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Chrysler’s 300 HEMI® C Drop-Top Dream Reemerges

2000 Concept Makes A Rare Appearance at Chrysler’s 100th Anniversary in Detroit

Earlier this week, while celebrating Chrysler’s 100th Anniversary at the Detroit Yacht Club (DYC) on Belle Isle, the company surprised a lot of people, including me, by pulling one of its best-looking concept cars out of the vault: the 2000 Chrysler 300 HEMI C Convertible. For anyone who grew up during the late ’90s and early 2000s loving bold Mopar design, this car was a showstopper back then — and it still holds up today.

2000 Chrysler 300 HEMI® C Convertible Concept. (MoparInsiders).

When it debuted at the 2000 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, the 300 HEMI C represented the next chapter for Chrysler. This big, rear-wheel-drive V8-powered luxury convertible combined heritage styling with high-tech features. Built on the same LH platform as the front-wheel-drive 300M and Concorde, this one-off concept ditched front-drive in favor of rear-drive, thanks to the platform’s adaptable architecture. It was a true four-seater muscle-luxury convertible, and it had people buzzing.

Walking up to it again this week, freshly cleaned and shining in Frosted Mocha Pearlcoat, was surreal. The design still looks incredible — long hood, short overhangs, sculpted chrome details, and a big 300M-style grille that makes a statement. It was designed by Joe Dehner, who said at the time, “It’s as if we stretched the body around the V8 HEMI engine.” And it really does look that way — low, wide, and serious about performance.

2000 Chrysler 300 HEMI® C Convertible Concept. (MoparInsiders).

This concept wasn’t just pretty either. It was powered by a prototype 5.7-liter all-aluminum HEMI V8 making 353 horsepower and 353 lb.-ft. of torque. Paired to a 4-speed automatic, the 300 HEMI C could run 0–60 mph in 5.9 seconds and top out at 160 mph. That was serious speed for a luxury drop-top in 2000. The engine itself was a preview of what would later power the 2005 Chrysler 300C — and the return of the HEMI to mainstream production vehicles.

Inside, the concept was pure early-2000s high-end design. A taupe monochromatic interior wrapped in leather, real California walnut wood trim, and chrome detailing made it feel far more expensive than any Chrysler most people had ever sat in. The four-seat layout even included a power hard tonneau with a pop-up roll bar. It also had adjustable pedals — a premium touch back then — and a gated shifter.

2000 Chrysler 300 HEMI® C Convertible Concept. (MoparInsiders).

But what really stood out was the tech. The 300 HEMI C had a fully functional “Infotronic” system — complete with GPS, internet access, plug-and-play laptop support, and even voice control for everything from climate to audio. It even had fingerprint and facial recognition for vehicle access, something that still feels futuristic today.

To make it handle like a true performance car, Chrysler engineers gave it 14-inch Wilwood brakes, four-piston calipers, a staggered wheel setup with 19-inch wheels up front and 20-inch wheels out back, and a rear aluminum five-link suspension with coilovers. They even reinforced the body to ensure the convertible chassis remained stiff and responsive.

2000 Chrysler 300 HEMI® C Convertible Concept. (MoparInsiders).

Seeing the car again at Chrysler’s 100th Anniversary event reminded me why I loved it in the first place. It was everything Chrysler stood for — American style, HEMI performance, and unexpected luxury. And even though it never went into production, it laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the 2005 Chrysler 300 and the return of rear-wheel-drive V8-powered sedans to the American road. Something that I hope will return again. 

In a world where Chrysler kept this convertible in the lineup, we might’ve had a true blue-collar luxury muscle ragtop that gave everything from BMW to Cadillac a serious run for its money.

2000 Chrysler 300 HEMI® C Convertible Concept Image Gallery:

 

Robert S. Miller

Robert S. Miller is a diehard Mopar enthusiast who lives and breathes all that is Mopar. The Michigander is not only the Editor for MoparInsiders.com, 5thGenRams.com, and HDRams.com but an automotive photographer. He is an avid fan of offshore powerboat racing, which he travels the country to take part in.

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Does the pain never stop ? Another example of Chrysler exceptionalism and poor decision make all in one concept. Classic amazing looks and another management decision that heavens knows why this never happened.
Upgrade the interior, put some engineering and tech updates on this 300 and we are good to go. Now that I’ve endured the pain, it’s time for old Willy to muscle the Chrysler hierarchy (don’t forget I’m from New York) and get this drop top and a 300 sedan to market, pretty much as presented here for inspiration. Enough heritage design that transcends the decades to inspire and my supple arm twisting, New York style, to put the Project Team to work on this pronto.
Leave the Chrysler , take the Cannoli !

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It still my favorite concept over the past 35 years.

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Beautiful car, then and now.

I'm glad they saved and are showing the classics from the past, but what else is there to do? As has been said so well here, when it comes to new, "There ain't nothin' here to see".

Sad, so sad.

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Beautiful car, then and now.

I'm glad they saved and are showing the classics from the past, but what else is there to do? As has been said so well here, when it comes to new, "There ain't nothin' here to see".

Sad, so sad.

Think they have had new stuff it just never got through implementation. I saw SUV CUSW along side the Pacifica... supplier were far along on the Airflow. The CUSW 300 was ready to go. There are products in the Development funnel, but the ROI has it plugged up. But for goodness sakes they can't even launch popular stuff in the USA let alone take a flyer on Chyrsler.

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Where are the design teams from the nineties? The engineers? The folks whom could convince the been counters to open up the checkbook and greenlight something this special...dammit, we need a Kareem Abdul Jabar sky-hook of a CHRYSLER type reveal and now!!!

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