There are many reasons to appreciate the Chrysler C-300 of 1955, among them the theme of arguably being the “original muscle car,” the advent of the 300 HP Hemi engine and Virgil Exner’s incredible styling talent. This example adds one more significant twist, however, as it has documentation of ownership by MLB Hall of Famer Enos “Country” Slaughter from 1955 to 1963. The original title in Enos Slaughter’s name, a laminated original factory build sheet with an “MVP car” designation, and Slaughter’s briefcase will be included in the sale. This Chrysler was originally issued to the manager of the New York Yankees, Casey Stengel, in May 1955 and designated an “MVP Car.” Soon afterward, this C-300 was given to Slaughter as part of a deal to entice him to rotate out to the newly formed Kansas City Athletics for one year. Slaughter retained it for eight years before selling it to Mopar collector Leonard Shultis of Halcottsville, New York, back in 1963. Other personal items owned by Enos Slaughter including airplane tickets, media photos, personal letters and documents will be included, and this car has received an AACA Historical Preservation of Original Features (HPOF) honor. The original oil change stickers are still affixed to the door jamb, and additional actual Slaughter baseball game memorabilia and VIP documentation from fellow players and Chrysler executives also included. Of course, the engine is Chrysler’s Fire-Power 331 CI Hemi V-8 engine with two 4-barrel Carter carburetors, the gold batwing air cleaner, a racing camshaft and solid lifters. The car’s PowerFlite automatic transmission is dash shifted, and it’s equipped with power steering and brakes as well. It’s painted white with a refined level of chrome and trim visible outside, and the influence of Exner’s effect on American motorcar design is evident here. The interior is in tan leather and features a Town & Country radio, 150 MPH speedometer and a dash clock. The decklid has been signed by several baseball and automotive legends including Pete Rose, Sterling Moss, Jack Roush, Bobby Allison and Don Garlits, and the car rides on chrome wire wheels and new wide whitewall tires. Featuring reversible upgrades like a Pertronix ignition layout and electric fuel pump, the car bespeaks originality throughout, enough so it was used as a prototype for a 1/25-scale model kit by Moebius Model Company, a model kit that is still sold on the market today, and model kit No. 16 of the first 300 kits produced is included with a signed certificate of authenticity from the company’s president and current owner. The C-300s remain truly classic cars of this era, and its connection to both No. 17 Enos Slaughter and its AACA recognition can only mean one thing—play ball. This is an opportunity to take home a victory like Enos did as a 10-time All Star.
