CHRYSLER Models Page keywords = Chrysler model Walter Daimler ChryslerDaimler auto car truck tank Crown Imperial Majestic Highlander Royal Saratoga Windsor Newport Town & Country Thunderbolt turbine engine Willys Overland Jeep Dodge DeSoto Plymouth Valiant Tourismo Chalmers Maxwell Briscoe Fargo Aberdeen Proving Ground Gander
Updated: 03 Jul 2009, 15:15 ET
(Created 25 Oct 2004)
[Ref: This is chrysmod.html (URL http://home.att.net/~Berliner-Ultrasonics/chrysmod.html )]

S. Berliner, III's

Chrysler

Models Page

(Model Chryslers)

Consultant in Ultrasonic Processing
"changing materials with high-intensity sound"
Technical and Historical Writer, Oral Historian
Popularizer of Science and Technology
Rail, Auto, Air, Ordnance, and Model Enthusiast
Light-weight Linguist, Lay Minister, and Putative Philosopher

MODEL CHRYSLER Page

(25 Oct 04)

[Material moved from Chrysler continuation page 3 on 25 Oct 2004.]

Chrysler Badge

This site has now been visited times since the counter was installed.

(The original Chrysler continuation page 3 overloaded so I created this page for model Chryslers
please have a look at the main Chrysler page, the Chrysler Continuation Page 1, and
the Chrysler Continuation Page 2, et seq.!)

These pages are basically unindexed but a HELP section is now on this page and the Chrysler Links section is being recreated.

Chrysler Imperial 8.

'31-'32-'33 Imperial 8 Major Model Year Differences.

Imperial L-80/L*80 - the "Big Six".

Chrysler Models, including the 1939 Royal Windsor. (03 Jun 09)

Jeep (moved to Chrysler page 1 on 02 Jul .

Model Chryslers - moved from Chrysler continuation page 3 on 25 Oct 2004.

Chrysler and Mercedes inked their $3billion+ merger and DaimlerChrysler AG/Corporation began business on 17 Nov 98 and started trading combined shares on 18 Nov 98; two of my most favo(u)rite cars!

Chrysler Modelers
Model Chryslers

First, there's that Dinky 1939 Chrysler Royal London taxi noted earlier; the one I converted into a replica of my own car.

[I found it 01 Jul 2009, in a box of other old models!] (03 Jul 09)

Here she is in all her glory:

39DinkyChryRoyal3
(03 Jul 09 photo by and © 2009 S. Berliner, III - all rights reserved)

39DinkyChryRoyal4 39DinkyChryRoyal5
(03 Jul 09 photos by and © 2009 S. Berliner, III - all rights reserved)

Here are close-ups showing details, such as the carefully hand-painted badging, my original NY license plate (PL4906), and the bilious yellow paint evidencing that it was a London taxi, NOT a regular sedan:

I had ground off the original taxi roof light cluster [which would have proven that there were at least two mo(u)lds for the models]. Although not shown, as I recall, the actual '39 had ~1/8" (~3mm) silver or alumin(i)um paint striping circumferentially around each red wheel disk, roughly half-way between the hub caps and the rims. Also, the bottom plate of the model shows that I scratched in "1939" and "Royal" on either side of the stamped "CHRYSLER". Considering that the model is about 55 years old, it's in rather good condition, even to the rubber t(i)(y)res, which are are still vaguely pliable. She measures 4-3/16" (10.64cm) long.

- - - * - - -

Sometime in early 2009, I spotted this HO scale (1:67.1) 1936 Chrysler Airflow Imperial Eight in the Walthers catalog and just HAD to get it:

(03 Jul 09)

This tiny gem measures only 2¼" (5.72cm) long.) and yet has an almost-inconceivable amount of fine detail; even the interior (what precious little one can see) is finished! The model and stand have no markings but the outer box says it is a Masterpiece Automotive Replica from Masterpiece Industrial (HK) Ltd. and is distributed here by Atlas Model Railroad Co. (#99 87125).

What gets into people's minds, though? Why go to all that incredible trouble and NOT do the iconic waterfall 1934? I can only assume that someone unknowledgeable (Japanese?) saw a restored '36 and thought that was THE car.

- - - * - - -

On Chrysler continuation page 2, I show this gem that a friend gave me for Christmas in 1999; an ostensible 1934 Chrysler Airflow Coupé, made in China in 1999 and NOT the most accurate model I've ever seen, but it's a great gag and here she is (again), all 4½" of her:

Well, on 02 Aug 05 who should come along but a gentleman seeking headlight bulbs for this tin Airflow:

(03 Aug 05)

TinAirflowCoupé1 TinAirflowCoupé3
(Images cropped and enhanced by SB,III on 03 Aug 2005 from owner's photos - all rights reserved)

This beast is apparently neither a Chrysler nor a DeSoto! It represents a 1934 Chrysler Airflow, as shown by the side vents, with 1934 DeSoto Airflow bumpers! [I do vaguely recall, however, that some DeSoto's may have used Chrysler body shells.]

Now, who can positively identify this model as to make and such (note that the license plate reads "248", almost certainly a toy manufacturer's model number)? Also note the empty headlight wells, which is what started all this. We (the owner and I) believe that it used the flattened bulbs common to Gilbert Erector sets and such, roughly 3/8" in diameter:

I do not propose to list all known Chrysler miniatures made but will eventually list those that interest me (which means primarily the 1931-33 Imperial 8s) of which I either have one or know of one. There are some very well-known ones, plastic kits by MPC and Jo-Han, and the Danbury Mint did the old '42{?} T&C woodie ("Mint" is the right term). What got me going was finding (05 Feb 00) a clear resin kit for a 1933 Chrysler Imperial 8 sedan/limo in 1:87.1 (HO) scale (with rear-mounted single spare) from Greg's Garage:

Greg's Garage
911 Maple
Saginaw, Michigan 48602

I said I'd put up a photo shortly; here 'tis
(out-of-the-bag, unassembled, balanced on two loose wheels):

I hope (how often have I said THAT before?) to kitbash it into a 1931 Close-Coupled Sedan with dual fender-mounts!

Oooh, goodie! At a RR show in early May 00, I found a second Greg's '33 and was able to buy a raft of spare wheels to go with it; fender mounts, here we come!

15 Aug 00 - The Danbury Mint announced a magnificent 1:24 1948 Chrysler 8 Town & Country Convertible with real wood trim at $122.00.

I picked up a "pre-owned" die cast 1:32 1932 Chrysler Imperial 8 LeBaron Phaeton on 24 Oct 04, at a train show (of all places); there is no box and all it says on the detailed underbody is "Signature", "1932 Chrysler LeBaron", and "Made in China":

32ChryImp8LeBPhaet1:32-3

32ChryImp8LeBPhaet1:32-2

Not only do the hood panels open but there is a detailed engine in there:

This model is only 6½" long but the doors also open and the interior is fully detailed as well; more photos follow:

32ChryImp8LeBRoadstr1:32-6 32ChryImp8LeBRoadstr1:32-8

32ChryImp8LeBRoadstr1:32-7

Not only do the doors open but there are a detailed dashboard, steering wheel, shift, pedals, and hand brake inside and pockets and handles on the inner panels of the doors:

I gave this gem away (to the friend who'd bought my '31 CG CC Sedan) but regretted it ever since and found a whole slew of new ones on eBay, bid on a tan one, and won it 02 Jul 09! Pix to follow.

(03 Jul 09)

AMC/ERTL came out with a 1:25 1932 Chrysler Imperial 8 LeBaron Roadster plastic kit for the 2004 Toy Fair; here's a picture of the side panel of the box:

(The original Chrysler page grew completely out of hand and this had to be added;
please have a look at it, the Chrysler Continuation Page 1, and
the Chrysler Continuation Page 2!)

Cyclops fans; see Cyclops on my Automotive page!