West Coast Classics are proud to present an exceptionally straight and beautifully restored as required over the years (i.e. paint and upholstery) and always rust free great daily driving survivor of this very rare and original 'Mopar Big Fin' 1957 Chrysler 300C Letter Series 2 door Hardtop Coupe with the legendary High Performance 392 CID 375 HP V8 Golden Lion 'Wedge-Type' engine with dual Carter 4 bbl carburetors which was extremely powerful for its day and which would become the basis for a successful racing engine in Chrysler's future and cemented Chrysler's reputation for engineering great engines that would serve Chrysler well in various forms for the next 20 years. The option list was extensive and this particular car is fully loaded with AM radio, power seat, power windows, power steering, heater and air conditioning and these luxurious amenities of their day gave rise to these rare and expensive vehicles becoming renown as the "Banker's hot-rod"!
The flagship models for the Chrysler lineup in the late fifties was the Letter Series convertibles and coupes and were called the 'Beautiful Brutes' by the renown writer Karl Ludvigsen and produced two of the most memorable performance cars ever made. Unabashadely created for NASCAR which they dominated until 1957 when US manufacturers shied away from competition support. Originally powered by the most potent V8 Hemis yet, the 1955 C-300 (1,725 built) and the 1956 300-B (1,102 built) had a New Yorker Newport fine body styling with an Imperial eggcrate grille. Off the track the 300 proved to be about more than just performance with a luxurious leather interior and all modern factory options. In 1957 the 300-C and in 1958 the 300-D were even more potent extensions of Chrysler's hotrod with the 392/375HP V8 and were the last of the Hemi powered Letter Series cars and sold in both coupe (618 built) and the new convertible form (191 built). The '57 Hemi produced around 375HP and the '58 optional 'Hi-Po' engine was a fuel injected 392 conservatively rated at 390HP.
This particular example boasts a full roster of desirable factory options including; power steering, power windows, power brakes and heater and air conditioning with the body in very solid and original condition and with the chrome and bright trim all complete and intact including the 300C emblems. Survivors from this era are rare making this car an asset to any dedicated Chrysler or MOPAR collection. The 392 V8 engine runs strong and sounds absolutely magnificent and this particular car drives really well - must be driven to be appreciated - does not miss a beat and purrs like a kitten - drives straight as an arrow with no strange road wobbles, shakes or rattles - a truly remarkable daily driver that will give any modern day car a run for it's money!
An All-New Body for 1957 and one of Just 1,918 300C Coupes Built
Powered by the Unbridled 392 CID 375 HP Hemi Engine
Restored in Original 300C Color of Parade Green Metallic with Natural Leather
Engineered for High Performance, Outfitted for Pure Luxury
For 1957, Chrysler completely redesigned their flagship 300-Series with the 300C, which combined clean, aggressive, forward-look styling with comprehensive, high-performance engineering. Designer Virgil Exner described its sleek, dynamic profile as the new shape of motion. Its considerable $4,924 list price delivered each fortunate owner with a high-performance vehicle built to win the rapidly advancing horsepower race outright at 375 hp with the new, larger 392 cid Hemi engine. The newest Chrysler 300 engine was uprated in many ways when compared with the standard Hemi in the New Yorker line, including dual-quad carburetion, 9.25:1 compression, solid lifters, a hotter cam, double valve springs, hardened crankshaft, and tri-metal bearings.
This beautifully presented 300C was originally dispatched in April 1957. It was retailed through 'Modern-Young Chrysler' in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and finished in Cloud White with Natural leather. It was restored over the years as required and repainted once in the stock and date correct 300 color of Parade Green metallic, with a Natural leather interior. The paint and bodywork are of particularly high quality and the engine bay is beautifully finished, abounding in correct details. The dashboard and instruments are a work of art and the 300 trim on the door panels and the 300 glovebox emblem remind the driver of the high perfomacr nature of this luxury coupe. The plating, stainless trim, and emblems are bright and vibrant, and the wire wheels make a bold visual statement. The trunk is beautifully finished with carpeting; a wire wheel spare and jack are stowed to the right.
As expected, the 392 Hemi V-8 produces plenty of power, and integrates seamlessly with the push button TorqueFlite transmission. In 1957 the starter switch was integrated into the 'Neutral' position so to engage the starter the driver pushes 'Neutral' in the pushbutton nacelle. The 57 300C combined clean and aggressive forward look styling with comprehensive and legitamate high performance engineering. The car was rare, only some 1,918 built in 1957, and obviously very expensive, with over 375HP with the newer and larger 392 cubic inch Hemi engine. For comparison the Corvette boasted only 283HP, the Lincoln 300HP, the Cadillac 325HP and the Lincoln 330HP! Even the Packard Hawk at 275HP couldn'tmatch the Chrylser. The Chrysler 300 engine was special in many ways even compared to the New Yorker Hemi , including the dual quad carbueration, 9.25/1 compression, solid lifters, hotter cam with 0.444 lift intake and 0.435 lift exhaust, double valve springs, hardened cranshaft and tri-metal bearings. The suspension had thicker front torsion bars and heavier rear springs that anticipated high speed driving with 'Motor trend' magazine in March 1957 going as far to say that "Nothing goes like the Chrysler 300C!"
The Chrysler 300 Club International provided an email summary of the factory microfilm which shows the car was shipped on April 5th, 1957 and sold new at the 'Modern Young Chrysler' dealership of Fort lauderdale, FL with an extensive option list including the following factory options:
Body 18261
Engine 392/375HP 4BBL (360)
Cloud White (X)
Natural Cowhide Leather Upholstery (60)
3.36 axle ratio (230)
Music Master AM Radio (319) $100
Custom Air Heater & Defroster (323) $78
6 Way Front Power Seat (326) $75
Power Steering (327) $107
Power Windows (328) $125
Left Outside Rear View Mirror (335)
Air Conditioning Unit (344) $495
Manual Antenna (361)
Torqueflite Automatic Transmission
Dual Headlamps
Scheduled 4/6/57 (0406)
Date Built 4/5/57
Date Shipped 4/5/57
Selling Dealer: Modrn Young Inc, Ft Lauderdale (7576)
For the few who had the means in the day, Chryslers superb letter cars were the height of automotive fashion and influenced the look of the companys mass-produced offerings throughout their run, but the 300C with its bold styling and larger-than-life fins has become a particularly favored model. This rare 300C can be shown with pride and is sure to provide an unparalleled experience on the road.
Simply put, the 300C was one of the most exciting American cars ever produced, combining iconic styling, performance and luxury, or as some would say 'the total package', and with very few remaining Chrysler 300C's remaining on the road, this is an extremely unusual opportunity to own this extraordinarily rare and very desirable original 1957 Chrysler 300C 2 door Hardtop coupe beautifully restored as required over the years and in very fine daily driving condition ready for any classic American car or Mopar enthusiast to enjoy or collect today!
