Franklin Mint 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air- Indy 500 Pace Car- Nbr Ltd Ed of 5000

TFM has made seven different 1955 Chevy Bel Airs. Although somewhat surprising, only one of them, the original issue of 8/1993, was a convertible. Roughly based on that model, this drop top has been revised to represent the Indy 500 Pace Car for 1955.

The Gypsy Red and India Ivory paint is knock-out on this car, always has been. The matching red and white interior has never looked better. And while this is an old technology model, FM has made some subtle, yet very effective, changes. All emblems are now metallic in nature and almost part of the bodywork; they’re flat and realistically rendered to scale. Gone is the ‘inverted hockey stick’ chrome trim that ran the lower portion of the body. So are the bumper guards. And, oh yeah, so are the fender skirts and connie kit! Good riddance. The engine has sported nicely crafted plug wires while remaining is the photo-etch grille. The antenna is scaled nicely and the twin chrome exhaust tips look great sticking out of the rear of the vehicle. The car’s plate reads, “Official Pace Car” and the side graphics are gorgeous.

The tires are marked with a “Firestone 500” logo on each whitewall and that includes the spare as well. Stance and proportion fidelity is wonderful on the model and whether or not you are into pace car issues, the little double nickel ’55 is more than worth owning. Issue price is $120.

-Tony Perrone