At the annual RM Sotheby’s Hershey sale on October 10-11, Mopar enthusiasts will have their eyes riveted to this AACA award-winning 1955 Chrysler C-300.

Some motor pundits say the 1955 Chrysler C-300 was America’s first muscle car. Actually, as strict purists on that matter, we note the muscle car era properly began in 1964. For our part, we’d say the C-300 was indeed one of the top performance cars of the 1950s, and it was an important precursor to the muscle car movement. No matter what you call it, the C-300 is a compelling and desirable automobile—no labels required. And as the car that kicked off the famed Chrysler letter series, its historical significance is secure.

Like most of the 1,725 Chrysler letter cars produced in 1955, all two-door hardtops, this example is finished in Platinum White with a tan leather interior. (Black and Tango Red were also offered.) Chrysler’s two-speed Power Flite automatic transmission was standard, coupled to the driving force of the entire exercise, a special version of the mighty 331 cubic-inch Hemi V8. Rated at 300 hp, it was the most powerful engine offered in an American passenger car for ’55.  On the exterior, the C-300 combined a New Yorker body shell, Windsor side trim and rear quarters, and an Imperial front doghouse assembly with eggcrate grille—along with distinctive 300 chrome badging, naturally.

Of course, the 300 stood for 300 horsepower, produced by a high-performance variant of the mighty 331 CID Hemi V8 introduced in 1951. The compression ratio was boosted to 8.5:1, a high-lift camshaft and solid lifters were slipped into the block, and a pair of Carter WCFB four-barrel carbs (WC stood for Will Carter) went on top, underneath a bat-wing air cleaner. With their considerable advantage in horsepower, Chrysler C-300s dominated the NASCAR scene in 1955, led by Carl Kiefhaefer’s Mercury Outboard operation, one of the first NASCAR mega-teams.

The C-300’s roomy cabin (below) featured acres of premium tan leather to cover the wide bench seats front and rear, while the instrument panel was populated by a series of round dials. Control of the Power Flite automatic transmission was provided by a petite lever in the dash, as Mopar’s familiar pushbutton setup would not appear until ’56. Power windows and power seats were available, but no air conditioning due to the engine’s radical state of tune. Despite the C-300’s heavy-duty suspension hardware, the ride is plush and comfortable, befitting a luxury car of the ’50s.

This example, an award winner at the Junior and Senior level in AACA events and at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, is expected to bring $70,000 to $90,000 at the annual Hershey auction next month, according to the market experts at  RM Sotheby’s. Photos by Motorcar Studios copyright and courtesy RM Sotheby’s.