Guest Charlie's C-300 Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Hello all. I have a good chance on buying a 1955 c300 in the next few days and am trying to learn as much as possible about this car. I hope I've reached the right people to help and guide me through this exciting opportunity. Is there anybody here that will be able to help me out in the future ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Very desireable cars.Dual quads will drink some fuel. But the wow factor with the hood open makes it all worth while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Charlie's C-300 Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Yes it will consume a lot of fuel but I'm not too worried about that right now , I'm looking for members to be able to advise me as I proceed through the different phases of restoration/repair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest palosfv3 Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 If memory serves me correctly Wayne Graeffen compiled a comprehensive restoration guide on the early 300's . I believe they are available through the 300 Club. Make sure to check the engine ID number on the block at the front of the lifter galley cover. The B and C cars were targets of early fuel dragsters for motors and especially the cylinder heads off of the 354ci engines. The 55 had the 331 ci engine. Heres a chart on the engine # and a link to Hot Hemi heads a good source for early hemi stuff. CHRYSLER: C51 - 8 - 1001 1951 Chrysler 331 2 180** C52 - 8 - 1001 1952 Chrysler 331 2 180** C53 - 8 - 1001 1953 Chrysler 331 2 180** C541 - 8 - 1001 1954 New Yorker 331 2 195** C542 - 8 - 1001 1954 New Yorker 331 4 235** WE55 - 1001 1955 New Yorker 331 2 250 NE55 - 1001 1955 New Yorker 331 4 250 CE55 - 1001 1955 Imperial 331 4 250 3NE55 - 1001 1955 C300 331 2-4 300*** NE56 - 1001 1956 New Yorker 354 4 280 CE56 - 1001 1956 Imperial 354 4 280 3NE56 - 1001 1956 300B 354 2-4 340*** NE57 - 1001 1957 New Yorker 392 4 325 3NE57 - 1001 1957 300C 392 2-4 375*** CE57 - 1001 1957 Imperial 392 4 325 58N - 1001 1958 New Yorker 392 4 345 58C - 1001 1958 Imperial 392 4 345 58N3 - 1001 1958 300D 392 2-4 380 * Very rare! All 4 BBL engines were approximately 10% of production.** 1951 through mid-1954 have bell housings cast onto block.*** 300 High Performance Option Early Hemi Info, Photos, Manuals, Specs, Links, Chrysler, Dodge, DeSoto, Hemi Engine IDCheck out the Forward Look forum. Category & forums listing - The Forward Look NetworkTheir 300 forumMail IndexAs well as the 300 club site.CHRYSLER 300 CLUB INTERNATIONAL, INC.Best Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Charlie's C-300 Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 Lots of great links Thank You Sir ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alvan Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 these cars are very rare and very sought after if restored completely. if not restored completely probably will spent more than the car is worth. however, ifdone correctly and completely, they can bring in excess of $125,000.how complete is the car.. also a parts car would be very beneficial and save you tons of money and time.I have a complete one and a fairly complete one.whch someday I will get around to doing.what is the price on the one you are looking at, and how complete is it. where are you located, I.m in Tampa flregardsemail me at skaik@embarqmail.comal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Charlie's C-300 Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 We did purchase it and I checked it out before hand. I think its a very complete car . It does have the original motor, elec seats / windows, Town and Country radio, power steering , Tango red, etc. It does come w/ a parts car although its a 4 door Imperial ( I think ). It was filthy and will need a complete restoration . My Father-In-Law is going to build me a rotisserie in the next month so repair will be easier. Do you have experience in restoration ? Thank you for your intrest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bob Call Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 CharlieYou might contact BhigDog (Bob Beck) who posts on this site regularly. A couple of years ago he resotred a 56 St Regis which is similar to the 55 300. He would be good for parts sources and tips on the restoration process. Hot Heads and Egge Machine are good parts parts sources for the engine rebuild. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Charlie's C-300 Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 I can do engine / trans, patch panels welding , clean up and so on I'm just not sure about different processes such as replacing nuts and bolts , repairing pitted metal , etc . I don't want to do anything that will take away from the cars value. How do I contact bob ? Just do a search ? Thank you . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest straight shooter Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 When are you going to post some pics. I am dying to see the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bob Call Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 CharlieBob Beck's email is bhigdog1@ptd.net. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Charlie's C-300 Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Here is a few pictures. As you can see, I have a lot of work ahead of me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 A few other good places to go...Walter P. Chrysler MuseumAndy Bernbaum Auto Parts for Chrysler's cars from 30s to 70sWPC Home - the World's Largest Chrysler Products Club ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest palosfv3 Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Warm up your goin in ! Best wishes on your project. The engine and stuff appears not to be unassembled at any point in the past. It still has the inline trans cooler attached to the water pump. These were usually removed at some early point in a cars use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Charlie's C-300 Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 I was wondering about that a few days ago, do you think they are rebuildable or available somewhere ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest palosfv3 Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 The cooler being next to the water pump does not cool the trans fluid as efficiently as a cooler mounted in the lower radiator tank. This design was changed a short time later . The only option is a used cooler assembly . Have yours checked and boiled out just like a radiator. more than likely it will be OK. The coolers are different among the 331,354 engines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Charlie's C-300 Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Okie Dokie , Thank you. Is it better to keep it as close to original as possible ? Or if necessary change a few under engineered components along the way ? I un-bolted the engine last night and started to raise it up with the trans still attached but my "I" beam supports need a little attention before I proceed . I know the engine alone weighs 675lbs and don't want anything to break Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Chryslers don't have under engineered components. Chances are any aftermarket components you add, will not be as good as what you throw away.About the only worthwhile advances are in disc brakes and radial tires and you won't need the disc brakes if you don't drive it hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StillOutThere Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 PalosFV3 suggested I wrote a restoration manual for the early 300s. Not exactly. I wrote a 57 Chrysler 300C Handbook of 60+ pages but there are very few similarities between the '55-56 Letter Cars and the '57s. There would be little value in purchasing my book. This Handbook is NOT sold through the 300 clubs as I am not a member of either national club. I sell it direct if there is anyone reading this interested, contacted me with a PM. Get that C300 back on the road and drive it hard and fast like it was intended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest palosfv3 Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Thanks for the correction Wayne . I thought it included the early cars . Its hell getting old and sometimes memories get mixed up. Sorry for the misinformation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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