In Europe those cars were made by Ferrari, Porsche, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Maserati and Aston-Martin. In the USA the Muscle Cars were born.

Chrysler 300B © flickr/Rex Gray

While GM built the Corvette and Ford the Thunderbird, Chrysler went a different way. The Chrysler letter series. Based on a 2-door saloon it was the fastest and most powerful American car for several years.

The first car of the letter series, the C-300 launched in 1955, didn’t bear a letter but can retroactively be considered the 300A. The 300 originally stood for the 300 hp (220 kW) engine.
The design was pretty similar to other Chrysler models as parts from other cars were used. The front clip and grille were taken from the Imperial, the mid section from the New Yorker hardtop and the rear quarter from the Windsor.
The C-300 was equipped with Chrysler’s most powerful engine, the 331 cu in (5.4 L) FirePower “Hemi” V8, fitted with twin 4-barrel carburettors, a race-profiled camshaft setup, solid valve lifters, stiffer suspension and a performance exhaust system.
It was the most powerful American car for many years and the first American production car to top 360 hp (270 kW). The cars were successfully raced in NASCAR and numerous international rallies. The interest it aroused was not reflected in the sales figures of 1,725 built though.

The Chrysler 300B launched in 1956 looked pretty similar with larger tailfins and smaller modifications. The engines were larger with two models of 354 cu in (5.8 L) Hemi V8 with either 340 or 355 hp (254 or 265 kW) and performance was a little better, being measured at almost 140 mph (225 km/h). Only 1,102 cars were sold.

The 1957 300C had a completely new styling with a wide front grille and fins. For the first time a convertible model was available too. The Hemi engine was upgraded to 392 cu in (6.4L) with 375 hp (280 kW). A limited edition of 18 cars had 390 hp (290 kW). 1,767 coupés and 484 convertibles were built.

The 1958 300D was the last model with the old FirePower Hemi. It was a 392 cu in (6.4 L) engine tuned to 380 hp (280 kW) as standard. 35 cars had fuel injection and delivered 390 hp (290 kW). The fuel injection system caused problems though and most cars were replaced with the standard twin-quad carburettor setup. Thanks to recessionary times only 618 hardtops and 191 convertibles were built.

The auction is announced as Classic Muscle and Modern Performance sale with more than 80 cars and all offered at no reserve.

Chevrolet Camaro © flickr/SoulRider.222

Most of these cars going under the hammer are the property of one prominent Southern California collector. There will be no fewer than 18 Corvettes, on of them a 1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88, fully documented, with low mileage and about 430bhp and another one a 1965 Chevrolet Fuel-Injected Corvette.

Other cars will be two 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28s, a 1970 Pontiac GTO Convertible, a 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429, a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6 Convertible, possibly the only red/black model made and one of only 18 left throughout the world.

‘RM is delighted to have been chosen to present this outstanding group of cars at auction,’ said Ian Kelleher, RM’s chief operating officer.

Muscle Car enthusiasts who don’t live in the San Diego area don’t need to worry because RM Auctions will take written bids (submitted one week prior) and telephone and internet bids (registration required). So anyone will get a chance.

Location:

Town and Country Resort & Convention Center
500 Hotel Circle North
San Diego, California
92108

Preview:

June 18, 2010 9:00 am – 6:00 pm PST
June 19, 2010 9:00 am – 6:00 pm PST

Auction:

June 19, 2010 11 am – 6:00 pm PST

Admission:

Admission to this sale requires the purchase of the official auction catalog for $80. The catalog will admit two to the preview, reception and auction.

For more information click here.

The series started in 1955 (the letter I was skipped) and during this time less than 17,000 were produced. From 1955 through 1957 the Chrysler was the fastest American car, because Chrysler had become the first American manufacturer to develop 300 hp in a production car.

Chrysler 300L©flickr/Hugo90

The body styles available were either hardtop or convertible, except 1955,1956, and 1963 when no convertible was available.

The original 300′s are by some people considered to be the first muscle cars, winning a total of 37 NASCAR and AAA stock car events in 1955. But they were not only fast but also large and luxurious. Qualities muscle cars did not typically match.

Of the Chrysler 300L 2,845 cars were produced, 2,405  were 2-door hardtops, and 440 2-door convertibles.

The specifications were as follows: V-8, 413 cid, 4 bbl carb, 360 bhp at 4,800 rpm, 470 ft/lbs at 3,200 rpm, either standard 3-speed auto or optional 4-speed manual.