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Topic starter
11/03/2021 7:10 am
I was so excited when I got this Brochure. It was depicting a Pontiac from Franklin Mint that was so modern looking compared to those before it. In the perfect two-tone color combination, it popped right off the page and appeared bigger than life. Excited as I was, I did feel a bit of disappointment, as the White Wall tires were not "Period Correct". They were "Thin Whites" and in 1955 they weren't even available yet. It wasn't until 1961/62 that they were introduced on American cars.
I admit, this was a big error to me from a diecast company that was advertising a collectible model that was supposed to be authentic in replication. For a short second, I hesitated on whether I could live with this flaw. I asked myself, how could Franklin Mint mess this up? Obviously someone wasn't paying attention. But I did come to my senses and order the car, it was just to nice a model to pass on.
The Franklin Mint's 1955 PONTIAC STAR CHIEF CUSTOM CATALINA
Some REAL Car Facts:
Pontiac claimed its 1955 models were "new in everything but Pontiac's great name!" Lower profile bodies featured contemporary styling touches such as a wrap-a-round windshield and two-tone friendly bodyside trim. Star Chief models were again the flagship series. Followed by Chieftain 870 and base Chieftain 860 models.
Pontiac's stalwart straight-six and straight-eight engines were now gone forever---under the '55 Pontiac hoods was a brand new overhead-valve "Strat0-Streak" V-8. In standard form, the 287 2-cubic-inch engine put out 173 horsepower with a manual transmission or 180 horsepower with the automatic transmission. An optional four-barrel carburetor cranked out an even 200 horsepower.
And just like in all good stories, there was also a happy ending to this model, because it was later released with the CORRECT Wide White Wall tires. And YES, I added that one to my collection too!
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
11/03/2021 8:36 am
George, The thin whitewalls really upset me as well but there was no hesitation on my part...I had to have this model. My dad bought a new 55 Star Chief convertible so I have all of the colors FM did in both the hardtop and convertible. I also have examples in 1/43 and 1/18 scales.
11/03/2021 9:36 am
I know there was something about two versions of this model as far as whitewalls go. Unfortunately I don't remember the story behind it. I have the brochure like yours, and it shows the thinner versions. I bought my model when it was issued, which my database says 1996, but I have wider whitewalls on it. So FM issued it two ways, error version? I am not sure, maybe someone else knows more.
Anyway, it is an excellent model no matter what version you have, perfect colors and a overall well-crafted model.
here's another one I picked up a few years ago. I found it interesting but it has the thinner whitewalls.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
Tony Perrone and Tony Perrone reacted
11/03/2021 9:42 am
I couldn't push the button fast enough, Love it.
Tony Perrone and Tony Perrone reacted
Topic starter
11/03/2021 12:22 pm
@jcarnutz, love the rusted version. Now on that one, I'd have been okay with the "thin whites" because it looks like a car that was left behind in the 1960's to rust away and someone put tires on it at some point in its life. But as a NEW car, it would never have had them. 
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
Topic starter
11/03/2021 12:28 pm
@bob-jackman, as I said it was too nice a car to pass up. And I also have the BLACK over RED Hardtop and the two convertibles Franklin issued.
Sadly, I also had the RED over BLACK version, but this was the one that suffered from the diecast cancer and literally fell apart. After the photos below were taken, the side doors, hood, and trunk lid completely fell off. I loved that car.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
11/03/2021 1:29 pm
You can still see an error version once in a while on that other auction site. By the time I got this Pontiac, previously owned, I was aware of the tire issue and made sure I got the correct model. I cringe when I see a 1:1 car from the 50's with period-incorrect thin whites. The Cadillac Eldorado Brougham sorta gets a pass from me, though, as thin whites were standard. Still, I think the Eldo B looks better with a slighty wider white stripe tire.
John Merritt and John Merritt reacted
Topic starter
11/03/2021 4:52 pm
You can still see an error version once in a while on that other auction site. By the time I got this Pontiac, previously owned, I was aware of the tire issue and made sure I got the correct model. I cringe when I see a 1:1 car from the 50's with period-incorrect thin whites. The Cadillac Eldorado Brougham sorta gets a pass from me, though, as thin whites were standard. Still, I think the Eldo B looks better with a slighty wider white stripe tire.
The "period correct" tire thing totally bothers me. When the Johnny Cash BIO movie "Walk the Line" was released in 2005, the early scenes in the movie were supposed to be taking place in 1955. Low and behold, they show a 1954 Oldsmobile that has "thin white walls" on parked on the street.
It really made me angry, because someone didn't take the time to realize that in 1955 that would not have been possible. I know it's a little thing to some people and many won't even spot or know of the error, but I did. For me, that took some authenticity out of the movie.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota