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The legendary Chrysler 300C, Motor Trendandrsquo;s Car of the Year in 1957, was developed from the outset as a completely integrated package. One of the fastest and most powerful American production cars, the 300C was also one of the most expensive. The standard 300C engine, enlarged to 392 cubic inches, was equipped with two four-barrel carburetors, a hydraulic valve train, 9.25:1 compression, and delivered 375 horsepower. Chryslerandrsquo;s wartime research and development work on a new engine for the P-47 Thunderbolt resulted in the now-famous hemispherical combustion chamber design. Exceptional handling resulted from a lowered center of gravity, lower placement of the weighty engine, and careful location of the rear leaf springs. Ducts located below the headlights cooled the front brakes, and the controversial tailfins were proven to increase stability at speed. While not campaigned in NASCAR, the 300C swept the Flying Mile competition at Daytona Beach with a speed of 134 miles per hour. Chrysler engineers clocked 145.7 miles per hour at the Chelsea Proving Grounds with a mildly modified model, and in stock form, the 300C could reach 60 miles per hour in less than eight seconds. The 1957 Chrysler 300C presented here is one of only 484 convertibles produced in 1957 and has been completely restored. Truly one of the most significant postwar American automobiles, convertible models of the Chrysler 300C are particularly scarce, with an estimated 12% remaining today.
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