Chrysler’s ‘Letter Series’ cars epitomize a glorious bygone era of personal luxury vehicles, solidifying Chrysler’s position as a leader in both performance and style. Over a decade, each model was distinguished by an alphabet letter suffix, laying the groundwork for what would evolve into the muscle car genre.
The inaugural C-300, equipped with Chrysler’s potent FirePower 331ci Hemi, dominated NASCAR circuits with 300 horsepower, setting a formidable standard. Subsequent iterations, like the 413ci Golden Lion V8 variant, boasting nearly 400 horsepower, showcased Chrysler’s innovation, especially when paired with the advanced Torque-Flite automatic transmission and heavy-duty suspension, delivering astounding performance and setting records at venues like Bonneville and Daytona Beach.
The 1961 300-G, the final edition of Chrysler’s ‘Letter Series,’ embodied Virgil Exner’s visionary ‘Forward Look’ design philosophy. Sporting stylish updates such as canted quad headlamps and a refined rear-end treatment, the 300-G remained a pinnacle of American automotive engineering.
Car Life’s tests revealed its formidable power, with the 375-brake horsepower, 413-cubic-inch ‘Wedgehead’ V-8 propelling the car from 0 to 60 mph in just over eight seconds, a remarkable feat for its time. Despite their high cost and limited production, these vehicles earned the moniker ‘banker’s hot rod,’ encapsulating their allure and exclusivity in automotive history.
Photo Source: Bonhams
