MPC 1932 Chrysler Imperial ‘Gangbusters’ Roadster
I’ve found some really odd coincidences or connections recently. I mentioned previously that I’d found a box of old car kits in the loft that I knew I’d never find the time to make. Most were partly built, but one was unstarted. This was an original 1965 release of MPC’s excellent 1:25 scale 1927 Lincoln Roadster in their Gangbusters series. They really were superb kits, rarely beaten on fit and quality even today.
The gimmick was that they could be built stock, as a police car with appropriate decals and accessories, or a gangster’s car. This had an optional bullet-riddled windscreen and radiator grille, a selection of weapons, with a hidden glovebox compartment and trunk, and crates with bottles of bootleg booze. There were two figures and a set of golf clubs which stowed in a compartment behind the seat. I eBayed the kit at a reasonable price and found a buyer. The following day I started on this edition of Scale Autos and the first car kit I encountered was a rerelease of another of MPC’s old Gangbusters kits, this time the imposing 1932 Chrysler Imperial Eight. Strange, eh?
All of the Gangbusters kits have been rereleased at various times, with the exception of the 1932 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery/Roadster kit. As I’ve mentioned previously, the van body was converted into another kit and never subsequently remastered to reinstate the original kit. A shame, as it was another nice model. The re-releases were often without the police and mobster parts, though curiously, sometimes a selection were included with no mention on the box.
Chrysler’s Imperial range were the upmarket vehicles introduced in 1926 to compete with the likes of Cadillac, Lincoln and Packard. Starting with a straight-six engine, in 1931 they introduced a larger 384.4cu in (6.3-litre) flathead straight-eight with Stromberg Model DD-3 carburettor, rated at 125bhp. The range was quite extensive, as many of the bodies were manufactured by independent coachbuilders, including LeBaron, Derham and Locke. As a result, many vehicles were unique, incorporating the styling, specifications and accessories requested by their individual customers.
MPC replicated two 1932 Chrysler Imperials, one a LeBaron-bodied four-door tourer. This latest release is the four-seater roadster with rear rumble seat. Not only have all the original optional police and gangster parts been reinstated, but also a multi-piece vintage police motorcycle. The car is extremely detailed with separate chassis, steerable front wheels, much chrome, including spoked wheels. These have whitewall inserts for the tyres. There’s a complete engine and drivetrain, opening rumble seat, luggage rack and the aforementioned non-stock parts. These include twin police spotlights, siren and bullet-riddled radiator and screen. There are two figures, a safe, jewel box and suitcase of money. The motorcycle represents a 1927 Indian Ace and it’s been missing since the first release nearly 50 years ago. It’s a terrific kit, with new vintage style box art. Examples are advertised at around £39.