The 300G stepped forward with a refined version of the 1960 body featuring a new grille shape, body trim,  and tail lamp treatment. Backup lamps were moved to the fins where the 300F's running lights had been. The interior featured a different upholstery design, with a basket weave stamped into the center sections in repeating squares. The dash got pleats, and the spare tire treatment on the deck lid disappeared. 15" tires and wheels with a new wheel cover appeared. The coupe and convertible were offered in four colors with every other color optional by special order. Why they bothered with this charade is beyond me, why not just offer the whole chart? You could even get different color interiors, but without the design in the center sections. Another first was an alternator, replacing the generator of previous years.

Under the hood, the 375 hp 413 with ram injection continued, with a 400 hp option still available. Gone was the Pont-A-Mousson transmission, though....if you wanted to row your own you had to settle for a 3 speed stick. God only knows what Dodge Power Wagon that thing was yanked out of. As of 1989, 5 coupes and 2 convertibles still existed that had the 3 speed. If you have one, you have my condolences. Then again, it would be worth at least 200 bucks and I'd be willing to take a look at it.

A word about the performance car market for 1961 should be included here. Ford offered a new 390 cube motor with tri power, rated at a rather  unbelievable 400 horsepower. The normal 390 had 300 horsepower. The most publicity went to Chevrolet, however, largely because of a Beach Boys song about their new engine, the 409. Much heralded and highly overrated, the 1961 409 was a punched out version of the 348 truck motor. Available in the Impala SS. It was rated at 360 bhp @ 5800 rpm, with 409 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm. Its performance stats weren't bad for the day but not amazing, with 0-60 in 7.8 sec. and the 1/4 mile in 15.8 sec. @ 94.1 mph. A good running 300G could keep right up to it with only 15 more paper horsepower and about 900 pounds more weight. It would last longer, too....the 409 was famous for its weak bottom end and was really not the kind of motor Chevrolet could develop in future years. It would be dropped when the 396 / 427 was ready.

The 300G is considered by purists to be the last "real" 300. You'll find out why when you read the 300H biography. The purists have spoken, and we must obey. They have also shown their gitas  (now don't get nervous, it means money) and have made the 300G the current auction record holder for a 300 at 226,000. I'll take two. I'll write you a check. Thank you purists, for taking a perfectly good hobby and turning it into a stock market speculator's nightmare in which only millionaires can participate.

Some 1600 Chrysler lovers plunked down their gitas in 1961, improving sales over the 300F by a good margin. Oh, I gotta tell this story. When I was looking for my first car in 1967, I went to Blue Ribbon Dodge in Bridgeport, Connecticut. There, behind about 40 used cars, was a cinnamon 300G convertible. It had about 48,000 miles on it, and it was beautiful. It was being offered for  the princely sum of 500.00. That's right, five hundred bucks. I passed on it because I didn't think I could afford the gas. Who knew.