Clean western car in great colors. Great-running 440 cubic inch V8 with automatic transmission. Loaded with options. Recent service work, including power windows. Updated wheels and tires. An unusual piece of Mopar luxury muscle at a great price.

The Chrysler 300 always delivered just the perfect blend of luxury and performance, the upscale personal car for the guy who wasn’t quite ready to become his father in an Oldsmobile or Buick. After running through the alphabet, this 1968 version was just called “Three Hundred” and it was proudly spelled out on the sail panels for everyone to see. Styling was crisply rendered and the fashion of the time meant that hidden headlights and fender skirts were all the rage. Hailing from down south, this very clean Chrysler 300 has a presence that cars like the Ford Thunderbird can’t quite match. It’s also uncommon and it’s unlikely that you’ll see another one at any show you attend. Up front, the angular styling looks almost menacing, and it’s worth mentioning that the hidden headlights work correctly. Those quarter panels are about seven feet long and show no evidence of rot or previous damage, even around the fender opening where things can go south in a hurry. Chrysler adapted to the 1968 rules for side marker lights better than most, adding discreet little buttons of light on the front fender and rear quarters so they don’t distract from the styling, and the car has a very clean, uncluttered look. Add in a padded roof that’s in great condition with no bubbling underneath, and you get an unusual Mopar that will get more than its fair share of second looks.

The blend of sport and luxury continues inside where you find a pair of supportive bucket seats flanking a center console, which gives it a definite muscle car vibe. Then then there are the luxury features like power windows, power driver’s seat, A/C (system is inop and we have not investigated it), and plenty of stretch-out space for all passengers. Chrysler gave you a full array of gauges, but someone has thoughtfully added a trio of auxiliary gauges under the dash and the vacuum performance gauge on the console is fully operational. A little burled walnut on the center console warms things up, and newer carpets look crisp. We believe the rest of the upholstery is original and in excellent condition—only the driver’s door panel shows some delamination. The back seat looks almost new and all the seat belts remain flexible and supple, so it has obviously been out of the sun most of its life. The headliner is likewise in good condition (our flash photography emphasizes some discoloration that’s not visible to the naked eye) and all the interior lights work like they should. There’s also a massive trunk with no rust issues, more proof that this car has lived someplace warm and dry.

The same 440 cubic inch V8 that made the Road Runners and Chargers legendary lives under the hood of this 300. With a 4-barrel carburetor on top and dual exhaust, it certainly sounds suitably muscular and it moves the big coupe with the kind of effortless ease that you’d expect from a top-of-the-line machine. Most of the engine bay is dominated by the A/C compressor, but you’ll also find a chrome open-element air cleaner assembly, corporate blue engine enamel, and a lot of new components, including belts and hoses. Power steering and brakes are part of the equation, making the 300 easy to handle, and the TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic remains one of the most reliable automatic transmissions you can get. It starts easily, idles nicely, and generally works like it should and the personality is entertaining enough to keep you smiling behind the wheel. You’ll note that the underside is quite clean with no rust or rot issues in the floors or rockers (critical on a unit-body car) and there’s more new stuff here, including shocks, brakes, and exhaust system, the latter of which features Flowmaster mufflers and polished tips under the rear bumper. Ride quality is definitely more luxury than sport, and the 300 is a fantastic highway cruiser thanks to 3.23 gears in the 8.75-inch rear end. The only other deviation from stock are those aluminum disc wheels that somehow seem right, and they carry fat 225/70/15 whitewall radials for a suitably upscale look.

We like cars like the 300 which deliver the same performance fun as a more expensive “brand name” muscle car, but mix in a bit of luxury that makes it a lot easier to live with. Add in the unusual look and general rarity of the 300, and you get a car that does a lot of things well at a very reasonable price. Give us a call today and we’ll tell you all about it!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.