The 300H represented Chrysler’s most dramatic departure from the opulent and excessive styling of the period. The flamboyant fins of its predecessor were almost completely gone and were now replaced by a smooth cascading rear deck lid. Nevertheless, the exterior and interior brightwork remained mostly intact in the design, and without a doubt, the 300H was still one of the more lavishly appointed cars when it came to the interior.

The 300H no longer shared its foundation with the New Yorker line; however, it had not slowed down and Andy Granatelli took a 300H to another ”Flying Mile” record at Daytona, recording a 179.4-mph speed. They were still luxurious, fast, and aimed to the wealthy motoring enthusiasts of the early-1960s. The wedge head V-8 offered ample performance and ride control was excellent. While Chrysler still promoted the car on account of its speed and power, it had opted to cut production back significantly. In fact, only a total of 558 cars were built and sold that year, with only 435 of them in hardtop coupe form.

Thanks to the arrival of this car, which initially was considered the “every day and plain” 300, many (including the Milestone Car Society) long have looked at the 1961 300G as the last of the great 300 Series cars. Although some may have never reconsidered this impression, the Milestone hierarchy awarded the 1962 300H a rightful and revised place in automotive history. Those who overlooked the 300H missed another exceptional performer, thanks in part to the 300 pounds shed with the new downsized body.

This gorgeous Oyster White model is remarkable in many ways; reportedly this car’s engine carries a rare dealer-installed option of a short, long-ram intake manifold that boosted the solid lifter 413-cid V-8 engine to a staggering 405 horsepower. This car carries one of only 25 units that were reported to be delivered in the trunk for dealer installation. The short-ram engine featured 11:1 compression and large valves, and it was officially offered and Hot Rod magazine did test this type of engine in a 300H in period.

This powerful unit is matched to TorqueFlite automatic transmission and it continues the interior design cue of four individual seats and a full-length center console that radiates sportiness with luxury combined. Mr. Rigoli secured this car approximately 20 years ago out of California. It had belonged to a gentleman named Marvin Newton. Mr. Newton was a Chrysler/Plymouth Parts and Service manager and executed the restoration on this fine 300H. When delivered, Mr. Rigoli conveys that the car was “way more than I expected.” It has received an impeccable restoration at every point and, although the restoration now has 20 years on it, it is as pristine as the day Mr. Rigoli acquired it. This represents an incredible opportunity on a rare long, short-ram 405 horsepower Chrysler 300H.