Vehicle Description
1956 Pontiac Star Chief Catalina Custom Sedan
Between 1954 and 1957, the Star Chief was Pontiac's prestige model
and was based on the Pontiac Chieftain. In 1954, Pontiac also
introduced air conditioning with all the components under the hood,
a first for the price range. Seat belts were added as options in
1956. The Star Chief was available in Deluxe and pricier Custom
trim, with the top trim level hardtop called the Catalina.
For consignment, under the mantra the more chrome the more buyers,
this top of the line trimmed Catalina does not disappoint on the
bling front. Some recent re-chroming and a new rear bumper,
(included with the sale but not mounted), along with some nifty
50's colors, small but mighty fins, and an original interior which
may need TLC, but its ORIGINAL, are all in for the sale and ready
to roll out the large bay doors here at Classic Auto Mall. All
owned by 1 family for all these years!
Exterior
A massive chrome bumper with a fat lower contains the signal lights
and a wide midsection with "Dagmars" all chromed and even more for
the grille upper surround and we've only just begun! Chrome bezels
surround a single round headlight with a bump up visor above; also
chromed are on the edges of each front quarter. Ribbed belts start
at the grille top and flow upward and race to the windshield which
is a wrap around style and also has chrome trimming surrounds. In
the center of the hood is the quintessential jet age plane,
interestingly a flying wing not unlike the modern day SR-72, (how'd
they know?), with plastic bullet styled engine in amber. Just below
around the curve of the hopped as it descends to the grille is P O
N T I A C badging in grandmother's handwriting and of
course...CHROMED! As we continue, I should mention the car does
have some paint on it, that being the front 1/2 upper front
quarters and roof are bathed in Sandalwood Tan. The remainder of
the car is Sun Beige, and is nearly matching the original of this
car. Paint is excellent and use a few respray overs are noted where
some chips were taken care of. Back to the chrome as we need to
note the trim spear starting upfront on the quarters mid headlight
and moving rearward to die within the rear doors. This spear is met
by a descending swoop trimming mid front door delineating the tan
and beige. On back, aftof the rear doors, the spear makes a
comeback and sports horizontal rectangular cutouts which melt into
the visored round tail light bezels and more upper flat ribbed
banding for the fin toppers. A series of 50's styled stars lineup
in chrome on the back of the trunk lid and another big chromed
bumper with large chromed exhaust tips. Wrap around rear glass,
wide whitewalls with turbine styled hubcaps and a bit more chrome
aft of the rear wheel wells, and YOWZA, I told you there was chrome
aplenty.
Interior
Original with come cracked rust and copper colored leather and
broadcloth two tone benches in front and rear. The doors sport the
color scheme and show they also need some TLC. There are square
textured aluminum panels showing on these doors not to be outdone
by the exterior. The original wrap around dash is full metal and
copper for the top and some beige for the front lowers. In the
midsection of where all the business is mounted, like the crescent
speedo bakelite knobs and round gauges flanking below on either
side of the speedo. An original AM radio is on with large bakelite
cream aged buttons and knobs..just fab! Vertically oriented
rectangular gauges indicate water tempo and air flow and flank the
copper steering column. On top is the original steering wheel,
large and in charge waiting for the driver's hands to take control.
Copper carpeting which has some smudging is seen on the floors, and
as the dash continues to the passenger side, more round
instruments, a glove box and some stylized "Star Chief" badging in
grandmother's handwriting although she may have a snootful to get
this stylized! The headliner is solid cream but overall is not
ripped and delineated in the seams by chromed metal ribbing.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is a 317ci V8 original to the car complete with a
fresh tune up. It is rated at 227 hp and is topped with a single
factory 4bbl carburetor. On back is a freshly rebuilt Hydramatic
4-speed automatic transmission, and way back is a 3.23 rear axle
with new bearings and seals. Dual exhaust and glasspack style
mufflers are there for the exhale. All over the engine is black and
nicely preserved and fairly clean.
Undercarriage
Some light surface rust is noted where original undercoating has
worn off, some is still there but mostly worn off. A few areas of
invasive rust are noted mostly on the rockers near the wheel wells.
The X frame remains solid and Independent coli spring suspension is
on front and leaf springs provide the ride for the back. Power drum
braking is on all corners with new wheel cylinders and a rebuilt
treadle vac unit.
Drive-Ability
A neat car to drive and talk about a head turner. I took this one
through the McDonalds drive through, (a tradition of mine when in a
cool car), and it turned heads elicited beeps and plenty of waves.
The chicken nuggets were great and I ate them in the car, (I
didn't, but the story sounds good). Good acceleration, bias free
braking, and smooth shifting make for an all around great ride. The
clock did not work, but it did not faze me because I did not care
about time when behind the wheel of this piece of Pontiac art!
Just an awesome 1 family owned car since new, the right colors,
plenty of bling, and a snappy original all be it worn, interior, it
is so cool. Can't ya tell by the word count on this description?
I'll just say I'm lovin' it but that may be the McNuggets
talking..gotta go!
W856H12600
W-Wilmington, DE Assy Plant
8-28 Series
56-1956
H-Hydramatic
12600-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE NO 56 2938sd-1956 Star Chief Catalina Sedan
BODY NO BW4544-Wilmington Body #
TRIM NO 255-Rust Pattern Cloth, Beige Leather
PAINT NO NP-Sandalwood Tan, Sun Beige
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.
