I saw my first 67 300 deluxe in person at the River Run Car show in Ks last weekend. It made me curious, so I started looking at them on ebay. I didn't realize that on some models, there is quite a bit of difference. What is the story behind them...I mean why were they built different than a sport coupe, etc. Some models, like the 67 are very different than the sport coupe, while others, like the 69, I could only see cosmestic trim that was not included. Just trying to gain more knowledge. Thanks.

Not all 300's were posts, that was a different code as well. Basicly the 300's were just the "base" model Chevelles. The 300 deluxe was a bit more optioned. My car for example, a 68 300 Deluxe 2 door post, had a 230 six, powerglide, rubber floor mat (not carpet), one speaker radio, heater, manual steering and brakes, and a bench seat.

Pretty cool cars.

I can't imagine trying to restore a 300 deluxe. It's got to be impoosible to find some of those parts, since they only seem to repro ss and malibu parts.

My question is was there a 300 that wasn't a deluxe. I've only seen deluxes, or i've just assumed they were.

Yeah, there were just plain "300's".

That's the thing. I've noticed that the body panels on a 67 300 deluxe are very different than a malibu/chevelle. Especially the rear window area and tail light area. There's a decent 67 300 on ebay I've been watching, but am concerned about available parts also. Hmmm.

I've noticed that the body panels on a 67 300 deluxe are very different than a malibu/chevelle. Especially the rear window area and tail light area. There's a decent 67 300 on ebay I've been watching, but am concerned about available parts also. Hmmm.

That's the difference between a hardtop and a sedan.....

Yeah, there were just plain "300's".

Not entirely true. Without going into all the years from 64-72 and the different models, in 1967 there was the 300, 300 Deluxe, Malibu, Concours, El Camino, and SS396 - all were DIFFERENT models and one was not an 'upgrade' from another but all were Chevelles. The 300 was the entry level Chevelle and was available with a L6 or V8 in both 2-dr and 4-dr sedan models. The 300 Deluxe offered a little nicer interior, extra body trim, L6 & V8 still, still 2-dr & 4-dr sedan body styles, and was the base Chevelle wagon and base El Camino. The Malibu model brought the 2-dr and 4-dr sport coupe/sedan and convertible body styles while retaining the 4-dr sedan (no 2-dr sedan), the 4-dr wagon and Custom El Camino. SS396 was only the 2-dr sport coupe and convertible and the Concours wagon was the top of the line wagon with vinyl applique wood-grain.

In 1969, the 300 was phased out and the 300 Deluxe was the entry level model; in 1970 the base model was simply called a Chevelle Standard; and for 71/72 the 'Standard' was dropped and the entry level model was simply a Chevelle.

One must be careful when differentiating between a 'Chevelle' and a particular model. 'Chevelle' is much to generic to be used when comparing different models.

Why were the 67 300's and 300 Deluxe's different from the Malibu/SS396? Same reason the 55-57 shoebox had 150, 210, and Bel Air models. The 58 model year had Biscayne, Bel Air, and Impala. Etc. Different strokes for different folks.

my cousin has a 66 2 door post. i believe it is just a 300, as it never had a badge that said "deluxe" anywhere on it.
park it next to a 2 door hard top, and the cars look totally different except for the front clip and maybe the windshield. the interiors are mostly the same, but the door panels are different. it seems to be pretty light, and it scoots pretty good with a fairly stout 402 big block and 3.31 gears.

in 1970 the base model was simply called a Chevelle Standard

Actually, there was a 300 deluxe in 1970. I almost purchased one about 8 years ago. It was a four-door post car with little chrome other than the bumpers. There wasn't even chrome on the drip rails. It had a 307 2-barrel, rubber flooring, no pwer brakes, no power steering, bench seat, AM radio. It only had 80,000 miles but I wanted PS, PB, etc.:)

It looked just like this 300 deluxe but in green:
http://www.chevelles.com/wagons/4-door/70fnt-dyer-a.jpg
http://www.chevelles.com/wagons/4-door/70fnt-dyer-b.jpg

My 67 is a 300 Deluxe.

For 67 (and earlier) the 300 and 300 Deluxe 2 door cars were the sedan body type, some times called "post coupe" by enthusiasts, which means they have a frame around the window and a solid post between the front door and rear side windows. This is like a typical four door car today and even a lot of 2 doors today. The Malibu's and SS 2 doors were hardtop coupes, no post.

The 2 door sedan uses the same rear glass shape as the 4 door sedan and there is no extension to the sail panel. This gives the car a little shorter look to the roof line. The rear window trim is the same as four door sedans - not uncommon and probably less picked over in the junk yards. Mine came from a 4 door.

The front glass looks the same, but I understand it is slightly different. There is some interchangeability with other GM A bodies, but don't recall what.

The body below the style line is basically the same profile as the 2 door coupes. Full quarters are different because of the sail panel, but partial quarters and patch panels will work. The doors and door glass are different, but I bet you can make the door skins work. Front fenders and hood interchange with the coupe. I used repro partial quarters and NOS fenders, door where okay.

Exterior trim is somewhat less than the Malibu's and SS's. Most noticeable is the different tail lights and rear valance chrome. The red lens is the same. But the chrome trim only surrounds the lens, there are no horizontal bars across the surface. The trim also does not extend along the valance panel or trunk lip. There is one narrow strip across the bottom of the valance below the tail lights. The side trim runs along the rocker panel below the door, like an SS, but it is solid not finned. Nothing on the rear quarter. Mine wears the SS trim now.

Interior patterns were different. Small interior pieces for the most part interchange -- arm rests, window cranks, dash parts -- but some are not correct. Whereas the Malibus and SS's typically came with vinyl seats unless you ordered cloth, the 300's and Deluxes came with cloth unless you ordered vinyl. Plus the cloth patters where different for each. Taxicab style rubber floor mat instead of carpet was typical. Door panels are unique in both pattern and shape, and will not interchange with the coupe. To my knowledge, no one is making reproduction seat covers or door panels. My car is wearing vinyl Malibu seat covers I ordered from C.A.R.S. 17 years ago. They didn't know they where for a 2 door sedan when I ordered them but seemed surprised that they fit when they found out later -- at least for the rear seat which is supposed to be different somehow. The covers aren't technically "correct", but I'm going for restified not restored so they look like "right" and only the purists know. Carpets fit, I never looked for the rubber mat, I didn't want it anyway.

Three big interior differences are the rear package tray, the windllace the trim for the edge of the head liner and pinch weld on the post, and the headliner. All are available in reproduction today, although none were when I did my restoration. The rear package tray is deeper, to reach towards the covex rear glass. The correct windlace is pricey, but I bought a roll of generic and died it to match.

Biggest down sides, you get less respect for a 2 door post, and less inherent value. Biggest up sides, lighter, stiffer, take all the same performance parts, no one is going to clone one (so you won't get suckered), and probably cheaper to buy. Biggest kick of having one is it's fairly unique, and some times a conversation piece as a result.

All told, I did not find it significantly tougher to restore mine, other than some sheet metal and glass which didn't hold me up anyway because I didn't need it or could work around it. And, there seem to be more resto parts as these cars start to catch on popularity as the coupes get bought up. Don't be afraid to take one on if you find the right car.

Thanks for all the info!

Actually, there was a 300 deluxe in 1970.

Interesting...I'll check my GM Restoration Kit vs. Chevrolet Parts & Accessories Catalog again for their naming convention. Often one document supplier uses different names than others :thumbsup:

This is from the Chevrolet Parts & Accessories Catalog when it defines the 70/71 Chevrolet model lineup.

http://www.chevellestuff.com/70stuff/70velle/images/models.jpg

No big deal in the grand scheme of things. ;)

My 67 is a 300 Deluxe.

For 67 (and earlier) the 300 and 300 Deluxe 2 door cars were the sedan body type, some times called "post coupe" by enthusiasts... The front glass looks the same, but I understand it is slightly different. There is some interchangeability with other GM A bodies, but don't recall what..

I recall the front glass being the same for El Camino, 2-door-post cars 4 doors and wagons... These all have TALLER rooflines, and therefore taller windshields... Front window trim is the same, EXCEPT the two pieces going up the posts are longer (due to the "taller" windshield), but can be cut down to fit a hardtop/conv.

OK, I've got to ask now. Where did the name "300" come? My best guess is the model# 13300- hence the 300. Am i right?

and i have been looking for a 65 300 2 dr sd

For starters the production of the 300 and the 300 Deluxe cars was lower. As for reproduction or replacement parts you will find many parts interchange with 4 door sedan cars. As to the origin of the production of these cars, who knows? for 66&67 it's basically a 4 door that has been retro-fitted for 2 doors.
The roofline is a 4 door sedan, so front and rear glass,trim and drip rails are the same this also includes the vent windows. The door skins are the same as a hardtop, the complete front end is the same, the bumpers are the same, the deck lids are the same except for the emblem on the deck lid for the 2dr cars.. As stated; the partial quarters are same.
The door panels for 6&7 are obviously different but are the same size. The 65 door panel pattern is as close to the 300 66 as you will get repop. The 300 and 300 Deluxe had a cleaner dash "less stuff" than the Malibu, first noticable difference was the plastic above the glove box and the trim plate where the light switchs are. Frames, same. Tailight extensions normally different "cleaner." The 300 cars came often with a rubber floor mat instead of carpet and many times came without trunk mats.
As for weight, I dont think the weight between Malibus and 300's are different, maybe advertised but no real difference, "I'd argue."
One real difference is the quarter glass "rear back windows." They are hard to find, they are curved and not flat and the window track are a one off design but same for 6&7.
The 66 had a body side moulding strip for the 300 Deluxe 2&4dr, the 300 had nothing as the 67 had nothing. They did offer the 300 Deluxe in the wagon also. "rare!"
And I believe many of the same differences follow the other years too.
I can only really share info on the 6&7 cars.
An ironic twist, the 2 dr. 64&5 wagons were 300 cars.
Keep in mind there was also a 4 door hardtop, when you rolled down all 4 windows there was no post beween the front and rear.