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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: