LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: The Chrysler Atlantic concept, my way

[ismaelg]

Hello,

During the 1990s, Chrysler was very active bringing out concept vehicles that captured the imagination of the public.  The retro fad was in full swing and while most did not materialize into product offerings, the designers were let loose in their imagination. 

One of those concepts was the Chrysler Atlantic of 1995.  A retro style design that was obviously inspired by the Bugatti 57SC Atlantique (down to the name) and other French Art Deco era cars like Talbot Lago 150SS.  Different to many other concept cars, the one off Chrysler Atlantic is a fully functional car. The engine is a straight 8 which was done by joining two Neon four bangers.  The actual car is still popular in the show circuits to this day.

At the time, Lindberg released a 1/25 snap kit of the Atlantic which was also offered as a promo. That is the base for this build.

While I really like the lines car, I never liked the color.  The very simple kit is not intended to be a high end replica.  It sacrifices fit and details for ease of assembly.

Since I planned to use a different color anyway, I never intended to build an exact replica. I was free to modify it and make it my way. The interior was almost a lost cause, especially the dash. Original idea was to paint everything black and tint the windows. But I eventually went with a dark two tone blue interior.

Details below after the pics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Details:

Primer: Plastikote T235 (long discontinued original formula)
Color: Scalefinishes 2012 Corvette Carlisle Blue. The most metallic color I've ever used. Almost a color shift between silver and blue.  Really hard to photograph.
Clear: MCW Lacquer clear
Interior: Craft acrylics airbrushed with Createx 4021 reducer

Modifications include:

-Blended front and rear bumpers to the body 
-Reworked headlights
-Rescribed panel lines
-Scratchbuilt tail light
-Relocated mirrors
-Eliminated the mirror mounting plate from the window area and rounding off the window opening.
-Eliminated body front marker lights and replaced with European style small round lights
-Eliminated emblems and filled the mounting holes
-Replaced the kit's axles with plastic rods to better control wheel tuck under the fenders.
-valve stems
-Vintage style PR license plate  (100x35 refers to the size of Puerto Rico in nautical miles)
-Blue tinted rear window.

 Interior:

-Added seatbelts, buckles and receivers
-Parts box rearview mirror added
-Added a touchscreen to hide the lost cause of the dash
-Added turn signal lever
-Gauges from a Corvette C6 custom cluster
-Rescribed panel lines and highlighted in graphite
-Registration/Inpection RFID tag added to the windshield

What do you think?  I hope you like it!

Thanks,
Ismael

 

[Bugatti Fan]

Hints of Bugatti Atlantic Body Style and the Royale style wheels makes a good combination.

Very nice model of that concept car.   The colour you chose suits it much better than Chrysler's gold.

Excellent build.

[Misha]

Great finish Ismael on your build. Followed along on your WIP thread as you finessed a basic kit into a jewel! Your showroom photos add to the presentation of the Atlantic which appears to be the actual 1:1. 
Thanks for sharing your build, always enjoy all of your work. 
Cheers Misha 

[bondo bill]

I really like what you did with this kit. I have the kit but not sure what I want to do with it

[slusher]

Great looking Chrysler!

[ewetwo]

Love it. Looks great in that color.

[PappyD340]

Super nice build!

[Mike 1017]

WOW !!!