Engine 413 CI
Color Pace Setter Blue
Interior White
HIGHLIGHTS
Built to commemorate the 47th running of the Indy 500
1 of 400 Chrysler 300s made in 1963
Original California car with Black Plates
Had previously been in long term storage for 40 years
Restoration completed by the 2nd owner
Repainted in its original Pace Setter Blue
Original 413 CI V-8 engine
Race car steering wheel
Air conditioning
Photo documentation and autograph of the racing legend Parnelli Jones
The Indianapolis 500 was always a big deal, but when pacing it with a car the size of a Chrysler 300, it’s even bigger. The Chrysler 300 series was on the letter J in 1963, and that body design was selected to pace the legendary racing field that May. Once chosen, Chrysler announced its special Pace Setter edition using the full-size 300 Sport Series body to help commemorate the 47th running of the race. Though the 300J letter series model was only offered as a hardtop that year, each Pace Setter came with a unique combination of options. This car is an original California car with black plates. It had previously been in long term storage for 40 years, with a restoration performed by a second owner.
Of course, there was a big-block Chrysler engine beneath the expansive hood, noted as original to this vehicle, and despite being a convertible, there is air conditioning on this example as well. The motor wears corporate turquoise engine paint, cast exhaust manifolds and uses a Mopar restoration battery. This is backed by the 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission, complete with the famous dash-mounted pushbutton shifter and new associated Park slide lever. All Pace Setters also automatically received power steering and power brakes.
The exterior, repainted in its special Pace Setter Blue (Code VV1), has dramatic white lettering commemorating the event, which was the only 500 won by the legendary Parnelli Jones. Pace Setters also received an exclusive Alabaster vinyl (Code 227) interior, the example of which here sports front bucket seats, a center console, pushbutton radio, the ’63 quad-design steering wheel, pedal dress-up and a script Chrysler logo on the right side of the dash facing. Outside are 300-series emblems on the grille and quarter-panels, 300 numeric decklid font and special turbine-type 300 multicolor hubcaps. There is upper and lower body-length trim edging and narrow-width white tires to finish it off. Finally, a unique board of memorabilia, with Jones’ signature showing on some artifacts, is included as well.
GLENDALE 2023 MAR 28-APR 1
