Vehicle Description
Move over Chevy, there's a significantly cooler Tri-5 convertible
that the classic car hobby is finally starting to respect. Cars
like this stunning 1956 Pontiac Star Chief Custom Convertible
represent a striking alternative to the usual '50s vintage cars
seen at car shows. Priced more reasonably than a comparable Bel
Air, you get luxurious styling in a bigger package, more horsepower
from a 316 "Strato Streak" V8, and a mature and refined look that
appeals to us with a bit of gray around the temples.
Based on the Chieftan, the Star Chief was Pontiac's prestige model
that was 2-inches lower than all other Pontiacs and featured loads
of style. The mid-50s was a crucial time for Pontiac that ushered
in a completely new design for its already successful Chieftain,
and '56 further revised the bold looks under the tutelage of GM
Bunkie Knudson and his all-new design team. Examples like this
gorgeous 2nd gen droptop with its heavy-duty bumper-grille combo,
enclosed circular parking lights, and bomb-type bumper guards were
instrumental in starting off Pontiac's Tri-5 excellence with a
bang. Crisper, smoother, and featuring a lower bodyline than its
predecessor, it features lots of iconic trim (although some was
deleted during the resto) and a flashy profile. This particular
droptop, dubbed 'My Blue Heaven', was beautifully rendered during
its comprehensive restoration and boasts the added flash of chrome
side pipes, a continental kit with eponymous airbrush work, and an
even lower body thanks to a 2-inch suspension drop. The resulting
look is breathtaking, with curb appeal unmatched by just about any
other convertible in our showroom. Flashy pastel paint jobs were
all the craze in the 1950's, and we absolutely love how the Code JJ
Vista Blue finish covers that smooth body - a perfect choice for
any lover of the era. The warm color hugs the long car's curves,
and the finish is well above average for this top-end driver
quality droptop that garners attention everywhere it goes. Any
signs of age or use are hard to find, with the only minor
complaints we could find hiding in the door jambs and under the
hood, although this isn't some perfect show pony that shouldn't
ever be driven - this Poncho was built to cruise. It fits together
quite nicely, with great gaps and doors that close with reassuring
solidity, and since there are practically zero reproduction pieces
for this car, you know it's always led a good life. The custom trim
and brightwork are dynamic, from the tapered slash moldings and
straightened 'Sweepspear' trim on the profile, the shaved hood and
door handles, to the highline windshield stainless and rocket
taillights, all of which are dead giveaways that this is a
top-of-the-line vehicle. A small fortune went to the chrome shop,
where the bumpers, grille, and the rest of the ornamentation were
restored to excellent standards, helping this car put any Bel Air
to shame at the car show.
One look inside and you can see why so many people fell in love
with the simple elegance and beautiful design of Pontiacs from the
'50s. The restored blue two-tone seats were reupholstered in
luxurious vinyl, using a pattern that's right for the era and
remains all-day comfortable with practically zero signs of use. The
chrome-laden, two-tone dashboard is mostly stock aside from those
cool 'hard candy' style knobs and switches, the period-perfect
gauges are about as ornate as you'll ever find, and although that
killer two-tone steering wheel was borrowed from a '61 Chevrolet,
it's a natural fit. Thick blue carpets on the floor use a plush
weave and nap while the matching blue dash pad and two-tone door
panels are all in excellent condition and help tie in the entire
cabin together. Factory options are relatively sparse inside (as
was the case for most cars in this era) although you do get power
locks, power steering, an electric clock and electric antenna
hooked up to the original AM radio (needs service), and a power
convertible top. That vinyl dark blue top is in excellent shape,
and stores neatly underneath a matching vinyl boot that's a perfect
contrast to the light finish. Out back, the neatly finished trunk
was painted to match the car and finished with plush carpet.
The Pontiac was only a little bigger than the Chevy, but the 317
(316.6) cubic inch overhead valve V8 was definitely stronger than
Chevy's 283, and this particular non-numbers cast-iron block was
bored to 350 cubes and rebuilt to factory specs that exceed the
original 227 base horsepower ratings. Add in the factory-style
Rochester 4-barrel carburetor and custom Cadillac air cleaner
finished to match the continental kit, and you have a high-profile
cruiser that can run with the best of them. It's neatly finished
under the hood with chrome valve covers, black inner fenders and a
light blue firewall, and factory components everywhere you look.
The healthy small block is backed by the virtually indestructible
Strato-Flight Hydra-Matic 4-speed automatic transmission with
controlled coupling whose crisp shifts are a true mechanical
pleasure, and it spins a 3.23 geared rear end that's perfect for
highway cruising. It starts quickly and pulls hard through the
factory gears with a terrific V8 soundtrack from the dual exhaust
pipes that exit underneath the rear bumper and through the side
pipes. Power steering and responsive drum brakes ensure a wonderful
ride quality each time, and despite the big body, this Poncho
actually handles quite well. A clean and incredibly solid
frame/undercarriage reinforce the idea that this has always been a
solid car, and with 2-inch lowered body atop Colorado Custom wheels
shod with 215/75/15 whitewall radials, it rides and handles
superbly.
It's hard to call a Pontiac unusual, but this Star Chief droptop
will stand apart from the vastly more common Chevys and Fords, and
for all the right reasons. Call today!