Makes › Chrysler › 300L · Rare production · Rare specification · 1965 Rare
Chrysler
300L
Last of the 300 letter cars (1955–1965)
Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York · CC BY 2.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 2,405 Built
- Years
- 1965
- Engine
- 6,781 cc / 6.8 LFactory: 413.8 cu in · converted
- Power
- 268 kW / 365 PSFactory: 360 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- 345 (registry reported)
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The 300L of 1965 was the last original letter car, and Chrysler cancelled a planned 300M. Nearly every feature of the 300L was available on the non-letter 300, which made the separate model line hard to justify. Even so, it sold second-best among letter cars.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Chrysler 300L (Wikimedia Commons: Chrysler 300L)
Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York · CC BY 2.0
Chrysler 300L (Wikimedia Commons: Chrysler 300L)
Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York · CC BY 2.0
Chrysler 300L (Wikimedia Commons: Chrysler 300L)
Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York · CC BY 2.0
Chrysler 300L (Wikimedia Commons: Chrysler 300L)
Photo: Latvian98 · CC BY-SA 4.0
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02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model production300L cars (hardtops and convertibles) accounted for in the Chrysler 300 Club registry as of September 2000 (2845 produced); not a count of cars known to exist today | 3453 | Surviving examples | Registry reported |
| Total model productionAll Body Styles: coupés (plus 440 convertibles; total 2,845) | 2,4051,2 | 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
The 300L used the 413 with a single four-barrel carburettor and 360 bhp, with high-performance tyres and suspension. A grille medallion lit up with the key, though many cars were delivered so that it lit only with the headlights on, because of some state laws. 1965 was also the last year for the 413 engine.
Curbside Classic reports that only about 12 convertibles had the rare Chrysler four-speed manual option.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard 300L.
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 | 10.0:11 Independently researched |
| Fuel system | Carter AFB four-barrel carburettor (model 3860S)1 Independently researched |
| Power | 268 kW / 365 PSFactory: 360 hp · converted1 Independently researchedSource states bhp. |
| Power at | 4,800 rpm1 Independently researched |
| Torque | 637 NmFactory: 470 lb-ft · converted1 Independently researched |
| Torque at | 2,800 rpm1 Independently researched |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | automatic standard; four-speed manual optional1 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 | 3,150 mmFactory: 124 in · converted1 Independently researched |
| Length | 5,542 mmFactory: 218.2 in · converted1 Independently researched |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | 1,928 kgFactory: 4,251 lb · converted1 Independently researchedHardtop; convertible 4716 lb. |
| 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 only truly unique feature is the 'L' medallion at the centre of the silver crossbar grille, lit when the key or the headlights are on. Other identifiers are a painted insert in the upper body moulding, a damascened insert between the tail lamps and letter-series medallions. Detroit cars begin C453-100001 and Delaware cars C456-100001, and engines have an A-413 prefix with an HP stamp.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
1965 Chrysler 300L Level B Chrysler 300 Club, Incorporated
- C42/2 dr HT cpt-5P ... 2405
- Displacement: 413.8 cubic inches
- Bore and stroke: 4.188 x 3.75 inches
- Compression ratio: 10.0:1
- Carter Type AFB four-barrel Model 3860S
- Brake horsepower: 360 at 4800 R.P.M.
- 360 at 4800 R.P.M.
- 470/2800
- Four speed manual floor shift, transmission was optional in Newports, 300s and 30OLs
- (Newport, 300, New Yorker) 124 inches
- (Newport, 300, New Yorker) 218.2 inches
- C42/2 dr HT cpt-5P ... 4251
-
2
Chrysler 300 Club International – Chrysler 300 Letter Car History (Tony Rinaldi, rev. 2021) Level B
- 2405 coupés (plus 440 convertibles; total 2,845)
-
3
Chrysler 300 Club International Serial Number Registry (as of September 2000) Level B Chrysler 300 Club International · 2000-09-01
- 300L 2405 - 440 - 2845 ... 345
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