This Chrysler 300B is one of 1,102 examples produced for the 1956 model year and was acquired by its current owner from a New Mexico collector in 1994. The car is finished in red over tan leather, and power is from a 354ci FirePower Hemi V8 topped with dual Carter four-barrel carburetors and paired with a PowerFlite pushbutton two-speed automatic transmission. Additional equipment includes power-assisted steering and front disc brakes, wire wheels, electric windows and front seat adjustment, and a town and country radio as well as a JCPenney air conditioner. The car was showcased at the New York and Detroit auto shows by Chrysler during the company’s promotion of the modern 300 model in 2005, and mechanical and electrical work four years ago was followed by participation in the 2017 California Mille. The current owner is François Castaing, a former executive at Renault, American Motors, and Chrysler, and this 300B is offered on his behalf by his daughter with a clean Arizona title in the name of his LLC.
The 300 was introduced as a high-performance luxury coupe in 1955, and progressing alphabetical suffixes were added for each ensuing model year through 1965. The 300B was the second evolution in the “letter series,” and incorporated a new tail fin design into styling that was otherwise shared with its predecessor. Red was one of only three colors offered from the factory, and this example was repainted under previous ownership.
Chrome 15” wire wheels with spinner hubcaps were a factory option and wear Hankook Optimo H725 tires with 2016 date codes. The power-assisted braking system features discs up front in place of the factory drums. The 300 series featured stiffer suspension than contemporary Chrysler models.
Front and rear bench seats are trimmed in tan leather, with darker upholstery lining the side panels and headliner as well as black carpets covering the floors. Amenities include lap belts for the front occupants, a power-adjustable front seat, electric windows, and a “town and country” radio as well as a JCPenney air conditioner that is said to have been added in the 1970s.
A black steering wheel with tan molded grips frames a 150-mph speedometer and a combination gauge monitoring fuel level, oil pressure, amperage, and coolant temperature in the matching dash. The five-digit odometer shows 79k miles, approximately 4,500 of which have been added by the current owner. Pushbutton controls for the transmission are situated to the left of the steering wheel.
The 354ci FirePower V8 can be seen running in the cold start video above. The engine featured increased displacement for the 1956 model year while carrying over its predecessor’s hemispherical combustion chambers, and was fitted with a high-lift camshaft, higher-rate valve springs, and two Carter four-barrel carburetors topped with a delta-wing air cleaner for the 300B. A 12-volt electrical system was also introduced for the model year. This example is said to have received mechanical and electrical refurbishment in 2017 along with further maintenance and detailing in March 2020.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a PowerFlite two-speed automatic transmission. Additional underside photos are provided in the gallery, while a walk-around and interior tour are shown in the video below.
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