WIDE WHEELS - 1:25 SCALE 1955 CHRYSLER 300 FROM MOEBIUS

MAT IRVINE REPORTS:
Who would have thought that there would be resurgence of interest in 1950s-era model kits? Even more so, with kits that are not existing-tool reissues, but are brand-new.

This is certainly the case with Moebius Models, which, thanks to the enthusiasm of Dave Metzner, are producing new cars never before seen in kit form - using standard injection-moulding, at least. First off was the 1953 Hudson Hornet, itself an interesting choice, and now comes the Chrysler 300, the ‘personal’ car in Chrysler’s 1955 range.

Detailed kit
As with the earlier Hornet, the 300 is a fully - and highly - detailed kit, with more than 125 parts, moulded in light grey, clear, and chrome, plus two transparent red tail lights, and four contemporary tyres with (excellent news) pre-applied whitewalls.

Build sequence
Moebius kits also supply you with fully-detailed colour instructions that - rare these days - actually include text for the step-by-step build sequence, such as, “Cement Right Engine Half (#35) to Left Engine Half (#37)…” as the start of section one goes. Sorry other languages though: these instructions are in English only, but the exploded diagrams will assist any modeller who can’t work out the word ‘cement’.

Modern approach
Although much of the kit’s style is reminiscent of older kits, it has a modern approach too. The interior is not supplied as a one-piece tub (strong, but tricky to paint the interior sides) instead it comes as a multi-piece assembly. The rear seat is also a separate part - in older kits, this was usually moulded into the tub.  It’s more useful than you might think, as the 300 racing version does not require a rear seat.

Underneath the model, you have full details, with separate axles, driveshaft and exhausts, while in the engine compartment, small details such as the horns and master brake cylinder are supplied as individual parts.

Three stock shades
Bodywork is a one-piece unit, and as with the Hudson, full details as to the stock colours are given. However, the 1955 Chrysler 300 was actually only available stock in three colours, red, white or black, and the interior came in the same light tan leather for them all. Obviously, you can paint the model any colour you wish, but for a stock build, Moebius supplies paint chart details for Testors paints. For modelmakers outside the US, where Testors may not be so readily available, there are alternatives from the likes of Humbrol and Tamiya.

Colour instructions
The full-colour instructions allow photos of the completed model sections to be given, so paint colours for details can be checked and compared. Subtle weathering instructions for the chassis are given, and about the only other material you’ll need to add is Bare-Metal Foil or similar for chrome strips down the sides and window surrounds.

Model King version
There is also a racing version available from Model King, that uses the Moebius kit as a base, and featuring Tim Flock’s stock car. In those days, racing stock cars were virtually that - stock - so here you get standard Moebius components, plus some extra parts for engine and interior. Most distinctive are the decals, so that is one section that is a brand-new element in the kit.

Summation
The Moebius 1:25 Chrysler 300 is definitely one on the shortlist for building, though admittedly my ‘short list’ is quite a long list… So watch for more details in the future.

Thanks to Moebius Models for the review kit.

Moebius Models by the dozen here.

Other Chrysler miniatures on view here.