Ertl 1:18 1957 Chrysler 300C Hardtop

In the mid 1950s, Chrysler introduced the 300 “Letter Series” automobiles. These were luxury rides with the roar of high performance echoing from under the hood. Produced in limited numbers, they quickly became the car of choice for the elite and those seeking to combine the look of refined Chrysler styling with the power to make the highways fun.

The 1957 300C was the class act of the Letter Series models and the darling of the old Mopar crowd. It showcased a bold new front end with a massive egg crate grille and smooth, clean lines devoid of the excessive chrome Detroit was lavishing on most cars of that year. Under the hood, the 300C cradled a Hemi boasting 392 horses of power. 1957 was also the first year the 300C could be ordered as a ragtop.

When Ertl first released the 1957 300C Hardtop in Black in 2001, it was part of their new high end line of diecast called Precision-100. These were images that featured amazing detail and extraordinary precision in diecast at a price the collector could afford. The Precision-100 Line was an instant success and it was to set the industry standard for many manufacturers of precision diecast to follow. The 300C became a sell out. In 2003, Ertl re-issued the Chrysler 300C Hardtop in new clothes. The Parade Green Hardtop was another hit among collectors. Collectors began to request another 300C in Gauguin Red, a very popular Chrysler color for the 300C in 1957.

Ertl/RC2 listened. Coming in April, the Gauguin Red 1957 Chrysler 300C will be released as part of the Ertl Elite Line and it will come equipped with everything you loved about the previous releases. All the detail you’ve come to expect from the Elite Line is apparent in this image. Its breathtaking color is a subtle mix of Red and Coral and Ertl has captured it perfectly. Sit this car on your shelf and it demands attention, stealing the thunder from anything else close to it. Inside, Ertl has opted for a White interior with Black trim. The same plush carpeting, two-tone dashboard with legible gauges, finished interior roof, and even the dangling set of keys are details that were part of the earlier issues and are replicated here with the same precision. The emblems on the door panels are a nice touch. The Gauguin Red color makes the clean, smooth, elegant lines that swoop back into the giant fins pop. The 300C badges in Blue, White and Red are impeccably reproduced on each rear panel. What little chrome there is is replicated without flash and fits nicely. The front grille, the most commanding feature of the ‘57 300C, is faithfully reproduced in all its magnificent excess. And let's not forget the retractable antenna! In the trunk, there is black carpeting and a well reproduced spare. Under the hood, everything that made the Hemi engine in 1957 is there in minute detail, right down to the washer bottle, dash panel and twin oval air cleaners. This kind of detail is simply not available elsewhere at this price point. That makes for unbelievable value and bang for your buck.

If you waited to get your hands on the Black 2001 release and missed out, didn’t grab the Parade Green version in 2003, then don’t wait for this one. If you want just one 1957 Chrysler 300C in your collection, your dream car will be rolling into Legacy this April. Grab one before they’re sold out. On the other hand, if you have one or both of the earlier releases, don’t pass up on the Gauguin Red. To bring fun to collecting, Ertl/RC2 will also release a “Chase Car” that will feature a Black interior. Add them both to your collection.

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