1955-57 Chrysler C300, 300B and 300C

Ten years before Pontiac started the musclecar fad, Chrysler's first 300 (named for its powerful, 331-cid, dual quad-equipped Hemi that developed 300-bhp, a first in an American production car) was built to battle the new Corvette and Thunderbird. Often incorrectly called the 300A, the '55 C300 preceded a long line of letter cars, hence the confusion. Purists feel the first three years were the best and so do I.

1955
For '55, buyers essentially got a stripped (no backup lights or external mirrors were offered) New Yorker hardtop spruced up with Imperial twin grilles and dash and Windsor hindquarters. Under the hood, painted gold, was the race-proven (Le Mans, NASCAR, La Carrera Panamericana) FirePower Hemi. At first, the only available trans was a 2-speed TorqueFlite with its shifter protruding from the dash. Later in the year, a 3-speed was available. Tan leather was standard: options included power seats and windows, tinted glass, radio and heater and stylish Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels. Curiously, the Imperial's 4-wheel discs were not offered. Records say just 1,725 were built. With sub-10-second 0-60 times and a top end over 130 mph, depending on which of the three optional axle ratios you chose, the C300 was the fastest production car in America.

1956
In 1956, 300Bs retained the drum brakes, had vestigial fins and the Hemi grew to 354-cid and 340-bhp or 355-bhp, depending upon compression ratio and whether a big-bore exhaust was fitted. The desirable 3-speed manual—a first for that year—was not available with power steering or brakes. 12-volt electricals and A/C made life more bearable for the 1,102 owners.

1957
The '57 300C was highly styled, with bigger fins and a toothy grille. Its claim to fame was Torsion-Aire torsion-bar suspension with stiffer bars than the stockers, which greatly improved handling. Drum brakes were still the norm. 375 horsepower was on tap thanks to a still-bigger 392-cid engine and both transmissions were still offered. Supposedly they were good for 150 mph, but who'd try it on those mushy 9x14 period tires? For the first time, a convertible was available. Eighteen cars came with a 390-bhp engine, higher compression and a hot cam, linked to a 3-speed manual transmission. 2,251 units were sold—484 of them convertibles—which accounts for the nearly 50 percent premium you might pay for a ragtop.


It may be sacrilege, but I recommend updating the earliest cars with 12-volt alternators—and all of them with electronic ignition, aftermarket shocks and tires and front disc brakes. Those wonderful motors have too much usable horsepower to settle for anything less. Purists can always convert them back.

Resource
CPI, the value Guide for Cars of Particular Interest www.cpivalueguide.com