1963 Chrysler Sport 300 Hardtop
Donated by: Clark Rosenlof, on behalf of the estate of Jackie and Bob Rosenlof and family.
Notable: Original owner was Mrs. Mary Hoss (Richard Hoss), mother of Jacquelyn (“Jackie”) Rosenlof. The car has 4,400 miles and all original equipment still works.
Original cost: $3,430.00 (In 1963: Average car cost, $3,233.00; average household income, $5,807.00; average home cost, $12,650.00; gallon of gas, 29 cents)
Number made: 9,915
Engine, etc.: V-8; 305 hp; 383 cu.in.; 2-barrel carburetor; 3,790 lbs. The car has 4,400 miles and all original equipment still works.
The 1963 Chrysler 300 series had the same body types as in 1962 including 2- and 4-door hardtop coupe/sedan and a convertible. Optional was full leather bucket seats.
The Sport Series of the Chrysler 300’s fell below the “Letter” series in prestige and replaced the Windsor series. They looked identical to the Letter Series except for minor details such as hubcaps and tires. The Sport Series had a hardtop option which the Letter Series did not.
In 1955 Chrysler introduced the C300 with”C” standing for coupe and 300 for the horsepower of the original Hemi engine. It was a performance car with a contemporary “Forward Look” designed by ex-Studebaker stylist Virgil Exner. Additional “letter” models followed in later years including, in 1959 a 300D which set a speed record of 156.387 mph at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats.
In 1963 Chrysler built a 300 convertible for the Indianapolis 500 race. To commemorate this occasion, Chrysler built a limited number of 300 models known as the Pace Setter editions.
The original 300’s were considered the first muscle cars by some. They were fast but also large and luxurious, qualities muscle cars didn’t typically possess.
Few American cars have been able to offer so much speed and luxury wrapped in a shell of aesthetic excellence. From 1955 through 1959 the 300’s were the uncompromised rulers of American automobiles and even the 1960 – 1965 models were superbly executed.
Sources: http://www.conceptcarz.com/z22500/Chrysler-300-Sport-Series.aspx
http://www.classiccardatabase.com/specs.php?series=5855&year=1963&model=25466
https://www.chryslerclub.org/PDF%20files/Chrysler%20300%20History%20Final.pdf
See also: http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Chrysler_and_Imperial/1963_Chrysler/1963_Chrysler_Brochure/1963%20Chrysler-04.html (Original 1963 brochure; all models)
