The 1959 Chrysler 300E is the fifth edition of the letter-series 300. Basically the same car as the 1958 300-D, but sported a horizontal-bar grille instead of the previous eggcrate and a 413-cid wedgehead V-8 instead of the fabled Hemi.
The E's reputation for sluggishness is undeserved: most contemporary road tests pegged it a good second quicker than the D up to 60 mph and up to three seconds faster to 90 mph.
Rear-end styling was altered in line with other '59 Chryslers. A difficult sales year for the industry as a whole limited production, making this model a real find today.
Pluses of the 1959 Chrysler 300E:
Rarer than other 300s
Styling (still good)
Performance
Roadability
Magnificent mile-eater
Interior luxury
Minuses of the 1959 Chrysler 300E:
A "bum rap" for "doing in the Hemi"
Magnificent fuel-eater
Rust-prone
Production of the 1959 Chrysler 300E:
2-door hardtop: 550
Convertible: 140
Specifications of the 1959 Chrysler 300E:
Length, inches: 220.6
Wheelbase, inches: 126.0
Weight, pounds: 4,290-4,350
Price, new: $5,319-5,749
Engines for the 1959 Chrysler 300E:
Type | Size | Horsepower | Years |
ohv V-8 | 413 | 380 | 1959 |