Nineteen sixty-two saw not only the continued production of the "Letter Series" with the 300H, in two door hardtop and convertible styles, but also the introduction of an entry level three hundred model produced in two door hard top, convertible and, new for '62, a four-door hard top body style. The Windsor model was dropped for 1962 with the Newport taking its place as the lowest model. This marked the beginning of the end to the exclusive 300 "Letter Series" cars. Chrysler introduced a new line of non-letter Sport 300s which used a weaker 383 cid V8 engine with a two-barrel carburetor as standard and shared their 122 inch wheel base with Chrysler's low-priced Newport line. The 300H, was still offered but it too was based on the same smaller platform which held down production costs. The shorter wheelbase reduced weight by 300 pounds which actually increased performance. Curb weight fell to 4,050 lbs for the hardtop and 4,105 pounds for the convertible. Both 413 cid V8s were boosted by 5 bhp, to 380 bhp and 405 bhp respectively.

The lighter weight and higher horsepower resulted in the best power to weight ratio (10.6 lbs per horsepower) of any 300 Letter car. Its 0-60 time of 7.7 seconds matched the 1957 Hemi powered 300C while its quarter-mile time of 16 seconds matched the Ram Tuned 300 F.

The 300H offered an interior with four bucket seats done in tan leather (other colors of leather were available as special order). Although an outstanding performer, the 300H lacked the exclusivity of previous 300 Letter cars. Its smaller size and similar body style to the cheaper Sport 300 as well as the availability of most 300H features as optional equipment on the Sport 300Hurt sales.

To add insult to injury, its trademark tailfins were shaved off, the result of a management shake-up that wanted to move away from the design influences of stylist Virgil Exner, a big fan of fins. The base prices of the 300H also hurt sales, with the hardtop coupe at a lofty $5,090 and the convertible a whopping $5,461. All these factors combined to make 1962 the worst selling year for the 300 Letter cars with only 435 coupes and a mere 135 convertibles sold.

300H SERIES - (8-CYL)
The 300H was still considered a part of the high-performance market by those who appreciated brute horsepower in a luxury automobile. Its styling mirrored the minor styling changes found in the other 1961 Chryslers. The grille insert was 300 through and through and the lower rear quarter panel molding and red-white-blue medallion continued for the fifth continuous model year although there was no "H" letter on the medallion. Ram manifolding was replaced with a more conventional inline dual quad carburetion setup with oval air cleaners, much like the 1959 300E. A few cars were built with three speed standard shift transmission with floor shift. Some cars were built with the short-ram, high-output engine.

300H SERIES I.D. NUMBERS
Serial Numbers and Engine Numbers were located in the same positions as on previous series. Serial Numbers began with 8423-100001 and up. The engine code began with S4 1, then the date, plus an HP code. The date was given in numerical form. 11-12 corresponded to the date of November 12. The engines no longer had a true serial identification number.

300H SERIES ENGINES
V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 413.3 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.188 x 3.75 inches. Compression ratio: 10.1:1. Brake horsepower: 380 at 5200 R.P.M. Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Carburetor: Two Carter Type AFB four-barrels Models 3258S.

CHASSIS FEATURES
Wheelbase: 122 inches; Overall length: 214.9 inches; Tires: 7.60 x 15.

At A Glance

Year

Body/Style Number

Model Number

VIN

cid

bhp/rpm

Torque

Lifters

Heads

CR

Induction

Axle Ratio

WB in.

Wt lbs

bhp/ci

lbs/bhp

Price

Production

1962

842/2-Dr Ht Cpe - 4P

SC2-M

8423

413

380-5200

450-2800

Hydr.

Wedge

10.1:1

2-4 bbl

3.23:1

122

4050

.919

10.6

$5090

435

1962

845/2-Dr Conv Cpe-4P

SC2-M

8423

413

380/5200

450-2800

Hydr.

Wedge

10.1:1

2-4 bbl

3.23:1

122

4105

.919

10.6

$5461

123

Engine Compartment
Head Light	Emblem	Hubcap	Tailight