So perhaps the 1956 “Tall Track” Pontiac we featured recently was too outlandish for you? Try this normal looking two-door post coupe on for size. It’s for sale here on eBay and is located in Troy, Missouri. There are a few issues, however, not the least of which is the $5,500 buy it now price.
The seller tells us this is a Star Chief model, which was the top trim level on the 1956 Chieftain. So there are a lot of trim pieces. Some of which are present, and some of those are rusty, but some look really nice like this rear fender spear.
Unfortunately, this “Star” is missing a few components. To be specific, it’s missing the hood, engine and transmission. Uh-oh! However, there’s an angle to be played here. As it turns out, the seller is actually a 55-56 Ford fan, so if you happen to have parts for or one of those, you may be able to work a deal with the seller.
I’m hoping someone puts an original steering wheel back on this car when they are putting it back together, even if you put some sort of more modern drive train back into it. I found a wheel here on eBay but it looks a little plain for this car. I think this one is what it should look like in this upscale model. Anyone know for sure? With only “a little” rust in the floors and some in seams around the car, I think this car could find it’s way back onto the road if someone likes old Pontiacs enough to save it.
Here’s the gaping hole where the engine should be. What engine would you put in here? The original V8 would have been 317 cubic inches. Perhaps the famed LS Chevy engine so favored by custom car builders today? Or perhaps a 455 Pontiac V8? Let us know in the comments below!
Car IS a true hardtop, not post car. Steering column probably original too; look at shift pattern markings, R for Reverse at bottom right of quadrant. Steering wheel not original. Might be a good project base but with all that is missing, not worth asking price.
Cut the price in half and it would still be too much considering all that’s missing.
Body looks decent, and I’d be ok with some missing trim and gutted interior @ $3500 to $4000, but with missing drive train not worth over $1000, at least to me.
The hood does not appear to be present. The hood, with the iconic chrome stripes and lights-up jet plane figurehead. The best part of the car IMO. Probably 300-600 for the hood, another 150-200 for the “waterfall” chrome, and another 250-300 for the chrome jet. So over a thousand +/- just for that.
We had one of these, a black and red one with a “high performance” package , because that was how my grandfather, the original owner, rolled. By the time it made it to my family it was 4 years old. I remember our gang’s early fascination with carburetors, and pulling of the air cleaner to see this massive four barrel. Of course we stole it, when we were like 12 or so, and when you punched it the whole front end rose up blocking your view.
Good times.
I agree the price is too high for what it needs to have done to it but who knows that’s me. I think it would be really cool to put a Pontiac 455 in it.
OH right. It looked like this. 12 year geek that I was, I hated the wire hubcaps; wanted Cragars.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1956-PONTIAC-HOOD-A-OEM-USED/162820253728?hash=item25e8d7e820:g:mbEAAOSw~05Z0SRE&vxp=mtr
Found a hood for $400, but $5500 for the car is just a little high. I have seen ’55 and ’56 chevys in my area, completely rotted, like every panel, for $6500. I’d still have to see the car in person, it looks like a repaint so who knows how much filler is in there.. Oh BTW, big block with a 4L80
The guy who was selling the 56 “tall track” told me he had a parts car too. He probably has a lot of the parts needed for this one Just an FYI
It’s cars like this that screams road trip. At least for my neck of the woods. Not perfect, but has all hard top parts, glass is good. Could make a nice winter project. Never be original again so flavour it to your likings
i see Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel in this car every time I see one
The price is OTT, considering what the car’s missing, but assuming it could be had for a realistic price (see the others’ comments above), it would be a nice place to drop a 389 Tri-Power/Hydromatic into and just cruise…
Car should be saved. Very rare.
Price too high.
Be nice project. Drop a 350 4 barrel or TBI and you have a nice cruiser. Someone mentioned that interior missing too ? If so car only worth 800 bucaroos the way it is.
Interior is there. I revise my amount to 1200 usa bucks
I believe not a tall track but a wide track
Check the 1/4 panel trim I think this is a Star Chief. If so it has the longer back end than the Chieften
My Dad had a 56 Chieftan, bought it in mid 60’s. Nerver got it on the road, engine had a popping sound and low compression on one cylinder even after new rings and bearings. They called the engine the stato-streak. Some call it a 316, others say 317. J.C. Whitney called it a 316 when dad ordered parts. They had the 4 speed hydromatic with 4th being an overdrive. Probably be had to find a 316 and hydo these days. They also had a tube radio with the knobs and push buttens in center of dash, and the actual radio under the dash were the glovebox would nomally be. Too bad this one os missing so much. $800 as it sits.
All Hydramatics had 1:1 4th gear ratios. No overdrive.
To me great buy y’all look at rotted out mopars for ten thousand and say what a buy this car is a great project To many 55/56/57 Chevys on the road but not to many Pontiacs left
Agreed that it would be a great car to save/restore but it doesn’t have the value of a mopar or tri fives so it needs to come in lower to leave room to put money and sweat into it
Dare to be different !
This ’56 is priced way too high for me. $1,200.00 tops. If you want a decent power train in it, find a 421 (good luck there. rare as hen’s teeth).
BTW…Mike WH, your advertisement snap shot is a ’55