Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 400 Built
- Years
- 1963
- Engine
- 6,781 cc / 6.8 LFactory: 413.8 cu in · converted
- Power
- 291 kW / 395 PSFactory: 390 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- 111 (registry reported)
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The 300J was the 1963 hardtop-only letter car, with 390 bhp from short-ram 413 engine and 400 built. There was no 300 I, perhaps to avoid confusion with the numeral 1.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model production300J cars accounted for in the Chrysler 300 Club registry as of September 2000 (400 produced); not a count of cars known to exist today | 1113 | Surviving examples | Registry reported |
| Total model productioncoupés (only body style) | 4001,2 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
Chrysler dropped the letter convertible for 1963. The standard 413 had 'short' long rams divided only halfway, which moved the torque peak up from 2800 rpm to 3600 rpm and gave strong high-rpm performance. The suspension was softened slightly from the 300H but still stiffer than other Chryslers, and the car could reach 140 mph or more.
That year Chrysler supplied a non-letter 300 convertible, not the 300J, as the Indianapolis 500 pace car.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard 300J.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Not yet verified |
| Displacement | 6,781 cc / 6.8 LFactory: 413.8 cu in · converted1 Independently researched |
| Bore | 106.4 mmFactory: 4.188 in · converted1 Independently researched |
| Stroke | 95.3 mmFactory: 3.75 in · converted1 Independently researched |
| Compression ratio | 9.6:11 Independently researchedThe club's summary table gives 10.0:1. |
| Fuel system | two Carter AFB four-barrel carburettors (model 3505S), short-ram induction1 Independently researched |
| Power | 291 kW / 395 PSFactory: 390 hp · converted1 Independently researchedSource states bhp. |
| Power at | 4,800 rpm1 Independently researched |
| Torque | 658 NmFactory: 485 lb-ft · converted1 Independently researched |
| Torque at | 3,600 rpm1 Independently researched |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | automatic (TorqueFlite) standard; heavy-duty three-speed manual optional at no cost1 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | 3,100 mmFactory: 122 in · converted1 Independently researched |
| Length | 5,474 mmFactory: 215.5 in · converted1 Independently researched |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | 1,810 kgFactory: 4,000 lb · converted1 Independently researched |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
The 300J has leather in claret red regardless of exterior colour, a square steering wheel, wiper blades with airfoils, two pinstripes along the body and 300 J medallions on the C-pillar and rear deck. Serial numbers start 8433-100001 and engine prefix C300J followed by a date code. Tyres are 7.60x15.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
1963 Chrysler 300J Level B Chrysler 300 Club, Incorporated
- 842/2-Dr Ht Cpe-6P ... 400
- Displacement: 413.8 cubic inches
- Bore and stroke: 4.188 x 3.75 inches
- Compression ratio: 9.6:1
- Two (2) Carter Type AFB four-barrels Model 3505S
- Brake horsepower: 390 at 4800 R.P.M.
- 390 at 4800 R.P.M.
- 485/3600
- Automatic transmission was standard on 300 J
- Wheelbase: 122 inches
- (300 J) 215.5 inches
- 842/2-Dr Ht Cpe-6P ... 4000
-
2
Chrysler 300 Club International – Chrysler 300 Letter Car History (Tony Rinaldi, rev. 2021) Level B
- 400 coupés (only body style)
-
3
Chrysler 300 Club International Serial Number Registry (as of September 2000) Level B Chrysler 300 Club International · 2000-09-01
- 300J 400 ... 111
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