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This week in 1955, a legacy of luxurious efficiency arrives in Chrysler introduces the C-300 hardtop coupe, the forerunner of at this time’s luxurious sport sedans such because the Cadillac CTS-V, the BMW M5 and, most significantly, the 2005 Chrysler 300C, which survives comparatively unchanged to at the present time.
However the automotive itself is much extra of an neglected milestone, one dubbed a fantastic brute by writers of the time.
An engine begets a automotive
The automotive’s creation got here from Chrysler’s have to discover a place for its upgraded 5.4-liter Hemi engine, as there wasn’t an appropriate automotive within the Chrysler secure of autos. Vice President of Styling Virgil Exner and his crew got here up with a cheap resolution: Create the Chrysler 300 by combining the physique of the Chrysler Windsor with the entrance of a Chrysler Imperial, as there wasn’t sufficient cash to design a brand new car from scratch.
The automotive’s identify, C-300, got here from the truth that it was a Chrysler with a 300-horsepower 5.4-liter Hemi V-8 mated to Chrysler’s 2-speed Energy Flite computerized transmission.
However this engine was no abnormal powerplant, as engineers modified it with a full racing strong lifter camshaft, bigger twin exhaust, and two 4-barrel carburetors. It was quick for its period, working 0-60 mph in 9.8 seconds. Prime velocity was a powerful 130 mph. It was probably the most highly effective engine provided because the 1937 Duesenberg SJ and boasted extra energy than even a Cadillac.
However it was greater than velocity that made the C-300 so exceptional; it was its suspension, which was firmer to enhance dealing with. Dominating the inventory automotive circuit, it received NASCAR and AAA championships in its mannequin 12 months.
As a result of engine’s radical state of tune, air con was not provided, though energy home windows and energy seats have been.
The automotive was provided in three colours: black, pink or platinum with a British tan inside. Marketed as “The New Million Greenback Look,” Chrysler bought 1,725 items in 1955, however solely about 260 are thought to outlive.
Among the many strongest automobiles produced that 12 months, it value $4,110, or $45,687 adjusted for inflation.
What got here subsequent
Chrysler’s high-performance letter automobiles would run by way of the 1965 Chrysler 300L. The road was joined by non-letter Chrysler 300s in 1962, which changed the Chrysler Windsor within the line-up, and likewise stuffed the outlet available in the market left by the discontinued DeSoto. In 1969, the identify was modified, now being spelled out, and the mannequin was powered by a 350-hp 7.2-liter V-8. The Three-Hundred would run by way of 1971, after which its identify was dropped, though it was used as a trim line on the 1979 Chrysler Cordoba.
With the flip of the century, Chrysler’s letter automobiles have been revived with the arrival of the ninth-generation letter automotive, the 300M, which wore design boss Tom Gale’s cab-forward design and employed front-wheel drive, the one mannequin that did.
A return to type
However rear-wheel drive would return for the Chrysler 300’s 50th anniversary.
“That was a platform that I fought arduous for as a result of I simply felt like we would have liked it to shade these segments and have a significant differentiation from our opponents,” mentioned Gale in an unique interview.
“I imply, the opposite guys have been all going to do one other front-wheel-drive sedan. And that’s what the engineers needed to do as a result of it’s simpler. And I mentioned, ‘What’s your reasoning for not desirous to do it?’ ‘Effectively, they’re heavier.’ I mentioned, ‘Effectively, get out all the elements and we’ll weigh them up.’ Then they mentioned, ‘Effectively, they’re extra expensive.’ So we constructed the automobiles each methods, and OK, there was like a pair hundred {dollars} extra within the rear-wheel-drive platform on the time. However then, I went out, did unbranded analysis on what the customers’ impression of the worth or the price of the car was. It at all times like $5-6,000 greater than the anticipated buy worth. Effectively, that was the clincher.”
Chrysler, now a part of DaimlerChrysler, created the 2005 300’s LX platform utilizing a modified 1997 Mercedes E Class, together with its transmission.
“They used the entire rear suspension principally, and we did our personal entrance and stuff, however principally the packaging was fairly good and I even made the automotive taller as a result of I felt it enabled us to bundle it in a shorter and a distinct look,” Gale mentioned. “I don’t actually disguise the truth that it simply greater. It actually was fascinating and, extra importantly, it was a brand new proportion.”
To many on the time, the automotive resembled a Bentley. However its affordability made it a style assertion, with Chrysler going as far as to market a model impressed by Detroit-born menswear designer John Varvatos. The automotive acquired a facelift in 2010, and has remained largely unchanged since.
The ultimate chapter
For 2023, the Chrysler 300 is going through its ultimate mannequin 12 months in its present type, though Chrysler will supply a limited-edition Chrysler 300C powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 and that produces 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque by way of an eight-speed computerized transmission. That’s sufficient to propel the 300C to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. Chrysler plans to restrict manufacturing to 2,000 items. Rear-wheel drive is normal.
However most 2023 Chrysler 300s will include a 292-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 with rear- or all-wheel drive, though patrons also can go for the rear-wheel-drive 300 S, which comes with a 363-horsepower 5.7-liter V8.
In all, it’s a becoming ultimate chapter to a legendary luxurious efficiency automotive line.
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