A Far Too Brief History of the Chrysler 300 - Goodbye to an Icon

#chrysler300
The Chrysler 300 Spans Three distinct generations, bringing it's own special interpretation of muscle car attitude and luxury to buyers and becoming known as "The Banker's Hot Rod".
This is a far too brief history of the Chrysler 300 story!
Start 00:00
C-300 00:28
300B 01:25
300C 02:09
300D 02:47
300E 03:29
300F 04:00
300G 05:20
300H 05:44
300J 06:36
300K 07:30
300L 07:55
Planned replacements 08:49
Cordoba 300 09:39
300M 10:04
300C 11:20
Conclusion 14:04
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AllCarsWithJon

[@AllCarswithJon]

What's your favorite version of the 300 series? For me, that 300G is absolutely gorgeous!

[@briannichols4807]

My family had a 1969 Chrysler 300 4dr. My grandparents bought it new , then my uncle had it , and then eventually my Dad had it . That was a great looking car . It was the first year for the fuselage design , which continued until the 1971 model year when it was put on a hiatus for several years until the Cordoba based 300 you mentioned in the 1979 model year .

[@1heavyelement]

i love my 300M. after that the 300 H Hurst is just beastly. and super rare. it would have been nice had chrysler got the LH platform 300s closer to 300 HP. the 255 horse v6 is no slouch though. when you ask for the juice its there.

[@mrgurulittle7000]

I’d love for Chrysler to make a new 300. Didn’t know it had such a long history. The Daimler Chrysler 300 was probably the most iconic 300 out of the bunch.

[@bigun447]

From 1960 (the year I got my driver's license) to 1964, a neighbor who bought a new 300 every year had me drive him on his longer trips. Talk about being proud, I wore my suit, white shirt, and tie while driving him to his appointments and he rode in the back. Those were great cars designed to show that the owner had wealth.

[@AllCarswithJon]

Cool story! Back when people took pride!

[@infernoking7504]

That crossram intake is very interesting to me.

[@colinschmitz8297]

My favorite is the 300M. It was such a beautiful car, so advanced for its time, and had a great interior for it price point.

[@Johnnycdrums]

Love the grill on the 300 E.

[@zanemcfarlane6087]

I have a 2007 SRT 8 300c 6.1L hemi absolutely love the car fantastic history behind the car an with the Hemi at end of days I'm keeping mine

[@Jack_Stafford]

Hi Jon! I LOVE your vids and history of cars, and examination of cars of our youth. But, I wonder if you misspoke when you said that there were only 4 door versions of the LX platform; wasn't the Challenger built on the LX, or does its tweaks technically make it a separate platform? I'm a big fan of these cars; large, rear wheel drive, and especially coupes are hard to find, and shouldn't go extinct... trends always go in cycles. Remember all the 1920s influenced designs and trims (opera lights, carriage look roof) that was popular again in the 70s? lol And the retro look around 2000 with the New Beetle, Thunderbird, PT Cruiser, Prowler, HHR, etc? Things go in a cycle, and a smart company is ready to pivot and increase production as that happens... the Big Three seem completely unprepared for the slightest shift that could happen over night, like a fuel crisis or other big event that changes everything. You hit the nose when you said that Chrysler's offerings are too thin. They need more choice, more variety in size, and yes, legacy names that actually honour the cars they are named after. :) And good grief, they missed out on serious money by never making an official stretched version of this car with world class opulence and calling it "Imperial". With Fleetwood and Town Car gone... they would have had the luxury and limo market all to themselves without a lot of investment. Sigh. Chrysler's soap opera continues, passed around from company to company like a soccer ball.

[@AllCarswithJon]

Thanks for the kind words. I was focusing on just the "300", so while there are/were stablemates based on the platforms, it's a rabbit hole I tried to not go down. For example, when the 300 moved to the C-platform, I didn't want to start talking about the Dodge Polara or any of the other platformmates. That's why I avoided the Challenger. 😀

[@andrewweltlich9065]

I was a kid when the 300M debuted and I loved it every time I saw one on the road. I was absolutely blown away by the 300C. I couldn't believe a manufacturer was building a full size, rear wheel drive, V8 car at an affordable price. I don't think they have aged very well, but in their day they were so cool.

[@Thatdavemarsh]

At 11:21 that shot of the red one wearing intrepid wheels really drives home how close the LH cars were to each other.

[@rt_goblin_hours]

I know you may not have the most views or subsrcibers, but your content is an invaluabke resource, entertaining. And I'm always happy when a video of yours pops up

[@AllCarswithJon]

I appreciate that! I keep trying to put out good stuff, always make it a bit better, and I think subs and views will come! Thanks for being here!

[@zaidkidwai7831]

Really enjoy your videos man. I’m not much into US brands, but your vids have made me a lot more interested.

[@runoflife87]

Well, the Magnum wagon was basically the 300 wagon w/different front end. I do remember seeing both here, in Russia - cool looks, but not very practical.

[@michaelleoanrd194]

I remember seeing a customization show and the bolted the front clip of a 300 straight onto a Magnum. I don't think they needed to do anything at all to make it look factory.

[@CourtlandMiller1994]

Rip to yet another

[@johnnymason2460]

Dodge and DeSoto did have different versions of the first generation Hemi V8(with lower displacements) known as the Red Ram and Firedome, respectfully. I would love to have the 1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst coupe. Now that was a 300.

[@hotelworker812]

I really wish Chrysler would focus more on making reliable vehicles instead of powerful engines

[@colinschmitz8297]

FYI, Your cover has a 2nd gen LHS/post 2002 Concorde front end instead of a 300M.

[@vaughnmiller4371]

Exactly. First thing I noticed. Does anybody proof read or proof graphic images of what they're doing anymore?

[@austinkowalski5512]

Love the 300!

[@ManiaMusicChannel]

Hey, thanks for this video really enjoyed it! Big Mopar fan 👍🏽

[@AllCarswithJon]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@iternityhuman1782]

Wow the latest 300 models were very popular the quad headlights and the grill. The boxy handsome body a winner!

[@alext8828]

Didn't Mr. Drysdaile from the Beverly Hillbillys drive a Chrysler 300? He was a banker. No. He drove a '62 Imperial. He was a rich guy.

[@rnt45t1]

Such a great history overview! Love the 300.

[@ChryslerHyper]

Such a great car, the fact that it will be replaced by EVs is terrible.

[@JamesGarmanrabbitjetta]

I have a 64 New Yorker Salon, very awesome car but wish it was a 300K! One thing on the LD cars is that adaptive cruise I believe was avail in 2011 with just radar. They added camera allowing for better accuracy at the later date?

[@moparfam300c]

Today sadly marks the day of the very last Chrysler 300 being rolled off the assembly line on Saturday, December 9th, 2023...

[@TheREALJosephTurner]

I don't know about a comeback as far as it remaining a car goes. Seems like domestic car companies only want to carry two product lines now: trucks and look-alike crossovers. Electric or not, if they bring the name back, it'll probably be attached to a crossover that looks like the eMach with a Chrysler-ish nose.

[@1heavyelement]

Thanks for doing this car. I have a 1999 300M with 78,000 miles that's in near showroom condition. ( the composite headlights are just starting to yellow, but are still somewhat clear). other than that its pristine. I absolutely love driving this car. it really does drive like luxury European cars do. For only being 25 years old I get plenty of people talking to me about it and telling me how nice it is to see one in such good shape.

[@AllCarswithJon]

Right on!

[@tomtbi]

Another great historical video!!.. I built the AMT 05 Chrysler 300 C 1/25 scale model kit a couple of years ago and I think it came out fairly decent...

[@brianmoore6306]

To me, the styling took a big hit from 1956 to 1957. In 1957, Chryslers looked too much like their other offerings from Dodge and even Plymouth. Just weren't luxurous anymore. the 1960 looked better, but still not as good as the 1955-1956. I did not like the slanted headlights of 1961! Better in 1963 and 1964 - not appaling again until the 70's. Nothing good after that!! Great video. Love the early ones! Thanks. 82

[@jamieshields9521]

Lucky Australia had 300C for few more years plus Pacer edition.

[@Fleetwoodjohn]

The thumbnail has a LHS instead of a 300M

[@michaeloreilly657]

Chrysler 300C: Inspired by Bentley.

[@MyHumanWreckage]

The 300 series is one of my favourite Chryslers of all time. I even got to drive the modern ones and thought they were great cars.

[@chesterfieldjacarandian4424]

No disrespect but i think you forgot about the 1970 Chrysler 300 hurst edition (300-H) not many people know about it so it’s pretty overlooked but still great video nonetheless 🎉

[@AllCarswithJon]

I did not forget, I left it off. I really wanted to stick to the 3 main eras, and only included the Cordoba package because the sales numbers were not miniscule. There was so little about the Hurst edition I decided to cut that section out. And yes, I've been expecting this comment. :)

[@tomtbi]

DYK there was a 70 Chrysler 300 Hurst??

[@ianperkins8812]

Chrysler and Dodge have a hefty stockpile of historical model names, to be sure. Like you, I hope they don't moulder from disuse, but I just wonder if any EV can live up to the cachet that those old model names evoke.

[@AllCarswithJon]

I'm doubtful. Not that Stellantis isn't smart enough to drag out the old names, but that they'll throw them on some sort of sport-back, active-lifestyle, CUV-light models.

[@ianperkins8812]

@@AllCarswithJon I call those "CCUVs" - Cookie Cutter Uninspiring Vehicles

[@AllCarswithJon]

@@ianperkins8812 LOL. I somehow doubt the industry will start using that one!

[@joeseeking3572]

I wanted to like the last (post-2010) 300, though it dind't have the same visual punch as when it came out originlly - that was just so different. The driving experience however was a disappointment. Back in that era I rented cars frequently and often got a Charger. I liked the Charger, even if the interior looked rather cut rate. For whatever reason I ended up in a 300 twice. Not nearly as good. Whereas the Dodge felt responsive, the Chrysler felt flabby and, at least once, borderline unsafe ( I was admittedly well above the posted limit on a twisty and undulating piece of freeway, but I'd driven it many times previously at similar speeds in other vehicles). More nicely trimmed inside, but not for me.

[@AllCarswithJon]

The current 300 is very divisive to me. Those days I think I miss a large, rear wheel drive car, even with a 6 cylinder.... I look at the 300 and think "well, there it is" But the styling as always been a bit too "try hard" for me, and I don't care to drive the car aggressively so the POWER!!! aspect of it isn't a selling point. It's not really luxury, it's not really sporty, it's just attitude.

[@killerontheloose80]

Mopar or no car Big John Chrysler products excellence in engineering Walter Percy Chrysler a farm boy from Wamego Kansas who fell in love with New York City

[@seththomas9105]

By way of being a machinist for the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) and IIRC the Chief Mechanical Officer for the Chicago Great Western Railroad. The man was a machinist and mechanic before everything else.

[@AllCarswithJon]

I hear you, but Chrysler's days of engineering excellence have long since passed.

[@kc0lif]

i like 300 hurst.

[@MrJoeltrain]

995 hp 5.8l in 79??

[@AllCarswithJon]

I said it wrong but corrected it with a note at the bottom of the screen.

[@daviduliana4447]

Best - 300B. Worst - 300M. Most insane - Hellcat. Most pathetic - Cordoba 300

[@mumwifeteacher]

The 300 has always led with luxury, power and ugliness

[@muznick]

The 2005 was the best looking version, but the interior was cheap plastic junk.

[@seththomas9105]

The hallmark of a Chrysler Corp vehicle since the late 60's.

[@wasserglatte3696]

you "are" never a name, your name "is" ......

[@davinp]

The current model is dated. Chrysler hasn't come with a new model in many years, especially since Fiat bought Chrysler and now Stalantis This means Chrysler is no longer American and now Italian. Unfortunately, Chrysler's aren't very reliable with poor build quality and Italian makes then even worse

[@JonathanMoosey]

You missed a feature that came with the 300M Pro-Am edition. Anyone who purchased the pro-am edition got a set of custom built TaylorMade golf clubs and bag.

[@rustyshackleford6637]

I own a 1970 300 (the convertible) and there is no other car like it.