1963 Chrysler 300 Convertible Options Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter RM
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RM

I have a recently acquired 1963 Chrysler 300 Convertible Sportster w/ the
413 CID 4bbl performance option. When originally ordering the larger
engine, did it also come with 15" wheels instead of 14" similar to the J
letter car? I bought some nice 14" original hubcaps for my 300 convertible,
only to discover that my car has 15" wheels D'oh!! From everything I've
found online, the sportster came with 14" wheels, so I really was surprised
to find 15 inchers. Was that an available performance upgrade or did a
previous owner install the wrong wheels? Before I start hunting for 14"
hubs or 15" hubcaps, I'm hoping to find a definitive answer.
 
RM said:
I have a recently acquired 1963 Chrysler 300 Convertible Sportster w/ the
413 CID 4bbl performance option. When originally ordering the larger
engine, did it also come with 15" wheels instead of 14" similar to the J
letter car? I bought some nice 14" original hubcaps for my 300 convertible,
only to discover that my car has 15" wheels D'oh!! From everything I've
found online, the sportster came with 14" wheels, so I really was surprised
to find 15 inchers. Was that an available performance upgrade or did a
previous owner install the wrong wheels? Before I start hunting for 14"
hubs or 15" hubcaps, I'm hoping to find a definitive answer.
Click to expand...

The 300 Sport came standard with 8.00 X 14, only the 300J came standard with
15's.
Not saying 15's weren't an option on the 300 Sport, only the build sheet or
window sticker would show what the car originally came with.
 
I have a recently acquired 1963 Chrysler 300 Convertible Sportster w/ the
413 CID 4bbl performance option. When originally ordering the larger
engine, did it also come with 15" wheels instead of 14" similar to the J
letter car? I bought some nice 14" original hubcaps for my 300
Click to expand...

I believe they were optional. 14" in the correct size are getting
very hard to find. You can find them with raised white letters fairly
easily but the normal white wall is only made by a couple places now.

I would stick with the 15's and find the right hubcaps if possible. I
imagine those hubcaps are going to be quite rare though. I have been
looking for a set of 15's for my '68 Newport for two years now and
havent seen any yet.

Steve B.
 
The 300 Sport came standard with 8.00 X 14, only the 300J came standard with
15's.
Not saying 15's weren't an option on the 300 Sport, only the build sheet or
window sticker would show what the car originally came with.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's what I've found from all the online sources. Guess I'll have to
order a build sheet, as I've been unable to find mine in any of the likely
locations.

Thanks for the response

Robert
 
I believe they were optional. 14" in the correct size are getting
very hard to find. You can find them with raised white letters fairly
easily but the normal white wall is only made by a couple places now.

I would stick with the 15's and find the right hubcaps if possible. I
imagine those hubcaps are going to be quite rare though. I have been
looking for a set of 15's for my '68 Newport for two years now and
havent seen any yet.

Steve B.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't mind keeping the 15" for the reasons you cite, but again, I agree
that finding the caps will be a challenge.

I think Cooper Tire still makes the 14" whitewalls.

Thanks for the info,

Robert
 
I'll have to order a build sheet, as I've been unable to find mine in
any of the likely locations.
Click to expand...

From where are you planning to order a build sheet...?

-Stern
 
--
Remove "shorts" to reply______
Daniel J. Stern said:
From where are you planning to order a build sheet...?
Click to expand...

The WPC Museum has the build data for pre-'68 cars.
 
The WPC Museum has the build data for pre-'68 cars.
Click to expand...

Is that right? Cool! First I've heard of it. What's the procedure for
ordering a sheet?

-Stern ('62 Lancer, LA-built car)
 
Daniel J. Stern said:
Thanks!
Click to expand...

It might be noted that the build data is (was) in the form of an old style
punch card. Unless the museum has recently started transforming the data
from the punch card to text, a punch card reader will be necessary to decode
the info.
 
It might be noted that the build data is (was) in the form of an old
style punch card. Unless the museum has recently started transforming
the data from the punch card to text, a punch card reader will be
necessary to decode the info.
Click to expand...

Maybe not-

Check here:

http://maxwedge.com/research/cchist.html

The URLs are old/stale, but there's a sample of the IBM punch card they
send, and it contains human-readable information. Even if that is
insufficient, no punch card reader is required to read the card, though a
production code breakout book would be required:

The card has ten rows and eighty columns. A punch in row 8, column 38
corresponds to an option code 388. Open the breakout book, find code 388,
and learn its meaning.

-Stern
 
Daniel said:
Maybe not-

Check here:

http://maxwedge.com/research/cchist.html

The URLs are old/stale, but there's a sample of the IBM punch card
they send, and it contains human-readable information. Even if that is
insufficient, no punch card reader is required to read the card,
though a production code breakout book would be required:

The card has ten rows and eighty columns. A punch in row 8, column 38
corresponds to an option code 388. Open the breakout book, find code
388, and learn its meaning.

-Stern
Click to expand...

FYI it seems as though the printed information at the top of the card is not
the traditional "interpretation" of the punched holes. The shipping order
number (the rightmost printed field) is actually punched in the first 8
columns of the card. Must have been a real computer!
 
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