– KNOWN AS THE BEAUTIFUL BRUTE
– 392-CID “FIREPOWER” HEMI^® ENGINE
– 2ND YEAR “FORWARD LOOK” STYLING

Chrysler Corporation wasn’t afraid to promote their 1958 Chrysler 300D in a “tell-it-like-it-is” fashion, as in a way that was purely directed to the male customer. Here’s the brochure pitch:

The Chrysler 300D isn’t just a great car – it’s a distinctive idea.
It’s a rare kind of automobile that reflects a unique way of living and thinking. The man who owns a 300D is no ordinary person. He’s a leader, a man with vision – an individual marked by alertness and vitality that elevate him above the crowd. That’s why he chooses the Chrysler 300D.

He’s drawn to it first because it’s active, nimble and energetic – offering the quick handling and high-performance spirit of the compact foreign cars seen in competitive events. But he also appreciates that this agility is delivered in bold, comfortable, full-size proportions – making the 300D perfectly suited for family life as well.

Beyond performance and size, he recognizes the long-term value. The 300D’s Flight-Swept styling and advanced Chrysler engineering aren’t just about looks – they’re a smart investment. History has shown that when it’s time to trade, the 300D returns a higher percentage of its original value than most.

If you see yourself in this description, we encourage you to visit your Chrysler dealer and experience the 300D for yourself. Take command of the Firepower 380-horsepower engine – complete with twin 4-barrel carburetors, high-lift camshaft and mechanical valve lifters – and feel the confident surge of power delivered through the standard push-button TorqueFlite automatic transmission.

You’ll appreciate the level ride and flat cornering, thanks to the car’s low center of gravity and Torsion-Aire suspension, enhanced by longer 60-inch outrigger rear springs. And you’ll notice the difference in control with the oversized 12 x 2-inch Total Contact power brakes and the new Constant Control power steering – both standard equipment.

There’s a new kind of motoring experience waiting for you in the 1958 Chrysler 300D.

RARE CONVERTIBLE VERSION

In 1958, Chrysler produced just 618 300D Hardtops and a mere 191 Convertibles, making these upscale machines truly rare.
What sets them apart even more is their distinction as the final Letter Cars to feature the legendary hemispherical-head engines. Starting in 1959, Chrysler transitioned to the “wedge-head” 413-cubic-inch RB engine, marking the end of an era.

That’s why the ’58 300Ds continue to be cherished by purists – they’re the last to carry the iconic 392 HEMI^® powerplant under the hood, delivering performance that’s as formidable as it is historically significant.

RED/WHITE/BLUE 300 SIDE EMBLEMS

On the quarter panels, these round emblems appeared, and the instant way to determine that it’s a 1958 year model as opposed to the previous ’57 is the “D” letter placed below the 300 lettering.

380-HP HEMI ENGINE

With 10.0:1 compression and the free-breathing HEMI cylinder heads, the 1958 392-cubic-inch Firepower V8 engine delivered 380 horsepower at 5,200 rpm, with 435 lb-ft of torque at 3600 rpm. Intake valve diameter is 2.0 inches, exhaust valve diameter is 1.75 inches. This final year of the 392 Gen I HEMI engine had five additional horsepower as compared to ’57, plus a revised camshaft that provided for easier starting. Premium fuel required.

Under the hood, the 1958 Chrysler 300D was equipped with twin Carter WCFB carburetors – #2741S up front and #2742S at the rear – each topped with distinctive air filter housings.
During restoration, every detail beneath the hood was brought back to factory-spec, with correct colors, finishes and original-style markings meticulously applied.

A rare and forward-thinking option available on the ’58 300D was the Bendix “Electrojector” electronic fuel injection system. Priced at $400 – a considerable sum at the time – it had limited appeal, with fewer than 35 cars believed to have been equipped with it. This advanced setup boosted the 392 HEMI engine’s output to an impressive 390 horsepower and marked the first use of an onboard computer in a Chrysler vehicle. However, early reliability issues kept it from achieving commercial success.

FRONT END STYLING

The masculine front end had “form and function” integrated into its design, as the stylists worked with the engineers to create special openings (located below the headlights, and trimmed with red-colored screen material) which directed air to better cool the front brake shoes (via fiberglass ducting). No matter how fast you go, eventually you’ve got to stop and these cars weighted some 4,400 pounds so brakes were an issue.

REAR VIEW

“Forward Look” finned styling with vertical taillights were part of the package for ’58, carried over from the 1957 model but with revised taillights, featuring shorter lenses. Clean styling in an era of excess chrome and flash!

LUXURY IN LEATHER

Tan leather was standard on 300 models for ’58 and a 150-mph speedometer gave hint to the potency of the HEMI engine under the hood. Rear-view mirror was dash-mounted and automatic transmission control buttons located on the far left-hand side. A power window car. Some 67,000 miles on this fine example of classic Chrysler Letter Car … barely broke in by today’s standards!

A ROLLING DASH OF RED

14 x 6.5” steel wheels were used along with tubeless wide whites … full disc stainless steel wheel covers came with 300 markings to match the three-color emblems displayed throughout the car. Red-painted inserts were model specific as well.

RAVEN BLACK

“AAA” Paint Code Raven Black example looks as pristine today as when it rolled off the assembly line. Virgil Exner’s clean and uncluttered styling is timeless! Hardtops sold for $5,173, with convertibles listed at $5,603. These were premium-priced automobiles and in the late 1950s, and the sum of $5,000-plus was a serious chunk of change for a performance car!

PROPERLY RESTORED

The Raven Black-colored 300D pictured received a meticulous ground-up full restoration, note the “X” brace on the chassis as used on convertible models. The completed car is now considered one of the most detailed, authentic examples of what a 300D convertible looked as it sat on a Chrysler dealership showroom floors all those years ago!

Author: James Maxwell

Tag: Chrysler Classics

Last of the HEMI® Letter Cars: 300D

Tag:
Chrysler Classics

Last of the HEMI^® Letter Cars: 300D