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1957 Chrysler 300C Photos, engines & full specs

Segment: Coupe
Production years: 1957, 1958, 1959

CHRYSLER 300C 1957-1959 16 Photos
CHRYSLER 300C (1957-1959)CHRYSLER 300C (1957-1959)CHRYSLER 300C (1957-1959)CHRYSLER 300C (1957-1959)CHRYSLER 300C (1957-1959)CHRYSLER 300C (1957-1959)CHRYSLER 300C (1957-1959)CHRYSLER 300C (1957-1959)CHRYSLER 300C (1957-1959)CHRYSLER 300C (1957-1959)CHRYSLER 300C (1957-1959)CHRYSLER 300C (1957-1959)CHRYSLER 300C (1957-1959)CHRYSLER 300C (1957-1959)CHRYSLER 300C (1957-1959)CHRYSLER 300C (1957-1959)

Virgil Exner penned the second generation of the Chrysler 300 letter series, and unlike its predecessor, it sported the C-letter after the number.

The coupe was both a luxurious and fast vehicle. Besides its design that was out of the ordinary, it also provided a lavish interior, air conditioning, and a beast under the hood. Chrysler advertised the 300C as "the most glamorous car in a generation."

While it wasn't the first letter-series Chrysler designed by Exner, the 300C was one of its bests. At the front, the car featured four round headlamps mounted on the upper side of the fenders and surrounded by a chromed trim. The broad trapezoidal shiny grille and the V-shaped bumper just added more flair to the vehicle's look. From its side, the hard-top coupe didn't have any B-pillar, completing the image of a faux-cabriolet. But the most attractive part of the vehicle was on the back, where the fins on the quarter panels and the angular, vertical taillights were unique.

Inside, Chrysler put everything it got in terms of luxury for the 300C, from power windows and seats to air conditioning and a sound system with discs. That's how confident they were with their suspensions. The bench seat at the front was wide enough for three passengers, and so was the rear one. There were three large dials on the instrument panel in front of the driver, with a clock in the middle, the speedometer on the left, and four gauges on the right side for the water temperature, fuel level, oil pressure, and amps.

Under the hood, Chrysler installed its majestic 392 Hemi engine fed by dual four-barrel carburetors. It was paired with a choice of two three-speed gearboxes, one manual and one automatic.

CHRYSLER 300C 1957, 1958, 1959
  2 gasoline engines
  • 6.4L V8 3AT RWD (375 HP)
  • 6.4L V8 3AT RWD (390 HP)
brochures (download)
CHRYSLER 300C Brochure

CHRYSLER 300C
6.4L V8 3AT RWD (375 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 6.4L V8 3AT RWD (375 HP)
Cylinders:V8
Displacement:6435 cm3
Power:280 KW @ 5200 RPM
381 HP @ 5200 RPM
375 BHP @ 5200 RPM
Torque:420 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM
569 Nm @ 4000 RPM
Fuel System:2 Carburetors
Fuel:Gasoline
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:124 mph (200 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):8.9 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:3-speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Drums
Rear:Drums
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:9 X 14
DIMENSIONS
Length:219.2 in (5568 mm)
Width:78.8 in (2002 mm)
Height:54.7 in (1389 mm)
Front/rear Track:61.2/60 in (1,554/1,524 mm)
Wheelbase:126 in (3200 mm)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.45
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:4235 lbs (1921 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
Combined:11 mpg US (21.4 L/100Km)

CHRYSLER 300C
6.4L V8 3AT RWD (390 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 6.4L V8 3AT RWD (390 HP)
Cylinders:V8
Displacement:6435 cm3
Power:291 KW @ 5400 RPM
395 HP @ 5400 RPM
390 BHP @ 5400 RPM
Torque:420 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM
569 Nm @ 4000 RPM
Fuel System:2 Carburetors
Fuel:Gasoline
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:131 mph (211 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):8 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:3-speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Drums
Rear:Drums
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:9 X 14
DIMENSIONS
Length:219.2 in (5568 mm)
Width:78.8 in (2002 mm)
Height:54.7 in (1389 mm)
Front/rear Track:61.2/60 in (1,554/1,524 mm)
Wheelbase:126 in (3200 mm)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.45
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:4235 lbs (1921 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
Combined:10.5 mpg US (22.4 L/100Km)
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