1962 Chrysler Fact Sheet

1962 Chrysler Facts, Figures, and Specifications

Five Fast Facts You May Not Know

1962 Chrysler 300h hardtop

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1962 Chrysler 300 Sport

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1. 300H Gets In-Line Carbs - Ram Tubes Optional

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2. 426 CID High Performance Engine Cited

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3. Rear Fascia Changes Significant

4. 300H Interior More Upscale than 300 Sport

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5. 300 Sport Available as a 4-Door!

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1962 – Rear Loses Fins, 300 Sport Slots Below Letter Series

Fins are gone! In a striking Change, Chrysler dropped the signature sweeping fins on all models. The 300 Sport appeared, designed to fit between the Newport and New Yorker, but playing on the performance image of the 300 Letter Series cars. The front fascia was unaltered.

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1962 Chrysler Facts – Body Paint Color Mix Codes

NOTE: The 300H model was limited in available colors as follows: Formal Black, Festival Red, Oyster White, and Caramel. Regular Chrysler models could choose from the entire list below.

Click on the Paint Code Name to See the Mix Codes for the appropriate color:

1962 Chrysler

	B Formal Black
	C Dawn Blue
	D Sapphire Blue
	J Bermuda Turquoise
	L Limelight
	M Light Gray
	P Festival Red
	T Coral Gray
	V Seascape
	W Oyster White
	Y Rosewood
	Z Caramel

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1962 Chrysler Facts and Specifications

General Year Information – 1962 Chrysler Cars

Fins Gone
Perhaps the most significant styling change for 1962 was that Chrysler’s famous fins disappeared completely! The other major change was the disappearance of the Windsor line – and it’s replacement being the 300 Sport, that for the most part emulated the 300H in looks (and performance if you utilized the engine option list). The 300H also moved downstream in size only, sitting on the 122 inch wheel base of the Newport and the 300 Sport. Another big thing was that the 300 Sport and the 300H were “all in” on performance with a host of optional engines including 426 CID V-8s with HH all the way up to 421!

The great recession was waning, and it showed at Chrysler with production up 33 percent – up to 143,816 from 1961’s 96,454. This was the best year in numbers since 1955.

Chrysler Newport
Because the program to create all-new Chryslers for 1962 was abruptly canceled in 1960, due most to cost savings, all of the 1962 Newport models, with the exception of the Town & Country station wagon, were styled using the front fascia the 1961 Newport and mating it to the de-finned body with the tailfins and taillights replaced by redesigned rear-quarter panels. The 1962 Newport Town & Country station wagon mated the 1961 front fascia to the body of a 1961 Plymouth Suburban 4-door station wagon. The Plymouth wagon was chosen because it was Chrysler Corporation’s only finless full-sized station wagon.

300 Sport Introduced
The 300 Sport Series was introduced in 1962, taking cues from the letter series 300H. The thinking was that the 300 Sport would fill the gap created when the DeSoto was cancelled, but the car was, for intents and purposes, a Windsor with a sporty vibe. The 300 Sport consisted of a hardtop coupe, 4-door sedan and convertible. The 300 Sport could be had with either bench or bucket seats, but the buckets were not leather, there was no full-length console, and this allowed seating for 5 versus the Letter Series seating for 4.

The 300 Sport came standard with a 383 CID V-8 but surprisingly could be ordered with all the performance engines available in the 300H. In the Canadian market, the 300 Sport was called Chrysler Saratoga 300 and was similarly equipped.

New Yorker
The 1962 New Yorker was the last Chrysler to have a 126 inch wheelbase. It was also the result of the 1961 front fascia mated to a redesigned fin-less rear. Otherwise, it utilized all the same components and much of the same interior as the 1961 model. The dash continued with the “AstraDome” instrument cluster. Like in 1961, the Astradome’s extending into the steering column required the turn signal indicator to be a sliding switch under the Torqueflite transmission’s push buttons.

The 413 CID RB V-8 continued as the only engine choice for the New Yorker, now making 340 HP and 470 ft. lbs. of torque still utilizing a four-barrel carburetor.

Chrysler 300H
Externally there was little visual difference between the 300H and the 300 Sport Series except for a “300H” badge located on the traditional location on the rear fenders. This true high-performance 300 used the same series designation as the Sport Series 300, but serial numbering was different. Tan leather upholstery was standard, although special order colors were available. Like the previous years, interiors and exteriors were available with special colors. A variety of high-performance engine options were available, although the 413 CID RB engine with in-line, dual carburetors were standard. The 300H chassis was no longer shared with the New Yorker Series, as with past models it was now at 122 inches, allowing a reduction in weight and offered a bit more nimble performance. Sales dropped for the letter series this year, ostensible due to the competition of the 300 Sport Series. That model offered nearly everything found on the 300H as standard or optional equipment – except for the upscale interior.

Inside, the 300H had standard leather bucket seats front and rear with the full length center console, (which could be had in the New Yorker Custom coupe). This was also the last year for the AstraDome Instrument cluster for all Chrysler branded vehicles but for the first time, the dashboard color now matched the leather upholstery and carpet. The exterior color list was updated to Formal Black, Festival Red, Oyster White, and Caramel; however the standard interior color continued as tan leather.

The cross ram engine became an option, and there was a return to the inline dual 4-barrel carburetor setup of the 300E as the base powerplant. With a slight power boost and a 300 lb lighter body, the 300H was faster than the 300G but the competition with the 300 Sport made this the slowest-selling letter series year yet, with only 435 coupes and 135 convertibles produced. Suggested retail prices showed a reduction from the past at $5,090 for the coupe and $5,461 for the convertible.

1962 Chrysler Cars Factoids

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In a dramatic change, all 1962 Chrysler cars lost their famous fins. The rear quarters were nicely sculptured in a move that also found its way into the full size Dodge models. More trunk space was also found y raising the rear deck trunk lid. While this was an interim restyle. with an all new car coming in 1963, the look was changed dramatically.

The 300 Sport was introduced – slotted in the old Windsor price range, but an emphasis on performance, though a 4-door was also available. While it lacked the 300H interior and it base engine was a 383 CID 305 HP v-8, it could be had with all the Letter Series engines – up to 421 HP!

For the first time since the 300E of 1959, the standard engine setup was two 4-barrel carburetors in line rather than the ram induction system. The long tube intake was still available as an option, and four 426 CID monsters were optional.

While on the exterior, the 300H and 300 Sport were identical except for some badging, the interiors were totally different, with the Sport standard with bench seating and the buckets were not leather. Also, the full length console of the 300H was not available. (BTW, the 300H interior was available in the New Yorker Custom Coupe).

Since the 300 Sport replaced the Windsor in the price range of the line, a 4-door was offered. A bit over 10 thousand 4-doors were produced.

In a strange circumstance, Chrysler listed the 426 CID V-8 as a Hi-Po option on the performance Chryslers – a foretelling of the engine that would power their Super Stock Dodge and Plymouth cars one year later. Note that these cars used the long tube 15″ short ram induction manifolds, not the compact short ram induction found on 1962 Dodge & Plymouth cars.

1962 Chrysler Facts – Models Offered

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NEWPORT SERIES SC1-L: The Newport sat on the 122 inch wheelbase. Minor face-lifting of the 1962 bodies centered on the rear quarters and fascia. The grille now had a fine horizontal bar motif, a straight bumper and slanted headlamps. Tail-lamps were relocated onto the rear of the fenders and the trunk lid enlarged. The front fascia was basically a redo of the 1961 car with the exception that grille was more like the 1960 version.

The Newport was available as 2- and 4-door hardtop, convertible, 4-door sedan, and 6- and 9-passenger station wagons.

300 Sport SERIES SC2-M: The Windsor name was dropped and replacde with the 300 Sport line. Confusion resulted from this marketing move as buyers associated the 300 name with high-performance and high cost. The exterior appearance of the hardtop (two-door) and the convertible were identical to the letter series 300H save for hubcaps, tires and a tiny “300H” on the rear deck of the upscale car. A four-door hardtop was available, something never to be offered in the letter-series 300 lineup. Even the grille, medallions and side trim were not distinguishable at first glance from the higher priced, performance oriented 300H.

The 300 Sport was available a a 2-door hardtop and convertible as well as the before mentioned 4-door hardtop.

NEW YORKER SERIES SC3-H: The New Yorker continued to use the long 126 inch wheelbase chassis. It was only available in three body types, all with four doors, with the convertible and coupe missing for the first time. The New Yorker nameplate was found at the same location (near the parking lamp) as in 1961. The ten bar rear fender trim continued on the rear quarters of New Yorkers, except the station wagon. The rear quarter panel on the wagon was styled differently than sedan or hardtop models. The grille used the crossed-bar look, usually found on only the 300 series.

The New Yorker models were available in 4-door hardtop, 4-door sedan and 126 inch wheelbase 6-and 9-passenger station wagons.

CHRYSLER 300H SERIES SC3-M: The Letter Series car now used the 300Sport 122 inch wheelbase body – with the same body nomenclature. The letter series 300 continued its tradition as a super high-performance vehicle. Tan leather upholstery was standard, although special order colors were available. Both interiors and exteriors came with special colors as in previous years. A variety of high-performance engine options were available, although the in-line, dual carbureted 413 CID “RB” engine was standard and 426 CID versions were also cited as optional. Sales dropped dramatically for the letter series this year, mostly due to the perceived competition from the 300 Sport.

300H vehicles were available as a 2-door hardtop and convertible. All now sat on the shorter 122 inch wheelbase.

1962 Chrysler Facts – Engines

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Chrysler Newport 265 HP V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 361 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.125 x 3.375 inches.
Compression ratio: 9.00:1.
Horsepower: 265 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 380 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 252°, Exhaust 252°, Overlap: 30°; Lift: 0.390″.
Carburetor: Bendix Two-barrel Model (all) WWC3-201. (closed crankcase ventilation) Ball & Ball Two-barrel Model BBD-3245.

Chrysler 300 Sport V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 383 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.250 x 3.375 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.00:1.
Horsepower: 305 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 410 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 252°, Exhaust 252 degrees, Overlap: 30°; Lift: 0.390″.
Carburetor: Ball & Ball Two-barrel Model BBD-3244S, (closed crankcase ventilation) Ball & Ball Two-barrel Model BBD-3245S.

300 Sport Performance Engine. V-8 overhead valve, wedge combustion chambers. Cast Iron Block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 413 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.18″ x 3.75″.
Compression ratio: 10.1:1.
Horsepower: 340 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 470 @ 2800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 252°, Exhaust 252°, Overlap 26°, Lift (Intake) 0.390″ (Exhaust) 0.390″.
Carburetor: Carter Four-barrel Model AFB 3251S. (closed crankcase ventilation) Model AFB 3256S.

New Yorker Series Engine. V-8 overhead valve, wedge combustion chambers. Cast Iron Block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 413 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.18″ x 3.75″.
Compression ratio: 10.1:1.
Horsepower: 340 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 470 @ 2800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 252°, Exhaust 252°, Overlap 26°, Lift (Intake) 0.390″ (Exhaust) 0.390″.
Carburetor: Carter Four-barrel Model AFB 3251S. (closed crankcase ventilation) Model AFB 3256S.

Optional 365 HP 413 CID Engine. V-8 overhead valve, wedge combustion chambers. Cast Iron Block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 413 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.18″ x 3.75″.
Compression ratio: 11.0:1.
Horsepower: 365 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 460 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Mechanical.
Standard Camshaft timing: Intake 284°, Exhaust 284°, Overlap 55°, Lift (Intake) 0.449″ (Exhaust) 0.454″.
Option 1 Camshaft timing: Intake 292°, Exhaust 292°, Overlap 67°, Lift (Intake) 0.490″ (Exhaust) 0.490″.
Option 2 Camshaft timing: Intake 308°, Exhaust 308°, Overlap 88°, Lift (Intake) 0.520″ (Exhaust) 0.520″. (This camshaft require inner and outer valve springs)
Induction: standard 4-barrel
Carburetors: Carter Four-barrel, Model AFB 3397S. (primary bores: 1.62″, secondary 1.69″.