Chrysler 300E Hardtop, 1959
Chrysler 300 Letter Series II (300E) Facelift
Chrysler 300 Letter Series II (300E) Facelift•
•37 views
Chassis No.: M591100137
Auction: Kissimmee 2016
Auction date: January 24, 2016
Lot No.: F122
$92,400 | Sold
- Exterior: Black
- Interior: Tan
- Body: Hardtop
- One of 550 300E Hardtops produced in 1959
- Believed to be one of 118 left accounted for
- Sold new at Harger-Haldeman Chrysler in Los Angeles, California
- Rotisserie restoration completed in 2014
- Sand-blasted, primed and wet-sanded
- 413/380 HP engine
- Dual Carter AFB 4-barrel carburetors
- Ceramic coated exhaust manifolds
- Push button TorqueFlite transmission
- 3.31 Sure Grip differential
- Power steering, Solex tinted glass
- New gas tank and sending unit
- Formal Black with Natural Tan interior
- Correct Gary Goer reproduction interior
- Original door panels, Dynamat throughout
- Replated chrome and refinished stainless
- Power windows and remote driver’s mirror
- 6-way power swivel seats
- Electro Touch signal seeking radio with foot control
- Dual rear speakers and power antenna
- Heater and rear defogger
- BF Goodrich Silvertown Whitewall tires
- Copy of original IBM card
- Original owner’s manual and 300E supplement
- 1959 Chrysler replacement parts and service guide
- 1959 Chrysler collision parts list
- Original Golden Lion keys
- 1959 300E dealer catalog
- California vanity plate that reads ITSA300
- Miscellaneous ads and magazines
- Chrysler 300 Club documentation
- Car cover
The Chrysler letter cars stood at the intersection of luxury and high performance. Dubbed the “Bankers’ Hot Rods,” the Virgil Exner forward look hurtled into the future with the 1959 300E. The first year, RB Wedge 413 CI V-8 engine was factory-rated for 380 horsepower and 450 ft-lb of torque with two Carter AFB 4-barrel carburetors. The engine was mated to the 3-speed pushbutton TorqueFlite automatic transmission. The Sure Grip limited-slip differential made for a positive on throttle traction. This sharp 1959 Chrysler 300E was one of just 550 hardtop models produced in 1959.
In early November 1958, the original owner took delivery at Harger-Haldeman Chrysler in Los Angeles, a city whose sweeping multi-lane ribbons of concrete freeway were the ideal environment for the 300E, which had a top speed in the 140-plus MPH range, necessitating a factory 150-MPH speedometer. This 300E underwent an extensive, time-consuming body-off-frame rotisserie restoration which was completed in 2014. It has been driven less than 100 miles since. The rust-free body was sandblasted free of the old paint and refinished with many coats of primer and shimmering code-AAA Formal Black paint.
The 413 CI V-8 was re-machined, rebuilt and restored to better than its original factory new condition, with the cast iron exhaust manifolds ceramic coated for performance and enduring looks. The cast iron, pushbutton TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic was rebuilt and a new gas tank and sending unit were installed for a clean supply of fuel to the two 4-barrel carburetors. The car is equipped with Chrysler’s “Constant Control” power steering and “Center Plane” power brakes for effortless city and highway maneuvering. The rebuilt 3.31:1 Sure Grip Positraction rear end is good for quick launches as well as sustained modern highway speeds on the BF Goodrich Silvertown wide whitewall tires.
The laser-straight exterior is accented by triple-plated chrome and refinished stainless-steel trim. Interior luxury is apparent with a door pull which reveals original panels. The formal Black-and-Tan interior features correct Gary Goers perforated “Living Leather” 6-way power swivel seating with fold-down arm rest, power windows, remote-controlled outside mirror and a heater with rear defogger. A new dash pad and headliner were also sourced and installed during the restoration process. Unwanted interior noise is minimized with Dynamat installed throughout and out of sight, all the better to hear the foot-operated, signal-seeking Electrotouch Tuner radio with power antenna.
This comprehensively documented letter car comes with a vast collection of literature and accessories including the original owner's manual, service certificate and envelope. Also included are a car cover, a 300E operational supplement, original Golden Lion key set, Chrysler 300 Club International, Inc. decoding and documentation including a copy of the original IBM card, a hardbound 1959 parts book, shop manual sets and many 1959 advertisements including an original 300E dealer brochure.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/229784/1959-chrysler-300e-hardtop/
