Factory Muscle Car: 1962 Chrysler 300H
Chrysler Corporation cars from the early 1960s don’t get nearly as much attention as their mid and late 60s brethren. Still, if you’re of a certain age or know your cars well, the name Chrysler 300 should mean something to you. A powerful engine coupled with space-age styling, the 300 series oozed class. This 1962 Chrysler 300H, for sale here on craigslist near Minneapolis, is an under-appreciated affordable classic luxury car with rare options and plenty of power. With an asking price of $11,900, it’s not cheap by any means, but if you want this rare ride – unless you are a skilled restorer – you’ll be paying more to restore this to factory condition. That said, if you’re willing to put the time and money into it, you’ll have a unique car at shows and a great highway cruiser/grocery getter.
Chrysler started making a name for itself in performance engines in the 1950s. The Chrysler Firepower Hemi was introduced in 1951 and other brands started getting their own V8s later in the decade. Desoto and Dodge got V8s in 1952 and 1953 respectively. In 1955, the 300 letter series was born. These powerful sedans boasted 300hp, hence the name, and paved the way for the muscle car of the 1960s. Each year after 1955 had a letter suffix, B in 1956, C in ’57, all the way to the 300L in 1965, the last of the 300 letter series. The idea of the 300 letter cars was for a performance version of the luxury car; because of this they were expensive, high performance, and exclusive. Only the 1957 year, the 300C, cracked 2,000+ vehicles sold. For 1962 only 570 were produced.
This 1962 Chrysler 300H has plenty of pros and cons. The car is claimed to be all original, which is believable and also runs, drives, and stops. However, the originality is marred by plenty of rust. The trunk, headlight cowls, driver’s floor, and rocker panels have plenty of rust, but the seller does include new trunk and floor pans. The seller also includes a list of the repairs already completed on the car, including new tires, rebuilt original duel 4 BBL carbs, new brakes/wheel cylinders/drums, new windshield, and more. The current owner is also the 3rd owner. The engine when new was rated at 380hp, 450 lbs. ft. of torque, certainly impressive for the time and respectable even today.
Looking at the car seriously, it needs a total restoration. On the plus side, the chrome looks to be in fine shape, but it is hard to tell in photos anything more than that. The interior looks to have water damage, which means there could be more rust hidden below, and the interior itself is a total loss, except for the door panels. The seller does have the car running and driving but with the cosmetic issues, the chassis will probably have to come off for a body-off restoration. It might not need to come to that but this car deserves a serious restoration, such as a body-off restoration, given its rarity and desirability.
Looking at the car in its totality, it’s a project for a dedicated Chrysler enthusiast. I’m sure that there is one out there that wants a 300H, and this is not a bad foundation to start on. These cars are rare and interesting and you would be sure to be the only driver with one at the local car show. If you have the time, patience, and know-how to restore this ride, this car could be a great foundation. What do you think of this classic Chrysler? Is the asking price too steep for the condition or does the rarity make it worth the money? Let us know!
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Comments
I know the author mentioned the HP and torque figures but this car has a 413 poly engine and not the Hemi. Also this was the last year for the cool electroluminescent dash. Too bad it’s got cancer. Definitely some of the best years of Chrysler production.
The 413 was a wedge head engine.
No question; worth every penny to do a frame-off on this car. The H was scarce new, and considering it’s still got it’s dual-quad 413, all the better. These came only one way: loaded. PS, PB, PW, PSeat, etc. AC may have still been an option back then. The car looks complete, and glad the floor pans come with the car. Someone is going to get a nice project to start on!
I’m not sure it’s financially worth it to restore this car, but I sure would love to see it happen.
I’m with you Will. Definitely worth restoring. I’ve always loved the letter cars and the 62 styling is to my taste (canted headlights, low styled fins with the swoosh detail in the fenders, amazing instrument panel, luxury options…including the fire hose running to the carbs :-)). If I didn’t have 6 minor and major projects in front of this, I might seriously consider taking a flyer on it. I’m sure the rust is worse than it looks, but it would be a great DIY project. All you need is some welding and painting skills, along with a little metal bumping.
“Duel carbs”! It’s never going to run very well with those carbs dueling each other.
Sometimes I miss what is right in front of me, even after proofing haha.
Well, considering that the same spelling was used in the craigslist ad, you aren’t the only one!
Unless Gary Goers is still in business, this is a parts car and the best thing that ever happened to the bottled acetylene industry. The trim, powertrain and interior cores are the only salvagables here. Now, it someone came along with a solid, western, two door wagon of the ’61-2 era and wanted to make a ‘shooting brake” we could talk.
The dash instrumentation all by itself is an amazing piece of design. Put that together with the 413 poly head dual quad and the rest of the well optioned interior and I hope someone is able to step up to the plate who can buy this car and give it the full restoration it deserves. I wish it were me. The bright side is i at least got to see one here on Barn Finds.
Too bad they didn’t have a picture of the engine bay. I have seen a cross ram 413 in a Dodge 300, pretty awesome peice of machinery.
There’s a photo on the CL link. These cars had in-line carbs.
I sold my 63 300h in mint,concours , condition for an ultra disappointing 37k less 10 % in January 2018 at BJ.It was red on tan , and magnificent with the cross ram , and spectacular dash .This featured car is a quarter of a million dollars from being that car , so unless there is that amount of cash in the glove box ……..
I remember that car; it was beautiful! I wanted it!
I think you missed the money shot of that dual carb 413!!!! There are a couple up in Washington that have been for sale for many moons for about half that price and not close to that much rust. These cars are so under appreciated its really quite sad as they are very rare and having beat more than a handful in my youth, quite fun to drive!!!!
Gary Goers retired. A true craftsman and the only man to have to a Letter car interior. Beautiful new and still today. Compared to totally trashed 68 Chargers on here that sell for $30,000 or so, this car is a bargain. But yes, if you can’t do the work, at least $125,000 to restore.
Although my ’62 300 is the “Sport” model convertible and not the letter series. But my car has the ultra-rare 3-speed manual floor transmission. Arrest me red in color with a white roof and other performance options confirmed by Chrysler Historical Services.
My neighbor bought on new the same color with a 4 on the floor. He always said I have a for on the floor and a fifth under the seat
Wet interior? Flood car?
I drove rustier stuff than this as a kid…see 63-4 Wagoneers in NYS. Some sheet metal patches, pop rivets, an old licence plate or two. How cool would this be to patch and primer it and just drive it? Bet most of the cruise in people wouldn’t have a clue as to what it is.
Just an old rusty Chrysler…
I’d be more interested in the ’64/’65/’66 Imperial in the background.
if your a caddy fan, I ran across a 69 and 70 convertibles this wed end, as well as a 61 coupe and limo the fellow is going to sell…..in Oregon.
Pete; I have a 300 “Sport” hardtop, 383 factory straight stick. Pushbutton delete panel. Also my Granpap’s ’62 Newport hardtop with a 361 pushbutton. Debating on putting the straight stick in the Newport. The “Sport” needs a lot of work. Great cars.
John, look at both cars and follow the money. Not only cost to restore but the value of each. Have you ever found a source for production numbers of our stick shift cars? Mine has 413 option, leather seats w/cloth inserts, no P.S. or P.B. but has the “sure-grip” rear end. Join “Forcbodiesonly.com” and see some pictures of my cars there and on “Forbbodiesonly.com” If you join reach out and we can talk further.
The Chrysler’s of years gone by. Full metal rides with everything that you want to order and if it was not on the list for that model, well they would either build to customer request or throw the parts in the trunk for you.
The full size Mopars, my first Chrysler was a 51 Saratoga with the Firepower 331. The car was under a 150 year old oak tree at the farm I bought in 84. The story was that they raced the car and had 2X4 intake and during the race the engine started smoking real bad and that was the end of the Green Monster. Pushed under the tree with Firestone slicks.
I checked the oil spun the crank put in a battery used a fuel can and after a squirt of either started right up after 30 years sitting there. Not very good but it started. Some guy came by to buy a 56 chevy that was in the woods and passed the car and did a double take, looked it over and on the trailer it went.
Always wondered what happened to it.