The 1965-1966 Chrysler
300 2D Hardtop and Convertible were the sportiest of the first
Chryslers styled by Elwood Engel. Engel replaced Virgil Exner as
Highland Park design chief in 1962, and repeated many of the design
hallmarks he'd used at Ford -- mainly squarish contours and
chrome-edged fenderlines.
The non-letter 300 was the mid-range series as before, offering a hardtop sedan and a (likely export-only) pillared four-door, in addition to the customary convertible and hardtop coupe. Like other Chryslers, they were longer and heavier than in 1963-64, but reverted from 413 V-8s to the smaller, corporate-mainstay 383.
When the letter-series departed after '65, these two-door 300s became the sportiest of all Chryslers, acquiring standard front bucket seats (previously optional) and a somewhat busy, minor facelift.
Pluses of the 1965-1966 Chrysler 300 2D Hardtop & Convertible:
 ©2007 Publications International, Ltd. 1966 Chrysler 300 hardtop coupe. |
The non-letter 300 was the mid-range series as before, offering a hardtop sedan and a (likely export-only) pillared four-door, in addition to the customary convertible and hardtop coupe. Like other Chryslers, they were longer and heavier than in 1963-64, but reverted from 413 V-8s to the smaller, corporate-mainstay 383.
When the letter-series departed after '65, these two-door 300s became the sportiest of all Chryslers, acquiring standard front bucket seats (previously optional) and a somewhat busy, minor facelift.
Pluses of the 1965-1966 Chrysler 300 2D Hardtop & Convertible:
- Period Chrysler virtues, plus nicer styling, especially '65
- Convertibles very rare
- Excellent club support
- Still somewhat undervalued
Minuses of the 1965-1966 Chrysler 300 2D Hardtop & Convertible:
- Likely long-term return on investment
- More Chryslers not widely saved, so trim and body panels just as difficult
Production of the 1965 Chrysler 300 2D Hardtop & Convertible:
2d htp, 11,621; conv, 1418
Production of the 1966 Chrysler 300 2D Hardtop & Convertible:
2d htp, 24,103; conv, 2500
Specifications of the 1965-1966 Chrysler 300 2D Hardtop & Convertible:
Length, inches: 218.2/222.0 (1965/66)
Wheelbase, inches: 124.0
Weight, pounds: 3,940-4,085
Price, new: $3,551-$3,936 (U.S.)
Engines for the 1965-1966 Chrysler 300 2D Hardtop & Convertible:
| Type | Size | Horsepower | Years |
| ohv V-8 | 383 cid | 315/325/360 | 1965-1966 |
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