1963 Chrysler 300 Pacesetter Convertible

This is a 1963 Chrysler 300 Pacesetter Convertible, powered by a 383 with a 2bbl carburetor, torque flite push-button transmission. Information out on the web indicates that there were 1,861 of these convertibles made to commemorate Chrysler providing the pace car for the Indianapolis 500. According to the Chrysler 300 Club the majority of the Pacesetters made were “Pace Car Blue” in color. I can tell you that the car I am listing has a factory paint code indicating that it is “Festival Red”, and all signs that I see on the car confirms this. So this may be rarer of a car then most others! I did reach out the Chrysler Historical division and they provided a build sheet and letter for this car. This is not your typical Mopar and I have never seen another one when attending car shows or when I have traveled across the country on numerous road trips with this car. It’s important to me that this car finds new owners that will either take it to the next level or truly enjoy it as it is and drive it. I will try to be as thorough as I can in the description of this car but please email if you need additional information or clarification.

I purchased this car in 2001 and at that time it was an older restoration. The body was straight and solid but the paint (I assume it was lacquer) was extremely faded and was tough to keep a shine. The floors were solid; the rear lower quarters had been reworked / repaired. Someone did cut out the center of the trunk floor to accommodate a non-correct gas tank. I found an original tank and had tank-renew done to it and patched the trunk floor. The interior is original with typical signs of wear. The driver’s seat has had a repair done to it sometime ago. The dash pad is a little curled/short on the passenger side; the door panels are a bit wavy along the bottom but are still solid. The carpet is wore through where the heal of your foot sits but is easily hidden by floor mats. Overall the interior is pretty good for being 55 years old! All the gauges work including the performance vacuum gauge in the center console. The glass is also good. Shortly after I got the car I had the radiator re-cored and had an extra row added, new exhaust, new leaf springs from Eaton Detroit springs and I also put on wire wheels with some custom center caps I made that have a Chrysler emblem. In 2007, and about 15,000 miles ago the car was repainted with a base /clear (my dad was in the body shop business). There were no surprises with the body during the repaint. The door jams were not sealed with a sealer at the time of the repaint and as a result there are a few spots where the paint is starting to peel/flake off. The rest of the car is still straight, solid and has a good shine but with a few more rock chips etc from those cross country trips (this car is made to drive). Some other things done in 2007 were: Front disc brake conversion ( 4 piston calipers), all new brake lines from the front to the back, new master cylinder, all new chassis parts including bushings and shocks, new speedo cable, had the steering gear rebuilt by Lares Mfg., the transmission was rebuilt, the engine was completely gone through and rebuilt (bored .030 with new pistons and rings, crank was polished and installed with new bearings, the heads were completely rebuilt with new valves and springs, new cam, timing set and all other typical items replaced ), a Mopar performance distributor was installed, the complete front wiring harness was custom made, both front and rear bumpers were straightened and re-chromed (all other stainless trim is good with only minor defects and typical pitting in the pot metal trim), NOS tail lamp housings and lenses, NOS front turn lenses and backup lenses, new back plastic window, new door & trunk seals, new hood insulation and new Cooper tires, also had the AM radio wired to accept an MP3/I-pod or XM radio receiver. More recently the power steering pump was rebuilt by Lares Mfg., the drive shaft has been upgraded eliminating the trunion / CV style joint, new hoses, t-stat and coolant. There are extra parts included with this vehicle. Some items included are the original front drums / brakes, wheels and hub caps and numerous other items (too many to list). Also included are the receipts for the major things done.

This car has given me a lot of joy over the years. I have never been afraid to take this car across the U.S. on trips. It’s been to Yellowstone several times, the Black Hills, the Ozarks and everywhere in between. It’s a great cruising/hwy car and a joy to take to car shows. I have tried to list the major things done to this car and everything I know about this car. Please understand that this is not a perfect car as it is 55 years old but since I have owned it I’ve made every attempt to do upgrades and maintain it to make it a reliable car. There are things a new owner would want to do to make it their own!

This car has been appraised twice by the Ellingson’s Car Museum in Rogers, Minnesota. Most recently in 2008 it appraised at $22,000 for insurance purposes.

It’s time for some else to enjoy this car!Please email with any questions you may have.