Check out the improved Pontiac Strato-Streak V8 for 1956 in an original factory film with several neat stunts.

This original factory film is all about boasting the power and acceleration of the 1956 Pontiac, but it’s lacking in technical detail, so we’ll be happy to fill it in. For 1956, the new-for-’55 Pontiac V8 was bored out .1875-in, boosting the displacement from 287 to 317 cubic inches. That and a slight bump in compression ratio and valve timing boosted the output to 205 hp for the two-barrel carburetor version and 227 hp for the four-barrel.

In March of ’56, a special high-output V8 with dual Rochester 4G four-barrel carbs, a high-duration hydraulic cam, and 285 hp at 5,100 rpm was released to the public. Pontiac’s first dedicated high-performance V8, it was intended primarily for racing and only around 200 were built, reportedly. We’re guessing it’s not the engine featured in this film.

The demonstrations here start with a 0-60 mph run completed in 10.0 seconds—solid performance, as most family cars at the time timed in the 12-to-15 second range. Then there’s a test involving a ’56 Ford traveling at 55 mph with the Pontiac playing catch-up from a standing start, performing the feat in 12 sconds. Finally, there’s the familiar rail car gimmick, with the Pontiac pulling four boxcars with a total weight of 189,600 lbs. We’re not sure what that proves, but it’s a neat stunt. Video below.