In the pecking order at Pontiac for 1957, the Star Chief Custom was almost top dog. Entry level was the Chieftain, then the Super Chief, followed by the Star Chief, and then the Star Chief Custom. That only left the Bonneville to round things out at the top of the heap. The Star Chief Custom Catalina (this car had a lot of names) was the snappy 2-door hardtop which was somewhat comparable to the Bel Air at Chevrolet because they shared the A-body platform from 1955. This Custom Catalina looks like a beautifully restored car that is being offered by a dealer. But the engine and transmission aren’t stock. Located in Sarasota, Florida, this Pontiac is available here on eBay where the no reserve auction has reached $16,255.
The Star Chief was built by Pontiac from 1954-66 and initially the car maker’s top trim package on the Pontiac Chieftain, but it was later promoted to share a longer wheelbase with the Bonneville. The Star Chief was easily identified by its chrome star trim along its sides. The Star Chief Custom would see production of 89,205 cars for 1957, making it the next best seller after the Chieftain. Of that number, some 32,862 units would be the sporty Custom Catalina 2-door hardtop like the seller’s automobile.
Finding any flaws in the body or paint on the seller’s ’57 Star Chief Custom Catalina (what a mouthful) will be hard to do. We’re told it’s an original black car with a grey insert in the spear, but surely this Pontiac has been repainted at some point. We’re told the car has its original fender skirts, but they are not physically on the car, so presumably in the trunk (no photo of that area, however). If the red and white interior is as nice as the outside of the car, it would be a wonderful place to spend some time (no detailed photo there, either).
The likely powerplant this car came with new was a 347 cubic inch V8 that had a range of 270 to 317 horsepower, depending on the carburetor set-up and compression ratio. But that engine is no longer there. What’s there now is a 400 V8 with Tri-Power carbs that sounds like what you could get in the GTO some dozen years later. Or it could be a 350 V8 because both displacements are mentioned in different places in the listing. We’ll assume the latter is simply a mistake and that this car is now running with triple 2-barrel carburetors. Quite the powerful set-up (you would think a dealer would include a photo).
The seller tells us the motor runs strong and the Bendix pump has been rebuilt and the brakes are all new. Paired with whichever engine is GM’s Turbo-Hydramatic transmission, perhaps the TH 350 or TH 400. Pricing guides suggest these ’57 Pontiacs are worth from $15,000 to $55,000 depending on condition. This has the looks of a top end car, but will the motor and transmission change take a chunk out of its market value – or actually add to it?
If it runs as good as it looks, who CARES if the motor & trans aren’t the original!?!? A sweet machine with period mods-most didn’t make out of the last century unscathed as it is. If this beautiful ride gives you a jumpstart and you’ve got what it takes to buy it then I say GO FOR IT.
Beautiful car! The lack of engine pics is bizarre considering the attention grabbing tri-power setup.
The pictures are there in the ebay listing, including interior, etc.
They must have read the comments. The last picture in the ebay add is of the engine.
I always liked this year- personally I would have left all of the emblems, chrome accents and Pontiac script on the trunk but thats only my opinion.
This car went through the period when it was fashionable to remove badges. Wasn’t there a chrome detail around the taillights? Leave room in your bid to finish the interior, under hood details.
The Tri-Power wasn’t available on the 400 engine which was introduced in 1967. The last year of the factory installed Tri-Power was 1966 on the venerable old 389. Still a pretty cool looking old Pontiac!.
It was a common swap in the 70’s and 80’s. There used to be a lot of Firebirds and later GTO’s running around with that set up.
Steve R
Well aware of the swap, actually did one on a 57 convertible back in 1974 while I was in the Army. Only pointing out to the author that the Tri-Power wasn’t available on a 400.
I had a 67 GTO I got in 68 with 3-2’s . . The setup was dealer installed , I assume . . The previous owner was affiliated with the dealership . .
What a shame–another classic trashed.
I wouldn’t call it trashed by any means… who knows what happened to the original engine/trans. I look at it as a running, driving cool old Pontiac. Nothing done that can’t be easily reversed. Drive it while you search for a drivetrain.
Where are the detailed pictures of the dash, interior & Undercarrage normally included in a legitimate auto auction of this caliber?
Engine/Trans specifications are also not consistent in the descriptions. These are usually tell tail red flags for a scam.
What a beautiful car. This site has made me a huge Pontiac fan.
Ok guys, this is the third car in the last 24 hours that is within a few miles of where I live…I am getting a sense you are trying to get me to add to my small collection of classic metal…this one by far my favorite so far…with the Impala a close second…looks fast without turning a wheel…
My first project car was a 1957 chieftain. Excellent learning experience for a 20 year old. The shop manual explained not just how but why. Refurbished rebuilt everything mechanical and converted to tripower with a x revision intake casting.
Ended up selling because I knew nothing about body work and paint at the time. Regret that.
In black I think I would rather have this than a ’57 Chev. I would need to put some wheels and tires on it though. And thankfully the rear skirts are in the trunk (or hopefully in a different country) where they belong. Nice car, nice price.
I would take this Pontiac over any ’57 Chev all day long. I’ve seen hundreds of ’57 Chev’s but never seen one of these @57 Pontiacs. Would love to see it with the skirts fitted just to finnish it off.
my first car was a 57 chevy 2dr…looks awful alike that body style…
I like the previous comment.nice ride. It makes a 57 belair boring.
Are those lake pipes behind the front wheels?
Good eye, Gordy! That means there must be a “cut-out” somewhere..cool. Now THAT’S the old school cruisin’ I remember-and caused a few of us to catch some heat from the local cops when “inadvertently“ opened (pun intended)..
Are those olds hub caps?
@Mitch
Feb 13, 2021 at 6:11pm
“Are those olds hub caps?”
No, those are the optional 1957 Pontiac spinner hub caps. I think they are beautiful. Most Star Chiefs and Bonnevilles had them.
And let us not forget the absolute top of the pecking order for ’57 Pontiacs; the Bonneville. Although a scant 630 versions were made (one for each dealer), they do represent the top of the heap.
You guys crack me up. You HATE skirts, but have no problem with painting the chrome around the taillights body color.
SMH
This car would look great with the lakeside attached
I admire the 400 swap. To easy to consider alternatives. ( ls) kept it in the family and tri power to boot awsome.
Lakepipes attached
I hate autocorrect. Lakepipes
Nosed, decked, shaved door handles and spinner hubcaps. Warms this old grey hairs’ heart to see this traditional beauty done up as a mild custom. Notice I didnt say “old school”. Anyhoo I’m sure this beauty cooks down the road nicely! Stay safe and good luck.
Cheers
GPC
Take this over a 57 Chev any day
Very nice car. 400 engine with tri power setup, makes me wonder what that intake manifold was designed for. Yet it has such appeal, makes me want to meet the person who put this together. I’d like to see their work on a drop top model. The person who pointed out areas of concern in the body work and paint has valid points, but it’s the mechanical aspects that gets me excited. I would love to see this in person, but that’s just not possible at this time.
God bless America
This has me all a’twitter. I agree that the hood and trunk would benefit from the original chrome goodies and to make this UBER cool, the rear bumper should have the exhaust outlets coming through. For the first two years my Dad had his ’57, my brother would wipe off the exhaust openings, EVERY morning, before going to school.
100% agree, or at least tucked up underneath. I’m coming to hate the ubiquitous dual round tailpipes, especially on cars that didn’t have them originally. I’m really starting to prefer the ‘tucked up’ look.
Wish the owner had retained the Starchief/Superchief rear bumper. This bumper was originally installed on a Chieftain.
A very good friend back in the early sixties and still is today had a 57 Pontiac convertible in our high school days. Had many tri fives in those years since and still have one today but with the Chevys so common today it is nice to see a fairly rare and beautiful car like this one. Very nice and would love to own it!
Why do all these people put such unimaginative and ugly tail pipes on these cars?
Such an attractive car, and far more stylish than the ’57 Chevy that was looking gaudy to me. With the original engine gone, it does provide an opportunity to get away from a power plant that is fragile and was antiquated when it was new.
My parents had a 57 Star Chief when I was little Back in about 1961 my Dad told 4or5 year old me “ It’s got a 4 barrel!
It was a Green and White Two tone Hardtop. Dad Loved to put the hammer down when the six of us went on vacation:)
In the Ebay add the owner describes car as “2 door coupe”. Unless my eyes deceive me, it’s clearly a 2-door hardtop. Wonder what else is misrepresented?
I don’t think he is misrepresenting anything. To most of us any two door car is known as a Coupe first, followed by the manufacturers description of it.
leave the engine and transmission as it is! it’s better then then what the original was, the word “COUPE” is used as a slang in car world, just like red and white “GUTS” would mean the interior, factory label is “hardtop” yes you are factory correct, this car looks like it’s FINISHED! ready to roll! turn key! it would be easy enough to add the original scripts, I wouldn’t, even if it’s not perfect it’s at half price right now, should end up around 25-29 grand.
I think those 1957 Ponchos are some good looking cars especially those cream puff convertibles,but this 2 door hardtop doesn’t hurt the eyes either.
Nice…..
Not sure if has already been mentioned, but there are quite a few pics in ebay link. There is a pic of engine bay and interior.
Nice picture of engine compartment with one stock and two aftermarket horns. The picture of exhaust system reveals that the cutouts are functional. Although I am a “Blue Oval” aficionado I would gladly add this to my collection.
As I sit hear looking at this car it dawned on me that 1957 was a year when most of the manufactures turned out really good looking cars. Ford, Chevy, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Chrysler, etc. all hit the peak of the design of their cars. The modifications on this car match the era as most car enthusiasts did something along this line, myself included. Car is just right.
Jump in that beautiful Poncho and do what ever like. Everyone can piss and moan about one thing or another. 400 ci, any tranny you want to bolt in. This is a wonderful Tin Indian, he is perfect
Sold for 25k even. 58 bids.
Looked like a good Honest car . . Sure the buyer will smile going down the road . .
Please note Buick in “etc.” . Those were the days that September meant the beginning of a new school year and the introduction of new cars!
Annual body design changes were awaited with anticipation also. Actually now that I think of it, drive train was modified or changed quite often. Especially compared to vehicle production now.
What a Beauty!
Woulda, Shoulda, Coulda
But my garage would have really been crowded….what with me living in it….