>See what I mean? No name recognition:-) Actually, some on this list
>older than I may remember the "300" series of Chryslers that were land
>yachts with major power plants under the hood. Lefendary in their own
>way. I might have had the letter designation wrong, but I believe the
>series went through "300F."
>
>David Littlefield
>Houston, TX
Hi List:
The "Bankers' Hotrod" the Chrysler 300 was manufactured from 1955 through
1965 with the last letter being the 300L. They were the world's most
powerful stock sedans during the fifties and early sixties and had handling
to match. They were very popular in Texas where wide open spaces provided
the need for a vehicle to eliminate them. The first 300s were hemi-powered
high compression engines which featured dual four-barrel carburetion, solid
lifters, forged cranks and racing camshafts. They produced over 400
horsepower by 1960 and were capable of speeds in excess of 150 mph in stock
form. A 1960 Chrysler 300F still holds the production record for the
Flying Mile at Daytona - 145 mph.
I own a 355 hp 300B (1956) which, when new, was tested on the Chrysler
Proving Ground track at 152 mph in January of 1957. It could do 0 - 60 in
under 8 seconds and the quarter mile in 15.8 secs. This was faster than,
and had a much higher top speed than a Corvette.
In 1955 and 1956 Chrysler 300s were outright winners in NASCAR and AAA
racing with 57 wins a record which I believe has never been equalled by a
stock car. Remember that these cars were raced with nearly complete road
gear right down to stock bumpers - unlike today's plastic imitations. As
raced, they weighed over 4400 pounds.
John McEwen
>From Edmonton - The Houston of the North
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