West Coast Classics are proud to present an exceptionally straight and beautifully restored only as required over the years and always rust free great daily driving survivor of this very rare and original 'Mopar Big Fin' 1958 Chrysler 300D Letter Series 2 door Convertible with the legendary High Performance 392 CID 380HP V8 Golden Lion 'Wedge-Type' engine with dual Carter 4 bbl carburetors which was extremely powerful for its day and which would become the basis for a successful racing engine in Chrysler's future and cemented Chrysler's reputation for engineering great engines that would serve Chrysler well in various forms for the next 20 years. The option list was extensive and this particular car is loaded with AM radio, power steering, power seat, power windows, heater and these luxurious amenities of their day gave rise to these rare and expensive vehicles becoming renown as the "Banker's hot-rod"!
The flagship and most expensive models for the Chrysler lineup in the late fifties was the Letter Series convertibles and coupes and were called the 'Beautiful Brutes' by the renown writer Karl Ludvigsen and produced two of the most memorable performance cars ever made. Unabashadely created for NASCAR which they dominated until 1957 when US manufacturers shied away from competition support. Originally powered by the most potent V8 Hemis yet, the 1955 C-300 (1,725 built) and the 1956 300-B (1,102 built) had a New Yorker Newport fine body styling with an Imperial eggcrate grille. Off the track the 300 proved to be about more than just performance with a luxurious leather interior and all modern factory options.
In 1957 the 300-C and in 1958 the 300-D were even more potent extensions of Chrysler's hotrod with the 392/375HP V8 and were the last of the Hemi powered Letter Series cars and sold in both coupe (618 built) and the new convertible form (191 built). The '57 Hemi produced around 375HP and the '58 optional 'Hi-Po' engine was a fuel injected 392 conservatively rated at 390HP.
This particular 1958 Chrysler 300D Convertible example boasts a roster of desirable factory options including; power windows, power brakes, power seats and heater with the body in very solid and original condition and with the chrome and bright trim all complete and intact including the 300D emblems.
Survivors from this era are rare making this car an asset to any dedicated Chrysler or MOPAR collection. The 392 / 380HP V8 engine runs strong and sounds absolutely magnificent and this particular car drives really well - must be driven to be appreciated - does not miss a beat and purrs like a kitten - drives straight as an arrow with no strange road wobbles, shakes or rattles - a truly remarkable daily driver that will give any modern day car a run for it's money!
An All-New Body for 1957 and one of just 191 1958 Chrysler 300D Convertibles Built
Powered by the Unbridled 392 CID 380 HP Dual 4BBL Carbs Hemi Engine
Restored in Original 300D Color of 'Matador Red' with Natural 'Beige' Leather
Engineered for High Performance, Outfitted for Pure Luxury
Restyled for 1957/8, Chrysler completely redesigned their flagship 300-Series with the 300C & D, which combined clean, aggressive, forward-look styling with comprehensive, high-performance engineering. Designer Virgil Exner described its sleek, dynamic profile as the new shape of motion. Its considerable $4,924 list price delivered each fortunate owner with a high-performance vehicle built to win the rapidly advancing horsepower race outright at 375 hp with the new, larger 392 cid Hemi engine. The newest Chrysler 300 engine was uprated in many ways when compared with the standard Hemi in the New Yorker line, including dual-quad carburretion, 9.25:1 compression, solid lifters, a hotter cam, double valve springs, hardened crankshaft, and tri-metal bearings.