The third year of Chryslers Forward Look sees 1957 lines magnificently
changed with huge tailfins and reduced overall body height. The cleanness of the design
brings a favorable response from the public and "Car of the Year" designation by
the magazine Motor Trend. 300C is alone in sporting a "personalized"
grille in the form of a trapezoidal muzzle, which accounts for the "Beautiful
Brute" nickname planted on the car by journalist Bill Caroll. Headlights in twos (rare for the 300C) and fours coexist, the result of legislation in the U.S. They surmount red-painted ventilation grills intended to help cool the front brake drums. The coupe is now accompanied by a splendid convertible. Thanks to torsion-bar front suspension, handling and comfort are better. The new suspension, shared by all Chryslers, has allowed a reduction in fender height, hence in height of the car overall. The rear fenders carry a sober ring enclosing the new red-white-blue 300 medallion. The interior remains in natural leather, and its simplicity is such that if you dont notice the speedometer, reading up to 150 mph (240 kmh on export models) and the "300" medallions, you might think you were at the wheel of a gentle Windsor! But when the engine revs up, the music changes. The 392 Hemi in the 300C doesnt idle as silkily as a Cadillac. It trembles and limps somewhat at 700 rpm - which explains the relatively rough idle in comparison with that of a regular 392-cu-in. engine. But with position D engaged and normal pressure on the gas pedal, youll be hard put to get away without leaving some rubber on the pavement. It thrusts hard, really hard. For now there are 375 horses under the hood, and even more in the stick-shift "performance" edition! Theres not much to report from the track because the factory stopped entering its stable in races. The 300C turned in a Daytona flying mile at 134.14 mph, and got to 86.9 mph in a quarter-mile sprint. From Chryslers own track came an unofficial record of 145.7 mph. Finally, you should know that 300Cs are not as rare as other 300s
1955-61. This doesnt mean that theyre cheap. A coupe in show condition
brings over $30,000, a convertible twice that much
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