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Location: Fleetwood, Pa | Not Mine:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chrysler-Other-/121685556438?forcerrptr=tru...
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | One of the most honest, and very funny - descriptions of a used car I've ever read! Looks like someone installed a Cadillac Autronic Eye (auto headlight dimmer) in the car at some point. What's with the VIN #? **1718 ????
Edited by imopar380 2015-06-25 12:46 PM
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 5006
| Its in better shape than my Regal Lancer was  And a clean title. This auction will be interesting to watch... I am going to guess 5k. Its worth 3k in trim pieces alone to the right guy.
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Location: Kansas City, KS | Definitely have to give credit to the seller for a realistic auction.
I bet this is the first time a complete (albeit very rusty) 300D has ever been listed with a $900 opening bid and no reserve!
That's one spooky looking front end!
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Location: Connecticut | imopar380 - 2015-06-25 12:42 PM One of the most honest, and very funny - descriptions of a used car I've ever read! Looks like someone installed a Cadillac Autronic Eye (auto headlight dimmer) in the car at some point. What's with the VIN #? **1718 ???? My friend and I were reading this one out loud last night and laughing. VIN is LC4 1718. You see that on the VIN tag on the A-post. This will probably hit 5K, IMHO. I'd be seriously interested if this was a 300C. I have the perfect parts car to go with it. Ron |
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Location: Houston | wow... |
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Location: Newark, Texas (Fort Worth) | Darn, Now that it's out, I will never get one! Oh well it's tan anyway, May as well get a FURY. It would look great in Cobalt with a Brick interior. |
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Location: Eastern Iowa | Looks like it's fresh out of "Darnel's" back lot!! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 963
Location: San Antonio, TX | Makes the 57 Imp I scrapped for steel because it was too far gone look like a cream puff. Yikes! |
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Posts: 2524
Location: Houston | Another great example of a car that can be used legally to terrify and run over people. Just imagine that thing coming at you out of the fog on a dark street. Pure terror. |
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Location: So. Cal | What are those 2 electronic boxes behind the A/C compressor and the vacuum tank? Never seen those before. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9684
Location: So. Cal | Here are the engine pics.
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Location: Muskego, WI | If the car is still in the Racine, WI area that is very close to me. I may have to go have a look, I'm curious if this is a car I knew about when I was a kid in the 80s and then it suddenly disappeared? |
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Posts: 5006
| I think the buyers will have a pretty good idea about the car |
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Posts: 537
Location: Upstate NY | This is one of those cars that would be great if you had another to make a good one. I guess I see some value. Rust is so prevalent in the East. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 854
| This car reminds me of a 1958 Fury I bought a while ago, it sat on a farm in auburn Indiana for years owned by an old man that would never sell it .Many people tried to save that car he would never sell it .It had power windows and sat with the drivers window down for years ,the window switch wouldn't work ,I jumped the switch the window went up the old man finally got Cancer ,but it was too late for the Fury it became just a parts car and got cut up for parts .Yet another great car Wasted .That's a shame a lot like this Chrysler . |
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Expert
Posts: 2312
Location: Arizona | The gizmo by the brake booster is the cruise control. Don't know what the box on the passenger side is. I didn't think the cc needed any other "boxes" but perhaps it's also part of the cc system. |
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Posts: 1906
Location: Ontario, Canada | Thanks, powerflite, for posting those engine pics.
Check out the wiring going to the compressor clutch. There are two wires coming out of the protective loom, one will be 18ga light blue and the other 14 ga brown. Most of us have seen these two wires terminate at the duplex connector. NOBODY I KNOW, KNOWS WHAT THE BROWN POWER WIRE IS THERE FOR!!
WELL, here it is, exiting the duplex connector and ACTUALLY going some place!! None of us have ever seen that!!
I know a bunch of people who would like to talk to whoever buys this car for this reason!!
Everything under the hood of that car appears to me to be close to original. I have no idea what that box on the passenger side is for. Perhaps these two unknowns are connected?
Pitch in ANYBODY.
Greg
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Posts: 1906
Location: Ontario, Canada | Is there any possibility that this car could have been EFI converted back to carbs and that box was part of the EFI system? That was a possibility tossed out to explain that 14ga power wire when I was searching for info years ago.
Looks to me like this car was certainly loaded with options!
Greg |
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Posts: 1906
Location: Ontario, Canada | For further info, that 14ga wire is hot. Runs from the battery terminal of the starter relay into the taped A/C blower harness and ends as shown at the compressor clutch. Highly unlikely that the factory did this for NO reason. This was a 58 thing ONLY. Not used in 57 and certainly not in 59 or later.
Greg |
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Posts: 1906
Location: Ontario, Canada | Wayne, Dave, George or Jim, could any of you post those engine pics on the 300 club sites along with my questions?
Sorry, but I don't know how to do that!!
Greg |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 467
Location: Sweden | The box on the right inner fender is most likely for the GM autronic eye mounted on the dash
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Location: Michigan | bid is up to 2250. |
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Location: Arizona | If one of the wires to the compressor is an unswitched hot wire it seems like the only explanation for the second wire would be that it's the ground side of the clutch coil. Presumably there is a switch somewhere that when turned "on" grounds that wire to complete the circuit and engage the compressor. The likely reason to do it that way is that they thought it made more sense to just run a 'hot' wire the relatively short distance from the battery to the compressor rather than routing a wire all the way inside (or from the inside distribution at the light switch which might have made that circuit a little too highly loaded), then it would have had to go thru the AC on-off switch and then back out to the compressor. This probably used less wire and put less load on the rest of the electrical wiring with less worry about something shorting out. If the ground wire shorts out it just turns on the compressor.. not great but at least it won't cause a fire. |
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Location: Ontario, Canada | jimntempe - 2015-06-27 5:43 PM
If one of the wires to the compressor is an unswitched hot wire it seems like the only explanation for the second wire would be that it's the ground side of the clutch coil. Presumably there is a switch somewhere that when turned "on" grounds that wire to complete the circuit and engage the compressor. The likely reason to do it that way is that they thought it made more sense to just run a 'hot' wire the relatively short distance from the battery to the compressor rather than routing a wire all the way inside (or from the inside distribution at the light switch which might have made that circuit a little too highly loaded), then it would have had to go thru the AC on-off switch and then back out to the compressor. This probably used less wire and put less load on the rest of the electrical wiring with less worry about something shorting out. If the ground wire shorts out it just turns on the compressor.. not great but at least it won't cause a fire.
Jim, I appreciate your explanation, but that would involve a special fully insulated electromagnet for the clutch and would require a very different A/C control panel. None of this is supported by my parts books or close to 30 years of experience with 58 Mopars.
Interestingly, that SINGULAR 18 ga light blue compressor clutch power wire was used from 1957 to 1966 and probably later.
This has been a QUESTION for many, many years!! Why, in 58 only, did Chrysler include that brown power wire in that A/C blower harness and do it for no APPARENT reason? I have salvaged harnesses that show that this power wire WAS factory tightened to the BAT terminal of the starter relay. The terminal shows evidence of lock washer scuffing!
Greg
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Location: Ontario, Canada | jimntempe - 2015-06-27 5:43 PM
If one of the wires to the compressor is an unswitched hot wire it seems like the only explanation for the second wire would be that it's the ground side of the clutch coil. Presumably there is a switch somewhere that when turned "on" grounds that wire to complete the circuit and engage the compressor. The likely reason to do it that way is that they thought it made more sense to just run a 'hot' wire the relatively short distance from the battery to the compressor rather than routing a wire all the way inside (or from the inside distribution at the light switch which might have made that circuit a little too highly loaded), then it would have had to go thru the AC on-off switch and then back out to the compressor. This probably used less wire and put less load on the rest of the electrical wiring with less worry about something shorting out. If the ground wire shorts out it just turns on the compressor.. not great but at least it won't cause a fire.
Jim, I appreciate your explanation, but that would involve a special fully insulated electromagnet for the clutch and would require a very different A/C control panel. None of this is supported by my parts books or close to 30 years of experience with 58 Mopars.
Interestingly, that SINGULAR 18 ga light blue compressor clutch power wire was used from 1957 to 1966 and probably later.
This has been a QUESTION for many, many years!! Why, in 58 only, did Chrysler include that brown power wire in that A/C blower harness and do it for no APPARENT reason? I have salvaged harnesses that show that this power wire WAS factory tightened to the BAT terminal of the starter relay. The terminal shows evidence of lock washer scuffing!
Greg
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | That brown wire probably services the electronic(?) fuel filter system; notice the unique attachment
of the fuel filter.
Maybe the car was meant to operate in the Southern Hemisphere?
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Location: WHEELING,WV.>>>HOME OF WWVA | must have had a ton of torque on those leaf springs . i've only seen one other set bent that bad . yrs ago , my 38 ford pickup , 383 , torqueflite with
64 rambler leaf springs ----------------------------------------later |
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Location: Arizona | LD3 - If it's got one side of the clutch electromagnetic coil hooked directly to the battery I don't see any other option than the coil having its "other end" come out with a "ground terminal" instead of them just soldering it to the frame which is what is of course, far more common. And that's what it looks like in the photo - two wires coming out of the coil to the connector. If someone could get their hands on that car to pin this down.......
I don't see why it would require a different control panel, it would just require that the master switch for the compressor (not the fan part, just the compressor master on-off part, two terminals) be wired to ground rather than to hot.
I'm just guessing of course but I don't see anything difficult about setting it up with the same control panel and slightly different wiring. Dome light door switches are often wired the same way - with the switch in the ground side of the circuit. |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Perth Australia | Its not uncommon for ac systems to have an above ground clutch coil
There are numerous ways they can be wired, including, full earth switching, pos switch through the fan switch and the earth switch through the thermostat and/or through a pressure switch
Extra wiring can be overheat protection for the compressor and/or the clutch as well, where a control wire (the pos or the earth wire) are run through a thermal switch or fuse
I am not familiar with this compressor, so theories is about all I can offer
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Posts: 1906
Location: Ontario, Canada | I think an attempt will be made to check out this car. First to see, if in fact, both wires are running to the clutch and secondly, if in fact, the "brown" wire is to the starter relay battery terminal or is simply going to ground at the relay.
This pic shows what we normally see for 58. Two wires to the connector and only the blue continuing on to the clutch.
Thanks for your help.
Greg
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
Location: Wichita, Kansas | This car is awesome. I would patch the fenders so you could put headlights in, make it mechanically sound, and drive it around town. I'd especially like to take it to a 300 meet. Just once, because that's about all I could stand. |
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Location: Perth Australia | Patch the fenders, Naaaa, make some brackets to fit some aftermarket headlight (as small as possible) in the void, then drive it to some flash car show
See how many cars move away, just in case that rust is contagious 
The front of that car looks seriously mean, it could inspire a great "B" grade killer car movie
I could see it coughing and spluttering as it drove itself out of a thickly wooded, steamy swamp with weeds and water dripping off it and aiming itself at the teenage campers (that for some reason wanted to camp next to a mosquito infested swamp) ect
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
Location: Wichita, Kansas | man, that was one loaded D. a/c, autopilot, pw, p.seat, 7 button radio, rear speaker and defrost. id love to have it...
Edited by 58 300D 2015-07-01 5:10 PM
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Location: Eastern Iowa | 58, You ever been to a 300 meet?
Please explain...."about all I could stand"
Just asking... |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
Location: Wichita, Kansas | fins, yes. one. just a bad experience all around. I don't and wont lump all 300 people in the bad category, in fact many are good friends of mine. but, the meet in Scottsdale I went to left a bad taste in my mouth for 300 meets. rude people, wouldn't give me the time of day, etc. in fact I let my 300 clubs memberships expire after that. not being ****y, but I have one of the nicest g's in the country, and I did 90% of the work myself, so I know what I'm looking at and talking about concerning 300s. bottom line, I was treated poorly and washed my hands of the 300 meet world. ill enjoy my d and g solo. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
Location: Wichita, Kansas | trust me, I don't expect or demand people to be nice, but being completely ignored or talked down to is just out of line, in my opinion. also, pardon the poor punctuation, I have an arm in a cast and typing with one hand is a pain...
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Elite Veteran,, James Passed away March 2021, He will be Missed
Posts: 1028
Location: Melbourne, Australia | Its funny you say that about the 300 Club , as my friend owns Don Pettys old Terracotta 600 Chrysler 300F , and that car was way to good to restore . But my friend collected NOS everything for it and had it restored to the highest level . And even though they hadn't seen the car , he said he went to a few and unless you seemed to be a certain age or in their group no one gave you the time of day to talk to .
So he washed his hands of most of the 300 Club people also .
I think maybe people feel threatened when the new kid in town has a better car syndrome , something I will never understand . If someone has more or better cars than me I am the first to be happy for them and want to check them out and give positive comments . Jealousy in the car hobby is rife though ! |
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Wichita, Kansas | I did not have my car there as we were in town for the barrett-Jackson, and I was a late 20s guy with long hair, so two strikes right there, but in my opinion that should not make a difference. im just different, I guess. when I have my 58 limited or other oddball cool car at a show, I talk to anyone that asks about it because I appreciate anyone that has an interest in a car other than a Camaro, chevelle, or tri-5. not so at the 300 meet I went to. they were more interested in showing their cars to their friends, and to heck with interlopers and outsiders. that was just my experience and may not be typical of 300 meets. I will not find out, though, as its a one-and-done with me.
Edited by 58 300D 2015-07-02 12:23 PM
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Veteran
Posts: 257
Location: Kansas City | Unfortunately I think 58 300D and The Adventurer are onto something. The nicer car syndrome is probably an accurate statement. A long time 300 club member named Ben Gaustainian, who is deceased now, once said that the biggest problem with most people in the 300 club was that a lot of them were hot rodders at heart and had no interest in restoring their cars to better than original, most just want to drive them as is or let them sit. There is a large group of guys who own a handful of letter cars, but most are sitting in the same place they were 30 years ago. My grandfather would never let the 300 club judge his D coupe. He always felt like their intent was to find something that was wrong with it and to tell him that it was over restored. None the less, as time goes on one would have to think that it can only get better. If more young blood can get in the club that will help too. |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Years ago the 300 guys descended upon me when I showed up with a nice 57
NY'er coupe and my 58 Fireflite convertible. All they were was a bunch of snooty,
arrogant POS's, letting me know in 20 ways that I needed a 300, that both cars
were only good for parts for a 300 build, and on and on. This occurred over several
meets, so it was not an isolated case.
And as they ranted on about what a waste of time and money these cars of mine
were, am thinking "hold on a minute, .... you are suggesting I trash a great yellow
and charcoal NY'er coupe for the purposes of building a monotone car with a tan
interior ???" The response was universal ... sort of a deer-in-the-headlights look,
as if the choice was as obvious as turds in a punchbowl.
The suggestion that I do the same with my DeSoto convertible was beyond absurd.
And while I do like the unique C and D nose design, to give up all the character of a
DeSoto for a monotone car and a big engine is like trading steak for hamburger, in
my book !
And to think with my own 300 that I could then be PART of that crowd ? Oooh ....
yeah, no thanks. I think I'll eat mine right here. Yeah .... 
People have told me "the scene" has changed, but many say it hasn't too. I don't
care. Car shows are for braggarts and people with nothing better to do. Let them
do as they will. It's all good. I'd rather go on a long road trip or work in my shop.
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Expert
Posts: 2312
Location: Arizona | Somebody (Doc) said it! I too find the monotone of that era letter cars somewhat boring. I know some like the monotone look and almost complete lack of trim as a mark of purity but to me it makes the cars rather dull.. which seems like the opposite of what the top of the line performance car should conjure up in one's mind. I feel the same about the all black interiors of so many of today's jellybean cars - dull dull dull, not a spark of life. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
Location: Wichita, Kansas | monotone, dull, trimless, etc mean zip to me. the front of my 58 screams awesome! that's what sold me on the 300s even though I had a g way before a c/d.
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Expert
Posts: 2289
Location: Eastern Iowa | Well, I'm sorry to hear that from you guys about the 300 Club(s). I have ben a member of the Int'l club now since the late 70's and I will agree to a point about a few of the folks there. However, let me say this...I'm just a working stiff albeit now retired after years on the road. My first exposure to the 300's was in the early 70's when I was on the hunt for a "Kiddy Kar, MoPar of course.
That being said, we wound up with a beautiful 300K Hdtp instead for decent $$ that took 1st in juniors class 1st time out at a 300 meet and we were welcomed w/open arms and have been ever since. And this after minor detailing and touch up work in the engine compt which I DID NOT have "my mechanic" do. I'm sorry, but you cannot lump me (not saying that anyone has) in with the trailer queen crowd. We drive our cars, the F in my avatar has been on the road since I got it back together in the 80's after being rescued from the grave. I did all of it myself except for the paint and we have close to 40K on the clock since. It will be making the trek to PA later this month should any of you make the Macungie meet, I can guarantee you I will not give you the cold shoulder!
That's all I have to say about that.
Take Care folks!
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
Location: Wichita, Kansas | fins, you probably know john hannon, then. I have his white d that the hood flew up on when he was drivivg to the infamous Scottsdale meet. ive put over 80k miles on the beast. it would be short sighted and wrong to lump all 300 meet people in the same negative group, but just for me it was not fun, so it was a one and done. I will say, to me the 58 d coupe is one of if not the best looking fwdlk mopar, right next to the 59 dodge coupe. |
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Expert
Posts: 1886
| I'm waiting for a 300 club member to point out my 300C has 300D hubcaps on it. My C hubcaps are being redone and put the D's on since it's not coming to Carlisle. I've watched them throw fits over my dad's G car with the 5.7 hemi in it. Of course he's put 50k miles on that car in 5 years, while putting over 60k on his 62 lebaron. The C car has a license plate that says 1 of 35, I'm sure that will ruffle some feathers. It's champagne gold that the previous owner had metal flake put in. It's not original so I'm sure I will be looked down upon for that. It's a shame that a few bad apples ruin that club. I've met some great people in the 300 club, but the bad apples keep me from wanting to be an active member. Which is a shame, have 4 letter cars. |
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Location: Parts Unknown | I would never say I dislike the cars. I love the B-C and D. They are awesome for
what they are. I just like the more colorful and playful colors, interiors, and sidetrim
colors sweeps of cars like the 56 Custom Royal and 57-58 DeSoto that much more.
The F and G are wonderful too. Super slippery ! If I had cubic dollars and unlimited
time, I'd certainly chase down a 300 or two. But things being what they are, I consider
myself a lucky SOB to have what I have (which always was my first choice), and I can
still justify to myself why I chose what I did and be happy with it. But make no mistake
about it, if I found a B-C-D in a barn for chump change, I'd be all over it like flies on stink !!!
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 5006
| sorry 300's are just another FW look car. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 363
| No the 300's were not just another FW look car.
To you maybe, but historical fact tells us that the 300's were the king of the hill. There was great planning, foresight and engineering brilliance in Chrysler building the NASCAR proven 300's from the initial Pan Am road race cars of the early 50's to the prototype and production of the '55 C300 which under Kiekhaefer and others cleaned up making history on the beach, road circuits, dirt tracks. Such advancements as the paper air cleaner, professional race teams, tire, suspension, wheel, exhaust enhancements. All because of the 300.
Without the 300, Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge, Plymouth could have been just another ho-hum brand point A to point B car.
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Expert
Posts: 1906
Location: Ontario, Canada | Yeah, well, I too like the simple monotone, trim less look of C and D but I also like the excessives of a Regal Lancer with SS ornaments!!! No accounting for taste huh?!
I joined the 300 club int'n in the very late 80s. I soon attended my first meet driving a Chev! My wife came with me with a lawn chair and lots of books to read while I did the boring car guy stuff!
GUESS WHAT. We were greeted with open arms even though they all knew I was a Dodge guy first and foremost. Sue never got to read any of her books. Her days were fully occupied and I just did car stuff! It doesn't get any better!
GUESS WHAT. From that meet onward, Sue checks on the future meets, makes reservations and rearranges things to try to accommodate our timetable to attend if possible. It doesn't get any better!
GUESS WHAT. We have many solid friends met through the club and frequently see some between meets. We went for the cars and keep going back for the PEOPLE. It doesn't get any better!
Like Dave, I too am sorry for your bad experiences. We like old cars, we like friends, we like to talk to people, we like to tell stories and we like to party!! Try us again ----- I think you will be happy that you did.
Greg |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 363
| Hey Greg you're progressing Chev to Dodge now just that final step UP to a Chrysler
Anybody know of a mint DeSoto, Plymouth, Dodge, I'll be needing a coupla fenders for this rusty ol' 300D
Best,
Owen |
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Expert
Posts: 1906
Location: Ontario, Canada | ram300 - 2015-07-03 12:43 AM
Hey Greg you're progressing Chev to Dodge now just that final step UP to a Chrysler
Anybody know of a mint DeSoto, Plymouth, Dodge, I'll be needing a coupla fenders for this rusty ol' 300D
Best,
Owen
OH, Wow, Owen!
Great to hear from you and I am thrilled that you bought this car!! I know for sure there are many others who will feel the same way.
Lots of fun research when you actually get delivery of it. Please report to Gloria and set the ball in motion and let's get a parts research set up for all its special options! You will likely need some parts!!
Regards,
Greg
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Posts: 2289
Location: Eastern Iowa | Well put, Greg, and Thanks!
You echoed my feelings exactly.
The aim of the Int'l club which is stated in the newsletter title is, and I quote, "Dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the Chrysler 300 letter series automobiles 1955 to 1965" And I might add that this, IMHO, means to as close to how the cars left Detroit.
That being said, why would anyone have their car judged KNOWING there is a ton of stuff wrong, modded, incorrect, cobble crafted etc. with it, and not caring to even be on the path to making it close to original, even think about having it judged, then complain about the outcome??
I'll never have concourse car, but I sure appreciate the ones that show up and go through the judging process an learn a heck of a lot just by watching and listening while the judging is in progress.
To each his own, now back to the mystery wire..
Any new info on that? |
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Expert
Posts: 1886
| I've never entered a car show, nor do I plan to. I don't trailer cars. Nothing against those that do, but I have little interest in not driving a car. Not that you can't enter a show without a trailer, but I'm not dedicated enough to the cleaning process to do all that. I 100% believe we need those to do 100% stock restorations. I respect that. The respect doesn't always go both ways. To each their own, we all love these cars and have different ways of enjoying them. The only thing I give two flips about is if my dad is happy and having a good time. |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Perth Australia | The auction is still active Greg
Just a tad over 6 hours to go? (= 3am my time, I wont see the end of it)
Best of luck to whoever buys it though, looks like a mountain of work
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
Location: Wichita, Kansas | ram300, I completely agree with you on the 300s not being just an old mopar. in 55 they broke records and set the bar. man, I sure hope you get that d. seriously, it has to be one of the most loaded 300s ever made. your c is spectacular, and id like this one to be brought back from the dead. its waaaaay too cool to be parts car. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 5006
| This is Chrysler out R&D'ing Ford/GM, supporting teams to win races/go fast. you could have stuck that engine in ANY FW look car and it would have done the same(okay maybe not the imperial)
Put it in a dodge or Plymouth, Desoto and it would go fast. Records for dumb "flying mile" beach races really didn't mean much Pontiac showed up in 58 and swept it, then nascar dq'ed Pontiac in 59 for "back talk"... |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
Location: Wichita, Kansas | they 'could' have put the engine in any old mopar, but 'did' not. rather, they built a car just for it. not going to argue with you, you're right, 300s are boring raging p.o.s.'s, but I like them. a lot.
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Member
Posts: 35
| I bid on this one but it went well beyond what I felt was a reasonable number for a car of its condition. A little over 10 minutes left and it's over 5 grand. More than I'd pay but I'm not dedicated enough to "the cause" as it were. I guess the bright side is that it's really gone beyond a price someone's going to pay for a parts car. |
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Expert
Posts: 1728
Location: Fleetwood, Pa | Wow...$6650...what a deal..... |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
Location: Wichita, Kansas | 6650. dang. hope it gets restored. autopilot and a/c d's are rare. I have a complete front clip for it, but sadly no body, so I was out.
Edited by 58 300D 2015-07-03 3:05 PM
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Expert
Posts: 2289
Location: Eastern Iowa | I've got one that's been stashed away for 40 years, No drive train though.
Maybe I should throw it up on the Bay...
The wind shield is busted as well as the pass door wing glass and part of the pass side dash in smashed in.
darn vandals broke into a bldg. where I had it stored years ago and did all that. Then I lost that storage and brought it home after I managed to make some room for it inside. Has Factory A/C, P/Seat and do you believe it, manual windows!!
I have a 300C engine and T/Flite I was always going to stick in it and just get it back up on her feet and running just for a "fun" car but never did.
My other D, an Aztec Torquose came along and took top priority over the other D, Sadly, I have not done much with it other than getb the drivetrain ready to reinstall.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 363
| mikes2nd - 2015-07-03 9:39 AM
This is Chrysler out R&D'ing Ford/GM, supporting teams to win races/go fast. you could have stuck that engine in ANY FW look car and it would have done the same (okay maybe not the imperial )
Put it in a dodge or Plymouth, Desoto and it would go fast. Records for dumb "flying mile" beach races really didn't mean much Pontiac showed up in 58 and swept it, then nascar dq'ed Pontiac in 59 for "back talk"...
That's EXACTLY what happened the engineering performance development that ORIGINATED in the Chrysler was transferred to the rest of the FW look line.
The beach races were NOT "dumb" they were a benchmark that all the manufacturers paticipated to improve and sell their cars.
A greater appreciation of what happened at Chrysler pre '55 is needed to really understand the 300 in my opinion.
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Expert
Posts: 2196
Location: Muskego, WI | So who bought the car, any one on the forum here? |
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Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | I love the 300s for their clean looks, performance, and racing pedigree.
But the people saying they are a fairly boring car do have a point. The interiors, trim, and colors of other FL models are far more interesting, even if the cars themselves are not as desirable or valuable. Good thing they made a lot of cars, there is something out there for all of us! |
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Expert
Posts: 2524
Location: Houston | I don't own a 300. I guess I could afford one, and if I lived my life in a more orderly and sensible fashion I'd be better off buying a nice one than having a bunch of other cars scattered around.
But....really...the 300 Letter car represents the height of our FL hobby. They received the most attention, the best engineering, and spoke very well to the idea that a car could be fast, brash, good looking, and classy at the same time.
Everyone has their preferences but when I hear people run down the 300's in favor of some other FL car all I can think of is this famous photo:
 (jane sophia.JPG)
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jane sophia.JPG (115KB - 107 downloads)
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Expert
Posts: 1906
Location: Ontario, Canada | Ha--- Ha, well said/shown, Greg!
Greg |
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Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | Yep, that's the face a 325hp New Yorker makes when a 375hp 300 pulls up!
Awesome observation... |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 363
| Can't wait for the 390hp model to turn up... |
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Location: Parts Unknown | That is a funny photo.
I would submit that I have never had much interest in hammering my cars
or building engines that register in gallons-per-mile fuel consumption. Thusly,
the go-fast engineering "advantages" are completely lost on this camper. I'd
much rather have a car with playful interior fabrics and colors, more paint color
choices, AND a color sweep down the side. But that's just me.
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 8444
Location: Perth Australia | I like all that stuff................. and an engine that is as grunty as it sounds and when you have a passenger in the car and you feel like putting the wind up them a bit, you tramp it and they turn pale and utter a long, drawn out faaaaaaaaaaaaark
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Expert
Posts: 1906
Location: Ontario, Canada | ttotired - 2015-07-04 9:20 PM
you tramp it and they turn pale and utter a long, drawn out faaaaaaaaaaaaark
Especially after a rock hard downshift BANG that snaps heads back!! We ARE talking about a D right?
Greg |
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Expert
Posts: 2524
Location: Houston | Speed and power go hand in hand....always have and always will. Fancy is fine, but fancy and faster-than-you is better. |
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Posts: 1906
Location: Ontario, Canada | Doctor DeSoto - 2015-07-04 8:15 PM
That is a funny photo.
I would submit that I have never had much interest in hammering my cars
or building engines that register in gallons-per-mile fuel consumption. Thusly,
the go-fast engineering "advantages" are completely lost on this camper. I'd
much rather have a car with playful interior fabrics and colors, more paint color
choices, AND a color sweep down the side. But that's just me.
Hey, Doc, No problem. These cars were never designed, engineered, or ever promoted for sale to "campers"!
Greg |
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Location: Parts Unknown | I guess "cruiser" would have been a better choice of names. That Regal Lancer
of your will scoot along just fine, just as my Fireflite will. But they ain't no fire-breathing
dragon, leaving scorched earth and causing babies to cry, women to swoon, and
grown men to tremble. If that is what it takes to "qualify" a worthy Forward Look
car, then I guess I just don't require such qualifications. In fact, I find them purposely
wasteful.
I suspect there was never a pre-60 300 built that could outrun my old X-ram Fireflite.
I drove that car for years, and can count the number of times I thrashed it on my fingers
with plenty to spare. That's just not how I drive or why I own a car. I used to think
having all the go-fast was the way to go, just like everyone did with hanging every conceivable
piece of chrome on a 50's car. Trouble is, I chose my parents poorly. There was no trust
fund, no oil wells, no gold mine. I gotta pay for all that fuel out of my wages, and mine
alone. Sure, it's cool seeing all that stuff under the hood and knowing the potential. I
just prefer long road trips over many miles, and if getting 17 mpg vs. 12 mpg means
the trip is off, then I just shot myself in the foot for all that under hood pizzazz. B'sides,
I like the color sweeps and atomic styled interior fabrics WAY more than I like neck-
snapping acceleration. I have my 66 Coronet for that. I doubt ANY 300 could outrun
that beast. |
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Expert
Posts: 2524
Location: Houston | Even today, fuel economy tends to go down as the price of a vehicle rises. Simply put, the well to do don't care if a vehicle gets 12 MPG or 15MPG.
It all works out in the end...those who care about MPG have a wide variety of vehicles to choose from and those who "want it all" do as well.
I would guess few 'bankers' buying a 300 Letter car payed much attention to the price of gas. And probably many never tipped open the second four barrel either. They just knew - and so did the guy who saw them pull up - that they had more than they needed.
It caught on...Drive to the store and count the number of 4WD Jeeps you see that have never touched a dirt road. Count every 'Hummer' ever made. Count all the 52 year old housewives driving SRT8 Challengers to WalMart.
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Posts: 2289
Location: Eastern Iowa | Yeah, AND payin' for their $hit w/WIC cards and food stamps, getting cash in change and buying their crap food & booze w/that!
But....that's a whole 'nother topic. |
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Expert
Posts: 2524
Location: Houston | LOL....I was trying to be polite. But that's the other half of it.
In the 1950's, most people still lived by the 'take only what you need' axiom. But now that has changed to 'take all you can grab'. And 'live within your means' is now 'live beyond your means'.
Luckily we still have cleavage-bearing actresses....
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Location: Parts Unknown | I once considered putting the Adventurer intake and exhaust system on
my Fireflite, but it would just make it another contrived BS Super D500
kind of car, ON TOP of killing fuel economy. Anymore, I just expect that
anyone owning a FL convertible HAS put a dual four set up on the engine
and added all the bling they can possibly get their hands on to the car. I
added enough gee-gaw back in the day. I see all negatives in going over
the top with the all too predictable stuff.
On the Plaza, I actually took a few option items OFF the car !
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
Location: Wichita, Kansas | But, doc, you just layed out the beauty of a 300D. Complete lack of gee gaw with a factory go fast engine. No need to make a fast stripper clone, Chrysler made one for you. |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | My 'funniest' 300-guy story involved a long ago WPC national meet (probably in Detroit), wherein I was strolling around
the parking lot,in the early evening, admiring the rides and conversing with the owners.
I didn't happen to have on any special-unique WPC club paraphernalia , but I looked perfectly clean and presentable.
Anyway, an older (well-known) 300C (IIRC) owner was wiping down/detailing his car, at that time.
I may have spoken briefly with him, for a short time, but, his car's leather interior condition was so
enticing, that I reached thru the open passenger side window, and gently stroked the upper area of
the leather seat back.
Mr. 300-owner, not too gently, told me not to touch his car,,,..pretty sure his sentence didn't include
the word "please" in it.
I was in the wrong, for touching another man's car, but still felt that the guy needed to get a life, befor it was too late.
Walked away thinking that 300 owners were selfish snobs.
First impressions, guys....
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Expert
Posts: 2289
Location: Eastern Iowa | Niel, I would have invited you to a sit down behind the wheel and even a start up, no problem...
Probably even a short cruise....geeeesh
He was probably a trophy hunter???
Can't wait to get on the road to Macungie in a few weeks.
My son has the car now up on his hoist replacing the pinion seal
Only one thng wrong with his hoist though.....
it's NOT in my shop!!!
I have a heck of a time any more getting down and under a car with my limited floor jack lift facilities GGRRRRR
Edited by finsruskw 2015-07-06 7:04 AM
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Location: Parts Unknown | 58 300D - 2015-07-06 7:15 PM
But, doc, you just layed out the beauty of a 300D. Complete lack of gee gaw with a factory go
fast engine. No need to make a fast stripper clone, Chrysler made one for you.
===================================
Now, if we could only figure out how to work the douchebag repellant !
Here's the gig .... start with a baseline of A.D.D., .... I bore easily with seeing the
same car over and over, .... add in a strong dose of contempt for arrogant douchebags,
.... honestly, .... someone is going to tell me I should part out my NY'er and Fireflite so
I can have another cookie cutter 300 ? Amazing ! Now mix in a greater appreciation
for curb appeal and finding a laughable humor for the guys who get all stimmed up over
go-fast (especially when it's not factory and involves cutting a hole in the hood and other
silly stuff) .... and I pretty much rule myself out for any serious desire to own a 300 or
be a part of that scene.
Now, that's not to say there aren't some great people drawn to 300's. The problem is
they draw way too many of "those guys" to where many can relate a douchebag story or
two about that crew. I have never heard of anything of the sort coming from the owners
of Plymouths, DeSotos, or even NY'ers. Wassup with dat ?
Anyway ... love the car, ... just don't really care for the latter-day trophy hunter, numbers-
counting, look-at-me kinda guys that gravitate toward the go-fast scene. I get just as much
(or more) jollies out of a lowly scumbag mobile like a DeSoto, AND I don't have to put up with
the douchebags.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
Location: Wichita, Kansas | im the same way, fins. heck, ive even let people drive it. one friend was gone over an hour in the d. just wanted to cruise the open country blacktop. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
Location: Wichita, Kansas | 'Now, that's not to say there aren't some great people drawn to 300's' - that's right, me! hehe. though I will endlessly give you crap about 59 dodges. love them. im just a normal guy that digs 300s. i don't do shows at all (not that they are bad), i just drive them. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9684
Location: So. Cal | That's really my problem with 300's, that they all look the same and that there are so many of them at the shows. It seems every last 300 built in '57-'58 are restored to boring perfection and are on display in multiples at every Chrysler car show. They are the '57 Chevy of Chrysler. I've just seen too many of them to bother to pay attention to them. That's why it probably is a good thing I didn't buy this car because I definitely wouldn't restore it. I would make it unique and mine. And everyone else would likely despise it for not being correct. |
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Expert
Posts: 2289
Location: Eastern Iowa | I venture to say, they built a he!! of a lot more '57 bow ties (still building them today!) than Chrysler ever dreamed of building 300's!!
What, about 15,000 in 11 years total letter car production, not counting the non letter series of course, which probably had a lot to do with the watering down of the marque.
You would be surprised just how many folks have never seen, let alone even heard of, the early 300's.
When I take our F to shows, it always draws groups of folks.
Maybe it's cause I have an alternator on it, or maybe it's the J-K headers C.I. (MoPar of course) that lurk under the carbs, I dunno.
Edited by finsruskw 2015-07-07 7:30 AM
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| Neil,
I've got a Chrysler 300D and I'm in California. You're welcome to rub your greasy little hands all over my factory leather seats. That's what they were made for.
I use my 300D. I don't show it. Just last night I was doing burnouts down the street.... just looking for a DeSoto Fireflite to eat-up. ;0)
Honestly, I've learned a few things about the 300 club guys. They are a strange mix. They really don't seem to care much about history, but are honest car guys all the way. I've posted a ton of stupid technical questions and have gotten a lot of smart answers. Most seem to drive and love their cars. They seem to be older guys. I like them!
As for the 300 being plain. They can be seen as plain, but I think what you are actually seeing is a minimalistic design. Exner wanted a design that relied on body shape, not add-ons. They are meant to rely on the form, not add-ons. That is not to say a car that looks like a rolling jukebox isn't pretty.... it's just a different type of pretty. I LOVE flashy cars and own a few.... but 300s aren't about that. Apples and Oranges. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 8444
Location: Perth Australia | "I have a heck of a time any more getting down and under a car with my limited floor jack lift facilities GGRRRRR"
I find throwing the required tools ect on the floor then just falling down helps
Once your down on the floor its no problem until you need to get up again
Best to be sure you do have all you need though, falling down too much sort of hurts (unless a few drinks to many is the real reason for falling down, then it dont hurt at all)
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Veteran
Posts: 256
Location: Chicago | finsruskw - 2015-07-06 6:02 AM
Niel, I would have invited you to a sit down behind the wheel and even a start up, no problem...
Probably even a short cruise....geeeesh
I can vouch for "finsruskw" He once gave me his car for a LONG cruise. A long time ago when he barely knew me. Just one of the great experiences I've had with the fine people of the 300 Club International.
That said, my first experience with the Western/300 Inc. Club wasn't so hot. Not that I have anything against anyone there now, that was even longer ago.
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Veteran
Posts: 256
Location: Chicago | Powerflite - 2015-07-06 2:59 PM
That's really my problem with 300's, that they all look the same and that there are so many of them at the shows. It seems every last 300 built in '57-'58 are restored to boring perfection and are on display in multiples at every Chrysler car show. They are the '57 Chevy of Chrysler. I've just seen too many of them to bother to pay attention to them.
This is a joke, right? Or a troll, as the kids are calling it. I guess I fell for it. So there were 484 Chrysler 300-C convertibles built versus 47,000+ 1957 Chev Convertibles!
Or maybe there are a lot of 300s in Santa Clarita, CA. Sounds great! I should check it out.
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Location: Parts Unknown | While it may seem an exaggeration, a very high percentage of letter cars survive
as compared to the other models. The fact that the early letter cars had a lot of
limitations as to color and interior does make it seem like if you have seen one,
you have pretty much seen them all.
If that still excites a guy, hey, good for him ! I can only speak for myself, but
a tan interior could not be less interesting, and given the fantastic atomic styled
fabrics available in those days ... I am way more amused by that unusual sight
than I am over the same dual quad air cleaners and tan interior, etc., etc.
I'm not bashing the car .... I like the B-C-D and F cars. But for my limited bucks
and resources, I'll go with what I like even more, something you won't see at ANY
car show (unless you go to Sweden, I suppose). |
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Expert
Posts: 2289
Location: Eastern Iowa | If you guys are all that bored with 300,s, Ya may as well save yer gas and not go to Macungie.
I hear there are over 60 letter cars registered for that meet, gotta be close to a record for letter car turn out.
But, oh well, I'm sure we will be outnumbered by tri-5 bow ties though, after all, that's where the real money lies, huh?? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 363
| Better tell my 300D that all 300's had tan interiors....it's red, better tell my 300C it has an auto...it's stick, better tell my stick C "race car" that it can't have search tune radio and fizzy windows.....they aint all the same, if you take the time to look at individual cars carefully you might be surprised at the many subtle differences as well as in-ya-face ones.
I could say that all '58 Plymouths are red & white and that's not.......well maybe that's not a good example
Just saying... |
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Location: Parts Unknown | How many 56 Dodges or 60 DeSotos do we think will register for Macungie, 1 or 2 of each ?
Owen, ... you don't count. A special car like yours is a stand alone, even in a PACK of 300's !
The point is, 300's are awesome. They were built awesome and they delivered. But 99% are
very similar in appearance and equipment. And a LOT of them survive. I am willing to bet New
Yorker production was 10x or greater than that of 300's, and I would also bet that only a couple
show up at Macungie, of that. It is not a slam on the 300 to want to see the more elusive, seldom-
seen cars. 300's are great, but some of us like the stuff we never see at shows or otherwise.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
Location: Wichita, Kansas | Right, doc. 59 dodges! |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 5006
| I would take a Regal Lancer over a 300 any day |
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Location: Parts Unknown | 58 300D - 2015-07-08 6:40 PM
Right, doc. 59 dodges!
============================================
I would say that the 59 Dodge is probably the singlemost popular Forward Look
car, short of the letter cars, wouldn't you ? Maybe 58 Plymouth ???
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Location: The Mile High City | Times and tastes change.
When I joined the site, the '58 Plymouth was single most popular, hands down.
I agree, today the '59 Dodge is probably tops.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
Location: Wichita, Kansas | in my opinion, right now the 59 dodge convertible would be the most sought after fwdlk car, especially a nice, solid original. cant remember ever seeing an unrestored 59 cvt. 60 polaras are up there as well.
Edited by 58 300D 2015-07-08 6:45 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1141
Location: Blackpool, United Kingdom. | Pair of fenders here if anyone bought the car?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271922211665?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649... |
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