Chrysler’s iconic 300-F predated the great Charger by 6 years, in 1960. Its AstraDome instrument panel featuring Panelescent lighting - Chrysler’s term for electroluminescent lighting - was an amazing work of engineering artistry. Not only does the AstraDome on my 300-F beautifully illuminate its 150 mph speedo and its ammeter, oil pressure, fuel and water temperature gauges, but also its cable-driven tachometer on my console, at night with its soft silvery-blue glow. This dashboard design graced all the 1960-1962 Chryslers, while the calibration markings on the speedo and gauges varied slightly in each of the three years. The speedometer on all the non-Letter Cars for those three years sported a 120 mph face, vs the 150 mph on the F, G and H. Too bad the various Google sites that pop up when we look up AstraDome instead spell it Astrodome. Reflection of journalistic ignorance or carelessness! Also love that the ‘66/‘67 Chargers continued the full length interior console Chrysler introduced in the 300-F’s. Too bad they didn’t also continue the front swivel seats that were standard in all 300 E, F and G Letter Cars!
