Finding a 1955 Chevrolet BelAir convertible is not that tough to do, there are many still in existence and absolutely coveted by collectors. But a 1955 Pontiac Star Chief convertible? Well, that’s a different animal entirely but today, courtesy of Barn Finder Larry D, we have just such a car for your consideration, or do we? Stay tuned, this Pontiac is located in Gainesville, Georgia and is available, here on craigslist for $5,000 – firm!
Pontiac produced about 203K Star Chiefs in ’55 and almost 20K were convertibles and the Star Chief was the only trim level found in convertible form. That said, the seller of this convertible claims that it was originally a hardtop that has had a roofectomy. Really? According to the seller, “The trim tag on this car shows it to be a hardtop but in looking at the car all of the convertible specific parts, mounts, brackets, etc look to be installed from a donor car a long time ago and they did a pretty good job as it has fooled most. I do have a convertible trim tag that can be included with the car“. Unfortunately, there is no image of the original trim tag or the VIN number.
Now, I have encountered this sort of a conversion before but there is usually evidence of some sort – some are just facilitated better than others, of course. And since this Pontiac is a conversion, it may not be a Star Chief at all and could be a Chieftan – with the trim missing and again, no VIN of trim tag provided, it is hard to say with any certainty. The body is iffy looking though there doesn’t appear to be wholesale rust-through occurring with the possible exception of the rear apron under the trunk lid. The front bumper is fair but the rear one is MIA as is all of that extensive Pontiac stainless trim. There is a convertible top frame in place, supposedly, it’s correct for this car. The highlight of the glass, referenced in the listing, is the tinted windshield, the rest is looking shaky.
There is no interior to review, just a smattering of the instrument panel and the steering wheel. While surface rust abounds, the rear seat riser, and the floor under it, have let go and are dilapidated. There’s just not a lot in here with which to work.
Under the hood is a 180 HP, 287 CI V8, new for Pontiac in ’55. While the engine appears to be largely complete, and it does turn over on its own, it probably hasn’t actually run in many moons. Being equipped with an automatic transmission would mean there is a “dual-range” Hydramatic automatic unit in place.
As well as can be determined from the images, the convertible conversion looks to have been well accomplished, almost too well; I’d really like to see the original trim tag and VIN. The seller suggests, “Needs complete restoration but a good candidate to restore or customize“. It’s really more than a complete restoration needed as there isn’t enough left to actually restore – it’s going to need a complete redo with the necessary sourcing of many missing parts. The seller further adds, “Don’t bother wasting my time with offers. If the car doesn’t sell I will eventually convert it to a Chevy“. I’m not sure why one would attempt that but good luck, I guess. It seems to me that the value would be more in the less commonly found Pontiac than a Chevrolet. So, what do you think, assuming that this is a true conversion from a hardtop to a convertible, does that make this car ultimately less valuable than if it had been a convertible from the start?
Must be a heavy demand for oil fill caps in the old car game. Can’t believe how many cars on BF are photographed with no caps. Obviously not good for an engine sitting around doing nothing. This is a rough car but original or not there are not a lot of these old birds around in the the vintage car realm. Would be nice to see this one restored.
First thought: Lucy, Ricky, Fred & Ethel on their way to California, LOL! It’s a shame that sellers who resort to threats about non-selling in an ad think that their chances of a sale are enhanced!
“Don’t bother wasting my time with offers. If the car doesn’t sell I will eventually convert it to a Chevy“. Would ANYBODY do business with this moron?
At best, this is a parts car (what’s left of it.) At worst, it goes to the crusher and becomes artwork.
“Convert it to a Chevy?” No one should buy this and let’s see him work his magic!.
I’d love to see that. The front would be nearly bolt on once you find the parts, the rear fins would be quite a production and the whole process would be way too expensive.
1955 Chevrolet wheelbase: 115″
1955 Pontiac Star Chief wheelbase: 124″
Some of that extra wheelbase is ahead of the cowl, the remainder is ahead of the rear axle.
Nothing would bolt on, except perhaps the doors.
He would need a chevy frame to get the front fenders to line up with the tires & then would the body mounts line up or the rear tires in the rear wheelhouses?
hahahaha….HAHAHAHA! Chevrolet away, DUDE….
Absurd.
Look mom got me project. Sonny you know you don’t know anything about cars. I know I will sell it. But sonny you don’t know how to sell a car. Sure all you have to do is take a few pictures and threats on post and boom it will sell. People people you need a role model. When have you ever went to a dealer to look at a car, and the dealer said if you don’t buy it iam going to cut it up into little pieces. Come on man, your selling a car. Don’t go threatening everyone that comes to see it. Be polite take the Flippin time to talk to people. Your a salesman now act like it duh!
Junk
The first car I ever bought with my own money was a 1955 Pontiac Star Chief 4 dr. sedan. I gave the guy $40. and I had to pull the brake pedal up every time after using the brakes until I replaced the brake return spring. It kept the brake lights on and would run the battery dead. I drove it for 2 to 3 months and sold it for I think $200. Not a bad return on your money for a sixteen year old.
$5K ask? What am I missing? And why no comments on the “conversion” when yesterday complaints were all over the place on the home-made ’57 Chevy abomination.
Forget that great candidate for a front lawn flower planter…Am more interested in the ’69 actual convertible in front of it!
“Lucy, you’re in BIG trouble!”
Lucy!!! Fred!! Ethel!! Come on let’s go to California in our Pontiac
I don’t think he really wants to sell it.
Sure he does! He’s hoping to get $50. for the scrap metal.
Ultimate idiocy!! Seller crushes car because it doesn’t sell!
https://youtu.be/KkQ7r9YbVIY
He should have been sitting in the car while it was crushed. What a moron.
Aren’t the frames for the ragtops heavier duty than the coupes ?
yes, convertible frames are beefed up at the factory, so whomever buys this should get a chevy convertible frame otherwise get door rattle & sag & body flex & paint/metal cracking.