Sun Star 1:18 1955 Pontiac Starchief Hardtop Welcome John Richards to the review team and read his take on Sunstar's latest triumph...er...make that a Pontiac. Review by John Richards

Overview

Sun Star recently introduced a high-detail branded line “Platinum Collection”. With each release, the company takes chances with details offered and executed. The well-established manufacturers being complemented are certainly evident. It is clear that Sun Star is forging its own path, with seldom explored American cars and some equally distinctive international fare, too (the recent Citroens were especially impressive). In each case, the ’56 Lincoln and ‘58 Buick has resulted in a superbly detailed and gorgeously finished model comparable in most meaningful ways to replicas in their price classes. And if the choice of specifics (articulated wipers, unique window stickers, miniature trunk luggage, and the ever-polarizing continental spare…neither of those items here, though) has differed from the rotating drive shafts, opening glove boxes and fuel doors, and indeed still offer room for refinement, they give Sun Star its own further character and distinction.

The 1955 Pontiac Star Chief Catalina emerged with a beautifully styled automobile. This was an era when each vehicle, including those of the independents (still a vibrant part of the landscape), had individual character. The design included beautiful but restrained chrome, with two sets flanking the Pontiac name and rakishly running the length of the hood, (these "Silver Streaks" were Pontiac hallmarks in 1955), a Chief hood mascot illuminated at the head of a jet liner figure (a $10 option) and three elegantly inlaid chrome stars along each side of the car. The subtle rear styling, eschewing sweeping fins and elaborate light clusters, culminates in an elegant dual-swell toward the rear of the car. With its freshened aesthetic, 221 inches overall, a curb weight of 3750 lbs and a price tag of around $2500, Pontiac had one of the most attractive full-size cars in GM’s ’55 lineup.

Under the properly hinged hood (’55 saw the first Chevy and Pontiac V8s, but the latter dropped in the 180 hp 287 c.i. Strato-Streak, still potent next to Chevy’s famed “hot one!”), Sun Star gives us another meticulously detailed, wired and labeled motor replica worthy of most of what we see these days from H61 and perhaps a little finer than the typical PM. 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. Note also the weather stripping around the windshield, trunk lid and the now-perfectly scaled, fitted and trimmed trunk floor lining (with, of course, mounted spare and jack).

The details are crisply rendered by Sun Star under the deepest, smoothest of finishes with no chips or blemishes. The scripts are finished with real, raised foil. The wire wheels and light lenses are the finest at this price point. The subject depicts a pillar less hardtop with raised rear quarter window and it’s convincingly done and the all chrome around the beltline and window trim is the smoothly burnished. Fit and finish are immaculate and on the whole Premiere Collection line, excellent panel fit all around is becoming a polished standard.

Behind those beautifully hinged doors (Yat Ming, even in their upscale line could take a cue here from Sun Star) is yet another first-class interior, with flocked floor, door sills with “Body by Fisher,” finished headliner with working visors, refined upholstery, folding front seats, and a deeply detailed dash notable even by the high standards of the ’58 Buick. The door panel hardware is exceptional; note the knurled remote for the external rear view mirror. The oversize windshield stickers have proven to be a distraction among some Pontiac aficionados, but I find them a charming aim toward authenticity. The articulated wipers are a bit of a distraction in terms of scale, but they hug the windshield.

The packaging again proves to be a nonpareil of functionality, adaptability, versatility and durability, which is why I find reports of missing and detached parts surprising. My specimen arrived in fine fettle. Sun Star can be guilty of occasionally of errant or under-utilized glue but I found no evidence of that here. As with other issues in the series, this one’s complimented with a full-color replica of the sales flyer and polished Platinum hang tag. If Sun Star can be seen to be following the lead of one of its 1:24 brethren, it might by Franklin Mint, but with now even finer production values. I find this beautiful image to be self-recommending…at around $60, it’s a sure five star effort.

Legacy Motors has in stock Sun Star's 1955 Pontiac Star Chief models.