.2 L) RB V8 440 cu in (7.2 L) TNT V8[9]
Transmission	3-speed automatic]
Dimensions
Wheelbase	124 inches (3,100 mm)
Length	224.7 inches (5,710 mm)
Width	79.1 inches (2,010 mm)
Height	55.6 inches (1,410 mm)
Curb weight	4,320 pounds (1,960 kg) (4-door hardtop)[10]

1969 was first year for "fuselage styling", there were two engine options; 440 and 440 TNT.^[11][12]

For 1970, taking a cue from Oldsmobile, a Hurst 300 was offered in Spinnaker White trimmed in Satin Tan with leather interior, powered by a 375 hp (280 kW) 440 cu in (7.2 l) TNT V8, as a limited edition of 485.^[13]

In 1971, the convertible was no longer offered, as Chrysler halted production of convertibles across the entire lineup in 1971.^[14]

1969 Chrysler 300 4-door hardtop  1969 Chrysler 300 convertible  1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst 2-door hardtop

Engines

1979

The 300 name returned to the Chrysler line in the spring of 1979; this time based on the Cordoba coupe. The 300 was a $2,040 option package featuring special emblems and traditional "cross-hair" 300-style grille.^[16] It was available in Spinnaker White (perhaps 30 were painted Rallye Red) with a red-leather interior and red pin stripes. The model came with a 195 hp (145 kW; 198 PS)360 cu in (5.9 L) V8, featuring a four-barrel carburetor, a performance camshaft, and dual exhausts. Other features included police-spec suspension with 15"x7" wheels, heavy duty torsion bars/leaf springs/shocks, front and rear sway bars, and a 3.23 rear gear ratio. The deteriorating U.S. domestic economic conditions that led to the early 1980s recession reflected in low demand and less than 2,900 were built. The 300 model was planned for the 1980 model year using the new 2nd-generation Cordoba (based on the compact Chrysler J platform), but was instead called the "LS".

Notes

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chrysler 300 non-letter series.

• Website covering all generations of Chrysler 300 vehicles