Swan Song Survivor: 1965 Chrysler 300L
The Chrysler Letter Series is considered to be the muscle car behind the muscle car, having come nearly a decade before the Pontiac GTO. It was a luxurious performance car with connections to Chrysler’s New Yorker. By 1965 the muscle car market had quickly shifted to mid-size automobiles, so Chrysler retired the Letter Series after the 300L. This beautiful example has had a lot of recent mechanical work done and sounds like a potential bargain. Located in Aledo, Texas, this Mopar is available here on craigslist for $15,800 OBO. Another great tip from T.J.!
1955 was the first model year for what would become known as the Letter Series. The first one was the C-300, then the naming logic changed to 300B in 1956, 300C in 1957, and so forth. Chrysler didn’t skip a beat through 1965, offering one of these fancy performance machines every annum. In its final year, the 300L had the same crisp styling the rest of the full-size Chryslers received over the bulky, boxy 1964 models. Elwood Engel had taken over from Virgin Exner as head designer, so these cars featured his influence. The 390 hp cross-ram 413 cubic inch V8 had been discontinued in favor of a single 4-barrel that was good for 360 horses.
Some 2,845 300Ls were produced in 1965, of which all but 400 were 2-door hardtops like this one. This car has the standard 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission instead of the no-extra-cost 4-speed manual that was available. The odometer is said to read 78,000 miles which could be legit. We suspect the car has been sitting for a while given the list of things the seller says have been done to it.
New to this Chrysler is the fuel system from front to back, the fuel pump, tires, battery, partial brakes, and a rebuilt radiator. Everything seems to be in order and ready to go, though the factory A/C could use a recharge. All the lights are said to work, including the cool “L” in the grille that lights up a night. The seller needs to move this 300 because other projects are pressing, so this could be a great survivor-quality car for weekend outings. The only thing key missing in the seller’s listing is any under-the-hood photos.
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Comments
The only way this car could be any better is for it to have the factory four speed and a convertible top. Really like these and the New Yorker it’s based on from that year. Definitely worth what they’re asking for if the engine passes muster.
Dang, it’s as big as a whale! Someone had to say it. No, no 4 speed or ragtop. This isn’t for stoplight dragracing or cruising for some chicks. This is a gentleman’s touring coupe. You take your mistress for a weekend in Door County while you tell your wife you are on a business retreat.
And it seats about 20
Chrysler may not have skipped a beat but in 1963 they skipped a letter, going from 300H to 300J. It’s said “I” was skipped because it was thought it might be confused with a “1” (ie the numeral “one”), the same reasoning explaining why there are so few “I cup” bras, some manufacturers filling the gap in the market between “H cup” & “J cup” with a “HH cup” but there’s no evidence Chrysler ever pondered a “300HH”.
Thanks for the education on the cup size. Anything over C is just a waste anyway. Cheers
“D” cups for me, please. 😁
ACB lol. That may be the first bra metaphor on Barnfinds (.)(.) 🤝
Oh yes, and talk about one cool Mopar 😎
nice car. why kill the look with the clown tach and white letter tires?
What engine was in this one, the 383, 413, or a 440?
A 413 was the only engine available on the 300-L, which is interesting, as the 1965 Sport Fury could be had with a 426 Street Wedge. The 440 made its introduction in 1966.
There was a 300-L, 4-speed Coupe in Burgundy, for sale in Portland, OR on EBay about 3 months ago. Alas, I’m currently working on a house…which has to come first.
A beautiful Chrysler, that looks to be in excellent condition, but why not include some pics under the hood and under the car?
I love this body style, the long straight slightly indented sides. Dad owned a 1967 4 door hard top New Yorker. I never got close to seating “20”, lol, but did manage 10. Ahh to be 17 again.
A few years back Hemmings had one of these listed as “A bankers hot rod”. That one was factory equipped mit der 413 and THE four speed.
OMG, what a beautiful 1965 Chrysler 300L. Barnfinds has been tempting me with many classic Mopars here lately and this chin turner is no exception. Very fair price for this beauty. The 413 engine this one has, or should have, is in itself a work of art. Damn.
One beautiful 300 way too far from me dang it!!! Why the tach on the dash and white raised letting tires🤦♂️🤦♂️?? I would of put double thin red walls on this beauty. Would love more pictures 9 don’t cut it. The engine and the frame. This is a very fair price. Good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
Beautiful car! Personally, I would like a four-door New Yorker, as “performance” is wasted on me, frankly. I love to see old cars in this condition!
Beautiful car! Personally, I would like a four-door New Yorker, as “performance” is wasted on me, frankly. I love to see old cars in this condition!
Dang pretty!
The instrument cluster is what sells this to me.
Growing up we had a 66 Newport so the same bones and that cluster was so cool.
The Newport had a 383 2 barrel but could still move. I recall my father taking it over 100 on some PA country roads.
A 300L would be a nice replacement for that car
Dad had a 300L convertible. White like this car. Sold it in the late 70- early 80s for $600. One of his biggest regrets. Mine too.