I just spent about two minutes staring into the distance pondering an important question: Have I really not driven a Chrysler C-Body, of any kind? I don’t think I have. I’ve driven hours to look at big Chryslers I’ve found in the classifieds, but none of them apparently elicited a test drive. It’s too bad, because anyone who’s owned one seems to be a fan for life. They’re big, roomy, powerful, easy to drive, and they look nice. Plus, you don’t see them at every car event. If you haven’t ever driven a C-Body, or if you are a past owner looking to get back into the old car life, here’s a solid ’67 300 with a 440 under the hood that’s ready to drive. It’s on eBay in Davis, South Dakota, with a current high bid of $1,975.
Stepping up from a Newport Custom to a 300 cost the 1967 Chrysler buyer about $300, but it was money well spent. Not only did they get some swoopier styling, front and rear, they also got a standard 440 with 350 horsepower, an 80-horsepower increase from the Newport’s two-barrel 383. The tough 727 Torqueflite was also standard on the 300, a $222 option on the Newport. Dual-circuit brakes were standard on all cars in 1967. Air conditioning was a $406 option that this car has, and the seller doesn’t mention that it “just needs a recharge,” so we’ll blissfully assume that it works. The engine has had a “recent overhaul and runs very strong.”
The interior has been treated to new upholstery, as the 300 came with standard vinyl seats (with optional leather, according to the brochure). They are now velour, so it’s most likely been a day or two since the work’s been done, but the material matches and is nearly indestructible. Every time I see a ’67 or ’68 Chrysler, I’m taken in by the dashboard; it angles out to a point somewhere in the center. It’s tough to see the effect in this picture, but it’s certainly unique, and those who have driven these cars have commented that it’s not distracting when you’re actually sitting behind the wheel. This is a well-optioned 300, with power windows in addition to the aforementioned air conditioning. It also has a console, which has either a “performance indicator” or a tachometer nestled under the dashboard. I have to assume that the performance indicator is a vacuum gauge.
Perhaps the only thing to criticize about this 300 is the paint; it’s certainly seen a few years out on the Dakota prairies. If it’s original, it is Silver Mist Metallic, and one always wonders if a half day out in the garage with a buffer and some compound would bring it back to life. If not, the car just looks like it’s had some life experience, which is never a bad thing. As I mentioned earlier, the rear end of the 300 was completely different from the less expensive Newport’s, and this picture shows off the improvement well.
The seller of this 300 says that it “could be driven anywhere,” but I wonder about those tires; the ad claims that they’re new but I haven’t seen Eagle STs on the rack for decades. It might be worth asking the seller if you’re a serious buyer. If you are, tell us how things go; after all, some of us C-Body novices might have to live vicariously through your adventures.
