Chrysler 300B, 1956
Chrysler 300 Letter Series I (300B) تحديث التصميم
Chrysler 300 Letter Series I (300B) تحديث التصميم•
•19 مشاهدة
Chassis No.: 3N561103
Auction: Kissimmee 2021
Auction date: January 16, 2021
Lot No.: F139
$55,000 | Sold
- Exterior: Cloud White
- Interior: Tan
- Highly original unrestored condition with 18,653 miles
- Driven approximately 2,000 miles since 1988
- Original 354 CI Fire Power Hemi V-8 engine
- Dual Carter 4-barrel carburetors
- Batwing air cleaner
- Pushbutton automatic transmission
- 3.54 rear end
- Power steering
- Power brakes
- Mostly original Cloud White paint and Tan leather interior
- Power split bench seat
- Power windows
- Oil change door tag schedule still affixed
- Pushbutton Town and Country AM radio
- Kelsey Hayes wheels with spinners
- Purportedly purchased new by Roy Weatherby, founder of the Weatherby gun company
With Hemi FirePower engines, limited production, premium trim choices and a legacy name, the Chrysler 300 letter-series cars have grown into a popular luxury model in collector’s circles. The multi-carb forerunners of Mopar’s ‘60s sizzlers, the well-executed styling cues of Virgil Exner make this highly-original, unrestored-condition 300B with 18,653 miles a unique standout even among its automotive peers. As most know, Chrysler 300s were designed for an exclusive audience, with a price point to match. Only Imperials had a higher premium cost in the corporate lineup, making these cars scarce today.
This example, driven approximately 2,000 miles since 1988, represents the second-year release, hence the letter B. To this day, this 1950s classic retains its original 354 CI FirePower Hemi V-8 engine, complete with dual Carter 4-barrel carburetors, the batwing-design air cleaner and paint-detailed valve covers. Behind it is a pushbutton automatic transmission, and a 3.54 rear end then completes the package. Both power steering and power brakes help make driving it most enjoyable. The exterior is covered in mostly original Cloud White paint, with deliberately discreet trim calling attention to the model name itself.
Inside are the broad expanses of a tan leather interior, including a power split bench seat, power windows, pushbutton Town and Country AM radio, in-dash clock and deluxe gauge and steering trim. Much of this was actually standard equipment when ordering this motorcar. A period-installed oil change door tag schedule is still affixed to the car. Of course, those incredible Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels with spinners and wide whitewall tires complete the elegance of class. This particular car was purportedly purchased new by Roy Weatherby, founder of the Weatherby gun company, and with less than 20,000 placed on it since those days, it represents a bellwether in postwar automotive excellence.
Couple that with challenges faced when restoring one of these cars when discovered in less-than-stellar condition and this well-preserved 300B lives up to its storied reputation.
