Lindberg Chrysler Atlantic- Review

You've heard of the old "sketch on a napkin", right? Well, that's how this unlikely Bugatti tribute came to be. None other than legendary Chrysler VP Bob Lutz penned the first rough sketch, and with that starting gun stylists Tom Gale and Bob Hubbach spent two years designing the Atlantique-inspired concept. Though the Bugatti was the primary inspiration, a few Talbot-Lago influences slipped into the design. The interior was also more art-deco than '90's jellybean, and even the powertrain was a throwback. The concept's straight eight engine began life as two Neon engines. The Atlantic rode on 21" wheels up front and 22" in the rear- huge by 1995 standards, but mere "entry level baller" stuff two decades removed.

Lindberg introduced a kit of the Atlantic in its Super-Snap Ultra line for 1997. Normally, I'm not much into models of concept cars, but something about the Atlantic always called out to me, and Lindberg SSU kits can typically be purchased for peanuts. I bought this kit about four years ago for less than ten bucks- the shrink wrap was off the box, but the sprues were still bagged. A sealed kit won't set you back much either, though.

Lindberg's typical box art during this time was a photo of the actual vehicle on a light grey "fade" background.

The instruction sheet- again, typical Lindberg circa 1997. The small decal sheet has a few markings- the 1:1 car was relatively unadorned, so naturally the kit follows suit. Those decals, by the way, are of the waterslide variety, not the peel-and-stick junk that SOME manufacturers (cough, cough, Revell) use in their snap kits.

The body is molded in a metallic bronze hue, and seems to be just a bit darker than the 1:1. No matter- there are several "swirls" in the metallic plastic, so you'll likely want to paint it anyway.

Quality of the chrome and clear parts is very good. Yes, this snap kit comes with separate, clear headlight lenses.

The interior is simple, but effective, though being of the "tub" design inner door panel detail could be better.

I've never peeked underneath the real Atlantic, so I don't even want to speculate on the accuracy of the underside detail present. The "coaster" chassis plate does a fine enough job of locating the metal axles, though. The tires are a little out of round, but that goes away once they're slipped onto the wheels.

So... it's a simplifed curbside snapper. What else is there to say? Well, expect to do a little bodywork- the separate doors (which do not open) fit well, but you'll want to do a little sanding to level them with the surrounding bodywork. I mentioned the swirls in the metallic plastic, but there are also a few sink marks which will require filler, so even if your kit didn't have the swirl marks I don't think you'd be able to get away with not painting it... unless you just want to slam it together and aren't at all concerned with such things.

The subject matter may not grab you, and it's curbside nature might put you off... but if none of those pitfalls apply, it would be a very interesting subject to put on the shelf. I think it would look pretty cool next to a Jo-Han Chrysler Turbine, or one of those old Monogram or Italeri Bugatti kits.