|
|
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 |
|
| |
|
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
|
|
| |
|
Expert
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? |
|
| |
|
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. |
|
| |
|
Expert 5K+
Posts: 8444
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
|
|
| |
|
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. |
|
| |
|
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"... |
|
| |
|
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.
|
|
| |
|
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. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1728
Location: Fleetwood, Pa | Wow...$6650...what a deal..... |
|
| |
|
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
|
|
| |
|
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.
|
|
| |
|
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.
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2196
Location: Muskego, WI | So who bought the car, any one on the forum here? |
|
| |
|
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! |
|
| |
|
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)
Attachments
----------------
 jane sophia.JPG (115KB - 107 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1906
Location: Ontario, Canada | Ha--- Ha, well said/shown, Greg!
Greg |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | Yep, that's the face a 325hp New Yorker makes when a 375hp 300 pulls up!
Awesome observation... |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 363
| Can't wait for the 390hp model to turn up... |
|
| |
|
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.
|
|
| |
|
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
|
|
| |
|
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 |
|
| |
|
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. |
|
| |
|
Expert
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 |
|
| |
|
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. |
|
| |
|
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.
|
|
| |
|
Expert
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. |
|
| |
|
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....
|
|
| |
|
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 !
|
|
| |
|
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. |
|
| |
|
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....
|
|
| |
|
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
|
|
| |
|
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.
|
|
| |
|
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. |
|
| |
|
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. |
|
| |
|
Expert 5K+
Posts: 9682
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. |
|
| |
|
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
|
|
| |
|
| 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. |
|
| |
|
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)
|
|
| |
|
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.
|
|
| |
|
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.
|
|
| |
|
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). |
|
| |
|
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?? |
|
| |
|
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... |
|
| |
|
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.
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
Location: Wichita, Kansas | Right, doc. 59 dodges! |
|
| |
|
Expert 5K+
Posts: 5006
| I would take a Regal Lancer over a 300 any day |
|
| |
|
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 ???
|
|
| |
|
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.
|
|
| |
|
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
|
|
| |
58 Chrysler 300D
