[Closed] Looking for info on a 55 or 56 Chrysler made a few years ago.

I think New Ray did a diecast 55 Chrysler. Am not a historian, but the only other 55-56's I can recall are the Brooklin white metal 1955 Chrysler C-300["A"] and station wagon. Motor City and Precision Minatures did white metal 1956's, and American Models did an Imperial. Think that a French company did a Dinky-like 55 Chrysler sedan in diecast.

Motor Max

Motor Max do a 1955 300C in Black. This is a budget model but not bad at all given its low price. Is still shown on the Motor Max web site so should be current at Toy Fairs I guess.

http://www.motormaxtoy.com/categories/die-cast-car-collection/1-43-dream-car-collection/

Should show you a picture

MotorMax 55 Chrysler...

I know of the Motormax 55 that also comes in red and a two-tone for American Graffiti. The one I'm thinking of came out maybe about ten years ago. Could be PM or Minichamps?

My favorite is BRK 19, the red '55 Chrysler 300. (pic)

photo no longer available

Brooklin introduced this one in 1984 and built it for years, finally in 2000 updating it with more chrome in white as 19A. It's one of my favorite Brooklins.

Here are two low-end plastic models, a Legends of Racing '56 300 and a smaller '55 Imperial by New Ray.

photo no longer available

For you automotive historians: Yes, I know there wasn't a '55 Imperial convertible, except for a special unit built for Chairman of the Board K.T. Keller and used by Chrysler as a show car for a while.

I have the BRK & the Team Caliber Chrysler.

Bob - Another true diecast is the Team Caliber stock car racer

Much better than the old Legends of Racing version, and it can still be found cheaply on epay. It even has poseable wheels.

photo no longer available

Has anybody bought the Motor Max Buick Rainman model and.....

diorama? And if so how are the figures. Are they realistic and look like Hoffman, and Cruise. I do not care about the car so much, but wanted the figures to go with a Buick I already have. Thank You, RANDY

Thanks for mentioning these! I collect 300's but didn't know about this one.

Is this where the present Dodge Caliber got its name from?

I'm referring to the lumpen new Dodge that is occasionally seen on UK roads that Chrysler dealers have a job to sell. It may be a good car...I know little about it...but from what I read in the motoring press the European competition is apparently much too strong.

I'm not aware, JR, of anyone ever calling the Caliber a good car. And, according to an article in the Wall St. Journal today, Fiat will be killing it off
along with other Chrysler/Jeep products. Scheduled to go "adios" in 2010 is
the Jeep Commander. In 2011, it's farewell to Viper, Dodge Dakota pickup,
and Chrysler Sebring sedan. In 2012, say goodbye to the Jeep Compass and
Patriot, the Dodge Caliber and the Avenger sedan. The Nitro will also go
away, although the year wasn't specified.

Apparently the only things retained will be the Dodge Challenger and
Charger, and Dodge Ram (an oxymoron?) pickups, and the Jeep Wrangler.
Fiat will introduce some smaller cars like the Fiat 500, and bring back Alfa
Romeo beginning in 2012.

How bringing back the Alfa, unfortunately not too highly regarded in the
States, will help Chrysler is not yet clear. One spokesman said that "Alfa will
give Chrysler a premium product it hopes can compete with Audi or Infiniti,
producing higher profit margins." Hmmmm.

Randy on the figures I say no.

The Buick isn't bad but would look better with some enhancing.

I bought the Rainman diorama, and...

the figures are not bad, but you can't get your hopes up too much on exact likenesses. The Cruise figure is close, Hoffman looks a bit more generic, but I think at least they made a try. You could try your hand at hand painting and putting some layered washes on the faces for more detail, but you're always going to be limited by the scale. If only I could paint 1:43 faces like Crittenden Rumford!
The Buick is nice, but seriously needs real chrome trim instead of the silver paint, and that steering wheel has to be repositioned. Nobody's gonna be able to drive that baby with the wheel sticking into the bottom of the dash...

Interesting point about Chrysler believing Alfa will compete with Audi.

In the UK the Big Three German makers - BMW, Mercedes and Audi - have a stranglehold and it seems that no other maker can compete despite there being some very good cars out there. The latest Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia are apparently as good but they don't have the correct badges. It's an unfortunate fact that many buyers buy the badge before the car, needing the upmarket image to keep them feeling good.
Alfa has always been an enigma...beautiful styling, questionable build-quality. If I had the cash I'd probably buy the Alfa before the Audi, but then I've never approached buying vehicles with any degree of sense. I pick up my 1962 Commer Campervan next week, bought by mistake on Ebay. That proves I don't know what I'm talking about.

Thank You Bob and Scott for your input. I just wanted the figures to go with a......

Design Studio Yellow Buick Convertible that I have. Not exactly the same Buick but close enough. I will take what you both said in consideration. Thanks again for taking the time to respond, RANDY