1957 Chrysler 300C Convertible

Wrapping an era-correct drivetrain in a tailored interior and 18 feet of stylish sheetmetal this 1957 300C Convertible, one of only 484 produced, HAS to be the coolest Mopar on the planet. If you're a hardcore Chrysler collector who's itching for the ultimate investment grade big fin letter car, this all-American cruiser will have you “all shook up!”

The car's breathtaking appearance comes courtesy of a two year frame-off restoration which involved solid rust-free metal, $150K of financial backing, and countless hours of research and hard work. The core of that restoration consists of a straight 72K mile body which hangs all original sheet metal over original, factory installed floorpans. That body's super slick appearance is provided by a smooth Gauquin Red basecoat/clearcoat finish which displays virtually no signs of wear or major defects. And presently, both striking and handsome, this hot drop-top exhibits an impeccable level of fit and finish that shows far above even the best factory standards!

With this car's 392 cubic inch Firepower V8 Chrysler created a big block legend that's still highly regarded as a revolutionary blend of performance and luxury. Not only does this hot Hemi mill produce 375 horsepower and twist stout 9.25 to 1 compression into 420 lb./ft. of torque, but it also wears a 300C-specific 3NE573251 serial number and a whole roster of correct ancillary components. Induction is handled by a pair of gold air cleaners that are piped directly into two high performance Carter 4-barrel carburetors. Fire is provided by a high-performance points distributor which shoots sparks between a tagged 30-amp generator and fresh black plug wires. Combustion comes courtesy of a high-performance camshaft which breathes through a high-performance intake and low restriction exhaust manifolds.

Lest you think this boulevard king is all speed and no agility, bear in mind its suspension was designed using a system approach that included both Chrysler's famous twin parallel torsion bars and forward position leaf springs. That artful attention to both ride and handling dropped the car's engine and, in addition to making its body more aerodynamic, created a lower center of gravity and minimized body roll. In the middle of that suspension, an era-correct A727 Torqueflite 3-speed automatic transmission sends power to a correct rear end. At the front of that suspension, easy turns and precise apexes come courtesy of factory power steering. At the edges of that suspension, solid fade-free stops are provided by heavy duty power drum brakes. And all this road-worthy hardware rides on old school 14-inch wire wheels which spin pliable 9.00-14 BF Goodrich Silvertown whitewalls around mirror-like spinners.

Hop inside this handsome Chrysler and you'll find a spacious and airy driving environment which has enough room to haul the whole family in comfort and style. NOS leather seats harbor correct Airfoam seat cushions which still feel firm to the touch. New black carpet does an excellent job of highlighting the car's bright stainless accents and correctly cushioned dash. And speaking of the dash, a bright rearview mirror, a red, white, and blue “300” emblem, a rare Highway Hi-Fi record player and pushbuttons for the tough Torqueflite transmission frame super cool 'jet age' gauges that are centered on a continuous motion clock. At the sides of the seats, fantastic tri-tone door panels display a prominent 50s design theme between correct power windows and cool “300” branded sill plates. Behind the seats, a new convertible cowl snaps down over a giant, fully restored trunk which props a fifth wire wheel and a full-size spare tire next to an echo-prone level of cargo space. And in front of the driver, a gorgeous wide-diameter steering wheel spins an attractive two-tone rim around a deep-seated “300” center piece and a full chrome horn ring.

This professionally restored 300C Convertible is absolutely one of the best first year letter series convertibles in existence, it represents the pinnacle of American design and manufacturing dominance and it's the kind of rare investment opportunity that only comes around once in a lifetime.