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History Of the Chrysler Three Hundred Series - 1963

1963 Chrysler 300 2-door Hardtop
Photo: Chrysler 300 Club Inc.® ©1997.
The performance car image of the 300 took a a back seat in the changes introduced in 1963. Although the 390 horsepower 413 cubic inch engine was retained suspension was a lot softer and in a cost cutting measure the 300J was stripped of its convertible variant.
The non-letter series three-hundreds continued into the 1963 model year (as they would continue until 1971). The base engine of 383 cubic inches remained with an upgrade to a 360 or 365 horsepower 413 available as an option. See below for more information on engine options.
1963 Chrysler 300 2-door Convertible
Photo: Chrysler 300 Club Inc.® ©1997.

Letter Series - Chrysler 300J
Body Style 
Specifications 
Production 
List Price 
2-door hardtop 
V-8, 413cid, twin 4bbl carbs, 390bhp @ 4,800rpm, 470ft/lbs @ 2,800rpm, 3-speed auto, 4,000lbs 
400 
$5,260 

 
Performance 
300J SAE-gross hp 390; Transmission 3-speed auto; Axle 3.23 ltd slip
0-to-60, sec 8.0; 1/4-mile, sec 15.4 @ 87 mph
Tested by: C/D		 300J

 

Non-Letter Series - Chrysler 300
Body Style 
Specifications 
Production 
List Price 
2-door hardtop 
V-8, 383cid, 2bbl carb, 305bhp, with either 3-speed auto or 3-speed manual, 3,765lbs 
9,423
from $3,430 
2-door convertible 
V-8, 383cid, 2bbl carb, 305bhp, with either 3-speed auto or 3-speed manual, 3,820bs 
1,535
from $3,790
4-door hardtop 
V-8, 383cid, 2bbl carb, 305bhp, with either 3-speed auto or 3-speed manual, 3,760lbs 
9,915 
from $3,400 
4-door sedan*
V-8, 383cid, 2bbl carb, 305bhp, with either 3-speed auto or 3-speed manual, 3,785lbs 
1,625 
from $3,765 
2-door hardtop "Pace Setter"
V-8, 383cid, 2bbl carb, 305bhp, with either 3-speed auto or 3-speed manual, 3,790lbs 
306
from $3,769
2-door convertible "Pace Setter"
V-8, 383cid, 2bbl carb, 305bhp, with either 3-speed auto or 3-speed manual, 3,840bs 
1,861
from $4,129

* The 4 door sedans listed here were in fact Saratogas built for the Canadian market.

Engine Options

The engines in both the 300J and the 300 Sport Series cars described above are the standard engines only.

In 1963 many optional engines were potentially available for the 300, particularly the Sport Series.
Available engines included: V-8, 413cid, twin 4 bbl carbs, 360bhp; V-8, 413cid, twin 4 bbl carbs, 365bhp; V-8, 426cid, twin 4 bbl carbs, 373bhp; V-8, 426cid, twin 4 bbl carbs, 415bhp, short ram manifolds; V-8, 426cid, twin 4 bbl carbs, 425bhp, short ram manifolds;

Just how many of these found their way into either the Letter or Sport Series cars is unknown but the existence of these options is of some interest.

Thanks to Richard Flynn for his help with information on the '63 Three Hundreds.

This page Copyright © 1997-2000 Warwick Neasmith. All rights reserved.

Last updated June 22, 2000.

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