I went back and forth with pulling the trigger on purchasing this 300 hood ornament. I have never seen any other examples, or even a close resemblance to this oddity. The seller claimed that it was from the estate of a former employee of a Chrysler design studio. I’m wondering if this was a real prototype that was supposed to be destroyed after this concept was voted out as a viable product. Can anyone here shed some light on this?
Historical prototype 300 hood ornament
- Thread starter MOVE N UP
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Samplingman
Old Man with a Hat
That's really cool. @odcics2 has had some prototype items for sale, maybe he can chime in?
Carmine
Old Man with a Hat
Was your seller Bill Adams? He beats me to all the good stuff in Detroit and has found a lot of interesting prototype molds, parts, etc. One time I beat him, but it was all Furd stuff, lol.
Is there a casting # on that hood ornament? That might tell some more info - if it's an early enough number, I think that might possibly be the hood ornament for the scuttled 1966 300 Hemi M that was rumoured to be built in mid 1965... there was a sail panel M emblem as well that was around a few years ago.
The 66 300 Hemi M was discussed at length at a dealership trade show in early 65 that was attended by many dealership reps. Many came back excited about the news, and that was the reason my 66 Monaco was special ordered in Calgary with Hemi and 4 speed in the summer of 65, then when saner heads at Chrysler prevailed, the car was delivered with a 440 when the order couldn't be completed, even though the dealership processed the order and took the deposit on the car. Long story... and interesting!
The 66 300 Hemi M was discussed at length at a dealership trade show in early 65 that was attended by many dealership reps. Many came back excited about the news, and that was the reason my 66 Monaco was special ordered in Calgary with Hemi and 4 speed in the summer of 65, then when saner heads at Chrysler prevailed, the car was delivered with a 440 when the order couldn't be completed, even though the dealership processed the order and took the deposit on the car. Long story... and interesting!
Thanks for that clue -I will check for any markings when it arrives.
SIPLOWGUY
Well-Known Member
a very interesting piece.
polara71
Old Man with a Hat
I feel like this was discussed 20 years ago.
Me too...
polara71
Old Man with a Hat
Was it on the drydock ? Or on early FCBO pages 15 years ago? Im thinking Drydock.
polara71
Old Man with a Hat
I looked through 27 pages of the Drydock I couldn't find anything. The above thread may be what I was thinking of.
That's IT! Nice detective work!
Samplingman
Old Man with a Hat
Samplingman
Old Man with a Hat
@MOVE N UP
So now you know what the medallion looks like and you have the hood ornament, time to make a ‘66 300 M! Just need the Hemi…..
So now you know what the medallion looks like and you have the hood ornament, time to make a ‘66 300 M! Just need the Hemi…..
Samplingman
Old Man with a Hat
From Wikipedia:
“1966 300M
Intending to return the 300 letter series to its roots, Chrysler proposed the 1966 300M as a clay mockup in October 1963. The exterior was similar to the 300L, except the 300M had spinner-type knock off wheel covers with a "300M" medallion in the center, as well as another "300M" medallion on the trunk lid. The front running lights were moved to the center grille bar and the front turn signals were widened. The 300M also had paint stripes along the lower body line instead of the chrome molding found on the non-letter series 300s, "300M" medallions on the sides, script "Three Hundred" badges and unique tail lights and bezels. Three-spoke headlight ornaments were planned, but dropped due to legal issues in some states. The interior was identical to the non-letter series 300 except for the "300M" medallions. The 300M was planned to be powered by the 426 Wedge engine rated at 365 hp (272 kW). This first 300M proposal was cancelled in November 1964 "to reduce scheduling and plant complexity". But in 1965 the 300M was revived, this time powered by the 425 hp (317 kW), 426 Hemi engine and a planned production run of 4298, of which 500 were to have the Hemi engine, a $1250 option. The Hemi cars would also feature a dual-faced "7-Liter Hemi" medallion. This proposal was also cancelled as the letter series 300s had lost their prestige and exclusivity as they were simply non-letter series 300s with letter badges.”
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Well I’m glad they didn’t do that! And yes I see it was rendered in 2007…
I also have some strange 300 piece that we haven’t been able to identify.
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