Armco’s White Chrysler Drifter Panel Van In Resin.
This model was a long time coming for Aussie 1/43 scale model collectors. This is Armco’s 1/43 scale Chrysler Drifter panel van of which as far as I know only 100 were produced in this colour. Now thats rare, and just as rare, were Chrysler (Valiant) panel vans in general. Chrsyler Australia only produced less than 2000 panel vans. Two significant points to acknowledge about Chrysler’s panel vans is that they came very late to the panel van craze, and, they also came late in the life of the company (The last Aussie Valiant was produced in August 1981, the panel vans were only produced in 1977-1978).
The rear tailgate of the Drifter Van
Chrysler Drifter Panel Van
The front of the Drifter Van
The Chrysler Drifter came standard with the mighty 265 CI (4.3L) 6 Cyl Hemi or you could option up to the 318 CI (5.2L) V8. I have owned a number of Hemi sixes and a 318 V8 and I can attest that the 265 was the pick of these two engines (I have also owned the slant 6 225, a number of Hemi 245’s, and the 273 V8, and again, the 265 is the pick of the bunch).
Back to the model. This model was also produced in two other colours by Armco and again, as far as I know, limited to 100 per colour. Many collectors waited with baited breath once word got around that Armco was going to make the Drifter. If you like Aussie classic cars from that special time when the sun, surf and sand also included the panel van, you have to get your hands on one of these.
Chrysler Drifter Van with added VAN265 rego plate and Doogies Diecast sticker in the rear window
You will notice I added my own personalised rego plate to this model (VAN-265) as I considered it fitting since I would have like to have a 265 one in my 1:1 life. Click on the pictures above to see in full size.
I hope you have enjoyed this post, please check out my other posts, leave me a comment and look for more Aussie vans and utes here at Doogies Diecast in the future.
The Chrysler Drifter Panel Van at the beach
Doogies Diecast Models 