One-Family Owned: 1962 Chrysler 300 Sport 4-Door Hardtop
Chrysler’s design department was a chaotic scene in 1962. Virgil Exner’s late 1950s sheet metal hit the right chord at the right time, but post-fin, it was as if Exner was seeking direction. His 1960 concept car left Chrysler management cold. The 1961 Fury was a mish-mash of elements, spurned by customers. By the time the 1962 Chrysler 300 was on the boards, Exner was creating more controversy. The new car had slanted headlights, for one thing. It was also one car in front of the A-pillar – with clean, almost plain lines – and another behind, where a jumble of trim and vestigial fins fought each other. Of course, by the time the 1962 models were a reality, Chrysler had already found reasons to replace Exner, who left to form his own firm. Today, we are far more likely to view Exner’s designs – almost any of them – favorably. But we’re not trying to sell cars to a picky public. This guy is, though, having listed his one-family-owned, 1962 Chrysler 300 Sport here on criagslist with an asking price of $22,000. Thanks to Tony Primo for finding this Arlington, Washington resident for us!
The “letter series” Chrysler 300s were benchmarked by their large-displacement V8s – and big price tags. Chrysler came up with the “Sport” series to give customers a reasonably-priced option. The base model Sport came with a 383 cu. in. V8, but buyers could order a larger engine, which effectively killed the letter cars. The standard 305 hp 383 resides in this one’s engine room, paired with a three-speed automatic. The odometer reads just shy of 147,000 actual miles. No word on the running condition, though we can compliment the underhood cleanliness – it’s not show-room fresh, but it’s pretty nice considering all those miles.
The Sport also dished up nearly every interior feature found on its expensive sibling – except for the seats. Sport buyers had to settle for a bench seat, as Chrysler reserved bucket seating for the 300H – but everyone enjoyed real leather. This cabin is in great condition, with only the slightest sag in the left bottom cushion of the driver’s seat and modest wear throughout. The rear seats look unlived-on. The gauge set is ensconced in a big, central housing right in front of the driver – a design feature popularized in the late 1950s by Chevy’s Corvette.
Diagonally tilted dual headlights were already employed by Lincoln, Studebaker, and Buick on its Electra, but that didn’t make buyers any more amenable to the trend. Even today, collectors have strong opinions about this feature. But to focus on condition for a minute – this car is about as well-cared for cosmetically as you could find. Still, judging by this sale of a similar car with a manual gearbox for less than $20k, our seller may need to discount his price on this four-door to move it down the road. What do you think?
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Comments
147,000 miles? That does not compute.
At least Chrysler and Imperial were spared the ugly downsized chicken wing styling of Plymouth and Dodge. The canted lights were used more successfully on Ill fated 61 DeSoto,which were similar to 60 Lincolns. Using the 300 name for a mid line car was an insult to storied 300 letter series. At least DeSoto went out with FINS soaring high! 🏆
Are we sure bout the 147000 miles? The interior and engine compartment as mentioned in the article look pretty good. I have to agree the 2 extra doors aren’t a plus for the price. Still looks to be a nice survivor. Land ho! Glwts
When I was an eleven year old boy there was a neighbor that owned a new red 300 two door hard top with the hot 413 under the hood. He ran the hell out of it, it really sounded awesome to those 11 year old ears! It was said back then that the 300 would 150 topped out! I never got a ride as my father thought the 300 owner was dangerous and forbade me from going over there, but what a sight watching him peel out with big 413 roaring down those old country blacktop roads of my youth!
I’m still trying hard to think of any Studebaker that had slanted headlights – Lincoln ,Buick ,DeSoto and Chrysler yes, but Studebaker ? there wasn’t too many Studes that even had quad headlights , let alone slanted ones
The only Studebakers I recall having quads were 58 Packardbaker Hawks. Those were not slanted, but in awkward bolt on pods. Like DeSoto, Buick, Lincoln, no manufacturer buildings anything this, even if they have managed to survive.
The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III and Bentley Continental S coupes and drop-heads, costing over $20,000 had the “slanted” head lights. In England they are sometimes racistly called “Chinese eyes.” This was, afterall 1963-65, but still! Not the prettiest car, but rare, valuable and popular with celebrities.
So did the Series I Ferrari 330 GT 2+2. Very slight slant on those, but not popular. The Ser II corrected that error. Also have to give a nod to the gearbox however, the Ser I had a four-speed/overdrive, and the II received a five-speed.
Marilyn Monroe was seen quite a bit with a white 1961 300H coupe. Not sure if she owned it? At her 1962 death I understand she had a 4-door 1960 Cadillac. Her 1956 black Thubderbird, which sold a few years back for over $500,000! was gifted to the Strasberg family. She also had a ’52? black Cadillac convertible. This was from Jack Benny in lieu of either a radio or TV performance payment.
61 was a 300G
Quote. “Diagonally tilted dual headlights were already employed by Lincoln, Studebaker,…”
Studebaker? When?
The canted headlights were on the ’61 Chryslers originally so the ’62s were just a carryover. Chrysler/Exner reportedly got the idea from the ’58-’60 Lincolns.
“The Sport also dished up nearly every interior feature found on its expensive sibling – except for the seats. Sport buyers had to settle for a bench seat, as Chrysler reserved bucket seating for the 300H.”
Not exactly. The non-letter 300 had buckets with center armrest (instead of the 300H console) in the convertible (optional in the 2-DR HT) and the front seat here appears to be that option even though it supposedly wasn’t offered in the 4DR HT.
The 300H had front AND rear leather bucket seats, and a full length console, front to rear
I no da great rep of the 300 Chrysler (even asa ford guy) but didn’t remember the today-matching frnt end. For doz yrs (is that right?) we’ve been back to that huge grill opening. Here’s an earlier rendition of it. Looks alot better than today’s articles~
22k? Boring…