Classic Cars and Trucks / Photos Specs Model History, Production Numbers

1969 Chrysler 300 Convertible / Photos, Specifications, Model History

The 1969 Chrysler 300 Convertible featured here was a full size luxury automobile that embodied the style and sophistication of its era. The first Chrysler 300 came out in 1955 and the design of the first Chrysler 300’s were led by noted automotive designer Virgil Exner. The goal for the design team working on the 1955 Chrysler’s was to achieve a complete break from the past.

Virgil Exner and the Forward Look

The story about how Chrysler redesigned their models in the 1950’s is all about Virgil Exner and his Chrysler design team.

By May 1955 Chrysler’s Forward Look was a part of all models with both logos and slogans. While the Forward Look slogan was a creation of a New York and agency, the inspiration was Virgil Exner’s designs. The wedge shaped styling of the Chrysler 300 letter series and updated 1957 models, with their long hoods and short decks, uplifted Chrysler to the forefront of design, with Ford and General Motors scrambling to follow up and using many of Exner’s design traits.

Chrysler Fuselage Styling

Chrysler redesigned the bodies of its largest cars for the 1969 model year. It’s new Fuselage styling was introduced in August 1968 for the 1969 model year. The main reason for this redesign was to replace the boxy design that Chrysler produced from 1965 until 1968. The new model was a head turner. With its distinctive gun-sight grille (the gun-sight styled grille would be eliminated starting with the 1970 model in favor of variations of the remaining horizontal chrome band) , hidden headlights, long hood, and sleek lines, it certainly was a true head turner that exuded class and power. The car was available in both two-door and four-door versions, with the latter being the more popular choice.

The ads that promoted the all new models maintained that the new styling not only made the cars look wider and longer. They also said that it surrounded the passengers with a hull, like in an aircraft, therefore the advertising reference to “fuselage” design.

The 1969 Chrysler 300 was a masterclass in automotive design, blending power, elegance, and performance into a package that remains iconic to this day. In September 1969 Car Life magazine released its ‘Best Of’ issue, a title awarded by market segment and vehicle class. In the ‘Prestige Car’ category, CL declared the Chrysler 300 as the best of the class over three other models; a Buick Wildcat, a Mercury Marquis, and an Oldsmobile entry.

1969 Chrysler 300 Specifications

Under the hood is Chrysler’s legendary 440 cubic inch V8 engine with a four barrel carburetor and 350 HP. The 440 was Chrysler’s largest big block engine and first appeared in 1966. The engine was soon available in both full size sedans and coupes as well as in intermediate muscle cars. This big block V-8 engine was built with a cast iron block and heads.

The standard transmission is a three speed manual with an option for a three speed TorqueFlite automatic.

Brakes are four wheel hydraulic drums.

Independent front suspension are coil springs, shock absorbers with upper and lower A-arms. Rear suspension are coil springs, heavy duty shocks and leaf springs.

Dimensions for the 1969 Chrysler 300 includes a 124.0 inch wheelbase, 224.7 inch overall outside length, 79.1 inch width, 55.6 inch height. Curb weight about 4,025 lbs.

The 1969 Chrysler 300 Two Door Convertible is a rare automobile with only an estimated 1933 units produced. This compares to 30,500 Hardtops built for 1969. Total Chrysler 1969 production covering all models were 260,750 vehicles. The Chrysler 300 Convertibles, along with convertibles across the entire Chrysler lineup were discontinued after the 1970 model year where only slightly over 1,000 examples of the 300 convertible models were built. Chrysler’s decision to stop producing convertibles at that time had to do with both the weak economy and new federal safety regulations.

1967 Chevy Impala SS / Photos, Specifications, Styling Details

Featured here is a great looking 1967 Chevrolet Impala SS. The full size Impala is an American icon that first came on the scene in 1958. After introduction it didn’t take long for the Impala to become a huge success for GM.

The Chevrolet Impala is a beloved American icon, a full size sedan that has had the attention of buyers for generations. The Impala featured a combination of sleek styling, powerful performance, and a lasting legacy. The Chevrolet Impala first came out in 1958 and in very short order became one of Chevrolet’s most popular and successful models.

1967 Chevy Impala Styling

All Chevrolet models received restyling in 1965. This was the fourth generation of the Chevy Impala and there were a great many models offered. The fourth generation had a very impressive six year run through 1970 and with excellent sales numbers. As a side note, the 1965 model year Chevrolet Impala achieved the best sales for a single year for any automobile in history.

The 1967 Chevrolet Impala design showed a sleek, sophisticated style that set it apart from many competitors. The 67 Impala has a long, low slung profile and distinctive chrome trim. The front end carried Chevrolet’s signature twin headlight setup. This was framed by a bold, chrome accented grille. The roof line had a sweeping appearance that tapered down to the rear deck which gave the model a silhouette that was aerodynamic and aesthetically pleasing. Chrome side moldings and tail light bezels added a degree of sophistication.

Adding to the sleek design were subtly sculpted fenders that conveyed the models muscular underpinnings. Chrome side moldings and taillight bezels added a look of elegant sophistication.

All 1967 Impala’s featured upgraded door panels with carpeting on the lower panel section. Vinyl and cloth seating is standard with all vinyl seating being available as an option.

To comply with federal safety regulations, the 1967 Chevy Impala featured a fully collapsible energy absorbing steering column along with side marker lights, and shoulder belts.

1967 Impala SS

Among the differences with the Impala SS package was that front disc brakes were standard with the 427 engine. The SS models also offered the Turbo Hydra-Matic with the higher powered V-8’s. The higher powered V-8’s Also made available a fourth speed manual trans. Also available with SS models were all-vinyl Strato-bucket seats and a center console.

1967 Chevy Impala Specifications

The standard engine for the 1967 Impala is a 283 cubic-inch V-8 putting out 195 HP. Also available as an option is a 327 cubic-inch V-8 pumping out 275 HP. Even more power was offered with a 396 cubic-inch “big-block” V-8 with 325 HP. For those Impala buyers wanting the ultimate engine they could choose the legendary 427 cubic-inch V-8 achieving a staggering 385 HP.

The Chevrolet 427 cubic inch V8 engine is a true powerhouse that has cemented its place in automotive history as one of the most iconic and sought-after American muscle car engines ever produced.

Standard is a three speed manual transmission. Also available is a two speed Powerglide automatic. There is a three speed Turbo Hydra-Matic that was available with the 327 V-8 as well as with the big-block 396 and 427 V-8’s

Front brakes are heavy-duty discs. Hydraulic drums are on the rear wheels..

1967 Chevy Impala dimensions include a 119.0 inch wheelbase, overall length 215.0 inches, width 79.5 inches which gave the model a broad stance, and height 54.7 inches. Curb weight about 3,710 lbs.

Total Impala production estimates for the 1967 model year were 575,600 vehicles. Impala hardtop production totaled 66,000 vehicles. This was from a total 1967 Chevrolet production of 1.9 million vehicles.

See these related Auto Museum Online articles..

The 1963 Chevy Impala SS Convertible

1960 Chevy Impala Hardtop

Reference material for this article included..Chevrolet: The Complete History by the editors of Consumer Guide…100 Years of Chevrolet by Ralph Kramer and Jerry Burton…The Complete History of the Chevrolet Impala by Tony Markovich.

When we look at the 1967 Chevrolet Impala as a classic collector car, an example in original condition is very rare. One of these with original equipment, restored and carefully maintained over the decades will command a good asking price. Average prices for a 1967 Impala in very good to excellent condition might be in a range of $35,000 to $55,000. Those rare original equipment higher powered SS examples with lower miles that may be available could be in the $60,000 plus range.

(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)

1962 Ford F-100 / Photos, Specifications, Model History

Featured is a fine looking 1962 Ford F-100 Styleside Half Ton Pickup. The F Series for the Ford Motor Company has been a big success offering durability, performance and innovation along with plenty of options.

Ford made pickups long before the first F-Series debuted in 1948, but it was that first F-1 model that began a long tradition that has seen trucks go from farm working machines to family daily drivers. First introduced in 1953, the F-100 represented the peak of Ford’s light truck lineup.

The F-100 was a 1/2-ton pickup that was offered in a single cab body style with short or long truck beds. These truck beds were available with the sleek Styleside bed sides, or the fendered Flareside bed sides. Over the years of production, the F Series trucks were offered with a standard inline six engine, or an optional V8. Depending on the year, displacement for these engines ranged from 223ci to 300ci for the inline six, and 292ci to 352ci for the V8. Plenty of power options.

1962 F-100 Styling

1962 was virtually a carbon-copy year for Ford trucks, though minor changes were made in styling – both up front and at the back.

A keen eye will notice a slightly different grille for 1962 that replaced the Ford lettering in the grille with a single horizontal trim piece. The Ford letters were moved just above the grille where they would stay for almost 20 years.

The same two cab offering from 1961 carried over to 1962. These were the Standard Cab and Custom Cab. The Custom Cab had all the items found in the Standard Cab plus a few more such as an insulated headliner, arm rest on left door, sun shade on passenger side, chrome trimmed dashboard instruments, foam rubber in the seats, a white steering wheel with a chrome horn ring. The spacious cab, with its simple but functional dashboard layout and comfortable bench seating, offered a comfortable environment for long drives.

Although the overall styling didn’t change to any significance, the fourth generation introduced several innovations for the truck market. The two-wheel drive Styleside trucks featured a Unibody chassis with a single piece cab and body, but this design was only offered from 1961 to 1963.

The Ford “Wrongbeds”

What would be called the Wrongbeds were introduced in 1961. This is where Ford went ahead with a change from conventional American pickup truck construction. Ford body engineers built the cab and bed as a single welded assembly piece. The name they gave it was “Integrated.” as there is no gap between the cab and the cargo box. Ford’s reasoning was that this would provide a sleek and more modern look. This also reduced cost since there were less body panels and welds required. This one piece construction was also referred to as “Unibody” which actually not a Ford but a Chrysler trade name. The F-100 Wrongbed was another name for the F-100 Unibody.

Problems reported appeared to have a lot to do with the single wall between the cab and cargo box. The biggest problem reported with the one piece build included some body twisting especially with a very heavy cargo load. The Unibody couldn’t flex like a traditional pickup with a heavy load. If the body twisted even slightly you could have issues with the cab doors opening and closing properly or even opening and closing at all. In essence, the Unibody was never intended to be a heavy duty work truck.

1962 Ford F-100 Specifications

Standard engine is a 223 cubic inch inline six. The F-100 also packed as an option a more powerful engine, a 292 cubic inch Y-block V-8. Horsepower is 135 and 160 respectively.

Transmissions include a three speed manual with overdrive and a three speed Heavy-Duty Cruise-O-Matic automatic.

Brakes are four wheel hydraulic drums.

Suspension includes I Beam front suspension, leaf springs and double acting front and rear shock absorbers.

Three wheelbases were offered with the 1962 F 100. The Shortbed 114.0 inches..the Longbed 122.0 inches..the Wrongbed 120.0 inches.

See these related Auto Museum Online articles..

1964 Ford F 100

1962 Chevy C 10

Reference material for this article includes..Ford F-Series : America’s Pickup Truck by William Scheller…Ford Tough : 100 Years of Ford Trucks by Patrick R. Foster.

The 1962 Ford F-100 pickup truck was a classic American workhorse that epitomized the rugged, utilitarian charm of mid-20th century automobiles.

There’s no denying Americans’ love affair with pickup trucks, both brand new and vintage. In the classic and collector vehicle world, just about anything with a cargo bed has seen skyrocketing prices in recent years on anything from early pre-war trucks to contemporary pickups.

Even today, well-preserved examples of this classic truck are highly sought after by collectors and restorers.

Current asking price range for the 1962 Ford F 100’s in excellent condition are typically in the $30,000 to $60,000 range. Good condition examples may be found in the $24,000 to $30,000 range.