Specifications
Chrysler 300 letter series
Chrysler 300 letter series factory specifications: 126 sourced across 11 model years, 1955–1965.
126 specifications · 108 sources
1955
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 126 in | 2-door hardtop |
| Overall length | 218.8 in | 2-door hardtop |
| Overall width | 79.1 in | 2-door hardtop |
| Overall height | 60.1 in | 2-door hardtop |
| Tires | 8.00 x 15 (8.20 x 15 with wire wheels) | 2-door hardtop |
| Rear axle ratio, PowerFlite | 3.54:1 standard; optional 3.07 to 6.17 | PowerFlite cars |
| Shipping weight | 4,005 lb | 2-door hardtop coupe |
| Weight as quoted to the press | 4,340 lb | early press car; Motor Life also reports 54 / 46 front / rear distribution |
| Dual exhaust diameter | 2 in | 300 engine (quarter-inch larger than New Yorker) |
| Speedometer calibration | 150 mph | 300 hardtop |
1956
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 126 in | 2-door hardtop |
| Overall length | 221 in | 2-door hardtop |
| Overall width | 78.8 in | 2-door hardtop |
| Overall height | 59.4 in | 2-door hardtop |
| Tread, front / rear | 60.4 / 59.6 in | 2-door hardtop |
| Tires | 8.00 x 15 (8.20 x 15 with wire wheels) | 2-door hardtop |
| Rear axle ratio | 3.36:1 standard (manual and TorqueFlite); optional 3.07 to 6.17 | as listed |
| Shipping weight (standard car weight, no fuel or water) | 4,145 lb | C-72-300 |
| Steering ratio, overall / turning diameter | 30.9 / 43 ft 9 in | all 1956 Chryslers (AMA sheet) |
| Brakes | 12 in drums front and rear, 251 sq in effective area, vacuum booster standard | C-72-300 |
| Wheels | 15 x 6 K disc | C-72-300 |
| Tires (factory) | 8.00 x 15 four-ply tubeless, Special Hi-Speed Goodyear Super Cushion Nylon; 24 psi (30 psi for extended high speed) | C-72-300 |
| Spring rates, front / rear | 800 / 160 lb per in | 300B (rear: 7-leaf semi-elliptic) |
| Fuel tank | 21.5 US gal | 300B |
| Horsepower rating basis | AMA advertised maximum brake horsepower, corrected per the SAE Engine Test Code with generator, water pump, manifolds and fuel pump fitted (a gross rating); the AMA sheet lists only the 340 hp, 9.0:1 engine for the C-72-300 | C-72-300 |
1957
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 126 in | all bodies |
| Overall length | 219.2 in | all bodies |
| Overall width | 78.8 in | all bodies |
| Overall height | 54.7 in | as printed |
| Tread, front / rear | 61.2 / 60.0 in | all bodies |
| Tires | 9.00 x 14 | all bodies |
| Rear axle ratio | 3.36:1 standard | TorqueFlite and manual |
| Front suspension | Torsion bars | all bodies |
| Overall height by body | 54.7 (hardtop) / 55.0 (convertible) in | by body |
| Shipping weight | 4,235 (hardtop) / 4,390 (convertible) lb | by body; compiled table (the AMA sheet prints N/A for the C-76-300) |
| Steering ratio, overall / turning diameter | 29.9 / 43 ft 11 in | C-76-300 |
| Wheels | 14 x 6½ K | 300C |
| Tires (factory detail) | 9.00 x 14 nylon racing-type white sidewalls (Goodyear Blue Streak); 22 psi normal, 30 psi extended high speed | 300C |
| Brakes | 12 in drums, 251 sq in, vacuum power assist standard | 300C |
| Spring rates | Front torsion bars 40% stiffer than standard; rear 135 lb per in, 7 leaves (50% stiffer than standard) | 300C |
| Fuel tank | 23 US gal | 300C |
1958
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 126 in | all bodies |
| Overall length | 220.2 in | all bodies |
| Overall width | 79.6 in | all bodies |
| Overall height | 55.2 in | as printed |
| Tread, front / rear | 61.2 / 60.0 in | all bodies |
| Tires | 9.00 x 14 | all bodies |
| Rear axle ratio | 3.31:1 standard (TorqueFlite and manual); 3.73 optional; 3.54 optional with manual | as listed |
| Curb weight | 4,485 (hardtop, 2,440 front / 2,045 rear) / 4,680 (convertible, 2,525 / 2,155) lb | LC3-S-23 hardtop / LC3-S-27 convertible |
| Shipping weight | 4,305 (hardtop) / 4,475 (convertible) lb | weights posted with state tax authorities for licensing |
| Brakes | 12 x 2½ in total-contact drums, power assisted, 251 sq in; cooled by scoops under the headlamps | 300D |
| Front torsion bar diameter | 1.11 (New Yorker 1.04) in | 300D |
| Exhaust | 2¼ in dual pipes on the hardtop; 1¾ in on the convertible (frame interference) | by body |
1959
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 126 in | all bodies |
| Overall length | 220.9 in | all bodies |
| Overall width | 79.5 in | all bodies |
| Overall height | 55.3 in | as printed |
| Tread, front / rear | 61.2 / 60.0 in | all bodies |
| Tires | 9.00 x 14 | all bodies |
| Rear axle ratio | 3.31:1 standard | all |
| Curb weight | 4,440 (hardtop, 2,395 / 2,045) / 4,610 (convertible, 2,495 / 2,115) lb | MC3-H 300E -23 hardtop / -27 convertible |
| Shipping weight | 4,290 (hardtop) / 4,350 (convertible) lb | weights reported to states for licensing |
| Overall height by body | 55.3 (hardtop) / 55.7 (convertible) in | by body |
| Steering | Full-time power steering, gear ratio 15.7; 3.5 turns lock to lock | 300E |
| Brakes | 12 in drums, 2½ in shoes, 251 sq in, vacuum power assist | 300E |
| Suspension rates | Front torsion bars 40% stiffer than standard; rear 135 lb per in, 7 leaves (50% stiffer than standard) | 300E |
| Wheels / fuel tank | 14 x 6½ K / 23.0 gal | 300E |
| Engine detail | In-line valves, hydraulic lifters; lift .390 / .390 in; duration 260 / 260 deg; overlap 42 deg; intake valve 2.08 in, exhaust 1.74 in | 413, 380 hp |
1960
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 126 in | all bodies |
| Overall length | 219.6 in | all bodies |
| Overall width | 79.7 in | all bodies |
| Overall height | 55.1 (hardtop) / 55.5 (convertible) in | by body |
| Tires | 9.00 x 14 Blue Streak, white sidewall | all bodies |
| Rear axle ratio | 3.31:1 standard with TorqueFlite; 2.93 to 3.73 listed with the four-speed | as listed |
| Curb weight / shipping weight, hardtop | 4,585 (2,464 front / 2,121 rear) / 4,435 (estimated) lb | 300F two-door hardtop (convertible listed without figures) |
| Overall width (factory) | 79.4 in | 300F |
| Engine detail, 375 hp | Hydraulic lifters; lift .430 / .430 in; duration 268 / 268 deg; overlap 48 deg; intake valve 2.08, exhaust 1.60 in; idle 725-750 rpm; 30 in ram tubes | standard 413 |
| Engine detail, 400 hp | Mechanical lifters; lift .449 intake / .454 exhaust; duration 284 deg; overlap 55 deg; internal dividers removed from the first 15 in of each 30 in ram tube; headers and 2½ in exhaust | optional short-ram 413 |
| Pont-a-Mousson four-speed ratios | 3.35 / 1.96 / 1.36 / 1.00 | four-speed cars |
| Construction | Unitized body, as on all 1960 Chrysler Corporation cars except Imperial; 7/8 in front stabilizer bar | 300F |
1961
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 126 in | all bodies |
| Overall length | 219.8 in | hardtop |
| Overall width | 79.7 in | all bodies |
| Overall height | 55.6 (hardtop) / 56.0 (convertible) in | by body |
| Tires | 8.00 x 15 Blue Streak | all bodies |
| Rear axle ratio | 3.23:1 standard; optional 2.93, 3.15, 3.58, 3.73 | as listed |
| Curb weight, hardtop with 400 hp engine | 4,295 lb | two-door hardtop, 400 hp (handwritten entry on the AMA weight page) |
| Wheels | 15 x 6K pressed steel disc, with ventilated covers for brake cooling | 300G |
| Brakes | 12 in drums front and rear, total-contact shoes (standard New Yorker brakes) | 300G |
1962
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 122 in | all bodies |
| Overall length | 215.3 in | all bodies |
| Overall width | 79.4 in | all bodies |
| Overall height | 55.5 (hardtop) / 55.7 (convertible) in | by body |
| Tread, front / rear | 61.1 / 60.0 in | all bodies |
| Tires | 7.60 x 15 Blue Streak | 300H |
| Rear axle ratio, TorqueFlite | 3.23:1 standard; optional 2.93, 3.15, 3.58, 3.73 | TorqueFlite |
| Suspension | Torsion bars 1.010 in diameter (300: .990); front rate 130 lb per in at the wheel; rear leaf springs with an extra leaf, 160 lb per in at the wheel (300: 135); link-type stabilizer bar standard on the 300H only | 300H |
| Wheels and tires | 15 in wheels with 7.60 x 15 nylon Goodyear Blue Streaks (300: 14 in rayon) | 300H |
| Brakes | 12 in centerplane drums, 2½ in lining, 251 sq in; power assist standard on the 300H | 300H |
| 380 hp engine camshaft | Mechanical, 268 deg duration; intake valves 2.08 in, exhaust 1.60 in; two Carter four-barrels on a runner-type dual intake (ram induction dropped) | 300H standard engine |
| Power steering | Standard; 19.2:1, 3.5 turns lock to lock; turning circle 42.7 ft | 300 and 300H |
1963
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 122 in | hardtop |
| Overall length | 215.5 in | hardtop |
| Overall width | 79 in | hardtop |
| Overall height | 55.6 in | hardtop |
| Tread, front / rear | 61.0 / 59.7 in | hardtop |
| Tires | 7.60 x 15 Blue Streak | hardtop |
| Rear axle ratio | 3.23:1 standard; optional 2.93, 3.15, 3.58, 3.73 (3.91 also with manual) | as listed |
| Curb weight | 4,420 lb | hardtop as tested by Car Life (Motor Trend prints 4,412; Car and Driver 4,235 with full tank) |
| Brakes | 11 in x 3 in drums front and rear, power assisted, 287.2 sq in effective lining (414.7 sq in swept) | 300J (manufacturer data reproduced by Motor Trend and Car and Driver) |
| Steering | Power rack and sector standard, 19.2:1 overall, 3.5 turns; turning circle 43.1 ft | 300J |
1964
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 122 in | all bodies |
| Overall length | 215.3 in | all bodies |
| Overall width | 80 in | all bodies |
| Overall height | 55.2 (hardtop) / 55.4 (convertible) in | by body |
| Tread, front / rear | 61.0 / 59.7 in | all bodies |
| Tires | 8.00 x 14 Goodyear Blue Streak | 300K |
| Rear axle ratio | 3.23:1 standard (automatic and four-speed) | all |
| Shipping weight | 3,965 (hardtop) / 3,990 (convertible) lb | by body; compiled table |
1965
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 124 in | all bodies |
| Overall length | 218.2 in | all bodies |
| Overall width | 79.5 in | all bodies |
| Overall height | 55.3 (hardtop) / 56.3 (convertible) in | by body |
| Tread, front / rear | 62.0 / 60.7 in | all bodies |
| Tires | 8.55 x 14; optional 8.85 x 14 | 300L |
| Rear axle ratio | 3.23:1 standard (automatic and four-speed); dealer ratios 2.76 to 6.17 | all |
Each year's heading links to that model year's full fact sheet. Specification labels are carried as recorded and not normalized across years, so the same measure may be worded differently from one year to the next.