Update: It seems that my using the standard 300 sedan’s length, height and wheelbase resulted in a stubbier-looking car than the quattroporte version. So, here is an updated version, the New Yorker edition!
I have recently been enamored of the 2013 Chrysler 300. I liked the car when it came out in late 2004–it seemed the traditional American sedan was coming back. A friend of mine had one in metallic green with a tan-and-green interior, and absolutely loved it. He only got rid of it after getting rear-ended by some stupid motorist. It was fixed, but never drove the same. But when the LX was restyled in 2011, I liked it even more. Mopar already makes the Challenger, so how hard could it be for them to make a 300 coupe for those who prefer luxury over sport? Some of us prefer class over flash–and I’m speaking as a confirmed Challenger lover!
Ooh.. a 300 Crown Coupe, or a 300 Cordoba! I find the 300 to be my favorite new car. I especially like the rear end with character that seems similiar to the 62 & 63 Imperial, that sort of “horse shoe” shape- especially on the 62, but the tailights seem more 63-ish.
We make custom bodykits for the chrysler 300 from 2005 to 2013 and i know for sure i will have lots of clients lined up to customize their chrysler 300 coupe with our bodykits and i will be the first one to buy one and change it over.
where can we get one of those grille kits for 2013 motown 300?
Looks like a toned-down CTS coupe
They could probably do well with a coupe.
When I moved over to Cadillac in 1993, we always wanted a Fleetwood Coupe.
Someone made a few lowrider 93-96 Fleetwood coupes, they did really good work, they look factory.
Way too stubby.
It’s like a notchback CTS coupe.
I was thinking 85 DeVille
How about a fastback coupe?
Exactly- a fastback like the Bentley continual or Rolls Wraith
This one doesn’t work for me – too tall and fat. Odd, because I like the sedan quite a bit.
The funny thing is I used the original length/wheelbase/height and only changed the door and quarter window. That is the same silhouette as the factory four-door 300!
If the door was 10-15% longer, i don’t think it would look as “stubby” as some are calling it. A longer door will visually lower the car, adding more of a horizontal, if you will, look to it.
Modern cars are tough to style as coupes because of the tall doors required to meet safety standards. The upper bodyside styling line is hard to see in this picture, which, without it, makes the car look taller. If you look at the new Challenger, it uses a blacked out rocker panel (rather than tucked under, like the original) to visually thin the car, adding perceived length, like the styling line in the bottom of the 300’s doors. But pay attention to the door-to-wheelbase ratio, and factor in the couple inches shorter wheelbase that the Challenger already has when compared to a 300/Charger, and you will see it.
Regardless, if the version you rendered was the version that was on sale, I would still pick the coupe hands down, barring having triplets or something.
Isn’t that safety standard part of ped safety which requires a tall hood? I thought the tall doors/gunslit window look are mostly for aesthetics to keep the side window line level with the windshield.
The Challenger’s too stubby too. Needs more overhang!
That’s a definite improvement to my eye!
Why not a Challenger sedan?
Looks like a Kia Forte that ate once too often at McDonald’s…
Nope.
Damn Zackman, I was staring at the picture for a solid minute trying to figure out what it looked like….then I scolled down and read Kia Forte….
Well done Sir! Exactly.
Agreed – that was a good one.
Exactly! The Kia Forte is a good looking car in my book too!
The “Koop” is much better looking than the sedan or hatch.
not bad but could that fix the rest of the faults I doubt it.
what are the rest of the faults?
No brakes poor suspension you forget these cars are sold world wide and the reception hasnt been great if the motoring writers are to be believed, The V6 diesel goes ok and can keep pace with the gas V8 on our roads cornering is not a forte of the 300.
out of honest curiosity, do the Mercedes sold there which these are based on, have similar faults, at least in the eyes of your locals?
One thing about those LX-cars was that there was a massive gap in drive quality between the low-end and high-end cars. The first one I drove was a Magnum R/T, and I could go on for pages about how brilliant that car was, poor visibility, tacky cabin plastics, and intrusive ESC notwithstanding. It was just awesome. But then I had a base Charger with the 2.7 V6 and plastic hubcaps as a rental, and that thing was horrid. So underpowered, floaty and loose to drive. So, depending on which model you drove (or read reviews of), you could get wildly differing impressions of how good they were.
Well,, it’s been pointed out to me that the 300 looks like a rip-off of the Rover P5B… yeah, I see that. A rip-off of the super rare Panelcraft 2-door versions of the Rover would be downright esoteric. Not neat enough to ever get me back into a Mopar product, mind you.
Chubby and stubby. Not a chick magnet.
Yes, but sheep would consider it very BAAAD.
That Hartford Guy on Flickr just posted a current-model 300 in its’ long wheelbase livery form, I had just commented there that it’s a shame they didn’t continue the Magnum/300 wagon and put it on the long wheelbase to make room for a third row seat.
The 300 is on the short list for my next car.The new ones hit my sweet spot! However I wonder what a retro Cordoba or Imperial would look like? Maybe a re-look at the 81 Imperial. Probably the best looking Chrysler between the 78 NYB and the 94 LHS.
I would love to do a write up on my 81 Imperial, but JP (I think) already did one not too long ago. The 81 Imperial is the only Chrysler product that I have ever owned, and I did get it for two reasons: 1) I agree, it is absolutely stunning and since my car is dark red with whitewalls and Truespoke wire wheels, it definitely gets noticed; 2) As a powertrain engineer by trade, it was something of a personal interest in mine to keep the car’s original EFI system functioning as intended. As most know, few Imperials remain now on the road with the original EFI intact and when I show the car, it is always a source of conversation.
A beautiful little known car you have there.
Why not start a COAL/Auto-Biography series about you and your cars?
Wow! What a beauty! More pictures please and/or a COAL on it. That has to be one of the most beautiful Imperials I have ever seen of that vintage. Did it have the Honeycomb Wheels originally or the Wire Caps? I am sure keeping the EFI going you would need to be an engineer to do. Thanks for sharing!
I have no idea, I bought the car from California and it looked like what you see. It was owned by a then-late 40s professional guy who ordered it with sunroof, CB radio, and had these wheels installed (I have the bill of sale on the rims). It was the California lifestyle I guess he travelled between Palm Springs and LA area often and I guess this made for a stylish flash cruiser.
I am a powertrain engineer but honestly, the EFI system has been relatively painless. The MAF had to be replaced in 2009, I rebuilt the hydraulic plate (mostly as a preventative measure due to a minor fuel link from an o-ring), and occasionally the idle will take to wandering but you simply pull the battery cable for a few minutes and reset the computer. Otherwise it has given me no problems and drives effortlessly. Has started in 95 degree weather and 17 degree weather with little trouble.
I certainly does not fail to attract attention, being fairly large compared to today’s cars, red, and well styled the way it is. A lot of people mistake it as a Lincoln Mark, once someone that it was a Rolls, old timers and Mopar buffs usually know it is an Imperial from the trunk.
What became the Imperial was planned before Iacocca’s arrival to Chrysler in the fall of 1978, but he gave it the flair and gravitas that you see.
Sweet ride. I have always put these in the same catagory as the 79-85 Eldorado as far as looks and road presense. I certainly wouldn’t mind having both in my garage.
Even my wife loves these, and she is more into the jacked up full size trucks and el caminos. For some reason she wants a Raptor really bad for her next vehicle. I’m trying to convince her that an Avalanche would be more practicle to load kinds in and out of car seats with… and might be easier to feed.
We have one of those as well. GM, and the domestics in general, always did big two door cars best. It was their calling card.
Curbside comparison! Imperial versus Eldorado!
I remember you sharing that picture previously.
Drool…love it!
> I would love to do a write up on my 81 Imperial, but JP (I think) already did one not too long ago.
I’m sure it wouldn’t be the first time that there was a second write-up on the same car here. Since you own one, I’m sure you could write an article with a unique perspective.
And there you have it, the 2013 LeBaron Coupe. Turbo? Erm… we’ll get back to you.
Forgotten about the 87 Lebaron. That was the best looking of all the K derivatives. Using the cues on a 300 coupe would definitely be interesting.
Indeed! But honestly, while it may well have been the best looking, I hated those cars. I remember driving those owned by high-school and college friends, and it was like sitting in a deep, plastic, digital bathtub. One with lots of creaks, groans, and (turbo) whistles. Don’t get me started on the convertible versions’ cowl and steering-column shake. It actually felt borderline dangerous at freeway speeds.
My favourite K-car remains the Chrysler T&C wagon. One of those college friends owns one now, and having had the pleasure of driving and riding in it, it’s brilliant. Nothing really going on with the powertrain, handling, or ride, but a good, solid, comfy daily-driver classic.
Digital Bathtub is by far my favorite techno act. 🙂
I’m seeing this…
How about a shooting brake version? With regard to the car itself, I prefer the front clip of the original 300 as the current one looks a little generic. Secondly, the 300 (and the new, new Beetle) should have a level or slightly lower in the rear beltline.
The first-gen 300C was sold as a wagon (Dodge Magnum rear end) in Australia, and I often see one parked near our building on the way to work. I’ll try to snap it and post here.
I think that is a nice cruiser. Probably the only affordable RWD car available anymore. I do think it is a little stubby looking but if you want a car with some room and a full sized trunk, this is about the best out there at the moment.
here in Yurrp, that’d be a Lancia Gamma!
I stretched out the front and rear overhangs on this one, as well as the wheelbase. Looks much more like a New Yorker now!
There we go! Would love to have one!
Eh, still rather have them make a Challenger into a modern “Cordoba.” 😛 Chrome, stand up hood ornament, and padded landau FTW!