LOT 120 ¤

1956 Chrysler 300B Coupe Chassis no. 3N561621 Engine no. 3NE561684

Sold for US$22,400 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 120^¤

1956 Chrysler 300B Coupe

The Greenwich Auction|5 June 2022, 10:00 EDT|Greenwich, W. R. Berkley Corporate Headquarters

1956 Chrysler 300B Coupe
Chassis no. 3N561621
Engine no. 3NE561684

354ci FirePower OHV Hemi V8
Dual 4-Barrel Carter Carburetors
340bhp at 5,200rpm
Push button 2-Speed PowerFlite Automatic Transmission
Independent Front and Longitudinal Leaf Spring Rear Suspension
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

*The original Hemi-powered muscle car
*Early Southern California history
*A family friendly road burner
*Only 1,102 produced

THE CHRYSLER 300

Chrysler created a sensation with the new C-300 model for 1955. It was big, brash and beautiful. Although there was no such thing as a muscle car in the mid-1950s, that was the only description for Chrysler's flagship.

Taking the New Yorker hardtop coupe, they added front sheet metal and grille from the Imperial and dropped in the most powerful engine in the company catalog, a 331 cubic inch hemi V8 with dual four-barrel carburetors, a racing cam and solid lifters. At 300 bhp – hence its name – it was the most powerful American passenger car engine.

For 1956, the new 300B model created the "letter series" that would continue for a decade, and beat the Chevrolet Corvette to the holy grail of automotive engines: one horsepower per cubic inch. Chrysler's 355 hp 354 cubic inch hemi predated the "283 from 283" fuel-injected Corvette by a full year.

The car was elegant and understated on the outside, inside it was trimmed in leather and its driver was provided with power-assisted brakes and steering, making for the perfect combination of power, speed and control. Chrysler's ultimate combination of sport-luxury was nicknamed the "Bankers Hot Rod".

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This 300B, a push button Powerflite auto transmission example, is understood to have spent the earlier part of its life in sunny Southern California. Finished in the classic color scheme of white over tan vinyl and fitted with the optional chrome wire wheels with center logoed spinner caps, this letter car would eventually join the collection of a Chicago attorney, Mr. J. Riley, who maintained a sizable grouping of fine automobiles. Following his passing, the Chrysler was acquired from the estate by the consignor in 2015.

Reported to have been regularly serviced, the seller states the car is a fine driver. Mellowed over the years, it could easily be enjoyed as is or restored to one's personal taste. Either way, these early muscle cars, which had proven themselves on the track in NASCAR, continue to provide thrills today as one of the few American cars built to do more than float about. Mash the throttle and find out why Chrysler still touts the virtues of the Hemi nearly 70 years later.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers Premium and Charges
The final bid (hammer) price of each lot will be subject to a buyers premium.
For MOTOR CAR lots the premium is 12% on the first $250,000 of the bid price and 10% on any amount of the bid price exceeding $250,000.
For MOTORCYCLE lots the premium is 15% on the first $100,000 of the bid price and 10% on any amount of the bid price exceeding $100,000.
For AUTOMOBILIA and other non-motor vehicle property, the premium is 27.5% on the first $25,000 of the bid price, 26% on the bid price above $25,000 up to and including $1,000,000, 20% on bid price above $1,000,000 up to and including $6,000,000,and 14.5% of any amount exceeding $6,000,000.
No buyers premium will be charged for Benefit Lots (1-4).
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ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import License or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such License or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancelation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
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Shipping Notices
All vehicles will be removed from the venue directly after the auction. Vehicles will be uplifted and held to order by Passport Transport. Uplift and storage charges are at the buyer's expense.
Uncollected Automobilia lots will be removed to Bonhams' New York location at 580 Madison Avenue.
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¤	No Reserve
	Unless indicated by the ¤ symbol next to the lot number (or bearing an explicit statement such as "No Reserve" or "Without Reserve"), which denotes no reserve, all lots in the catalog are subject to a reserve. The reserve is the minimum hammer price that the seller is willing to accept for a lot. This amount is confidential and does not exceed the low estimate value.