Certainly, all of the Chrysler Letter Car 300s and the 1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst can be called true milestone cars. Their exclusivity, styling, and engineering prowess sets them apart. In every subset there are individual cars that single them out for particular recognition. Some cars have a previous celebrity ownership. Susan Hayward’s white 300D coupe, Robert Horton’s black 300C convert come to mind along with Andy Jugle’s 300C convert that starred in “Crime Story”.
Special order colours, 999 exteriors and 888 interiors are always nice to see. Gil’s Big Blue is noteworthy. Built on the whim of a first owner, it features unique colouring, inside and out. Other options set some cars apart. Certainly, cars built with a manual transmission are in the minority. There is the small number of 300Fs that were built with the Ponta Mousson, four speed transmission. They also had the high-water mark, for 300s, a 400 horsepower engine. Rarer than rare, one was built with air conditioning.
For me the one that I would covet would be the so called McAtee 300F that set the speed records at Daytona Beach. How cool would it be to show up at your local car show with the world record holder for both the standing and flying mile. The last time that I saw this car cross an auction block, I believe the hammer price was $253,000 and worth every penny.
Even the 300 Hursts that appear to be identical on the exteriors have some interior variances. Some cars were built with front bucket seats and a console, as opposed to the regular bench seat. There is one and only one true 300 Hurst convertible. I do know of one clone and there is an undocumented, unproven, rumour of a second factory built convertible that was totaled at the factory. Take that with however big a pinch of salt that you wish.

I worked for Chrysler for 46 plus years. My brand loyalty runs deep. I used to tell people that my blood was Chrysler Blue but I have a new rambunctious kitten and he has poked a lot of holes in that theory. There is one car that really embodies my Chrysler competitive spirit. I subscribed to Hemmings Motor News in the 1980’s. When the monthly edition arrived, my first stop was always the adds for the 300 series. In those days there were no colour pictures in Hemmings, everything was black and white. One time I came across a picture of a dark coloured 300B surrounded by a myriad of large trophies. That was my introduction to the lone survivor from Karl Kiekhaefer’s efforts to dominate NASCAR and USAC in 1955 and 1956. Many times, I wished that I could win the lottery so I could buy that car. I attended the 1993 Spring Meet in New Hope, PA and I took notice of an unmarked and unopened white car hauler. Unopened that is until the Saturday car show when the contents announced their presence with a blood pounding roar. Yes, it was the Kiekhaefer 300B in all of its refurbished glory, glistening white with red lettering, very menacing with its widened wheels and chopped headlight brows. I took a lot of time examining every detail. That is the one and only time that I saw the car in person, however I revelled at seeing it on television as part of the broadcast introduction to the 1998 Daytona 500. I almost fainted last Spring at the Kokomo, IN. Meet when Vic Millis pulled up in his superb 300B clone tribute car. Great job Vic!

I love them all, every model year, every variance, each car in someway unique. Even if you come across two cars that are the same model year, the same colour with the same options you know their history will set them apart. Here’s to another 75 years of rich Chrysler 300 history!