Manufacturer: AMT/Ertl, P.O. Box 500, Highways 136 and 20, Dyesrville, IA 52040-0500, 800-553-4886.
Kit: No. 30046
Scale: 1/25
Price: $11
Comments: Injection molded, 124 parts (4 vinyl), decals
Pros: Beautifully molded, accurate body; separate chassis construction; snap-in white walls, good engine and interior
Cons: Sprue-attachment points mar rear bumper, "Chrysler Firepower" legends missing from valve covers, no clear lenses for back-up lights or front turn signals
Fins to the left. Fins to the right - in 1957, American drivers were surrounded by fins. But none were more elegant that those on the Chrysler 300. The engineers in the mid-50s found those fins added stability at speeds over 60 MPH. Later the big three automakers worked on styling and tried to "out fin" each other.
1957 was also the first year for Chrysler's famous Torsion-Air (torsion bar) suspension that improved handling. Another innovation was the Torque Flite 3 three-speed, push-button automatic transmission that was introduced the previous year in the Imperial. The engine was the 392 cubic-inch early Hemi design with 375hp, with an optional 390hp version with twin Carter 4-barrel carbs, and high lift cam. Production for the hardtop coupe numbered 1,918, listing for $4,929 - pricey for a mid-50s car.
AMT has done a masterful job in creating the 1/25 scale version of Chrysler's "muscle car." Very little cleanup of mold lines and flash is necessary, and only a few parts required some extra work for proper fit. Ejector-pin marks are visible only in the roof interior.
The interior builds up platform-style with separate well-detailed door panels and an accurate dash that includes the push buttons for the transmission. The chassis consists of a separate frame, individual suspension components, four-piece exhaust, chrome wheels, and correct period tires with snap-in whitewalls. The two-piece rear end has a nice gear carrier, and the housing has the brake line engraved on it. My chassis had a slight twist in the rear, so after mounting the engine and front suspension, I glued it to the floorboard before adding the rear suspension. The rear end housing had sinkholes on both sides of the gear carrier, so I filled those before painting.
The engine is the first-ever kit of a stock 392 cubic-inch Hemi. It's beautifully done and can be a detailer's dream with appropriate aftermarket parts. Even in box-stock form it depicts an accurate replica. The two-piece carbs have fuel lines and throttle linkage and separate air cleaners. The generator even has an adjustment arm that mounts to the engine front in the proper place. Included are an oil filler tube, breather tube, and even a dipstick tube for the transmission.
The engine nearly matches a picture in Chrysler Muscle Cars - Enthusiast Color Series, my prime reference. Trim the mounting pins from the right valve cover (part No. 19) and turn it 180 degrees, or the plug wire cover will face the wrong direction. They should feed from the rear. The only disappointment under the hood is the lack of the famous "Chrysler Firepower" engraving on the valve covers.
The body is a gem, accurate when compared to all my reference photos. The engravings are deep. The "Chrysler" on the hood, the molded-in wipers, the door handles, and the 300C emblems on the quarter panels were still sharp after three coats of Tamiya's Italian Red spray paint, and were easily detailed with paint and chrome foil. The rear glass has a slight gap at the top right, but doesn't detract from the finished look.
The chrome parts are done well with one exception: The rear bumper was attached to the sprue from the top and leaves some nasty marks when it's removed. Also missing are clear lenses for the backup lights and front turn signals in the bumper. The headlights, tail lights, and bumpers fit perfectly to the body.
Overall I was very pleased with the kit. It's easy to assemble, accurate, and well detailed. I spent about 30 hours on it, and it had the "right look" when finished. It also will look right in my collection of Mopar Muscle Cars. This long-sought-after kit won't disappoint.