Sun Star 1955 Pontiac Star Chief

The 1950s was an era when each automobile, including those of the independents (still a vibrant part of the automotive landscape) had its own distinct character. In 1955 many GM cars came into their own and Pontiac followed suit with a beautifully re-styled version of its premiere automobile, the Star Chief Catalina. The car’s design included beautiful but restrained chrome, with two sets flanking the Pontiac name and rakishly running the length of the hood, (these "Silver Streaks" had long been a Pontiac styling hallmark), reconfigured side trim, an illuminated Chief mascot (a $10 option) at the head of a jet liner hood ornament and the three elegantly inlaid chrome stars along each side moved from the rear to the front fenders and doors. Moving aft the rear fenders were now integrated into the main body, culminating in a simple, elegant swell, with sweeping fins and elaborate light clusters again eschewed. With its fresh design, at 221 inches overall, a peppy V8, curb weight of 3750 lbs and a price tag of around $2500, the Pontiac Star Chief was a formidable and distinctive full-size car in GM’s ’55 lineup.

The Pontiac is an outstanding addition to Sun Star’s recently introduced high-detail Platinum Collection. In fact, in terms of sheer execution, it’s perhaps the best yet. With each new release in this series Sun Star offers more and finer details, brilliantly done. The Collection joins a group of well-established manufacturers and product lines at a similar price level, probably obvious to experienced collectors. But though the price point is within $10 to $15 of replicas from Highway 61, Precision Miniatures, Ertl Authentics and Yat Ming’s Signature Series, Sun Star is clearly forging its own path with seldom explored American cars and some equally distinctive international fare (the recent Citroens are especially impressive). The ’56 Lincoln, ‘58 Buick and this Pontiac are superbly detailed and gorgeously finished models comparable in most meaningful ways to other similarly priced ones. If the articulated wipers, unique window stickers, miniature trunk luggage, and the ever-polarizing continental spares (neither of the two latter items found here) do not appeal to everyone, they do give the Platinum Collection its own further, unique character and distinction.

The car depicted is a pillarless hardtop with raised rear quarter windows, convincingly done. The model’s two-tone paint is smooth and glossy with no chips or blemishes and adorned with delicate raised foil scripts. The fine wire wheels deserve special mention, while the light lenses are among the best at this price point. All chrome, from the bumpers, side trim, window and windshield framing to the small details (outer mirror, light bezels, inlaid stars on the fenders and doors) is perfectly scaled and burnished to a deep luster. Panel fit all around is nearly perfect. Note also the weather stripping around the windshield, trunk lid and the superbly fitted and trimmed trunk floor lining (with, of course, mounted spare and jack). The articulated wipers are still there, and still a bit distracting in terms of scale, but their installation seems tighter now. The oversized windshield stickers have proven to be an irritant among some Pontiac aficionados, but I find them a charming aim toward authenticity.

1955 saw the first Chevy and Pontiac V8s, but the latter dropped in the 287 c.i., 180 hp Strato-Streak, slightly more potent than Chevy’s famed “hot one!” Under the properly hinged and insulated hood, Sun Star gives us another meticulously detailed, wired and labeled motor replica fully comparable to most of what we see these days from Highway 61 and perhaps a little finer than the typical Precision Miniatures. It even includes the oil dipstick, the first time I’ve seen this detail in any model. The undercarriage, too, is very good, with no residual flash (only two small, flush mounting holes), working suspension and each major component of engine block, transmission and exhaust duly accounted for with separate, convincingly formed and individually painted pieces. From its inception, there’s never been a hint of “skin-deep” production in this series!

Behind the beautifully hinged doors (Yat Ming, even in their upscale line, could take a cue here from Sun Star) is another wonderfully refined interior, with a flocked floor including front mats, door sills with “Body by Fisher,” finished headliner with working visors, convincingly textured upholstery, folding front seats and a deeply detailed wheel and dash, notable even by the high standards of the ’58 Buick. The door panel hardware is again immaculate; note the knurled remote knob for the external rear view mirror.

The packaging again proves to be a nonpareil of functionality and adaptability, versatile and durable, which is why I find reports of missing and detached parts surprising. My specimen arrived in fine fettle; though any manufacturer can be guilty occasionally of errant or under-utilized glue, I found no evidence of that here. As with other issues in the series, this one’s complemented with a full-color replica of the period sales flyer and a highly polished “Platinum Collection” hang tag. I find this beautiful image to be self-recommending; and at around $60 it’s a tremendous value as well. Unquestionably a five-star effort, indispensable for admirers of great American cars from the ‘50s or any collector who appreciates fine models and unique fare.

-John Richards