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 cloisonné 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 new glasspack 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

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.