The 1955 Pontiac Star Chief Custom was Pontiac’s top trim level based on the Chieftain and I can’t think of a better setting for a gorgeous two-tone Firegold and White Mist car than equally gorgeous Tucson, Arizona. That’s where this car is located and the seller has it posted here on craigslist. They’re asking $6,000 and they might be open for a trade of some sort.
The Series 28 Star Chief was based on GM’s new A-body line, which also included the Chieftain, but the frame was lengthened 11-inches in the rear. 1955 was the first year for the second-generation cars and they were made through the 1957 model year. There were 35,153 Star Chief Custom sedans made for the 1955 model year and they cost $2,455 which is the equivalent of $23,628 today. This is a lot of car for twenty-four grand in 2020 money!
One famous feature of the second-generation Pontiacs were the (here comes everyone’s favorite word) iconic twin flowing trim pieces on the top of the hood. I love that detail. The Star Chief also had the three “stars” on each side just forward of the sloping trim piece on the front doors on sedans or on the only doors on the two-door hardtop. Also visible in the photos and showing a little worse for wear, or I’m guessing from the relentless Arizona sun, is the lighted hood ornament!
I don’t say this too often, but what a beautiful rear end! The Star Chief has a bit too much trim for me personally, but this was the mid-1950s and the era of excess was on its way. I prefer the regular Chieftain, that’s what we had growing up. Ours was a 1956 model which I also prefer maybe because we had a white and black one as seen in this 45-year-old Kodachrome slide, parked next to my dad’s new Chevy company car. Our Pontiac had a power front bench seat and we still have that controller hanging in the garage just to the right side of that photo.
The seats have obviously been reupholstered in this car, maybe to help with the Tucson heat, and they look good both front and rear. There is no engine photo, unfortunately, but it would have had Pontiac’s new Strato-Streak 287 cubic-inch V8 with 180 hp and 264 ft-lb of torque. They don’t say how it runs but they have added a ton of new parts. Are there any mid-1950s Pontiac fans out there? Any owners or former owners?
Craigslist ad has already been deleted. Nice old Pontiac!
My first car was a ’55 Pontiac Chieftain 4-door, purchased for $35 in lawn-mowing money when I was 14 in 1967. It was a horrible flesh & cream two-tone with green interior (yecch) but the 287 StratoStreak was strong and the Hydramatic only slipped a little. Since I was only 14, I thrashed it to death on farm field roads for a couple of years until I bought a ’63 Pontiac LeMans in 1969 when I was 16 and got my driver’s license. This ’55 looks like a sweet ride!
I would have bought it, but my friends Kenn and Richard reminded me that it was an American vehicle and not worth collecting.
And just what is worth collecting in your mind, not Kenn or Richards?
Hemi Cuda convert, 1969 Daytona, 1960 Ram Induction D500 Polara converts. Oh, wait, already have some.
What was that about furign cars?
There are many more American cars that are very collectible
Those “iconic” (I’d use the word “distinctive,” myself) trim pieces have a name. They’re called Silver Streaks, and they were a Pontiac design feature for at least two decades.
This is one of those times when 2-doors-or-crush-it snobs are invited to politely click on past because no one cares what you think. And Uncle Ed is definitely not my uncle
Not surprised it sold so quickly. Buyer got a great looking car.
Scotty, your family car was still looking pretty good in 68. My former landlord had a 55 Chieftain sitting in her yard back in the 90s, I wish I grabbed it when I had the chance. Her lighted hood ornament was clear in color.
I recently sold one very much like this for $18K. This one seems to be sold, or I would buy it and flip it.
You will go down well on this site Bob McK. Not.
I have never flipped before. Lost more thousands on cars than I would care to count. But this would have been a chance to make a few bucks. Not to worry, someone else snatched it up.
I recently picked up a 39k mile ‘56 StarChief Catalina. Absolutely love the hardtop body style of 55-56 Ponchos, rivaled only IMO by the ‘56 Olds 98. The brightwork on the high-end models inside and out is just spectacular.
For the record, I would not have even looked twice at mine had it been a coupe. The hardtop sedans are simply beautiful!
Nice sedan.
God bless America
Who was is that said 4 door cars are ugly?
Most of the commenters on BF unfortunately.