The 1955-1956 Chrysler C300/300B is the first of what writer Karl Ludvigsen called the "Beautiful Brutes," and two of the most memorable performance cars ever made. Unabashedly created for NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), which they dominated until U.S. manufacturers shied away from factory competition support in early 1957.
Powered by the most potent Hemi V-8s yet, the 1955 C-300 (as it was officially designated) and 1956 300-B had Virgil Exner's fine body styling, a New Yorker Newport hardtop body with an Imperial egg-crate grille. Though primarily a showroom attention-getter, off the track the big 300 was more than just performance. It also offered luxurious accommodations (including leather upholstery), though it was naturally harder-riding and noisier than a New Yorker.
Pluses of the 1955-1956 Chrysler C300/300B:
Powered by the most potent Hemi V-8s yet, the 1955 C-300 (as it was officially designated) and 1956 300-B had Virgil Exner's fine body styling, a New Yorker Newport hardtop body with an Imperial egg-crate grille. Though primarily a showroom attention-getter, off the track the big 300 was more than just performance. It also offered luxurious accommodations (including leather upholstery), though it was naturally harder-riding and noisier than a New Yorker.
Pluses of the 1955-1956 Chrysler C300/300B:
-
One of the very important Milestone cars
- Prime investment
- Very fast
- Satisfying to drive
Minuses of the 1955-1956 Chrysler C300/300B:
- Scarcity
- High prices
- Fuel thirst (and a taste for high-octane gas now hard to come by)
Production of the 1955-1956 Chrysler C300/300B:
- 1955: 1,725
- 1956: 1,102
Specifications
of the 1955-1956 Chrysler C300/300B:
Length, inches: 218.6 (1955), 220.4 (1956)
Wheelbase, inches: 126.0
Weight, pounds: 4,005-4,145
Price, new: $4,110-4,419
Engines
for the 1955-1956 Chrysler C300/300B:Type Size Horsepower Years ohv V-8
331.1/354 300/340/355 1955-1956
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