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 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 cat var(--wle thaty-con>
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