Muscle & Speed / 1960–1979

1963 Chrysler 300 Pace Setter Convertible

No. 109 of 207

The Chrysler Pace Setter Series commemorated the use of a Chrysler 300 as the Pace Car for the 47th Annual Indianapolis 500 in 1963. This was the first time a 300 series car would pace the Indianapolis 500, and the fifth time Chrysler would do it since 1926. A total of 1,861 Pace Setter convertibles were built, most of which were painted Pace Car Blue with a base price of $4, 129.

The Pace Setter models were given special alabaster white interior, bucket seats, and a "square" steering wheel. Other features included power steering, power brakes, power windows, and four-way power bucket seats. The special edition Pace Setter cars were identified by a small, checkered flag placed below the front fender 300 emblem.

The 1963 Chrysler 300 Series used the same body type as in 1962.

1963 Chrysler 300 Pace Setter Convertible — museum photo

NOTE: NOTE: The 47th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Thursday, May 30, 1963. Rufus Parnelli Jones took his only Indy 500 win. This win was controversial because his car (nicknamed "Calhoun") spewed oil from a cracked overflow tank for many laps, which allegedly caused at least one driver to spin and crash. USAC officials put off black-flagging Jones after car owner J. C. Agajanian ran down pit lane and convinced them that the oil leak was below the level of a known crack and would not leak any further.[3] Lotus owner Colin Chapman, whose English-built, rear-engine Lotus-Ford finished second in the hands of Scotsman Jim Clark, accused USAC officials of being biased in favor of the American driver and car.

The non-black flagging of Jones remains controversial. Many, including Chapman and writer Brock Yates, believed that officials would have black flagged Jones if an American driver and car had been in second place instead of Clark in the British built Lotus. Goodyear arrived at the track and supplied tires for some entries, but participated only in practice. No cars used Goodyear tires during time trials or the race itself. It was the first time since about 1921 that Goodyear attempted to compete at Indy. Goodyear had last won the race in 1919.

Push button 3-speed Torqueflite automatic transmission, 3.23:1 axle ratio

$4,129 msrp in 1963 (equal to $41,616 in 2024), worth about $25,000 Specs:

6.3L (383 ci) OHV 90° V8 Engine, 10:1 Compression

Bore: 4.25 in (107.95 mm) Stroke: 3.375 in (85.73 mm) 305 hp @4,600 rpm, 410 Ib-ft@2,400 rpm, Maximum rpm: About 5,000 rpm

4080 lb. (1850 kg) curb weight

Performance: 0-60 mph: 8.2 seconds, 1/4 mile: 16 seconds @86 mph, Top speed: 119 mph (192 kph)

Modifications: Original engine was replaced at some point by a 1973 400ci (6.6L) Chrysler V8 (looks almost identical externally)