1961 Chrysler 300G
Classic Auto Mall
6180 Morgantown Road
Morgantown, PA
610|901|3804
MILEAGE
89919
YEAR
1961
ENGINE
8
LOCATION
Morgantown, PA
STOCK
6766
FULL SPECS
DESCRIPTION
1961 Chrysler 300G Hardtop
For consignment, a 1961 Chrysler 300G hardtop with 89,919 miles showing on the odometer, unverifiable as the title reads Mileage Exempt. It\'s got swivel front seats, a push button transmission, and a Golden Lion V8 under the hood. The car comes with a box of extraparts and a service manual.
Exterior
There are so many unique elements to the exterior of the 300, but perhaps the most glaring is the diagonal headlights which very few cars had, the first being the 1958 Lincoln, right after it became legal in 48 states to have separate low beams and high beams. On the 300, this shape plays through to the egg crate grille which is a trapezoid, vertically flat, and containing bold cross trim pieces and a 300 crest. But it doesn\'t stop there as the chrome bumper tilts up to match the shape and tucks clever marking lights inside the bend point. Then comes the fin which, like a bird taking flight, extends from the door and cants outward as it grows in height, just rearward in a point, then slingshots back to the body which leads to a horizontal band containing two modest taillights on the corners. Midline trim that is a two sided spear, breaks up the Alaskan White paint on the car and sports another red, white, and blue 300 badge on each side. In profile, the body of the car leans forward, dragging the fins in the wind while the cabin leans back, the windshield and the window line dipping with the wind while the long, sloping C-pillar sheds it to the valley between the fins. The paint and metalwork including hardware and emblems are in great shape. Imperfections include quite a bit of bubbling down low, some suspect rust under the paint down low, and paint runs.
Interior
Light saddle leather covers the door panels along with a stainless dress piece and 300 digits. It\'s very clean on both and complemented by the black carpeted low which picks up on the black insert of the armrest. Light saddle and tan swivel bucket seats occupy the front and are in nice condition, with a bit of patina on the driver\'s side and both are wearing polished shells that pick up on the metal of the center console. Meanwhile, bucket seats in back take advantage of the console that extends to the back is sculpted metal and a leather armrest. The back walls pull design from the door and also show some patina but overall, this is a fantastic place to be the driver\'s guest. Back up front, a translucent plastic and black steering wheel fronts an arched speedometer and gauge cluster surrounded by what seems like hundreds of buttons. One set of jukebox-like controls is for the transmission while the opposite group controls the air conditioning. Still, a smaller row of metallic buttons are reserved for the radio. It all shows some age but even a slightly worn 300 is still a great 300. The metal backing to the dash and center console takes on all types of engraving and embossing and there\'s barely a smooth surface anywhere. The floor mats over black carpet pick up on the patterned squares of the seats and even the headliner puts on a show with polished cross braces between the tan cloth.
Drivetrain
Performance begins with a 413ci V8 rated at an astounding 375 horsepower. The Golden Lion is topped with two 4-barrel Carter AFB carburetors on a long ram intake and driven by a TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic transmission sending those horses to the 8.75\" rear and 3.23 gears. Power drum brakes are found at each wheel. Visually, the engine bay is clean but not pristine and we would classify this as better than driver quality.
Undercarriage
Driver quality underneath with prevailing surface rust, areas showing residual oil that has blown rearward, grease on the knuckles, and area of flaking rust but nothing deeply invasive. The dual exhaust flows back to a pair of stainless steel mufflers and exits through tailpipes out back. Torsion bar suspension help this car ride a bit firmer than the land yachts of the day and leaf springs held their own in the back.
Drive-Ability
We take our seat in the driver\'s bucket, turn the key, push a few buttons, and wait for a Bobby Darin record to load. But no, it\'s not a jukebox as much as it emulates one. We actually press the D button and begin the forward motion of this winged wonder. Floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee would be appropriate here as the power and acceleration is as obvious as the opulence and smooth ride. This is one fantastic cruiser. We note the reverse lights not working and the right rear power window is slow, but beyond that, everything functions as it should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
Chrysler\'s bold choices created a unique car that serves as a special classic in modern times. The 300 name lives on in somewhat more mundane vehicles pe
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