1962 Chrysler 300

This motor car is being sold as part of an overseas collection. It has been imported from the Middle East under the Bonhams temporary admission customs bond. Car older than 30 years are subject to the lower rate 5% import tax if the car is to remain in the UK & purchased by a private individual. The 5% is calculated on the final selling price. For example, if the car sells for £8,000, then £400 is added, making the total amount payable of £8,400. Cars less than 30 years old will pay 10% duty + VAT plus 20% import VAT.

A company buying the car will have to pay VAT on the hammer price, as well as duty + VAT. If you plan to export the car to your location, then you will only pay tax in that country, and can ignore these fees.

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, and proof that HMRC fees are paid. If the car is subsequently exported abroad within 30 days then these fees are refundable.

Lastly, there will be a nominal administration fee of £350 for removing the car from bond and generating a NOVA from HMRC, and payable direct to the shipping company. A completed and processed NOVA will provide you formal proof that all duties & taxes are paid in UK and is required to register the vehicle with the DVLA.

In common with the majority of cars in this collection, this vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section.

We have not tried to start or drive the car, so it will require recommissioning and is sold ‘as seen’. We cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality.

It is available for view and inspection at our HQ near Abingdon and we will be pleased to show the car to you and/or your appointed engineer.

We think this LHD auto 1962 Chrysler 300 Sport has the 383 cu in (6.2-litre) ‘wedge head’ Chrysler ‘B’ ‘FirePower’ engine.

The VIN is: 8223154017.

The odometer reads 73,650 miles.

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, the car comes with an incomplete history and very few service records.

It does, however, have all manner of letters, bills, invoices, receipts, articles, magazines, brochures, etc, to add some anecdotal flesh to the historical bones, so to speak.

We can see that it was delivered new to Arizona, where it stayed for many years before moving to New York State and the Hamptons in 2004, where it was in residence until 2011/12 before joining the vendor’s collection some time after.

We have an owner’s description of the car (presumably for display at some Chrysler 300 owners’ event) during its time in Arizona, which reads as follows:

“'62 was the first year for the 'non-letter' 300, and the availability of a 4-door hardtop 300 Sport. this model replaced the Windsor and was supposed to capitalize upon the image of the 300 letter series cars, yet maintain an 'affordable' price.

This car was manufactured in December of 1961 and sold by Bill Luke Chrysler-Plymouth in September of 1962. It has been in the Phoenix area ever since. The car has been re-painted and the fabric seat inserts are replacements as well as the carpet.

Otherwise the car has not been restored. The odometer shows actual mileage (>66,000).

Specifications:

• 383 2 bbl engine
• A-727 pushbutton trans
• Air conditioning
• Astro-Dome dash
• Golden touch radio
• Power antenna
• Gold interior
• Caramel exterior.”

As you can see, the car has added only 7,000 miles to its odometer since that was written.

Although we haven’t tried to start or drive this car and can therefore only comment on its cosmetic status, we are of the opinion that this Chrysler 300 Sport is in very good overall condition – an opinion supported by the weight of documentary evidence telling us that the car was lucky enough to have a succession of diligent, responsible and caring owners throughout its life. It even comes with a handwritten note book detailing every tank of fuel and oil change from 1994 to 2002.

The bodywork is very good indeed and is largely free of any dinks, dents or creases of significance.

The panels are straight and even, and the panel gaps and shut lines seem entirely consistent and true.

The ‘caramel’ paintwork has clearly been done to a high standard and has plenty of residual shine and lustre to it in most places.

There are some scuffs and patches of rough, raised paint on the n/s/f wing, and spots of micro-blistering below the windscreen.

There are one or two paint chips on the o/s/r door and on the boot lid, plus some micro-blistering on the o/s/r wing near the aerial.

There are a few small scuffs and paint chips on the roof.

Aside from a scratch on the front bumper and a small patch of tarnishing, the chrome (there’s a lot of it) and exterior trim are in broadly very good condition, as are the lights, lenses, badging and all other exterior bits and pieces.

The rubber trim around the rear light clusters is a little ragged in places.

The wheels seem largely untroubled either by time or use.

All in all, it’s pretty impressive.

Pretty much everything in the interior is a match for the exterior and continues the time-warp theme of a car that’s been kept very well preserved – and largely original and authentic – since 1962.

The ‘Gold’ upholstery is undamaged and shows only light creasing.

The bench seats, front and back, are comfortable and supportive.

The carpets and mats are in decent condition, as are the door cards and headlining.

The ‘Astro-Dome’ dashboard - which looks like it’s been borrowed from The Jetsons – is a splendidly period piece of futuristic design and appears to be in excellent condition, as do all other interior fixtures and fittings, as far as we can tell.

The instruments and steering wheel all seem to be in commendable shape.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t tried to start or drive the vehicle.

The boot, which contains a spare wheel and some spare mats, looks to be in good order, despite some rust dust staining on the carpet.

The undersides look to have plenty of structural integrity from what we can see.

You’ll want to have a look for yourself and reach your own conclusions, obviously.

Everything in the engine bay appears to be clean, dry and in its right and proper place.

The car doesn’t come with a service history or any records of work done beyond what is shown in the gallery. As you can see from the photos in the gallery, there's a quite a lot of (original) paperwork relating to this vehicle, which is unusual for car from this collection. There are original registration papers from Arizona and also New York State.

It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this.

We think this excellent Chrysler 300 Sport is in very impressive overall condition even for its mileage, let alone its age.

It has been properly cared for and curated by the kind of previous owners you’d want on the job.

Provided that the engine and mechanicals prove to be in good working order, we think this could and should be a cracking example of the model.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £8,000 - £14,000.

Viewing is always encouraged. This particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays between 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.