1959 Chrysler 300E: History, Specs & Features | Classic Car Insights

1959 Chrysler 300E Browse the article 1959 Chrysler 300E

1959 Chrysler 300E

The 1959 Chrysler 300E is the fifth edition of the letter-series 300. Basically the same car as the 1958 300-D, but sported a horizontal-bar grille instead of the previous eggcrate and a 413-cid wedgehead V-8 instead of the fabled Hemi.

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1959 Chrysler 300-E hardtop coupe.
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The E's reputation for sluggishness is undeserved: most contemporary road tests pegged it a good second quicker than the D up to 60 mph and up to three seconds faster to 90 mph.

Rear-end styling was altered in line with other '59 Chryslers. A difficult sales year for the industry as a whole limited production, making this model a real find today.

Pluses of the 1959 Chrysler 300E:

• Rarer than other 300s
  
• Styling (still good)
  
• Performance
  
• Roadability
  
• Magnificent mile-eater
  
• Interior luxury

Minuses of the 1959 Chrysler 300E:

• A "bum rap" for "doing in the Hemi"
  
• Magnificent fuel-eater
  
• Rust-prone

Production of the 1959 Chrysler 300E:

• 2-door hardtop: 550
• Convertible: 140

Specifications of the 1959 Chrysler 300E:
Length, inches: 220.6
Wheelbase, inches: 126.0
Weight, pounds: 4,290-4,350
Price, new: $5,319-5,749

Engines for the 1959 Chrysler 300E:

TypeSize HorsepowerYears ohv V-8 413 380 1959
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