1955 Chrysler C-300 "Hemi"

So...who had the first Muscle Car? A reasonable question. It can be disputed by car guys 'till the end of time...some will argue that it was the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88, but the Rocket 88 engine was available across the entire 1949 Oldsmobile lineup in both coupes and sedans. Nope. Only one car is still referred to as "The Granddaddy of Muscle Cars", and that is the 1955 Chrysler C-300.

The dictionary’s definition describes muscle cars as any of a group of American-made, 2-door sport coupes with powerful engines designed for high performance driving. You could also add in serious engine modifications from stock and rear-wheel drive, as well as something which had to be ordered as a model in its own right.

The Chrysler C300 was given it's name because it was a coupe with an engine that produced 300 hp. That engine was an early version of the now legendary Hemi V8, because of its hemispherical combustion chambers. It put out 331 cubic inches, it had a performance cam, solid lifters and dual 4-barrel carburetors. The C300’s 0-60 mile time of 9.8 seconds has obviously since been beaten by many modern cars, but it was very fast for its day without a doubt.

It also became the NASCAR Grand National and AAA champ for 1955, winning 33 races with drivers like Lee Petty at the wheel. And finished at the top of its class in that year’s Daytona Flying Mile.

The first of Chrysler’s now famous “letter cars,” the C300 was based on the New Yorker hardtop’s chassis but was an inch and a half lower, and rode on a stiffer suspension with heavy-duty shocks and a front stabilizer bar. The two-piece grille was borrowed from Imperial.

The 1955 Chrysler C300 had a base price of $4,110, and only 1,725 examples were produced. Its been said that off the track the C300 was more than just performance. It also served up luxurious accommodations. It was both very fast and a joy to drive, with a thirst for high octane gas. Yep. That last part says "muscle car" to me.

One final nugget of info...In 2008, a well known auction company sold a 1955 Chrysler C300 from the Astor Collection for $181,500. Yeah...they're that desired.