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In the July issue of Car Collector on page 34
begins an article on "The Cars That Virgil Exner Drove". On that page is
reference to the "Chrysler 500" and the "Model 613" mockup which most of us know
as the original Exner concept for the 1957 Chrysler 300C. On page 36 there
is a picture of the Chrysler 500 in Exner's driveway with an unfortunate
reflection of a white picket fence all the way down the side of it!
This is the first time I've ever seen or heard
anything regarding the 613 car going past the mockup stage into a running,
driving form. Virgil M. Exner, Jr. (Ex's son) who contributed heavily
to the article doubts the car still exists or at least its whereabouts are
unknown to him.
I know the quality of the sleuths among us
that have found many other cars that were thought no longer to
exist! Does anyone have a lead on the 613 / 500 car? If it
helps any, let me give you some facts about the rest of the car from Chrysler
archive photos: the roofline appears to be that of a '57 Plymouth or Dodge
2dr hardtop, not the Chrysler / DeSoto roof. The entire front end is that
of the first production '57 Chrysler 300Cs which had single headlights (may have
been changed to duals). The only side trim was the 300 medallion ring
mounted high on the rear quarter panel. The fins on this car are a very
exaggerated version of the '57 Plymouth. It is expected that this car was
built on a 300C chassis including drive train and
suspension. The custom body work is all by Ghia of Italy.
If the car is already in your garage or you have a
lead on some dusty warehouse that holds it, I'd like to hear about it because of
my extensive research on the 300Cs.
Thanks,
Wayne
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