Vehicle Description
1955 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible
In 1955, the Native American head design was to see its last
hurrah. In order to appeal to youthful consumers looking for
affordable performance vehicles, the old fashioned Native American
profile was replaced with a subtler, elegant emblem: a downward
facing, red arrowhead known as the "Dart" on the 1957 models.
Before the 1950s, the Pontiac did flaunt many Native American names
and iconography in its lineup.
For consignment, a time capsule if you will in the form of a 1955
Pontiac Star Chief owned by our consignor for the last 40 years.
This car has been restored and sports beautiful paint, chrome
aplenty, and it's a convertible showing 73,490 miles on the
odometer, however these are non-verifiable as the title reads
Mileage Exempt. Looking at the updated engine bay which gleams and
sparkles, and the styled interior we are firmly landed on the mid
1950's
Exterior
Draped in deep end of the pool Raven Black and sporting chrome
stars for the front quarters and a hockey stick shaped belt line
spear in shiny stainless. This spear melts into the rounded over
finned quarter panel toppers this car drips 50's design. And
speaking of 50's design, Mist White takes over on the uppers of the
doors, rear fenders and trunk. Behind the skirt covered rear wheel
wells is a vertical ribbed shiny stainless panel which creates a
background for the bumper curve around. Complete with round tail
lights and a curving up and down bumper a single exhaust exits on
the passenger's side. The long and tall trunkline has a large
inverted V and P O N T I A C just below. Lest we forget the large
and in charge front bumper and grille combination with some teeth
showing just behind another up and down design which curves around
the front quarters. On top of the hood is the flying chief which is
made up of a mixture of amber bakelite and chrome. Interestingly,
the headlights on either side have a crescent chrome trimmed bump
up just above them, and also seen is a ribbed polished stainless
stripe flanking either side of the flying chief. Shiny and
beautiful 15-inch Pontiacsombrero style wheelcovers are encircled
by wide white rubber all around. The black canvas top is an easy
operating convertible and has a clear rear plastic window. Also,
the coolest V8 logo badges are attached, check those out they
appear as lightning bolts on the rear quarter panels.
Interior
A swing of the door and what to my wandering eyes does appear but
original looking new door panels in black vinyl and cream
horizontal tuck and roll uppers. A large chrome spear makes the
panel for the armrest and all shiny knobs, and the door actuator
are seen. Moving to the seats more of the door motif shows up with
smooth black bolsters and bottoms and cream tuck and roll inserts.
Black piping delineates the two sections of vinyl, and these front
split back and rear full benches appear as new. So does the cream
tonneau cover for the top when it's down. Looking towards the dash
we see a full on metal black painted top and creamy white dash
front. It has plenty of shiny trimmings throughout for the fan
shaped speedo and several round gauges which also pepper the dash
front. The original radio is in and looking like new as is the
steering wheel fronting the dash. Floating this gorgeous interior
is a sea of low pile black carpeting and on the subject of no stone
left unturned even the trunk had been painstakingly finished in
Mist White and has a black carpeted floor.
Drivetrain
Under the large hood the hits just keep on coming with a fully
restored and highly detailed 287ci Pontiac Strato-Streak V8. It has
a 2-barrel carburetor on top and a 4-speed Hydra-matic automatic
transmission. The rear axle has a 3.23 gear ratio. We note the bay
and mill are very clean, but not without a few signs of use...yes,
this car can go as well as show!
Undercarriage
While not a frame off job, things remain very nice with a mix of
black undercoating and slight surface rust of the floor pans and
black framing and undercarriage suspension and pumpkin. The X frame
remains solid as welland independent coil springs are on the front
and leaf springs for the rear, along with drum braking all around.
More beautiful presentation with the single piped stock style
exhaust handling the exhale.
Drive-Ability
This mid 50's beauty fires right up and runs very smoothly. It
drives beautifully and has good acceleration and handling. The
interior is very comfy and the top moves up and down very smoothly
with all functions working as they should save for the clock and
heater blower. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these
functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot
guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your
purchase.
So if you are in the market for something other than a Tri-Five
bowtie, but still bleeds drive in styling and has plenty of nice
chrome, even to excess, then look no further because it's right
here. Packed with factory options, this older restoration remains
very nice today with its factory sheet metal and the same owner for
the last 40 years. Just look for the smoke signals, and they do not
come from this car's exhaust!
A855H11481
A-Atlanta, GA Assy Plant
8-28 Series
55-1955
H-Hydramatic
11481-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE NO 55 2837DTX-1955 Star Chief Convertible Coupe
BODY NO L1452-Lansing Body #
TRIM NO 289-Black & White Imitation Leather
PAINT NO 5578-Raven Black, Castle Gray
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
