The last 300 with Hemi engine may be the most beautiful of all (anyway,
I think it is), even if its appearance is much like that of the 300C. To spot the difference, look at the
tail lights, which in 57 filled the back surface of the tailfin, but are now
smaller, although placement is the same. Look close and you will see that the "Swiss
cheese" air filters are now horizontal, the seat leather is scored front to back
instead of sideways as in 57, the door panels now have five chrome stripes in their
lower part. The dashboard gauges are outlined in chrome. The windshield "visor"
is gone, with the smooth "dome" join of the convertible in its place. The
hubcaps have their central disc painted red. The simplest check is on the side medallion,
where an unquivocal 300D is displayed. The mechanical side of the car has become tamer,
with cams of less pointed contour for smoother getaway and idle. Also bringing more
comfort (at the expense of performance) is a choice of only five rear-axle ratios;
and cruise control (Auto-Pilot) makes its first appearance. A separate paragraph is
devoted to Bendix fuel injection (see under "To Know More" below).
This attempt by Chrysler to make a fast sport car at the same time comfortable and
luxurious was not crowned with success: Sales were a third those of 57. Note,
however, that 1958 was a bad year for all the full-size brands.
Performance remained high nonetheless, with 0-to-60 mph in 8.4 seconds, and a quarter
mile in 16 seconds. The engines 380 hp yielded an estimated 135 mph
top speed in a trial by Road & Track magazine, which credited the car with an average
fuel consumption of 13.6 mpg, which sounds quite optimistic!
Again few official performance numbers are available because of Chryslers
withdrawal from participation. Norm Thatcher got to 156.39 mph on the Bonneville flat with
a much-modified 300D. Brewster Shaw won the quarter-mile at Daytona in a manual-shift
300D.
Engine specifications |
Transmission, etc.. |
Dimensions |
V8 "FirePower" 392 CI (6423 cm3)
Bore, stroke: 4.00 x
3.90 in.
Compres. ratio: 9.25 / 1 with solid lifters
Horsepower: 380 hp at 5200 rpm
Torque: 435 ft.lb at 3600 rpm
2 x 4 bbl Carter WCFB - "full race" camshaft (276° intake., 276 °
exhaust , 55° overlap ).
Dual exhaust standard.Option: V8 392
CI with EFI Electrojector Bendix
390 hp at 5200 rpm
Torque: 435 at 4200 rpm
Camshaft duration: same as std. eng. |
- Automatic
"Torqueflite" transmission with 3 speeds, gears selection with push-buttons.
Ratios: 1°: 2,45 ; 2°: 1,45 , Drive: 1.0
- Option: Manual transmission 3 speeds , column mounted lever::
2.31/1, 1.55/1 et 1.0/1. Standard with the 390 hp engine.
Hypoïd drive 3,31 / 1 ( option 2,93 ; 3,15 ; 3,54 ; 3,73 ).
Manual steering (w/manual shift only),
"Constant Control" power steering on Torqueflite
cars.
Power brakes: 4 drums of 12-in. diameter. |
Overall length & width: : 220.2 x 79.6 in.
Wheelbase: 126 in.
Height: 55.2 in. (55.6
conv.)
Tread: Front 61.2 in., rear 60.0 in.
Weight empty: 4305 to 4475 lb.Electrical system: 12 V
Rear springs: 7 semi ellipt. leaves
Front springs: Torsion bar
Std. wheels 14 x 6.5 in..
Tires: 9.00 x 14 Goodyear Blue Streak WWW.
Fuel tank: 23 gallons. |
Factory
colors |
Options |
Production |
Raven Black
Matador red
Ermine White
Mesa Tan
Tahitian Coral
Aztec Turquoise
Trim : Leather in natural color |
Bendix EFI : $ 400
Manual steering & trans. (w/o power brakes, A/C).
Auto Pilot: $ 88.10
"Sure Grip" differential: $ 51.70
A/C single or dual ($ 540 ou $ 688)
6-way electric seat adj
Power windows, Tinted glass
.
Radio Touch Tone or Music Master, Highway HiFi phonograph.
"Instant Heat" gazoline heater
|
N° serial: LC4 1001 to LC4 1810.
N° engine: 58 N3 1001 to ..
TOTAL Production:
2 doors H/T: 618 ex. (of which 29 exports): 5173 $.
2 doors convertible: 191 ex. (of which 4 exports): 5603 $.
"Survivors" at 12/1/99 : 239
cars (183 H/T and 56 conv.). including 17 parts cars (3 cv / 14 H/T) |
Chrysler 300 D
photo gallery
Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the pictures.
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A 300D coupé |
58 engine |
French 300D (need resto..) |
same car, rear view |
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