Chrysler paved the way for the true muscle car era in 1955 with the introduction of their 300 Hardtop, named after the 300 horsepower 331ci V8 Hemi under the hood. It would dominate the NASCAR circuit, and with continued engineering improvement year after year, would go on to set passenger car speed records at Daytona Beach. As engine displacement increased, so did the horsepower. By 1957, Chrysler's 300C Hemi was now 392 cubic inches making 375 horsepower! They would also add a convertible model to the lineup in limited quantities this year along with Virgil Exner's "Forward Look" style design in full display. The quad headlights, egg crate grill with '300' emblem centered like a target taking aim, and prominent tail fins at the rear!
They were remarkable road cars, engineered by Chrysler as their "premier luxury sports car". A 413ci wedge engine came in 1958 with the same 375 horsepower, which later adopted cross-ram intake runners in 1960 giving the dual Carter AFB carburetion a unique under hood presentation! The 1961 300G features the last of the huge tail fins along with the absence of the distracting rear trunk 'toilet seat" ornament, replaced instead by stamped ribbing perfecting the overall presentation. Up front, the headlights were now angled for an aggressive appearance when the car was coming at you, a similar visual aspect that Chrysler & Dodge continue to use today!
We are very proud to offer this beautifully restored 1961 Chrysler 300G Convertible finished in Marti Gras Red over Tan Leather interior with White convertible soft top! Powered by its original, code correct 413ci High-Performance Ram Induction V8 and pushbutton 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission to produce 375 horsepower and 495 lb. ft. or torque! Options are abundant to include Astradome instrumentation panel with electroluminescent lighting, power steering, power brakes, power convertible top & windows, power driver seat, swivel seats, remote outside mirror, Jiffy Jet windshield washer, Golden Tone pushbutton AM radio, pushbutton heat/defrost controls, Remington L78-15 4-ply polyester wide whitewall tires, full chrome wheel disc covers, Sparton horns, and reverse lights! The 300G is the second production year utilizing a unibody chassis design providing an incredibly rigid foundation for a solid sports car feel! In total, Chrysler would produce 1,617 300G vehicles, or which only 337 would be in convertible form.
Our special 300G Convertible carries option code 387 on its build sheet referring to a closed crankcase ventilation system, so it would have been sold in California when new. This example was maintained by a longtime California collector, Bill Caffey, for nearly 35 years. He located this Chrysler in Los Gatos, CA in November 1974 with only 56,000 miles on the odometer. While in his care, he elected to have the exterior professionally refinished in 1976 along with re-plating the bumpers. The front seat leathers and interior carpet would be next for replacement, all performed by interior specialist, Gary Goers, in 1981. It would be shown often earning dozens of awards at regional shows surrounding his home in Ventura, California, adding nearly 20,000 miles to the car over 32 years. In 2006/2007, he elected to have a complete overhaul of the entire drivetrain to freshen internals and replaced all seals and gaskets. This included all ancillary components like the water pump, re-cored radiator, new belts, ignition components, and rebuilding the carburetors as well. It continues to run and operate splendidly!
Soon after the mechanical overhaul, it would sell after over three decades of ownership with 79,000 original miles to the Menlove Muscle Car Collection based in Utah in 2008. They would continue the proper care and upkeep of this rare 300G Convertible for the next 6 years, then pass the torch one more time in 2014 to a private collector until its arrival here at the St. Louis Car Museum in August 2024. The odometer reading now reads just 80,455 actual miles. It continues to start, run, and operate wonderfully in all respects, but does ride on older bias ply tires. You will have a very hard time finding a nicer example to choose from in the open market, so don't miss this opportunity as they don't come along often! Please feel free to call with any additional questions or to schedule a chance to review it in person. Thanks for looking!
