413ci OHV Golden Lion V8 Engine
2 Carter 4-Barrel Carburetors with Cross-Ram Intake
375bhp at 5,000rpm
Push-Button TorqueFlite Automatic Transmission
Front Independent Suspension - Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Hydraulic Power Drum Brakes

*Offered from the John White Ramshead Collection
*Recently restored, stunning example of the hallowed Chrysler 'Letter Series' cars
*One of just 337 Convertible 300-G, fully-loaded, top-of-the-line examples made
*Virgin Exner-styled Chrysler nicknamed 'The Bankers Hot Rod' in period due to cost and performance

THE CHRYSLER 'LETTER SERIES' CARS

Personal luxury cars of a rather glorious anachronism, Chrysler's 300 'Letter Series' cars established a firm footing for Chrysler as a chief leader in performance and style. For ten successive years, each were given an assigned alphabet letter suffix and through their development, are considered to be an early ancestor of the muscle car. With Chrysler's most powerful FirePower 331ci Hemi, a 300bhp homologation C-300, introduced in 1955 and the first of the series, enjoyed considerable NASCAR racing success. In its later form, a 413ci Golden Lion V8 with Chrysler's soon-to-be legendary Ram Induction dual four-barrel carburetor set-up powered the 300, pushing horsepower nearest 400bhp. When paired with Chrysler's push-button Torque-Flite automatic transmission and specialized heavy-duty front suspension, the 300 possessed astonishing performance. A modified example would go on to hit 189.99 mph at Bonneville, while another set a Flying Mile class record at Daytona Beach.

The seventh edition of Chrysler's fabled 'Letter Series' cars, the 1961 300-G marked the final, pure expression of Virgil Exner's 'Forward Look' designs and continued to represent perhaps the ultimate American automotive design and engineering statement of its era. Stylistic revisions for 1961 included canted quad headlamps, following an industry trend, and a revised rear-end treatment. Most importantly, this was still an exceptional performance machine. According to a test by Car Life, the 375-brake horsepower, 413-cubic-inch 'Wedgehead' V-8 with its tuned dual Cross-Ram intake could propel the 300-G from rest to 60 mph in just over eight seconds – quite remarkable for a large American car of the period. The Chrysler 'Letter Series' cars were always costly and limited in production, hence they were nicknamed the 'banker's hot rod'.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This stunning example of the seventh series 'Letter Series' cars designated as the 300-G model is one of the just 337 Convertible examples made in 1961. The new top-of-the-line performance Chrysler cost a staggering $5,841 from new. This fine example has been treated to a recent restoration by the capable inhouse technician at the Ramshead Collection, and is finished in a striking white exterior paint, with a matching new white convertible top, while the luxurious interior has been fully retrimmed in tan by noted interior specialist Gary Goers of Kalispell, Montana. Appropriate large white wall tires are fitted, with the original color-coded stainless-steel hubcaps mounted in the center. Red/white/blue Chrysler 300-G emblems are in place, and the stunning chrome and brightwork shines incredibly well. Inside, the individual bucket seats present as new, and the driver's seat features the cool swivel option for ease of entry and exit. The list of power amenities will rival most cars even by today's standards. The spectacular Astra-dome dashboard gives one the feeling of flying a spaceship, and out front in the beautifully detailed engine compartment lays the powerful 413ci 'Wedgehead' Golden Lion V8 engine, putting out 375 horsepower thanks to the high-tech Cross-Ram intake system, fed by two Carter 4-barrel carburetors. The TorqueFlite Automatic Transmission is controlled by push buttons on the dash, very much like a modern luxury car. Period-correct California license plates are fitted, and the history file offered with the car contains receipts from the recent restoration performed.

This long-fin, rare 300-G series Convertible is breathtaking in every way. Big and fast, these cars harkened to the 1930s classic era, when the largest, most luxurious and prestigious cars on the road were also some of the fastest and best handling machines available. A stunning example of the hallowed Chrysler 'Letter Series' cars - one of just 337 units made - perfectly described in period as 'The Bankers Hot Rod' due to the high price tag when new and exhilarating performance.