360 V8? 1964 Chrysler 300
From 1955 through 1965, Chrysler offered the “Letter Series” 300 automobiles, which were built for performance and to be stylish, both at the same time. Chrysler further capitalized on the latter by introducing the “Sport Series” of the 300 in 1962 which was intended for less adventurous buyers and to fill a gap left behind by the demise of the DeSoto. This 1964 Chrysler 300 is a two-owner car that may only have 66,000 original miles. It presents well for being 58 years old and can be found in San Antonio, Texas. A tip from local_sheriff, this Mopar is available here on craigslist where the asking price has been reduced to $12,000 (we don’t know the original amount).
Unlike the 300 “letter” cars, the Sport Series came with a smaller V8 engine, which during the first generation (1962-64) was the 383 cubic inch version (the 413 was standard in the 1964 300K). The cars had bench seats, whereas the Letters had bucket seats with a console. The Sports also offered a 4-door hardtop, whereas both offered 2-door hardtops and convertibles. Because the autos were restyled in 1963, the 1964 models saw minor adjustments with the grille and taillights. Chrysler built 13,400 300 2-door hardtops in 1964 compared to just 3,000 copies of the same as the more robust 300K.
Except for a couple of things, this might be an original automobile. The seller says there is a 360 V8 under the hood, which was not a motor that Chrysler offered before 1974. So, there’s either been an engine swap, or the seller is mistaken. As a lesser point, the wheel covers don’t match from one side to the other. The pair on the driver’s side look like ones from the 1963 Chryslers, while the passenger side would be correct for the year.
The seller says this car has been garage-kept all its life and its condition reflects that. No major problems are noted for the body or white paint and the interior looks sweet, apparently upgraded to bucket seats like in the 300K. This Chrysler has an automatic transmission that is floor-shifted rather than on the dash with pushbuttons (through 1964). The only thing we’re told the car needs is a shot of freon in the factory A/C and the machine will come with a bunch of extra parts (not specified). It may be me, but the car also looks to be sitting a bit low in the rear. The seller has a lot of stuff for sale, as photos of other cars and motorcycles populate the listing.
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Comments
The seller was close,the engine was a 361. Many parts were interchangeable with the 383.
The 361 wasn’t offered in these non-letter 300s — the 383 was standard and the 413 was optional. The 361 was standard in the Newport series with no option available for the larger engines.
Not so true Tiger….the 383 was available as an optional engine on the Newport….I have a 64 Newport sedan with a factory 383.
I know, many look at this car and exclaim, “IT’S HIDEOUS”,,and while that may be true, it’s a fantastic road car. My brother had a car like this, and to say it rolled like thunder, would be an understatement. I remember once, he even shmeared a deer with it, the deer got the worse end of that deal. Chrysler sure went the entire gamut, fantastic road car to the Dodge Omni, but there was a time, this time, they were the nicest cars.
Not hideous at all, a beautiful car from a company I consider the maker of the first modern muscle car in 1962.
I never really looked at the dash on these. I really like the look. Flat panels with round gauges, simple, not gimmicky. Glad I looked at the listing. Really cool detail.
It looks quite original under there. I think the seller just got the description wrong. This looks like a very nice car for a fair price – not a bargain, but not too much either.
If it needs “a shot of Freon” that means there’s a leak, possibly a significant one in a hard-to-access place like the evaporator. (If it were really that simple, why wouldn’t the seller do and advertise working factory AC?)
Other than that, looks like a cool car!
The seller could be referring to the FirePower 360 which was a 413 CID engine. Also, according to period literature, buckets seats (passenger seat reclines) with a console shift were standard for all of the Chrysler 300 models
I had a Silver Spring addition with the square steering wheel. Add a set of Chrysler wire wheels and it transforms the look!
nicely optioned,heater core is by-passed [that would be a ‘bear’ to replace]..way overpriced
Just to be nit picky – the 360 was introduced in 1971 , with a two barrel carb . I t may not have been available in Chryslers until 74, but it was in other full size Mopars
Back when America was making automobiles. Not JUNK like they are now.
Ward Cleaver’s new car that Wally wrecked in one episode looked like that could have been one of these Chryslers. Or perhaps a Plymouth/Dodge variant of. LOL
Ward Cleaver drove Plymouths. The car you mention was Wards then brand new 1963 Plymouth Fury. I believe it was the last car we saw him with.
I had a light mint green 1964 Newport convertible. Sold it to a friend of mine whose sister was getting married in 1970. She junked the car in 1989. Wish I still had not sold that car until this day. It had a 361 v8 with a two barrel carb. Great running engine that got 18mpg combined hwy and city driving
There is a lot of confusion regarding this car , so to the point, 360 engines had distributor in the rear and not at front as photo of eng compartment seems to indicate. So eng is definitely a B eng which came in many configurations from a 350 to a 440.Check the VIN
When we were kids my dad bought a 1963 300 non letter sedan from our uncle. It had a 361 big block w/4 barrel carb. I remember dad punched it once passing a car on a 2 lane highway and it snapped our head back like I had never experienced before.