1963 Chrysler Turbine Car: The Diecast Model of the Weirdest Car Chrysler Ever Built

Every collector eventually finds "that one car" — the one that isn't famous for being fast or beautiful, but for being genuinely strange in the best way. For a lot of diecast collectors, that car is the 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car. And once you know the story behind it, it's easy to see why a 1:18 scale replica of this thing earns a permanent spot on the shelf.

If you've come across our 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car 1:18 scale diecast model and wondered what makes it worth collecting, here's the full picture — the car, the model, and why it belongs right alongside classics like the 1957 Chevy Bel Air Convertible in any serious die-cast scale model collection.

The Real Car Was Basically a Jet Engine on Wheels

Here's the part most people don't know: Chrysler actually built this car to run on a gas turbine engine — the same basic idea used in jet aircraft, just scaled down for the road. Only 55 of these were ever made, and between 1963 and 1966, Chrysler loaned them out to around 200 regular American families to drive as part of a real-world test program. People genuinely used these as daily cars, turbine engine and all.

It didn't need spark plugs. It could reportedly run on diesel, kerosene, and even some vegetable oils. And it made a sound nothing else on the road made — closer to a small aircraft taxiing than a car starting up. Almost all of the original 55 were eventually destroyed by Chrysler to dodge import duty regulations, which means only a handful survive today, mostly in museums. That's a big part of why this car has such a cult following — it's less "classic car" and more "automotive urban legend."

So when you're holding a scale model of it, you're not just holding a toy car. You're holding a replica of one of the rarest, most experimental vehicles Detroit ever put on public roads.

What You Actually Get in This 1:18 Model

The model itself leans into everything that made the original stand out. It comes in a black and orange combination that mirrors the Turbine Car's distinctive factory look, with orange-and-white detailing on the wheels that genuinely pops next to the darker body.

A few details worth calling out: the wheels turn when you move the steering — a small mechanical touch that a lot of scale models skip, but one that makes a real difference when you're actually handling the piece rather than just looking at it. Pop the trunk and there's an extra spare tyre tucked inside, a nice bit of accuracy that most collectors notice and appreciate immediately. And the overall detailing holds up close — panel lines, badge work, and finish all track closely with the real car's unusual design.

It's the kind of model that photographs interestingly too, mostly because the car itself doesn't look like anything else from its era. Next to a row of more conventional classics, it's the one people ask about first.

Why This One's a Great Next Step After the Bel Air

If the 1957 Chevy Bel Air Convertible represents the beautiful, mainstream side of American car history, the Turbine Car represents the other side — the experimental, slightly unhinged side that never quite made it to mass production. Having both in a collection tells a much fuller story than either one on its own, and it's exactly the kind of range we've built into our die-cast metal cars selection.

If you're new to scale model collecting and want a broader sense of what to look for — build quality, proportion accuracy, finish — our guide to Siri Toys' scale model car collection is a good starting point before you go deeper into rarer pieces like this one.

Who This Model Is Really For

This isn't necessarily the first car you'd buy for a young kid who just wants to race toy cars across the floor — that's more the territory of our construction toys and die-cast cars collection. The Turbine Car is really built for a different kind of buyer: someone who already knows a bit about car history, collectors who like pieces with a genuine backstory, and gift-givers looking for something a real enthusiast won't already have three of.

Worth Adding to Your Collection

Rare, unusual, and genuinely well-detailed — this model checks a lot of boxes that ordinary diecast cars don't. If it's caught your attention, take a look through the rest of our diecast metal cars range, or browse the full online shop for other pieces that pair well with it.

Explore more at Siri Toy Collections and follow along for new arrivals: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

FAQs

1. What made the real 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car so unusual? It ran on a gas turbine engine instead of a standard combustion engine — technology borrowed from jet aircraft. Chrysler only built 55 of them and loaned most out to everyday families for real-world testing before destroying nearly all of them.

2. What scale is this diecast model built in? It's a 1:18 scale model, giving it enough size to really show off the car's unusual proportions and detailing without needing a huge amount of display space.

3. Does the model have any interactive features? Yes — the wheels turn when you move the steering, and there's a spare tyre tucked into the trunk, both nice touches that add realism beyond just static display.

4. Is this a good model for someone new to diecast collecting? It can be, especially for anyone drawn to car history rather than just car looks. That said, first-time collectors often start with a more familiar classic like the 1957 Chevy Bel Air before moving on to rarer pieces like this one.

5. Where can I buy the 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car diecast model in India? You'll find it, along with the rest of our die-cast metal cars collection, on Siri Toy Collections, with secure payments and delivery across India.