BROOKLIN AND THE 1955 CHRYSLER C-300

The standard 1955 Chrysler C-300 was released in 1984 and deleted in March 2000. It is finished in red with beige interior and yellow license plate, three red color variations exist. Approximately 50 were done in orange red and are very rare. Tyres are whitewall.

A new version of the 1955 Chrysler C-300 was released in March 2000 and deleted in January 2005 (BRK19A). It is finished in white with beige interior and blue license plate. Additional chrome details are added in the front and the back of the car, plus a chrome strip on the sides. An aerial has also been added.

BROOKLIN COLLECTORS CLUB

This model was a reproduction of the 1955 Chrysler C-300 used by Monroe Zeder Inc. of Miami, Florida, in the 1955 Daytona Speed Trials. The car is white with red interior and carries accurate decals in red, as used on the actual car. A total of 350 models were made with certificate. “B.C.C. 1990” plus a serial number are engraved on the baseplate.

MINIATURE CARS USA

500 1955 Chrysler C-300 in black with beige interior and yellow license plate were commissioned by Miniature Cars in July 1990. An additional 200, also in gloss black but with red interior and blue license plate, were produced in April 1991. All tyres are whitewall.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY BROOKLIN CLUB

The S.F.B.B.C. marked its 6^th anniversary with the release of its Brooklin special in April 1994. Continuing with a San Francisco theme, that year's Club model was the 1955 Chrysler C-300, decorated as a representation of the many sleek and quick American automobiles that have been utilized by the California Highway Patrol over the years. The exterior is gloss black, with white doors sporting the seven-pointed blue and gold California Highway Patrol star. Interior is grey and added details include the dual stoplight/spotlight combination at the windshield posts that came to be an identifying feature of Highway Patrol cars. The words "Highway Patrol" were not added to patrol cars until 1960 and are absent on the Club's Chrysler. Tyres are blackwall. The baseplate carries the inscriptions "SFBBC 1 of 300" and “20^th years of Brooklin Models”.

CARRERA PANAMERICA

The first 1955 Chrysler C-300 was actually designed with the Mexican Road Race in mind. This gruelling race ran South to North, from Tuxtla Gutierrez, near the Yucatan Peninsula, to Nuevo Laredo, just short of the Texas border, a distance of 1.372 miles. Unfortunately, while Carl Kiekhafer was preparing the car for 1955, the series was abruptly cancelled due to the large number of deaths in the 1954 race. This great car, that dominated stock car racing in 1955 and 1956, thus never had the opportunity to compete in the fabled Carrera Panamerica. The Race was revived in 1988, but restricted to 1954 and older cars that would have been eligible for the original races. An "Open Class" was added in 1995 and the Chrysler C-300 finally got its chance to compete. The car, driven by Ron "Juan" Davis and Carl Schneider, ran amazingly well and was running eighth overall on Day 5 when it blew a piston. Emergency repairs enabled it to finish the seven day race. "Viva La Carrera Replicas" celebrates the revival of the Carrera Panamerica with reproduced models of racers. The first in the series is a limited run of 200 Chrysler C-300’s produced by Dale Dannefer (USA) and considered a Code 2. The NASCAR type wheels and special interior with shoulder harnesses have been done at the Brooklin factory. The special red paint has also been done there. The accurate Carrera graphics decals were applied elsewhere. This model is authenticated and authorized by La Carrera Panamerica. Each one has a hand painted number on base and is accompanied by a Commemorative Certificate signed by both drivers, Ron Davis and Carl Schneider. Additional 50 models were made based on the BRK19A. This model has green decal over a yellow license plate and green/white decal instead of black/white decal on trunk.

BROOKLIN COLLECTORS CLUB

The idea of modelling a wreck is not a new one, but it's something Brooklin Models had never considered seriously until the idea of a three piece set was put to Nigel. These three items were issued as the B.C.C. special for 2002. The wreck would be part of a set, a story of one man's dream of finding and restoring a classic automobile. Already the owner of a fully restored 1961 Chrysler Imperial convertible, he had gone in search of another Chrysler, a 1955 Chrysler C-300. Having found a suitable project car he set off with his trailer hitched behind his Chrysler Imperial to collect his new pride. The C-300 was in a bit of a sorry state. The wind-shield was cracked, a rear fender was dented, rust was apparent around the wheel arches, chrome side strips were either missing or bent, light fittings were missing, but nothing so serious that it could not be restored. And so he set to work, spending very little time with his family or friends, no time for going to the pub with his drinking chums, he even gave up fishing to spend more time with his "baby". Well, here's the end of the story. He not only finished the project, he won first prize at a national meet for car enthusiasts. This is the second part of the set, the C-300 in all it's former glory, shiny as new, with the proud and happy owner posing for photographs with his prized car and the prize cup. A true enthusiast he still has his duster in his hand and the back of his jacket advertises his passion, "HEMI". This model features separate wipers and door handles. The sticker on the box says "Finished at Last". “B.C.C. 2002” is cast in base of the wrecked Chrysler, which are all different one from another. At the A.G.M. there was a random raffle of 10 special figure sets with a lady and an additional gold trophy.

Author: Gianluigi Cappi

You may find more pictures and information on this model plus many other Brooklin stories in the Brooklin Models Collectors Guide.