1961
The 1961 Chrysler 300G was little changed from the 1960 300F. Under the hood
the same 413 RB-engine was rated at the same 375 horsepower. A few 300Gs
were built with 3-speed manual transmissions.
Dodge was still holding onto the confusing lineup of models introduced the
previous year but with some radical styling changes to the mid-sized Dart,
intended to clear the confusion. There were now separate and distinct D-500
engines for the mid-sized Dart and full-sized Polara models, and the engine
sizes were tied to the size of the cars. The Dart D-500 was the by now tried-and-true
305 horsepower 361 B-engine while the Polara D-500 was a 320 horsepower 383
B-engine. Then, to further add to the frustration of the different body styles,
Dodge decided to muddy the water a bit more with a Super D-500 413 cubic-inch
RB engine rated at 350 horsepower. Confused yet? Then try this: A Polara D-500
Ram Induction 383 at 340 horsepower was offered on, what else, Polara models
with a 413 cubic-inch Super Ram Induction D-500 developing 375 horsepower also
available. Both Ram Induction engines featured the long (30 inch) tube intake
manifolds and dual Carter AFB 4-barrel carburetors.
A new Dodge was added to the family for 1961. It was a virtual clone of the
Valiant and was called the Dodge Lancer. The Valiant now officially became
a Plymouth and both the Valiant and Lancer were available with the "recommended
for competition-only" aluminum block 225 cubic inch Hyper Pack Slant Six
which produced an astounding 275 horsepower.
Elsewhere at Plymouth Division, styling was the most controversial to ever
roll off a Chrysler Corporation assembly line. Front-end
styling has been described
as looking "like an Edsel sucking on a lemon". Agree or disagree,
but it only lasted one year. Ugly though they may have been considered by some,
there was no ignoring the fact that a Plymouth could be loaded for bear with
the top-of-the-line 413 Sonoramic Induction RB-engine cranking out 375 horses.
Those who have never seen a 1961 Sport Fury convertible with the top down will
never know what an undeserved bad rap the cars got.
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