Pontiac Star Chief Custom Catalina (1955)

Pontiac Star Chief Custom Catalina (1955) in Black over Red (1:24 scale) - With the introduction of the Star Chief™ in 1955, Pontiac® shed its stodgy image-with a vengeance. It also disproved the old adage that beauty’s only skin deep: for under that sexy, eye-catching two-tone paint scheme beat the heart of lion, in the form of the all-new “Strato-Streak” V-8 engine that produced 180hp and roared from 0-60 in 13.8 seconds. Now, Franklin Mint Precision Models honours the legendary Star Chief™ as never before. And by acting now, you can choose one or both of the spectacular models featured here-one painted red on top and black on the bottom, the other black on top and red on the bottom…the very same option GM® offered customers back in "55! Each is hand-assembled
from more than 100 separate parts and each is packed with the authentic details that are the hallmarks of Franklin Mint Precision Models. Every detail of the powerful “Strato-Streak” V-8 stands out in lifelike clarity; the interior is matched perfectly to the original and such realistic working features as operable steering, functional suspension and doors, hood and trunk that open and close complete one awesome die-cast re-creation. Pontiac® wanted to revamp its image and overhaul its design and its straight-eight engine. The result was more than anyone could imagine: the 1955 Pontiac® Star Chief® with the sensational “Strato-Streak” engine. The new body design for the Pontiac® Star Chief® was an all-new General Motors A-body. Three inches lower to the ground, the
automobile had the crisp, modern look that Pontiac® was after. And its unique two-toned paint job—with the upper colour extending to the middle of the front door and then across the rear deck—made the Pontiac® Star Chief® stand apart from all its contemporaries. Pontiac® offered the Bolero Red and Raven Black two-tone paint scheme in two versions: red on top with black on the bottom, and black on top with red on the bottom. At the time, Pontiac® had been the only automaker in its price class to still be using the old-fashioned, L-head eight-in-line engine. With its new “Strato-Streak” V-8 287.2 cubic inch engine, Pontiac® not only joined its competitors, but went far beyond. Producing 180 horsepower, the Star Chief® had a top speed over 100 miles per hour and
acceleration from 0 to 60 in 13.8 seconds. Indeed, with the Star Chief®, Pontiac® had surely thrown over its stodgy image—and the Custom Catalina™ was the flagship of the Star Chief® series. Now, the unique, innovative Star Chief® is re-created in an extraordinary die-cast model from Franklin Mint Precision Models. Hand-assembled and hand-finished, the 1955 Pontiac® Star Chief® Custom Catalina™ is full of authentic details—from its two-tone paint job to the “Strato-Streak” engine. Re-creating a truly classic automobile from the 1950s, the 1955 Pontiac® Star Chief® Custom Catalina™ captures all the excitement and pizzazz of the original. Each model issued in a strictly Limited Edition of just 550 worldwide!