Road & Track magazine called out the Chrysler “letter cars” as being a very significant automobile. They stressed to their European-favoring readers that it was not a sports car, but it was the best that Detroit had to offer in its luxury “sedan class.” They succinctly summed up an evaluation as “an athletic, but lovable Amazon.”

All of Chrysler’s 1960 cars were built with frameless, unibody construction, and the 300F got a complete makeover. The new F rode on a 126 inch wheelbase with an overall length of 219.6 inches. As a hardtop, it stood 55.3 inches; the convertible was .40 inches taller. The 300 had gained 250 pounds since its 1955 introduction, tipping the scales at 4,270 pounds (hardtop) and 4,310 pounds (convertible).

The 300F debuted in January, 1960 and went on to continue traditions by winning the first six places in “Flying Mile” competitions at Daytona with a top speed of nearly 145-mph. As had been the case since 1955, the 300-Series continued to be based on the New Yorker platform and was again listed as a model within the New Yorker series. Available standard colors offered by Chrysler were Toreador Red, Alaskan White, Terra Cotta and Formal Black.

Passengers were treated to an interior with four individual, leather-covered, contoured bucket seats. The front chairs swiveled for easy access. A full-length center console included armrests, storage compartments, power window controls, an ashtray and a large tachometer. The instrument panel featured “Astra-Dome” three-dimensional styling, in which a 150-mph speedometer was protected by a “electroluminescent”-lighted globe, all sitting above an array of futuristic buttons and switches. This dash adaptation used electrical current that passed through conductive surfaces to light a layer of phosphorescent ceramic material. A sprayed-on coating covered an opaque plastic film containing the dial markings, which made them stand out brightly.

Under the 300F’s hood lay a standard 413 cubic inch V-8 paired to a three-speed Torqueflite automatic transmission. This version of the Golden Lion generated 375 horsepower and 495-ft/lbs of torque. Appealing in its performance and visual impact was Chrysler’s all-new Ram Induction system that positioned a pair of Carter four-barrel carbs 30 inches away from their targeted combustion chambers. The “runners” that separated carbs from cylinders used sonic wave frequencies to compress (some might say “supercharge”) the air-fuel mixture for greater power in the engine’s mid-range, where most drivers want some extra vigor for passing or merging with traffic. The most expensive letter cars to date, the F hardtop listed for $5,411, with the convertible going for $5,841.

This particular 300F was located in a Iowa collection approximately 15 years ago by a dedicated enthusiast who had been looking for the proper 300F to restore. It was a solid example that was nearly complete, and when the car was discovered to be one of only three known 1960 300F Hardtop Coupes special ordered (paint code 999 on the data tag) in Chrysler Sunburst Yellow; the decision was made to execute a restoration on the vehicle that would be to factory OEM specifications with participation in concours events. Competing and winning at this high level was the lofty goal.

With the objective in the final presentation being the finest, showroom fresh example possible; restoration commenced in late 2001. Through Chrysler 300 Club connections, this sympathetic owner met Mr. Mark Characky, an acknowledged 300 F specialist and, all the better, a third-generation devotee of the marque. Mr. Characky’s shop near Palmdale, California was entrusted with the project. It is relayed that all mechanical, cosmetic and supplementary components were either restored to OEM standards and finishes or were replaced with the proper parts. The engine and its immediate surroundings also received these show-standard applications. The body, chrome and interior elements were all sent out to trusted specialists with experience. In mid-2003, the various aspects of the car were finished and gathered for the re-assembly process. The car was completed to the desired high standards following the 2,000-hour “ground-up” restoration and went on to become the well-known “concours circuit” car that had been envisioned. To further demonstrate the attention to detail, the Coker whitewall tires are even made to the original pattern and specification for the Chrysler 300 Club.

Since 2004, “Big Yellow” (the owner’s name of affection) has accumulated numerous first place awards at significant concours events and Chrysler gatherings alike. Among the awards this 300F has garnered include Best in Show, People’s Choice awards and Chairman’s trophies. Other events throughout California saw further awards bequeathed to this outstanding Chrysler; this is a fine testament to the painstaking work during restoration and re-assembly. In the years since the restoration, the Sunburst Yellow 300F has been well-remembered in Hemmings Motor News and other various publications in approximately half-a-dozen articles and pictorials chronicling the car and its award-winning restoration.

As one would expect with such a fine car, the 300F is accompanied by the original manuals, broadcast sheets and thorough documentation of its vaunted restoration. It is reported that the original broadcast sheet and production reports were found under the original carpets. Interestingly, at the same time, a 1960 United States penny was found. It was thought that this was placed at the same time as the paperwork, so the penny was returned to the same location during the re-assembly of the interior and the carpets were placed.

The car has always been maintained in a proper, show-ready condition and the Chrysler has accumulated few miles since the restoration was finished. Having achieved a legendary status with styling by Exner that exudes a fine blending of complex lines, plus a steering wheel in a lush, sporty interior that places you in a position to relax behind the wheel right until you turn the key and get tuned for action. Acceleration with a wallop pushes you to the legal limits in a matter of moments with breathtaking ease; the essentials of the Chrysler 300F are at your command.