Pontiac Star Chief Coupe 1955

by

Model number: 5043

Review of the model:

One of the often overseen maker’s midlevel classes of us-cars is the Pontiac. As sometimes, a movie or television series is a fine platform to promote a car. Therefore no wonder so many know the famous Pontiac Firebird from the film “Smokey and the bandit”  from the seventies. But if we go a bit further back in the fifties. Television had a great impact on the consumers of American household and Auto motor industry. A popular TV-series was at that time “I love Lucy”. In that very show, one of the participants was the 1955 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible.

The Chinese producer of Die-cast model cars in scale 1:18, Sun Star has made both the Convertible and the Hardtop/Coupe. Let’s take a closer look on the Coupe here.

My favorite model year is 59, so the 55 was not my first choice, but the intriguing two-tone color scheme Castle Gray / Corsair Tan is quite fancy. Therefore I ordered the model from my dealer. This Pontiac Star Chief 1955 is from the Platinum series, so my expectations were high when the parcel arrived.

Unboxing the models from Sun Star is as usual a positive experience, because of the precise and careful packing from the factory. When this work is done and the little model is parked on the desk. I most say again – What a wonderful model! This is one of Sun Stars better models, when it comes to detailing, part and assembling. And don’t forget the quality control – On this particular model all was top class, with no flaws what so ever.

There are many subjects to mention here as fine. If I shall pick a few, take a look on the: Trunk, wheels, lights, engine room. All here is very well done. The paintwork and interior is no less than perfect – This model car is far better than pictures can show, but until you see for yourself, you most look at the picture below and take my words for good!

I will now look for the Convertible in the future.

I will give this model 6 out of 6 stars  ******

Below here are pictures of the model, historical description, old brochures, technical data and a little movie clip for the real car. So please enjoy!

A friendly looking car

Stylish for both husband and wife

History:

The Star Chief is an automobile model that was manufactured by Pontiac in the time period between 1954 and 1966. It was Pontiac's top trim package on the Pontiac Chieftain, with later generations built on longer wheelbases, and serving as the foundation platform for the Pontiac Bonneville. The car was easily identified by its chrome star trim along its sides, a feature all Star Chiefs were equipped.

History of the 1955 Pontiac Star Chief

Like the A-body Chevrolets with which they shared some body components, the 1955 Pontiacs were all new. Frames, bodies, and windshields were all altered, and the nameplate debuted its much-delayed but thoroughly modern V-8. Overnight, Pontiac’s engines went from 115- and 118-hp six-cylinders and 122- and 127-hp eights, to the 173-hp, 180-hp and 200-hp “Strato-Streak” V-8s that displaced 287 cubic inches. 

The Star Chief was the brand’s premier model, and rode on a wheelbase that was two inches longer (124 inches in all, excepting the station wagon) than other Pontiacs. The Star Chief was offered as a 4-door sedan, a convertible coupe, a Catalina 2-door hardtop, and a Safari station wagon, and in either Deluxe or Custom trim depending on what type of upholstery buyers desired. Prices started at $2,362 for the 4-door sedan, which was quite a step-up from the upper-end Chevrolet Bel-Air sedan ($1,932), and neatly placed at the exact same price as the least expensive Oldsmobile 88 sedan.

In 1955 Pontiac shared the all-new GM A-body with the Chevrolet. The new car was nearly three inches lower, more smoothly styled, with a clean, lively look that was a great leap forward from its former shape. Its new chrome “hockey stick” strip dropped down from below the vent window and ran back to the tail, accommodating the popular two-tone paint schemes of the era. Three chromed stars along the forward body side were reminiscent of Buick’s triple porthole arrangement. Along with the restyling, Pontiac broke with Detroit practice by also introducing a brand new engine, the overhead-valve "Strato-Streak" 287 ci V-8 engine, a long overdue event as Pontiac was the last manufacturer to build a compact V-8. At 180 hp and 264 ft-lb torque with a two-barrel carb, it generated 42 percent more horsepower and 13 percent more torque than the previous straight-eight flathead.

Technical specification:

Old brochures of the Pontiac 1955

Video of the real car from Youtube

If you have any question or comment your are free to contact me at: aeronautic@stofanet.dk

Dealers are welcome to get their models reviewed too.

Aeronautic Sep. 2017

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