CarDomain Obscure Muscle Car Parking Lot: the 1965 Chrysler 300 L

By Jim Brennan

UDMan

Welcome to the CarDomain Obscure Muscle Car Parking Lot, a regular feature which aims to expand the notion of what a muscle car is, and to generate some intellectual commentary in the process. The 1965 Chrysler 300-L is accepted by some aficionados of the letter car, but rejected by others. Some say the 300-L is not a “real” letter car because Chrysler strayed away from the original concept of the 300, while others argue that it maintained the image. Let’s take a look at Chrysler’s last real 300 letter series special, the Chrysler 300-L.

Continue reading after the jump!

Model year 1962 brought significant changes to the 300. By this point, it had developed into the 300-H and something else called the Sport 300. Here lies the source of the dispute concerning the 300-L. The Sport 300 replaced the Windsor series in the Chrysler lineup. As had been the arrangement for the Windsor, there were four-door versions available in the Sport series. Marketing wanted to capitalize on the image the 300 series had created for the company by applying the name to what essentially was still a Windsor. Sales of the Windsor had been in decline for a while; stealing the 300 image and name for the car to boost sales seemed like a good idea to change this situation. From a production standpoint, the decision proved to be justified; sales of the Sport 300 were higher than the previous year’s Windsor lineup.

However, to the Letter Series fans, the introduction of the “cheapened” 300 defamed the character of the car. The Sport 300s could be ordered with nearly all of the Letter Series equipment, including the Sport 300 four-door hardtop. Nearly all of the standard “H” equipment was listed as an option for the Sport version. Outwardly, the 300-H and the Sport 300 looked almost identical, with subtle details differentiating the two cars. As a result of the Sport model’s existence, the Letter car declined in popularity. In 1962, sales were two thirds of the ’61 production, and model year ’63 was even more severe, though 1964 models saw a sales increase due to an $1,100 price drop (by moving standard equipment to the option sheet).

Standard equipment on the 300-L included the 360hp (Some reports state 390HP), 413 four-barrel with an un-silenced air cleaner, dual-point distributor, 727 TorqueFlite automatic (four-speed as a no-cost option), a console-mounted vacuum gauge (tachometer on four-speed cars), power brakes, power steering, clock, vinyl upholstery, bucket seats, console, deluxe steering wheel, 3.23:1 differential, AM radio, and heater.

Optional items included a stiffer suspension, vinyl-covered roof (either in white or black), power windows, AM/FM radio, power trunk release, and air conditioning. The only truly unique feature of the 300 L was a medallion at the center of its silver crossbar grille which glowed softly at night when the headlights were turned on. Despite its lack of uniqueness, the 300-L enjoyed the second highest sales of any 300 Letter car, with production totaling 2,405 Coupes, and 440 Convertibles. The proud tradition of the 300 Letter cars officially ended after 1965, unless you count the 300-M, which in my opinion, really doesn’t count.

Much to my surprise, there is not one 300-l within the CarDomain community, at least right now. So, do you think that the last 300 letter series is an obscure muscle car? With almost 500 ft/lb or torque, it can wrinkle asphault, and still look good doing so. You can also fit about 20 in the car. Tell me what you think!