West Coast Classics are proud to present an exceptionally straight and beautifully restored only as required over the years and always rust free great daily driving survivor of this very rare and original 'Mopar Big Fin' 1958 Chrysler 300D Letter Series 2 door Convertible with the legendary High Performance 392 CID 380HP 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 loaded with AM radio, power steering, power seat, power windows, heater 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 and most expensive 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 1958 Chrysler 300D Convertible example boasts a roster of desirable factory options including; power windows, power brakes, power seats and heater with the body in very solid and original condition and with the chrome and bright trim all complete and intact including the 300D emblems.
Survivors from this era are rare making this car an asset to any dedicated Chrysler or MOPAR collection. The 392 / 380HP 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 191 1958 Chrysler 300D Convertibles Built
Powered by the Unbridled 392 CID 380 HP Dual 4BBL Carbs Hemi Engine
Restored in Original 300D Color of 'Matador Red' with Natural 'Beige' Leather
Engineered for High Performance, Outfitted for Pure Luxury
Restyled for 1957/8, Chrysler completely redesigned their flagship 300-Series with the 300C & D, 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 carburretion, 9.25:1 compression, solid lifters, a hotter cam, double valve springs, hardened crankshaft, and tri-metal bearings.
This beautifully presented 300D was originally dispatched in October 1957. It was retailed through 'Canoga Chrysler/Plymouth' in Canoga Park, CA, and finished in 'Ermine' with Natural 'Beige' leather. It was restored over the years as required and repainted once in the stock and date correct 300 color of 'Matador Red' (Code PPP), with a Natural 'Beige' leather interior. The paint and bodywork are of very 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 performance nature of this luxury convertible. The plating, stainless trim, and emblems are bright and vibrant, and the 300D wheels make a bold visual statement. The trunk is beautifully finished with carpeting; with original spare wheel 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 58 300D combined clean and aggressive forward look styling with comprehensive and legitimate high performance engineering.
The car was rare, only 191 built in 1958, and an obviously very expensive flagship model for Chrysler, with over 380HP 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't match the Chrylser.
The Chrysler 300 engine was special in many ways even compared to the New Yorker Hemi , including the dual quad carburation, 9.25/1 compression, solid lifters, hotter cam with 0.444 lift intake and 0.435 lift exhaust, double valve springs, hardened crankshaft 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 has provided a factory build code interpretation summary of the factory stats and build for this particular car which shows the car was built on October 15th, 1957 and shipped on October 29th, 1957, and sold new at the 'Canoga Chrysler/Plymouth, Inc' dealership (Dlr # 6889) of Canoga Park, CA with an extensive option list including the following factory options:
Body 595 - 1958 Chrysler 300D Convertible
Engine Code 402 - 392/380HP Dual 4BBLS V8 (Eng # 583N1084), no A/C, PS
Beige Leather Interior (016)
Power steering
Electro Touch Tuner AM Radio (443) $125
Power Antenna (334)
White Convertible Top (322)
Custom Air Heater & Defroster (345) $99
6 Way Front Power Seat (303) $102
Power Windows (304) $125
Sure Grip Differential (399)
Left Outside Rear View Mirror (401)
Vanity Mirror (405)
Solex Glass with shaded windshield (467) $40
Axle ratio 3.31:1 (55C)
30 amp 4 1/4 " dia frame (578)
LHD Domestic Build (611)
Torqueflite Automatic Transmission
Power Brakes
Full floor carpeting
Electric clock
2 Speed Electric windshield wipers
Luggage compartment light
Specific wheel covers with 300D logo
Dual Headlamps
White sidewall tires
1 of 191 built
For much of its history, Chrysler had been the frontrunner building some of the most exciting high-performance cars Detroit had to offer. Foremost among them are the formidable early Hemi-powered Chrysler 300 letter cars of the 1950s which, by virtue of their cost and long list of standard and optional features, were reserved for the wealthiest and most discerning buyers. Cloaked in handsome Virgil Exner-designed bodies and carefully engineered, the 300 series offered the ultimate in American luxury and performance. Performance was stunning right off the showroom floor, with the large and relatively heavy cars easily capable of accelerating to 60 mph in under 9 seconds to a reported top speed over 130 mph. Due to production complexity and high costs, only 809 300Ds were produced for 1958, including just 191 convertibles like the one offered here.
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 company's mass-produced offerings throughout their run, but the 300C & D with their bold styling and larger-than-life fins have become a particularly favored model. This rare 300D Convertible can be shown with pride and is sure to provide an unparalleled experience on the road.
This particular car was recently fully serviced in 11/2023 at 42,490 miles (less than 100 miles ago) at 'Auction Automotive' of Mission Viejo, CA at a cost of over $10K after having been sitting for 5 years with the two carbs being rebuilt with new timing set, all fuel lines replaced, new fuel pump & filters, fuel tank drained& cleaned, all 4 brake drums, shoes and cylinders serviced, replace water pump, rebuilt power steering pump, 4 new Coker 225/75r/15 thick Whitewall tires, 4 wheel alignment, replace radiator; replace exhaust manifold gaskets.
Simply put, the 300D 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 300D's remaining on the road, this is an extremely unusual opportunity to own this extraordinarily rare and very desirable original 1958 Chrysler 300D 2 door Convertible 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!
