Chrysler Atlantic Concept Car, my way

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Currently suffering from a severe attack of PHS (Project Hopping Syndrome).

I love all eras of automobiles.  I've been recently looking at Art Deco Luxury cars of the 30's. Bugatti, Delage, Talbots, etc.  Notice the strong French influence in this genre.  
Then I re-discovered this concept car from the 90's: The Chrysler Atlantic.  This was an interesting concept car.  I think it was inspired by the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic (pronounced "Atlantique").  The fully running and operational car is powered by an inline 8 cylinder engine, made by joining 2 Neon 4 cyl engines.
I like the lines of the car but I don't like the color scheme.  

Lindberg produced a model of this car in the late 90's.  The model is a promo style snap type.  It was re-issued and also offered as an assembled promo.
Since I don't like the color, I will NOT build a replica of the real car.  Because of that, I'll be free to do minor modifications and create my own "coachwork" car.  Let's see where this goes.



First order of business was to glue the front and back bumpers in place. I cut the snap tabs to have a bit of adjustment. As you can see, the fit is far from perfect, especially up front.



My goal is to blend them in as a one-piece "coachwork".  I will also eliminate the ugly front marker lights.  Also filled the emblem mounting holes.


May not look like much, but there are long hours of work here already.


Also glued both doors for structural rigidity as the body is quite flimsy without the doors. Some work fitting the doors to align but still more required. 


This is where I am now after about a week of work in "secret". 

Next, continue bodywork for eventual primer stage.
Thanks,
Ismael

[TopherMcGinnis]

PHS?????? Oh my! I think I've got it too!

 

Interesting approach to this kit. I like it!

[NOBLNG]

Cool project!😎 I would certainly grab one of those if I came across it.🙂

[slusher]

Those are pretty nice models and looking forward to your version..

[Bugatti Fan]

Nice model taking shape here. You can definitely see the Bugatti Atlantic influence in the bodywork styling and the retro Bugatti T41 Royale styled wheels.

It I were to obtain one of these I would be very tempted to turn it into an actual Bugatti concept car with horseshoe shaped radiator grille and other modifications.

[MeatMan]

Hello, my name is Dennis, and I too suffer from IHS. 😅

I've always loved the lines on the Atlantic but never thought to try to change it. Fantastic project idea. I love customs!

[meechum68]

Oh .. this is gonna be wicked! Digging what I am seeing!

 

[Bainford]

Coming along nicely. Great lines to work with. 
 

6 hours ago, Bugatti Fan said:

It I were to obtain one of these I would be very tempted to turn it into an actual Bugatti concept car with horseshoe shaped radiator grille and other modifications.

A Bugatti grill would look good. I was also thinking thin chrome bumpers for a retro look. 

[Big Messer]

39 minutes ago, Bainford said:

A Bugatti grill would look good. I was also thinking thin chrome bumpers for a retro look. 

No IMO. Would end looking like an Edsel (yikes!)

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Thank you all for the interest!

After a few weeks of work, we are now caught up in this thread. This where we are now.

Primer, sanding, filler, sanding, rinse and repeat. This is the Nth time.

Slowly getting there.

Thanks,
Ismael

[Bugatti Fan]

No Jose,  IMO it would not look like an Edsel as the whole concept of the styling is Bugatti inspired and a Bugatti Atlantic styled radiator grill would not look out of place on this retro European styled car.

The Edsel is just another typical American chrome and fins era Ford loaded with shiny bling !

I will be following Ismael's build doing his own particular customisation of his model that looks to be  an interesting take on this car.

Edited September 5 by Bugatti Fan

[Big Messer]

5 hours ago, Bugatti Fan said:

No Jose,  IMO it would not look like an Edsel as the whole concept of the styling is Bugatti inspired and a Bugatti Atlantic styled radiator grill would not look out of place on this retro European styled car.

The Edsel is just another typical American chrome and fins era Ford loaded with shiny bling !

I will be following Ismael's build doing his own particular customisation of his model that looks to be  an interesting take on this car.

Adding a Bugatti-style radiator would mean reshaping the whole front end. Google Bugatti type 57 to see what I mean. My opinion, no matter how wrong, is that it looks great now.

[WillyBilly]

I remember the original concept car that mimicked the original Bugatti Atlantic. I built the model to as close to the original concept as possible. It is such a beautiful car. I can't wait to see what you do with this one. So far, I like the progress. 

[Zippi]

The body work is looking nice.  Great looking body style. 

[ismaelg]

Hello,

First primer coat just to check on overall progress.  Hood and trunk panel lines were re-scribed as they were too shallow.

Thanks,
Ismael

Edited September 5 by ismaelg

[Old Nasty]

I've never been a big fan of concept cars, but I always liked this one.  It has a kind of Bugatti vibe to it.  Model on.

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Million dollars car requires million dollars panel gaps.  😉

Thanks,
Ismael

[OldNYJim]

This is a great project - there were some AWESOME concept cars back in the 90s!

Excited to see more!

[Big Messer]

On 9/5/2025 at 12:06 AM, ismaelg said:

Primer, sanding, filler, sanding, rinse and repeat. This is the Nth time.

In the early 2000s somebody wrote in one of the yahoo (?) modeling groups "sand deeply and passionately, and when you think you are done sand some more". Truest words were never written ever again.

[ismaelg]

9 hours ago, Big Messer said:

In the early 2000s somebody wrote in one of the yahoo (?) modeling groups "sand deeply and passionately, and when you think you are done sand some more". Truest words were never written ever again.

Truer words never been spoken!  

[89AKurt]

Someone has to ask, doing an LS swap? 🤪  Looking good so far!

[meechum68]

Oh this is looking fantastic now that it's in prime!   
 

@89AKurt only if it's TT!

 

[Big Messer]

3 hours ago, ismaelg said:

Truer words never been spoken!  

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/truer

[ismaelg]

It is curbside, so it will have whatever I say. How about V12 TT LS? 🤣

[Big John]

I believed this is one of my "lost inventory" kits and am looking forward to the build.  There is just something wrong with the rear view mirror mounts that bothers me styling wise.  I would be tempted to remove them and follow the scribe window lines. If the clear window parts allow.

Edited September 8 by Big John