Walter P. Chrysler Museum Unveils Exclusive 1928 Chrysler Model 72 Le Mans Die Cast


AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Attention die
cast collectors! The Walter P. Chrysler Museum has commissioned a 1928
Chrysler Model 72 Le Mans Race Car that's sure to rev up any assemblage.
The 1:18 scale pre-war vintage model, the first in the Museum's
Heritage Collection, celebrates the #8 racer that placed third overall at
the 1928 Le Mans 24 Hours Race. A faithful reproduction of the carefully
researched replica on exhibit at the Museum, the striking pale yellow and
black die cast features a steerable wheel and opening hood, trunk and
doors. The model is presented on a display base, is packed in a keepsake
Museum box and comes complete with written historical background.
The die cast model is $49.95 and is currently available exclusively
through the Walter P. Chrysler Museum Store. (High resolution images for
media use are available online at http://cgmedia.daimlerchrysler.com/image-
gallery.do?method=view&imageGalleryId=44&mid=129 .)
From 1925-1931, Chrysler vehicles were more successful in European
races than any other American make, and they proved competitive against
such thoroughbred marques as Bentley, Stutz, Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo,
Itala and others.
Among Chrysler's finest achievements during those years was its
performance at the 1928 Le Mans race. Four, mainly stock, Chrysler Model
72s were entered by a French-Belgian team that included such top-notch
drivers as Louis Chiron.
Though the European makes were favored to sweep the race, two of the
Chrysler Model 72s amazed fans by continuing to run with the vehicle driven
by Henry Stoffel and Andrea Rossignol placing third and the other, driven
by the Ghica brothers, placing fourth.
The triumph at Le Mans was that two moderately priced mass-produced
cars held their own against thoroughbred sporting machines.
The 1928 Chrysler Model 72 Le Mans Race Car model is part of the
Chrysler Design Gallery, an upscale collection of exclusive die cast,
original automotive sculptures and digitally-rendered art prints
highlighting such popular vehicles as the Dodge Challenger Concept. All
Chrysler Design Gallery collectibles are available through the Walter P.
Chrysler Museum Store.
To view the 1928 Chrysler Model 72 Le Mans Race Car and other Chrysler
Design Gallery items, as well as additional merchandise highlighting
DaimlerChrysler's American heritage, visit http://www.chryslerheritage.com
.
The Museum Store is located on the main level of the Walter P. Chrysler
Museum, at the corner of Featherstone and Squirrel Roads on
DaimlerChrysler's Auburn Hills, Mich. complex. The shop is open during
regular Museum hours: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday and noon - 6 p.m.
Sunday. Checks, American Express, Discover, MasterCard and VISA are
accepted.
The Museum accepts orders by phone at 248-944-0434 or fax at
248-944-0460. Sales tax is added according to the rate in the customer's
state (6 percent in Michigan). Shipping is $4.95 for packages up to 15
pounds and $4.95 for each additional 15 pounds.