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 & roared from 0-60 in 13.8 seconds.
Now, Franklin Mint Precision Models honours the legendary Star Chief™ as never before. & by acting now, you can choose one or both of the spectacular models featured here-one painted red on top & black on the bottom, the other black on top & red on the bottom…the very same option GM® offered customers back in "55!
Each is h&-assembled from more than 100 separate parts & 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 & such realistic working features as operable steering, functional suspension & doors, hood & trunk that open & close complete one awesome die-cast re-creation.
Pontiac® wanted to revamp its image & overhaul its design & 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. & its unique two-toned paint job—with the upper colour extending to the middle of the front door & then across the rear deck—made the Pontiac® Star Chief® stand apart from all its contemporaries. Pontiac® offered the Bolero Red & Raven Black two-tone paint scheme in two versions: red on top with black on the bottom, & 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 & 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. H&-assembled & h&-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 & pizzazz of the original. Each model issued in a strictly limited edition of just 550 worldwide!