Pick of the Day: 1960 Chrysler 300F Hardtop

The “Forward Look” design language in 1950s and 1960s Chrysler automobiles extended to more than just the exterior aerodynamics: Chrysler’s Vice President of Design at the time, Virgil Exner, also worked his magic on the dashboards, seating arrangements, and other interior features. This car is a perfect example of “peak” Forward Look from the mid-century timeframe:

The Pick of the Day is a 1960 Chrysler 300F two-door hardtop listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Litchfield Park, Arizona. (Click the link to view the listing)

The car was restored in its original shade of Toreador Red Metallic (paint code PP1). Some of the brightwork was rechromed, including the mirrors and trim. The OEM 14-inch hubcaps and wide whitewall tires give the car a clean, original look that would be right at home in a dealership showroom 64 years ago.

I recently raved about the gauge cluster of the C4 Corvette which seemed futuristic for its time. Another instrument arrangement that definitely sits in my top five is the “AstraDome,” which was used on Chrysler cars for three model years between 1960 and 1962. The arrangement was space-age and three-dimensional; it used a glass globe set over a tiered gauge arrangement. Some people called it the “gumball” because it had a sort of resemblance to a gumball machine. Because of the way the cluster was laid out, the controls for the automatic transmission were arranged in push-button format to the left of the gauges, and there was a sliding lever used for the turn signals.

Power under the hood of today’s car comes from a 413cid “Golden Lion” V8 mated to a TorqueFlite 727 three-speed automatic transmission. The list of mechanical improvements is lengthy to say the least. The seller doesn’t specify the timeframe when all of the service was completed, but the items included replacement of the fuel tank, fuel pump, exhaust, radiator, water pump, power steering box, ball joints, sway bar bushings, shock absorbers, driveshaft, U-joints, and brakes.

Aside from the instrument cluster, there is another aspect of the cabin that make this car special: a four-bucket seating arrangement with a full-length center console. The car also has its original AM radio, a new rear package tray, new door panels, reupholstered seating, rebuilt window moldings, and new weather-stripping. The cabin has been insulated with sound-deadening material throughout.