Vehicle Description
1955 Pontiac Chieftain Coupe
The would be Pontiac company was purchased by General Motors in the
early 1920's. In 1926, GM introduced a companion marque to GM's
Oakland line: Pontiac. The brand was named after Pontiac, Grand
Chief of the Ottawa Native Americans, who was famous for his
rebellion against Fort Detroit (the British) in 1763.
For consignment, a frame off restoration job in the Pontiac
Chieftain trim. Pontiac named for the grand chief of the Ottowa
Native Americans, and the Chieftain being the leader of the
rebellion against Fort Detroit. This beauty has wonderful lines,
snappy 2 tone colors, and correct interior. Lots of horizontal
chrome and black banded trim, big bumpers front and rear, and a
curved rear window complete with chromed B pillar and gleaming
surrounds on all window trimmings. Oh, and did I mention it runs
like a Swiss watch?
Exterior
Topping the red hood and leading the way for the smiling grille and
large bumper below a jet with a glass chieftain head provides the
ornament. Flanking this on either side is bands of horizontal ribs
running the gamut of the hood and looking much like a package
wrapping for you to open and enjoy. Chromed bezeled single
headlights have a visor above molded onto the metal of the front
quarter panels. Starting on each door at the sill is a snappy trim
piece which dives down the center of the doors and runs rearward to
the quarters at mid point. This provides the delineation between
the beautiful red, and upper black which encompasses the roof, half
the doors, and the full trunk. Plenty of badging nice and shiny
adorns the panels which have beautifully minded gaps, and overall
paint is excellent. A cascade trimmed rear window rolls down
disappearing into the rear sill similar to a sunset. Some trimming
for the gas filler door, and we now are made aware that we are in
the mind 1950's and not fooling around when it comes to adornments.
Fender-skirts in matching red hide ribbed dish wheel covers wrapped
in wide whites. The back of the car is adorned with more of the
horizontal ribbing on top of each quarter panel, and this dives
downward to reveal the round taillights protruding from the mid
rear fenders and round backup light below it. More PONTIAC badging
for the trunk and another mirror-like bumper below. Overall paint
is the deep end of the pool, and slight areas of rust bubbling
underneath are noted at the drip edges of the roof.
Interior
Opening up top the interior a nice mixture of gray broadcloth and
black wide tuck and roll vinyl along with some chrome bordering and
handles and knobs make up the clean near perfect door panels.
Slipping into the front split bench seat I'm met with gray
broadcloth and a nicely buttoned horizontal patch of shiny black
vinyl in the centers of the backs, and on the bolsters, although
here sans buttons. The rear bench is a nice match for this and
offers up plenty of room. An original looking dash gussied up with
black paint, and wide chromed bezels with inserted gauges and
levers gives my eyes mid 1950's dreams, it's that nice. An inward V
design, the top of the V sports a metal mesh pattern with some
chrome highlighting. The lower parts of the V houses a round fuel
gauge and a clock which flank a centrally located glovebox, in
beautiful black shiny paint. An original steering wheel fronts the
dash and is in black with an inserted full circle chromed horn
ring. All beautifully bordered below by pristine black carpet with
an embroidered chief head in the middle in white stitching. A gray
headliner is nice and tight with perfectly stitched panels. A shout
out to the trunk which has clean tan carpet lining it and an
original looking spare bias ply tire.
Drivetrain
287.2 cubes in V8 configuration rests lovingly restored under the
ribboned hood. This is a valve in head engine and is topped with a
Carter WGD 2-barrel carburetor. On back is the 4-speed Hydramatic
automatic transmission and the rear axle is a 3.08:1 ratio.
Undercarriage
On a frame off restoration its always fascinating to look
underneath and see what it looked like in showroom condition, and
this car shows that to a T! Beautifully restored frame, floorpans,
rockers, and wheel wells all shiny black and mechanically sound as
well. This car shows a new fuel tank, drum brakes all around, and a
no drip oil and transmission pans.
Drive-Ability
I just love these big 1950's cars, and if you are a sucker like me
for chrome mixed with two tone paint, then you'll fall in love like
I did. I slipped inside and it fired right up and idled without
nearly a sound. It was off to the test track where this car ran
like the wind, shifted smoothly, and had good acceleration. The
suspension was nice and tight and provided a fantastic big car
ride. All functions were working, and I could find very little
problems or faults with my experience.
When a consigner brings a frame off restored car to Classic Auto
Mall, I generally jump to do the test drive, because I know it will
be good. This car was everything and that. No complaints here, and
certainly worth all the wampum you will pony up in the end for her.
The 1955 Chieftain, a goer and a shower.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.