I predicted in a previous journal that the Chrysler 300C (with the Hemi) had a good chance of being a collector’s car 20 years down the road. Since then, a few things have happened that is making that prediction more probable.

After four years, people still like the 300. You would think people would move their affection to some other car, but no. The 300 is more popular now than it was it’s debut year. Somehow word got out that it’s a cool car for cool guys. Guys who would normally buy a sporty car or an SUV realize that they can look cool and still be reasonable about the daily use of a family vehicle. It’s a dream come true.

The customs keep coming. Every year since the car was introduced, every guy who owns a custom car shop uses the 300 as his show car to flaunt his design skills. And it’s a rare car that can actually take some customizing and not look ridiculous.

Chrysler 300, Stock and Customized

The stock Chrysler 300, photo from 2003, compared to 300C customized by Dub Industries (and Photoshop.)

The stretched 300. Just recently Chrysler announced that they were making a long-wheel base 300. Lincolns and Cadillacs typically have made sedans that are slightly stretched so they can be used by limo services for patrons who want room but don’t want to ride in an outrageous stretched limo like a bunch of prom kids. Whenever I rode with celebs in NY, they always rode in stretched sedans. Many limo services already use the 300 to tote around the rich and famous. This says something about the universal appeal of the 300 because you can buy one for under $25,000—hardly an elite price tag.

Stetched Chrysler 300

Livin’ large.

 

Barack Obama drives a 300. He is fighting to become the Democratic candidate for the White House in 2008. Obama is uber popular because he’s charismatic and has style. It seems like the last president with that combo was JFK, who made the 4-door Lincoln Continental famous. (Unfortunately, it was also the car he was assassinated in.)

 

Barack Obama

Rumors of spin offs. I don’t know if this has ever happened in the history of American automobiles: a 4-door sedan is so popular that they might make a 2-door or a convertible.

Chrysler 300 Coupe

2-door Chysler 300 Concept from www.cwwcardesign

Chrysler 300 Convertible

Aftermarket modifications from WestCoastCustoms.com

 

Chrysler 300 Suicide Doors

Chysler 300 4-door hardtop with suicide doors, from www.cwwcardesign

Ford wants to make a 300 too: The Interceptor. I gotta admit, this is a pretty badass car. This has “mob boss” written all over it. But as today, this is just a concept car. And almost every concept car looks cool and futuristic. By the time it gets to production, it’s edgy beauty always gets dulled down for the masses. If the production car looks this good, then the Interceptor will be the new 300. And that’s not bad, is it? Maybe it’ll be a new type of rivalry, like muscle cars in the late 1960s.

Ford Interceptor Concept

Gang. Sterrr.

 

Chrysler has another car up it’s sleeve, but I’m not convinced yet. The Chrysler Imperial Concept has that big sheet metal look of a Bently or a Maybach, but I’m not sure it does it as well as the big dogs. Like the Intercptor concept, I’ll have to make a call when it’s made.