The Chrysler 300 letter-series is among the most well-known and collectible post-war automobiles within the interest, however are you aware what the rarest mannequin yr is? In case you’re an off-the-cuff fanatic, you could be stunned to study that the 1963 version is the reply. Our Decide of the Day simply so occurs to be a type of automobiles: a 1963 Chrysler 300-J listed on the market on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Torrance, California. (Click on the hyperlink to view the itemizing)

After all, the Chrysler C-300 started the custom for high-horsepower “banker’s sizzling rods” at Chrysler. These have been premium automobiles that have been for the choose few. For a few years, they featured sturdy styling and design courtesy of Virgil Exner, although by 1961 they began to appear like a Fifties remnant when the business development was for a cleaner look. After weak gross sales of the 1962 300-H, Chrysler had hoped the redesigned 300-J with the “crisp, new customized look” would make up for it.

Virgil Exner was liable for the 1963 Chrysler line earlier than he retired, which was a pleasant technique to journey into the sundown contemplating his points earlier within the Sixties. Nevertheless, the 300-J had misplaced some distinction as a result of, for the 1962 mannequin yr, Chrysler launched the mid-line 300 sequence to switch the Saratoga (although the nameplate continued in Canada for a number of extra years). Although typically projecting a sporty air and even sharing the identical grille with the letter-series, the 300 was on no account as much as the extent of the 300 letter-series, which was a high-spec two-door that includes a excessive stage of horsepower. Was model cannibalization concerned? Presumably.

The 1963 300-J supplied extra normal horsepower than any 300 letter-series car earlier than it. The FirePower 413 V8, which had powered the mannequin since 1959, supplied 390 horsepower and an astounding 485 lb-ft of torque because of long-tube manifolds feeding twin four-barrel carburetors. Normal was Chrysler’s well-known push-button TorqueFlite automated with console, with the non-compulsory floor-mounted three-speed specified by seven clients. Instrumentation included an entire host of gauges to fulfill any sports activities automotive nut. The paint shade choice was restricted, all matched to a pink leather-based inside that includes adjustable bucket seat up entrance, with the motive force’s aspect being power-operated. When the mannequin yr concluded in July 1963, solely 400 300-Js had been constructed. Apparently, styling didn’t make up for it.

This Black 1963 Chrysler 300-J is typical among the many 400 constructed, that includes the 413 with short-ram intakes, and TorqueFlite transmission. Choices that distinguish this one embody Airtemp air con, defroster, push-button AM radio, and Solex tinted glass. There’s no different full-honking coupe out there in America from this time interval that may compete with the 300-J’s mixture of efficiency and luxurious, so the $55,500 required for buy will put you in an unique membership.

Click on right here for this ClassicCars.com Decide of the Day.