Chrysler Atlantic

Last updated
Chrysler Atlantic
Chrysler Atlantic concept car at Chrysler Musem, Auburn Hills, MI January 2008 IMG 3532A.jpg
Chrysler Atlantic at the Chrysler Museum
Overview
Manufacturer Chrysler
Production1995 (concept car)
Designer Bob Hubbach
Body and chassis
Layout Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Platform modified Chrysler SR platform
Powertrain
Engine 4.0L / 241ci straight-8 based on two 2.0L Chrysler Neon engines, 360 hp
Transmission 4-speed transaxle 42LE
Dimensions
Wheelbase 128 in (3251 mm)

The Chrysler Atlantic was a retro concept car created by Chrysler and fabricated by Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters in California. It was first shown in 1995. The Atlantic was designed by Bob Hubbach and inspired by the Bugatti Atlantique. The idea for this car began out as a sketch on a napkin by Chrysler's president Bob Lutz in early 1993 and also involved the automaker's chief designer, Tom Gale.

The Atlantic has several similarities to the opulent vehicles of the 1930s such as the aforementioned Bugatti Type 57S Atlantique (or Atlantic). Its styling is also more than a little inspired by the Talbot-Lago T150 SS Coupe that was constructed in 1938, such as the shape of the side windows and the curved boot. Some of the retro details include a straight-8-engine that was actually constructed from two 4-cylinder Dodge Neon engines with an S configuration 4.0 L., which is rarely used in modern cars. Other retro touches to the car's look include the interior that is replete with Art Deco-style gauges. The Atlantic Concept has around 360 horsepower (268.5 kW) and uses Chrysler's 42LE transaxle transmission lifted from the Chrysler LHS mounted to the rear subframe. Power is sent from the engine to the transaxle through a long torque tube hidden under a large tunnel in the interior. Riding on a 128-inch (3,251 mm) wheelbase, its front wheels measure 21 inches and 22 inches in the rear — large at that time.

It was one of Chrysler's most popular concept vehicles and has proven popular enough to still make the occasional public appearance.

The Atlantic's popularity has also allowed its overall design and image to be associated as part of both advertising and labeling of packages associated with a variety of automotive car care products, accessories, and electronics.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler Crossfire</span> Two-seat sports car produced by Mercedes-Benz and marketed by Chrysler

The Chrysler Crossfire is a rear-wheel drive, two-seat sports car that was sold by Chrysler and built by Karmann of Germany for the 2004 through 2008 model years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Truggy</span>

A truggy is a type of high performance off-road racing vehicle that combines features from two older existing categories of off-road racing vehicles, trucks and buggies. The first truggies were built for racing in the SCORE and BITD off-road desert racing series, held in Mexico, California, Nevada and Arizona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler Concorde</span> Motor vehicle

The Chrysler Concorde is a full-size, front wheel drive four-door sedan that was produced by Chrysler from 1992 to 2004. It assumed the C-body Chrysler New Yorker Salon's position as the entry-level full-size sedan in the Chrysler brand lineup. One of Chrysler's three original Chrysler LH platform models, it used revolutionary cab forward design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transaxle</span> Combined transmission, axle and differential in one assembly.

A transaxle is a single mechanical device which combines the functions of an automobile's transmission, axle, and differential into one integrated assembly. It can be produced in both manual and automatic versions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Aerostar</span> Motor vehicle

The Ford Aerostar is a range of vans that was manufactured by Ford from the 1986 to the 1997 model years. The first minivan produced by Ford, the model line was marketed against the Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari and the first two generations of the Chrysler minivans. Introduced shortly before the Ford Taurus, the Aerostar derived its name from its slope-nosed "one-box" exterior.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler Neon</span> Compact car manufactured by Chryslers Dodge and Plymouth

The Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth Neon is a front-engine, front-wheel drive compact car that was introduced in January 1994 for model year 1995 by Chrysler's Dodge and Plymouth divisions in two- and four-door body styles over two generations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Lumina APV</span> Motor vehicle

The Chevrolet Lumina APV is a minivan that was produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. The first front-wheel drive minivan sold by Chevrolet, the Lumina APV was sold in a single generation from the 1990 to 1996 model years. Marketed alongside the Pontiac Trans Sport and Oldsmobile Silhouette, the Lumina APV competed against the Dodge Grand Caravan/Plymouth Grand Voyager, the extended-length Ford Aerostar, and the Mazda MPV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler PT Cruiser</span> Compact car line produced by Chrysler

The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a retro-styled compact car that was manufactured and marketed internationally by Chrysler in 5-door hatchback wagon (2001–2010) and 2-door convertible (2005–2008) body styles—over a single generation, with an intermediate facelift for model year 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dodge Ram van</span> Motor vehicle

The Dodge Ram van is a range of full-size vans that were produced by Chrysler Corporation from the 1971 to 2003 model years. Replacing the Dodge A100, the Ram Van transitioned to a front-engine drivetrain configuration. Offered as a cargo van and a passenger van, the model line was initially offered as a cutaway van chassis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stout Scarab</span> 1930–1940s American minivan

The Stout Scarab is a streamlined 1930–1940s American car, designed by William Bushnell Stout and manufactured by Stout Engineering Laboratories and later by Stout Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bugatti Type 57</span> Bugatti automobile

The Bugatti Type 57 and later variants was a grand tourer car built from 1934 through 1940. It was an entirely new design created by Jean Bugatti, son of founder Ettore. A total of 710 Type 57s were produced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plymouth Prowler</span> Motor vehicle

The Plymouth Prowler, later the Chrysler Prowler, is a retro-styled production sports car manufactured and marketed from 1997 to 2002 by DaimlerChrysler, based on the 1993 concept car of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler Norseman</span> 1956 concept car

The Chrysler Norseman was a four-seat fastback coupe built in 1956 as a concept car. Although designed by Chrysler's stylists, actual construction was contracted out to the Italian coach-building firm of Carrozzeria Ghia. The concept car was lost during the sinking of the SS Andrea Doria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eagle Medallion</span> Car model produced by Renault and marketed by American Motors Corporation

The Eagle Medallion, also marketed as the Renault Medallion, is a rebadged and mildly re-engineered North American version of the French Renault 21 marketed by American Motors Corporation under the Renault brand for the 1988 model year, and by Chrysler's Jeep/Eagle division for the 1989 model year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler Phaeton</span> Motor vehicle

The Chrysler Phaeton was a four-door convertible sedan concept car built by Chrysler in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelmark Engineering</span> Defunct American automotive specialty shop

Kelmark Engineering was an American automotive specialty shop established in 1969 and based in Okemos, Michigan. It focused on high-performance custom V8 drivetrain swaps, the modification and production of rear and mid-engined cars, and custom-built turn-key automobiles. Until 1986, Kelmark Engineering manufactured kits and complete, finished, turn-key vehicles which were either Volkswagen-based or built on tubular race car-type frames. The outfit gained its name from Russ Keller and Randy Markham, the two co-creators who started the operation. Up until at least 1989, the Kelmark GT was still available as a kit albeit the manufacturer was Kelmark Motors in Holt, Michigan. The cars are all "rare" models, but the Volkswagen-powered Kelmark GT was the most popular.

A retro-style automobile is a vehicle that is styled to appear like cars from previous decades. Often these cars use modern technology and production techniques.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jarvis of Wimbledon</span>

Jarvis & Sons Limited were South London-based motor dealers for Morris and MG, and latterly coachworks providing special bodies for various car chassis until after World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler minivans (S)</span> Motor vehicle platform

The first-generation Chrysler minivans are a series of minivans produced and marketed by the Chrysler Corporation from the 1984 to the 1990 model years. Introduced as the first minivans from an American-brand manufacturer and popularizing the minivan as a vehicle, the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager were launched ahead of chief competitors Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari and Ford Aerostar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler minivans (NS)</span> Motor vehicle

The third-generation Chrysler minivans are a series of passenger minivans that were marketed by the Chrysler Corporation from the 1996 to 2000 model years. Designated the NS platform by Chrysler, these minivans were sold by Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth divisions in passenger configurations; minivans were exported under the Chrysler brand. While the second-generation AS platform was a revision of the original vans, the NS platform marked the first ground-up redesign of the Chrysler vans since their 1984 introduction, ending the use of components from K-Car derivatives.

References