354ci FirePower OHV Hemi V8 Dual 4-Barrel Carter Carburetors 340bhp at 5,200rpm Push button 2-Speed PowerFlite Automatic Transmission Independent Front and Longitudinal Leaf Spring Rear Suspension 4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes *The original Hemi-powered muscle car *Early Southern California history *A family friendly road burner *Only 1,102 produced THE CHRYSLER 300 Chrysler created a sensation with the new C-300 model for 1955.

It was big, brash and beautiful.

Although there was no such thing as a muscle car in the mid-1950s, that was the only description for Chrysler's flagship.

Taking the New Yorker hardtop coupe, they added front sheet metal and grille from the Imperial and dropped in the most powerful engine in the company catalog, a 331 cubic inch hemi V8 with dual four-barrel carburetors, a racing cam and solid lifters.

At 300 bhp – hence its name – it was the most powerful American passenger car engine.

For 1956, the new 300B model created the "letter series" that would co...