1955 Chrysler C300

1955 Chrysler 300 Series Description:

1955 Chrysler C300

Serial number: 3N552249

Owner: Charles Clark

History: I have owned this car for over 30 years. I bought it in Denver from the son of the original owner, a Mr. Christon, who bought it as a company car for his machine shop business. The car was basically sound and unmolested when I bought it but needed extensive restoration to return it to full use. Detailed below is what has been done to restore the car to fully reliable operation.

Engine: 331 cubic inch dual 4 barrel hemi 300HP,SN: 3NE552278 (The prefix 3 establishes that it a genuine C300 engine) The engine was rebuilt by Jim Page the former Holly racing rep. Parts were supplied new by Hot Heads in Lowgap, NC. It has the solid lifters that give it the distinctive high performance sound. It is equipped with stainless steel valves and double roller camshaft drive. The engine was fully balanced prior to assembly. It only has break-in miles on it. It has a 9.5 compression ratio to run on pump gas.

Transmission: the correct 7 clutch transmission was professionally rebuilt by Lynn Harmes Performance transmissions in Denver.

Brakes: New wheel cylinders, brake linings and wheel bearings have been installed. The power master cylinder was rebuilt by Whitepost restorations.

Body: The color is black painted complete in single stage Deltron paint. Some non structural rust correction was done on the rear fender area prior to painting. The bumpers have been rechromed but all other trim is original finish.

Wheels: The wire wheels are original. Tires are brand new Diamond back radials with wide whites

Interior: The interior is a professionally installed Goers kit that is an exact copy of the original tan cowhide. Seats, doors, carpet and trunk were totally redone.

Glass: The glass is probably original and is clear. The windshield is pitted but is clear with no cracks or bull’s-eyes. Manual operation of window works properly.

Miscellaneous: A new exhaust system with modern mufflers has been installed. All shocks are new with air lift shocks in the rear. The radiator has been recored with a modern core so the engine never overheats.

Driving experience: This car drives as near new as it is possible to make it. It has been driven sufficiently to establish reliability. I consider it to be a “drive anywhere” car. It is one of the few built with manual steering which has been replaced by a correct power steering unit. This car is fast as the name “Beautiful Brute” implies. It feels big and heavy until the engine builds revs and then it just keeps accelerating. It has a buttoned down ride that does not float like other cars of the era, will probably still do its 129 mph top speed but I don’t push it. I think that you will have to look long and hard to find a nicer C300. I am parting with it so I can do another restoration. I hope it finds a new home with an appreciative owner.

P.S. The car took second place in the national C300 meet in Golden, Colorodo in 2012. At that time it was fully judged and certified as to correctness.

Note: This car was also used by Moebius to get dimensions for the new model kit that was just released. It was also a display car at the Forney museum in Denver.