Which 1955 Chrysler letter-series model was named for its 300 horsepower rating?

The 1955 Chrysler letter-series model named for its 300-horsepower rating was the Chrysler C-300.

Chrysler built the C-300 as a high-performance version of its full-size lineup, combining New Yorker-based luxury with a race-oriented 331-cubic-inch FirePower Hemi V8. The engine was rated at 300 horsepower and used two four-barrel carburetors, helping the car earn its famous numerical name.

The C-300 was not the same model as the later 1956 Chrysler 300B. The first car was marketed simply as the “300,” while the letter sequence effectively began with the 300B for 1956. That naming history makes “Chrysler 300B” a tempting but incorrect answer to a question specifically about 1955.

Its competition success also shaped its reputation: lightly modified C-300s performed strongly in NASCAR, while the road cars offered unusually serious performance for a luxurious American coupe. Only 1,725 were sold, making the first letter car especially collectible.