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Just read the Word doc in the link and about
the designation C-300. I know the C could stand for Coupe, or for
Chrysler. I could be completely wrong here but there's another
theory. In the early 50's race car builder and driver Briggs Cunningham
powered all of his LeMans race cars and his street cars with 331 Hemi motors he
bought directly from Chrysler. Mr. C designated his cars C-1, C-2, C-3,
C-4 and C-5. Chrysler was well aware of Mr. C and his efforts at his shop
in FL. In fact they shared engine data. It seems like a heck of a
coincidence that the first 300 then gets designated C-300, written in the
same style as the Cunningham models. A further coincidence is that all of
Mr. C's cars, both track and street cars, from 1951-55 carried a nose badge with
a checkered flag. So obviously does the C-300 in 1955.
I've got to think that the origin of 'C-300' and the idea for
a checkered flag nose insignia originated from Chrysler guys taking their
cue from Mr. C. Nothing wrong with that. Mr. C was a truly
great American racer, way ahead of Kiekhaefer, Shelby, Garlits and all
the others that followed. And he did great things with the 331 Fire Power
Hemi motor.
Thanks for listening and if I'm all wet on any or all of this,
feel free, I am waterproof.
Chuck
C-3, C-300, 300B
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