Semi-abstract Nose of the Cherry Beast
The other end of the 1959 Chrysler 300 E Convertible. Defines imposing intimidating eye candy.....that will run you down and run you over......
The 1955 Chrysler 300 hardtop was the first real muscle car, with 300 horsepower from its 331-c.i. Hemi V-8, 0-90 mph in 16.9 seconds, and a top speed of 130 mph. The company sold 1,725 of these homologation specials, and Chrysler dominated NASCAR. Virgil Exner’s “Forward Look” hit its stride in 1957, and the Chrysler letter car’s egg-crate grille and four headlights led back to huge fins and cathedral window taillights. The 300C was unadorned, except for a single spear and the big “300” badge on the rear fender, and all were single colors. The Hemi V-8 now displaced 392-c.i. and developed 375 hp. A convertible was added to the lineup for the first time, and 484 were sold along with 1,918 hardtops.
The iconic Hemi was replaced by the 413-c.i. Wedge engine on the 1959 300E, claiming the same horsepower. The grille was changed and swivel bucket seats were a new and desirable option. This year saw one of the model’s lowest sales figures, with 550 hardtops and 140 convertibles produced,. So this is a rare bird indeed. The Wedge was not as easy to hotrod, but was lighter than the Hemi, easier to work on and just as fast right from the showroom floor.\
Never common, Chrysler 300 letter cars have a dedicated following, and their performance goodies can be costly. Most were run hard, and rust is a serious problem. They are also enormous by modern standards, so measure your garage first. Once you do find one, drive this “business man’s express” with confidence, knowing that there isn’t another Jet Age American car on the road that can keep up.
Semi-abstract Nose of the Cherry Beast
The other end of the 1959 Chrysler 300 E Convertible. Defines imposing intimidating eye candy.....that will run you down and run you over......
The 1955 Chrysler 300 hardtop was the first real muscle car, with 300 horsepower from its 331-c.i. Hemi V-8, 0-90 mph in 16.9 seconds, and a top speed of 130 mph. The company sold 1,725 of these homologation specials, and Chrysler dominated NASCAR. Virgil Exner’s “Forward Look” hit its stride in 1957, and the Chrysler letter car’s egg-crate grille and four headlights led back to huge fins and cathedral window taillights. The 300C was unadorned, except for a single spear and the big “300” badge on the rear fender, and all were single colors. The Hemi V-8 now displaced 392-c.i. and developed 375 hp. A convertible was added to the lineup for the first time, and 484 were sold along with 1,918 hardtops.
The iconic Hemi was replaced by the 413-c.i. Wedge engine on the 1959 300E, claiming the same horsepower. The grille was changed and swivel bucket seats were a new and desirable option. This year saw one of the model’s lowest sales figures, with 550 hardtops and 140 convertibles produced,. So this is a rare bird indeed. The Wedge was not as easy to hotrod, but was lighter than the Hemi, easier to work on and just as fast right from the showroom floor.\
Never common, Chrysler 300 letter cars have a dedicated following, and their performance goodies can be costly. Most were run hard, and rust is a serious problem. They are also enormous by modern standards, so measure your garage first. Once you do find one, drive this “business man’s express” with confidence, knowing that there isn’t another Jet Age American car on the road that can keep up.