Last Of The Hemi’s! 1958 Chrysler 300D
Chrysler’s letter series cars made a huge splash when first appearing on the market in 1955. At that point, it was just expected that a big luxury car would have big power but Chrysler emphasized the go factor as much as they did the 300’s general refinements. By 1958, the 300 bruiser was up to the letter “D” and it would, unfortunately, be the last version to use the vaunted “FirePower” HEMI engine – it was being phased out of use for every vehicle in the Chrysler-Dodge-DeSoto lineup. It would return a few years later but in a different form with a different purpose – and that’s another story. T.J. discovered the listing for this 50-year garage dweller – thanks T.J.! It’s located in Quinlan, Texas and is available, here on craigslist for a “reasonable” offer.
This 300D is pretty rare, only about 800 were assembled in ’58 with a little over 600 being two-door hardtops and the remainder being convertibles. Chrysler’s total output that year was about 63K units so the 300D’s volume amounted to just a bit over one percent. The seller claims that this 300 has not been started in 40 years and has been parked for over a half-century but provides no other backstory. The engine is a 380 gross HP, 392 CI V8 that is fed by twin four-barrel carburetors and drives the rear wheels, with authority, via a TorqueFlite automatic transmission. The engine has been clearly sitting a long time and that’s enough to make one wonder if it’s stuck. It looks like the spark plug wires have been removed too.
None of the exterior images are very clear. There’s surface rust in places and the lower edge of the trunk lid is showing some rust-through. The leading edge of the hood, just above what always reminded me of a front-loading washing machine, is a bit mangled. The body, however, looks to have avoided any serious crash damage and seems to be in possession of most of its trim. The trunk pan is crusty looking and a not included view of the underside would be warranted. Those unmistakeable fins, encasing the standing tall taillight lenses, are well pronounced and certainly help define Chrysler in the late ’50s.
The interior appears to be in fair shape. The off-white upholstery is leather and looks like it needs a deep cleaning more than anything. The door panels aren’t in the best condition, however, as their material has yellowed and the armrests have gone missing. The instrument panel is late ’50s luxury marque all the way and still presents well. The gauges, from what can be seen, are clear and are bookended by an original style radio to the right and Chrysler’s push-button gear activation to the left. I can’t get a good look at the floor but the back seat is images, as is usually the case, looks barely used. Note the dash-mounted rearview mirror, a common late ’50s/early ’60s Mopar trait.
I usually shy away from “make an offer” sales because it seems easy to negotiate against yourself. And to keep that from happening, low ball offers are tendered which usually steams the seller – it’s not a good way to go. I have to believe this seller knows what he has in this car, probably a flip, and what he wants out of it within marketplace reasonableness. Regardless of my thought, what’s yours, what would you offer?
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Comments
A very rare & restorable find. This 300D was probably white when it left the factory, and sometime over the years got painted a non-factory dark blue. No telling how rusty the floors/chassis are, but overall this 300 is fairly solid, and doesn’t appear to be missing much trim. Here again, wish I had the money.
GLWTA!!
I think you might be right about being a factory white car. Especially when looking at the trunk. Though it looks like the newest color tries to be like “Air Force Blue” offered in 1958. And I have seen at least one “D” in that color from the factory, though I don’t recall the exact number I don’t think it was more than five total.
I think would be very tempted to repaint in Air Force Blue if I were to restore this one.
We had a 1957 Cry Saratoga with push button Hemi. A great car and fast. A sleeper
We are in the south of Africa. As I am pushing 70 years, I recall Dad bring home a great condition 1958 Saratoga, which, although complete, did not run. I was about 10 years at the time. Dad bought it at the local police auction.
Older, by 2 years, brother and me tried for months to get it started, it never did.
I always wondered about the 240km/hr speedo. Was it really that fast ?
Jim, I’d bet my house and my 63.5 XL, that the spark plug wires are chewed nearly to the base due to Rodentis Infestis. Wonderful car!
Then again, I’m going to keep my stuff – maybe those wires are curled around the valve cover and are enclosed in a raceway going to the back…
I have always admired these cars and managed to get a 300D convertible a few years ago. What a car! Handles, goes and stops like no 50s car should . . .
This would have to be a labor of love. With only 800 produced parts and pieces are going to be made of Unobtainium
Engine and trim parts for sure, but things like the trunk lid and other parts likely are the same as other full size Chryslers . If someone was to do a lot of the work themselves, this could be a good deal
Why would you list car on craigslist when you could go to a classic car site and get more exposure and response and money ?
Good question!!! I advertised a car on my local CL a while ago . . . Just got gawkers and lookers. Put it on ebay and a week later it was sold. For more than I had priced it at locally!!!! I think it helped that I had no reserve and started it at a reasonable number.
These days, Craigslist is mainly used by dealers, also old timers who can’t or won’t do Facebook Marketplace. Which is why I periodically go look there to see what is listed.
The problem I’ve had with FB Marketplace is having to wade through a lot of junk to find anything interesting.
I go to a few mopars sites and this car would sell one one of them that is mainly for the bigger mopars. And for alot more money. I am probably older than most of you but I know how to sell a car for the most money.
“Make offer” is such a run like hell prospect. No thanks.
Reasonable offer? Okay, $1000. It’s worth maybe $75,000 in pristine condition (it’s not a convertible). It’ll take $75,000 to get it into pristine condition. You checked what a concours paint job costs these days? How about all of the rechroming that has to be undertaken? What about the engine and transmission rebuild you’d be facing. If you just want a driver, maybe okay, but a rare car like this should be given the proper treatment and you’re likely under water if you do.
first of all I would see it in person or have somebody look at it, I would see how bad or good the rust is. I have restored cars ( not frame off ) and if you do alot of the work yourself and look around for people that can do some of the work. Most people go with these high power names and their are people that are just as good for alot lower price.
neat car that would be fun to get it running again.Sounds like it might go at a goodfar price. I would for sure be in on it if it was not for a promise not to over run myself with too many projects. my garage is only 18×25 great for my,almost done 71 duster.The duster and this 300d would be a tight fit. Im tired of conjestion in the garage, so I hope this gets a proper new home.