Pete Kaczmarski
Senior Member
Rare And Ready To Go: 1963 Chyrsler 300J
ago • USA • 23 Comments
Rare And Ready To Go: 1963 Chyrsler 300J
image: https://barnfinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/1963-Chyrsler-300J-Engine-630x394.jpg
image: https://barnfinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/David-Frank_avatar_1510764564-24x24.jpg
By David Frank
This time, I just had to start with a picture of the engine. Look at that 390 horsepower 413-cu.in. V8 with those Cross Ram intake manifolds. They might not be very efficient, but they sure look like a cool way to mount those 4 barrel carbs. Chrysler claimed this 413 would propel this big sled to over 140 mph, do the quarter mile in under 16 seconds and drag this car to 60 mph in about 8 seconds. That kind of performance was really impressive for the times. This Chrysler is listed on eBay in nearby Auburn, California. Bidding is over $8,000 at this time, but the reserve has not been met. The auction ends on Monday. The seller has done the necessary mechanical restoration, including replacing the brake booster that is located under the left fender somewhere.
image: https://barnfinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/63-300J-LF-e1526578043769-630x354.jpg
Chrysler built their “letter series” high-performance cars from 1955 until 1965, starting with “B” in 1956 and ending with “L” in 1965. The paint is said to be original on this one. One might wonder why someone would order a car this exciting in such a boring color. I’ve never heard the phrase “go fast Beige”, have you? The car is mostly complete with only one missing emblem. With only 400 sold these 300Js are rare. It is believed there are only about 120 left. Once again, just because something is rare it doesn’t mean it is valuable. Even a Concours example is only valued at $34,800.
image: https://barnfinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/63-300J-int-front-e1526660692900-630x379.jpg
In 1963 Chrysler went to a more conventional dash, and the design looks great except for the steering wheel and the tachometer location. The tachometer in the center console isn’t very useful and the square steering wheels are a little strange to drive. The pushbuttons for the transmission are on the far left side of the dash. The interior looks to be in great overall condition.
image: https://barnfinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/63-300J-RR-e1526660815191-630x369.jpg
The paint would look better with some touchup and a polish and wax but I think the beige just doesn’t do it for this car. A 300J in good condition is only worth about $18,000 so there won’t be much room between the purchase price and the value. Of course, if there’s a buyer who really wants a 300J, there are very few of these for sale so they might be willing to spend a bit more. There is a really nice 300J listed on Classic Cars in Las Vegas, Nevada. They are asking $40,000, which is $6,000 over the Hagerty estimate for a Concours car. This Chrysler is ready to drive and enjoy but as I recall these are nice cruisers but they are not much fun as a daily driver. It’s a bit of work to keep the carbs synced, they can be hard to start and they drink a lot of fuel. Hopefully, there’s someone out there with the resources to restore this Chrysler to its former beige glory. Perhaps there’s a letter car collector looking for a “J” for their collection?
Read more at Rare And Ready To Go: 1963 Chyrsler 300J
ago • USA • 23 Comments
Rare And Ready To Go: 1963 Chyrsler 300J
image: https://barnfinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/1963-Chyrsler-300J-Engine-630x394.jpg
image: https://barnfinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/David-Frank_avatar_1510764564-24x24.jpg
This time, I just had to start with a picture of the engine. Look at that 390 horsepower 413-cu.in. V8 with those Cross Ram intake manifolds. They might not be very efficient, but they sure look like a cool way to mount those 4 barrel carbs. Chrysler claimed this 413 would propel this big sled to over 140 mph, do the quarter mile in under 16 seconds and drag this car to 60 mph in about 8 seconds. That kind of performance was really impressive for the times. This Chrysler is listed on eBay in nearby Auburn, California. Bidding is over $8,000 at this time, but the reserve has not been met. The auction ends on Monday. The seller has done the necessary mechanical restoration, including replacing the brake booster that is located under the left fender somewhere.
image: https://barnfinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/63-300J-LF-e1526578043769-630x354.jpg
Chrysler built their “letter series” high-performance cars from 1955 until 1965, starting with “B” in 1956 and ending with “L” in 1965. The paint is said to be original on this one. One might wonder why someone would order a car this exciting in such a boring color. I’ve never heard the phrase “go fast Beige”, have you? The car is mostly complete with only one missing emblem. With only 400 sold these 300Js are rare. It is believed there are only about 120 left. Once again, just because something is rare it doesn’t mean it is valuable. Even a Concours example is only valued at $34,800.
image: https://barnfinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/63-300J-int-front-e1526660692900-630x379.jpg
In 1963 Chrysler went to a more conventional dash, and the design looks great except for the steering wheel and the tachometer location. The tachometer in the center console isn’t very useful and the square steering wheels are a little strange to drive. The pushbuttons for the transmission are on the far left side of the dash. The interior looks to be in great overall condition.
image: https://barnfinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/63-300J-RR-e1526660815191-630x369.jpg
The paint would look better with some touchup and a polish and wax but I think the beige just doesn’t do it for this car. A 300J in good condition is only worth about $18,000 so there won’t be much room between the purchase price and the value. Of course, if there’s a buyer who really wants a 300J, there are very few of these for sale so they might be willing to spend a bit more. There is a really nice 300J listed on Classic Cars in Las Vegas, Nevada. They are asking $40,000, which is $6,000 over the Hagerty estimate for a Concours car. This Chrysler is ready to drive and enjoy but as I recall these are nice cruisers but they are not much fun as a daily driver. It’s a bit of work to keep the carbs synced, they can be hard to start and they drink a lot of fuel. Hopefully, there’s someone out there with the resources to restore this Chrysler to its former beige glory. Perhaps there’s a letter car collector looking for a “J” for their collection?
Read more at Rare And Ready To Go: 1963 Chyrsler 300J
