300C – THE BEAUTIFUL BRUTE
By Gil Cunningham
Reprinted from the Spring 1981 Club News Volume VII Number III
which was reprinted from the Club News Volume 1 No 3 April 1972



With the major changes on all 1957 Chrysler Corporation cars came a radically revised 300 series automobile - - the 300C. This car incorporated all the new features of the 1957 models; such as the torsion bar suspension, three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission, 14” wheels, and the fabulous styling which was to obsolete most other cars for the next several years, as well as earn Virgil Exner the “Detroit Man of The Year” award. In addition, for the first time in its history, a 300 convertible was available. Unfortunately, the 1957 models suffered from some of the ills which result with accelerated design, testing, and manufacturing schedules necessary for one company to get a “jump” on the others. The wind noise, water leaks, rattles, and poor general quality, especially in early models, were to haunt Chrysler Corporation for several years to come. It is significant, however, that magazine evaluations of the 300C generally reported high quality. Two possible reasons for this can be proposed: a) The 300C was a very high priced, (hardtop $4,864; convertible $5,294) limited production vehicle which may have received extra attention, and b) Volume production of 300Cs did not begin until December, 1956, three months after 1957 model launch. By this time many production problems would have been solved. However, a spirited drive in a 300C down a challenging stretch of road would quickly dissipate any memories of water leaks or wind noise, except for the very hardest to please. There was really no other choice then when Motor Trend searched for a recipient for its annual car of the year award. This award was, of course, for the “Superior Handling and Roadability Qualities of Their Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto, Chrysler, and Imperial Cars.”

Styling of the 300C was very clean and simple by 1957 standards, and as such remains elegant today. The tailfins which led the industry then were very well integrated into the design, as well as providing a steering correction reduction of 20% in crosswinds. Other styling features providing a most functional aspect to the car were the unique brake cooling ducts and the brutish open grille supplying a maximum amount of air to the radiator. In fact, the front of the 300C was taken straight from Styling Car No. 613, Virgil Exner’s idea of a man’s sport car.

Several present day cars appear to be attempting to copy the 300C grille design, but they have more work to do before the correct combination of shape and angle is obtained. It was no wonder, then, that the 300C received the award in 1957 for the “outstanding example of modern architecture.”

In addition to the revolutionary styling changes for 1957, the 300 medallion was redesigned to a circle incorporating a red, white, and blue background over which was placed the 300C designation. According to a Chrysler release of that time, “It is intended to remind people that this is truly an American car. We use the circle because what makes a car different from a boat or plane is the circle of the wheel.”
This medallion motif is by far the best recognized of all, and survived on the letter series through 1962.

Wheelcovers for the 300C were taken straight from the 1957 LeBaron, the only difference being the red paint around the center spinner. This fact is salvation to many of us latter day collectors frantically hunting these covers for our “BRUTE.” Some early cars evidently came with stock LeBaron covers. The white convertible on the cover of Motor Trend, March 1957, is so equipped, as is the car (#3N571292) of one of our members, Mr. George Riehl.

On the interior, many changes were evident in comparison to the previous year’s 300B. The rich pleated leather upholstery garnered praise from all automotive writers. No other car had seats like these. New for 1957 also, were 300 numerals on the inside of the car, an embossment barely visible above the center of the back seat, silver colored appliques on each door trim panel, and the red, white, and blue medallion on the glove box door and horn button. The door trim panel 300 applique on earlier models had no rectangular border, whereas later cars did. Arm rest plastic supports were black on very early cars (ref.: 300C test, Motor Trend, March, 1957; 300C advertising brochure) but were shortly changed to matching tan.

The 300C was available in five (5) solid cars, up from three (3) in 1956. Two metallic colors, Parade Green and Copper Bronze, were offered as well as straight shades of Gaugin Red, Cloud White, and Jet Black. However, it would appear that special orders could occasionally be obtained if the purchaser had the money and/or influence. One of our members owns a 300C painted a dark metallic blue (coded “Z” on the body plate) and equipped with a single carburetor New Yorker engine! He has verified this with the original owner to be the way the car was ordered and delivered.

As most readers are probably aware, the standard 300C engine was the 392 cu. in. Firepower unit rated at 375 HP @ 5200 RPM and 420 ft-lbs of torque at 4000 RPM. However, an optional engine of even more impressive specifications was available; 390 HP @ 5400RPM and 430 ft-lbs of torque at 4200 RPM. This engine was available at extra cost as part of the optional chassis package which included limited slip differential, low back pressure exhaust system, manual transmission, manual steering, and manual brakes.

The horsepower increase was obtained by increasing the compression ratio (milled heads) and a camshaft change. Below is a quick comparison between these two 300C engines:


375 HP

390HP

Compression ratio

9.25/1

10.0/1

Camshaft Part No.

1731569

1821255

NA

Intake Duration

2800

3000

2550

Exhaust Duration

2700

3000

2600

Overlap

600

950

400

Lift

.444” Intake

.445” Intake

.445” Intake

.435” Exhaust

.447” Exhaust

.445” Exhaust

There is some confusion regarding which optional camshaft was actually used in the 390 engine. Perhaps both were at different times. The 3000 camshaft was released for the first optional engines, while the 2550 cam is listed in the AMA specs, dated 2-4-57. As more reliable information is obtained on these camshafts, it will be published. Holley carburetors were also listed as options on the 300C engine in the 1957 AMA specification sheets. However, Mr. Gene Carr, Chrysler engineer who worked with engines at that time, indicated that space consideration made their usage impractical. Those of us who have adjusted the front carburetor idle screws or tried to set ignition points with the distributor still in the car will attest to the cramped quarters, even with the Carters! I have not been able to determine accurately how many 390 HP engines were installed in the 300Cs, but most guesses by Chrysler personnel vary from 20 to 50.

The special low back pressure exhaust system consisted of 2 ½” diameter exhaust pipes, exhaust extensions, mufflers, and tailpipes. The exhaust manifolds were from Dodge trucks and had 4 bolt flanges, as did the special exhaust pipes. These exhaust systems were used at Daytona and allowed the already potent 300 engine to really breathe and achieve speeds in the range of 140 MPH.

The limited slip differential, manual brakes and manual transmission had no special distinguishing characteristics other than the clutch was eleven inches in diameter rather than the ten inch unit used on Windsors. Total plate pressure was about 15% higher.

As was mentioned earlier, all information available stipulates the 390 HP engine was only obtained with the optional chassis package. However, I have personally seen and ridden in one of the 300Cs which ran at Daytona (#3N571164) and this car had an automatic transmission. It would seem that, as with other aspects of 300s, what was officially released did not always appear in that combination on the vehicle. Some race drivers preferred their cars equipped with power steering to achieve the quicker ratio. They then disconnected the pump to save power! Driving one of those took muscles.

Performance of the 300C was fantastic by 1957 standards and is exceptional (and getting more so) by today’s standards. All automotive writers had a “field day” with it and were generally lavish in their praise. The only consistent criticism on performance was with the brakes, which admittedly had a big job to do. By 1957 standards they were average, but will not compare at all favorably to today’s disc-drum units, especially in fade resistance. In the chart below are summarized some of the published road test results on the 300C:


Sports Cars Illustrated

Motor Trend

Mechanix Illustrated

Chrysler Proving Grounds

0-30

3.7 sec.

3.1 sec.

3.7 sec.

3.2 sec.

0-60

9.2 sec.

8.0 sec.

8.4 sec.

8.6 sec.

¼ Mile E.T.

and speed

16.9 sec.

84 MPH

N.A.

N.A.

16.3 sec.

84 MPH

Top Speed

140 est.

140 est.

134 MPH

125.1 MPH

Test Weight

4745 lb.

N.A.

4235 lb.

4825 lb.

Body Style

Convert.

Hardtop

Hardtop

Hardtop

Axle Ratio

3.36/1

3.36/1

3.18/1

3.36/1

The Chrysler Proving Ground ran top speed tests on the 300C in November of 1956. Speeds in the 145 mph range were obtained; however, drag reducing shields were used over the headlights and above the windshield. Removal of these shields resulted in a speed reduction of about 6 mph. These runs were also made without air cleaners, mufflers, or tailpipes and with 60 PSI tire pressures. 3.18/1 or 2.92/1 gears produced virtually the same speeds. So it would not be reasonable to assume that one could duplicate these speeds in his restored, streetable 300C. The 300 was again the fastest sedan at Daytona, but its top speed of 134.1 mph was not equal to that attained by the 300B in 1956. The price of the rugged, masculine, but wind resistant front end styling was being paid. Though the 300C was groomed as the successor to the 300B on the stock car circuit, it will never be known actually how well it would have done. In June of 1957, the AMA banned open factory participation in racing. Except for the annual Daytona speed trials, real high speed competition was a thing of the past for the 300.

2188 examples of the 300C were built, 1714 of which were hardtops and 474 convertibles. (Editors’ Note: Since this article was written, these numbers have been disputed. Research is underway to come up with correct figures.)

Below is shown the serial number of the first 300C built in each month of its production:


Month/Year

Starting
Serial Number

September, 1956

3N571001

October, 1956

3N571003

November, 1956

None Built

December, 1956

3N571004

January, 1957

3N571055

February, 1957

3N571339

March, 1957

3N571631

April, 1957

3N571957

May, 1957

3N572332

June, 1957

3N572715

July, 1957

3N573065

August, 1957

3N573181

Fortunately, production of the 300C was a record for pure type 300s, so a relatively large number still exist. The car was a masterful combination of performance, handling, and the epitome of brutish, masculine looks. I am guilty of some prejudice, since my first 300 was a “C” which I have owned for almost 9 years, and have yet to find its equal. I am confident, however, that many readers will share my slightly biased feelings. The 300C image, more than that of any other 300, contributed to the epithet applied by Mr. Bill Carroll to all 300s, for the 300C was truly a “BEAUTIFUL BRUTE!”



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