... I'm looking at getting a 1:43 model of the 1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special!
From the website, gmauthority.com,
The story goes that Harley Earl, initial head of design at General Motors, conjured the idea up for the Bonneville Special while watching land speed vehicles smash records on the famous Bonneville salt flats in Utah. The concept vehicle is essentially a 1953 Chevrolet Corvette, but outfitted to what Earl thought Pontiac stood for. The car takes cues from aviation, featuring additional gauges such as a clock, compass and manifold pressure. The shifter also mimics an aircraft’s landing gear lever, rounding out the aviation influences on the inside.
Only two Pontiac Bonneville Specials were ever created, one finished in Metallic Bronze, and one wearing a shamrock worthy Metallic Emerald Green. The car is fitted with a 230-horsepower, 268 cubic-inch Pontiac inline-8 cylinder, which Earl also felt suited the Pontiac brand better than the Corvette’s 150-horsepower, 235 cubic-inch inline-6.
Following the aviation trend, the exterior a grille-less, full width air intake and twin air scoops on the cowl, also aircraft inspired. Finishing the car is a Plexiglass bubble top with gullwing style side windows, yet another nod to an aircraft. It also makes for a unique and attractive design piece.
Both Bonnevilles still exist in private collections.
Here is a recent picture I found on-line of both the green Bonneville and a Futurliner:
Diecast Direct has the Bonnevilles available in both green and bronze. I haven't order mine yet as I can't decide which one to buy!
Jim
p.s. It's a slippery slope, also looking at the pre-order of a Minichamp model of the 1956 Buick Centurion Concept:
That's what I just did.
