Description

Chrysler practically invented luxury muscle with the first 300, and it's only fitting that they would be one of the last ones still in the game when this 1979 Chrysler 300 was built. Rare when it was new and virtually unseen since, this car has "future collectable" written all over it.

The 300 was basically a dressed-up Cordoba, and they added the gun sight grille trim to recall the original 300 from decades earlier, plus red and blue pinstripes, custom badges, and a few other exterior details to set it apart, and while the original Spinnaker White isn't exciting, it should be a relief to all of us that it's not 1979's most popular color: brown. There's no padded roof, either, which gives it a sleek look, and you'll note that this is one of only a handful of such cars built with a sunroof. Correct blue and red pinstripes, the original-and rare-300 badges, and the big, square taillights are in great shape. Of note, this car wears what might very well be the last NOS 300 grille in the world.

The 300's major changes take place inside, where you got a pair of Corinthian Leather buckets flanking a center console, as well as a full-sized back seat that could handle three passengers. That sure looks like vintage 1979 leather, and it's holding up remarkably well, with no splits or tears and only light wear on the outer bolsters. Carpets, door panels, and even the dash pad don't seem to have seen the passage of more than three decades, and the unique 300 dashboard features an engine-turned finish and a tachometer. A long list of features defined Chrysler's top-of-the-line halo vehicle, including power windows, A/C, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM/8-track stereo that's still in place. The trunk is finished with a correct mat and spare tire cover, as well as what might be the original spare tire.

Living up to the 300's reputation as a potent street performer, the 360 cubic inch V8 under the hood is rated at 195 horsepower, which isn't too shabby considering the era. A TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic gearbox was the only choice, and it spins a set of 3.23 gears that make it a fantastic highway cruiser. The chassis has been undercoated, but there are few signs of neglect or rust underneath, and despite an upgraded suspension package, the 300 glides along in traditional American luxury. Unique turbine wheelcovers give the 300 a sporty look that probably played well in 1979, and has been fitted with fat 245/60/1 BFGoodrich radials.

Nobody kept these as collector's items, so finding one this nice is all but impossible. But if you're a Mopar guy, this is an indispensable piece of history. Call today!