“New, all-new from the ground up! New Power – New Beauty – New Room – New View.” That’s how Pontiac’s 1955 sales booklet described its restyled lineup for 1955. These cars have been overshadowed for years by their ’55 Chevrolet cousin (much like the ’55 Mercury is overshadowed by the ’55 Ford), but the ’55 Pontiacs are handsome, stylish, well-built cars in their own right. And here’s a nice two-door hardtop example of the top-of-the-line Star Chief (Pontiac officially called it a Star Chief Custom Catalina) that’s been restored and is located in Christiansburg, Virginia. It is for sale here on craigslist with an asking price of $25,000.
My twin brother restored a ’55 Star Chief coupe (in gorgeous Turquoise Blue and Ivory Mist) years ago, so I’m kind of partial to them. I enjoyed going with him to Hershey looking for parts and riding in it after he finished the restoration. My favorite memory is riding in the front seat as dusk was approaching and brother Don switching on the illuminated Chief Pontiac head hood ornament. What a cool branding detail! And the Chief’s amber-colored lighted head compliments the tasteful two-toned Firegold and White Mist (which is more of a cream than bright white) color choice on this Pontiac. It’s a classy mid-50’s color combination for sure.
I’m not seeing any issues with the Poncho’s exterior. The paint is shiny, all of the chrome and stainless trim (and there’s quite a bit more than its ’55 Chevy Bel Air cousin) is shiny as well. The glass, lenses, lighted hood ornament, and white wall tires all look good, but the wheel covers appear to be from a ’52-’54 Pontiac. The other thing I spot is that one of its owners elected to add two more star trim pieces to each front fender. It came from the factory with three stars across the door and front fender and I think five stars are too much.
The color-keyed bronze and white exterior color scheme is carried over into the Star Chief’s cabin. What a snazzy, luxurious interior for its day. The steering wheel shows some age cracks and the door panel textured metal trim is wavy, but, overall, it’s in very good condition with what appears to be newer reupholstered two-tone front and rear seats, color-keyed seatbelts, plush carpeting, and a beautiful Firegold instrument panel and dash with chrome trim. Whoever restored this Pontiac tried to keep it factory-correct, but I live in this area of the South and hot, humid summers can be brutal. I can understand them wanting to add an A/C unit under the dash.
In addition to a new body and a new chassis, the ’55 Pontiacs boasted a new engine: their first V8 called the Strato-Streak. Sales literature and advertising really pushed the advantages of Pontiac’s new 287-cubic inch, 180-horsepower V8 promising “flashy acceleration, remarkable economy, and effortless highway cruising.” The seller says the engine was rebuilt seven years ago and the 3-speed Strato-Flight Hydra-Matic transmission was rebuilt one year ago. The engine bay isn’t sparkling clean like the rest of the car, but it looks good (even though the hood appears to be propped up). Hagerty’s estimates the value of one of these in #3 Good Condition to be around $21,000, so the asking price seems in line. This looks like a clean, solid, nicely-restored ’55 Pontiac Star Chief that is looking to be driven and enjoyed by its next caretaker. Could it be you?
Nice find. Inasmuch as the “Tri-Five” are cool, this would be my choice over an equitable BelAire.
Nice!
As nice as this is I would definitely go for this over its lesser Chevy cousin.
My first car was a ’55 Starchief 4- door which was given to me back in 1972 . The car was driveable but the body was very rusty especially the rear doors . Another problem , was locating parts . Pontiac parts were harder to find even back then . Chevrolet parts are usually easier to find depending on the make or model ! Most of those old Pontiacs , 50s & 60s were junked years ago so finding a nice restored or original car like this one , is a rare find today ! Happy Motoring !
This is definitely a nicer car than a ‘55 Bel Air. Unfortunately, I don’t find the Vintage Air unit to be a “plus”.
I live in the South and this would allow me to use the car 2 to 3 more months per year, so I wholeheartedly disagree
We never had the “real” Pontiacs in Canada. Pontiac bodies on Chevrolet underpins and a/c was seldom seen on Cadillacs,Lincolns or Imperials let alone anything else. Vintage oldies are never driven in the long salty Winters here however the short Summer driving season is hot. I’d be very happy with the air. Factory would be better but parts and servicing dificulties make aftermarket acceptible to me.
Yes this is nice and as others stated, I would definitely take this over a ’55 Bel Air. You don’t see these too often and if only had the money and if it was closer, this nice Poncho would have my name all over it.
I owned a 1954 Pontiac Chieftian, 4 door, flathead straight 8, 4 speed auto tranny(1-2, 1-3, 1-4). Biggest heaviest car I ever owned. It had a 6 volt system. Slow but once it ran around 70mph it just floated. The backseat was so far in back of the front seat I could not touch the back of the front seat. There were, “smoking” windows in back of the backseat windows. Kind of like the front crotch cooler windows. I guess they were for flicking cigarette ashes.
This is a beautiful color combo. Not to nit-pick but I’m wondering if the author is correct with the leather seats statement.
As far as the Vintage Air, I don’t know if any of these companies want to cut the vent holes at the ends of the dash and maybe add one underneath in the middle. That may be the big reason this unit is under dash. That said, it’s one of the better looking units I’ve seen and blends in pretty well imo.
Didn’t notice if there’s another outlet on the driver’s side.
There’s a ’55 Pontiac wagon that shows up at the all-GM show at the state fairgrounds with factory in-dash a/c. Gotta say, that center unit at the top of the dash is really small.
At another show, I saw a ’57 Starfire 2-door hardtop, black with lime green inserts in the chrome side trim. This car had factory air in-dash. It was a beauty fresh out of a 6 year frame off restoration.
Bought one in ’81 for $25.00, unfortunately was badly rusted(under the bondo), but I did detail, spot paint and quicklg sell for $500…but it was a beautiful car..
My mom had a 55 Pontiac. We drove it to Disneyland in 1966. It had Hollywood glasspack mufflers . It sounded killer . It was a fun car but she didn’t own it long.
@Jon Rukavina
Look down by the hand operated emergency brake in the photos offered in the original listing….
My Dad had a 1954 Pontiac Chieftan with factory power windows and the same wheel covers as this one.
The paint was a dark blue with matching interior. I remember it having carburetor issues and hard starting on cold mornings. Dad had to remove the thermostat in summer to prevent overheating in traffic jams.
Love it. It would look a little better with the front bumper guard option. The owner states the trans is 3. Speed. Actually, it’s a four-speed. It shifts once in low range, then drive one and drive two. No park. Park was Reverse. Underseat heater. Mine was great until 16 year old me totaled it.
My parents had this car new as a Star Chief convertible in Yellow and black. It was beautiful. Momma drove it. She would have been 22. She is dead now. My daughter took all of the old family 8mm films from the time and had a disc made for me. I watch her in that new Pontiac on one of their vacations when they took that car to the Ozarks. It makes me sad. Cars like this beautiful example are a big part of our past. These makes no longer exist and have been replaced by foreign makes that all look the same. None really stand out. How do you make memories from those?
That was what the Ricardos had before re-locating from NY to CA (for you fans of I Love Lucy)
25k$ ? Double your $$ easy by shipping it to Finland & Sweden they’ve got U.S. vintage car club fanatics there who go nuts for this stuff.
Japan also has a big following behind this style of car.
Anything 30s thru Mid 60s modded or Stock is a hit in those 3 places as the never produced & rarely imported them.
What you say was true…..at one time, but no longer. Truth be told, it is not completely unheard of for cars to be repatriated and sold back to the US today, tho’ not on a ‘run of the mill’ car like a Pontiac.
Quit sending them out of the U.S. anything for the almighty $$$
Could you tell me how long you have owned the car. Did it by chance come from.Sarasota. I remember the vintage AC because I have never seen one with the AC vent all the way to the right.
Ha! I agree, … However, I get the same sick to my gut feeling every time I see a “Dealer” dragging up to north US a nice life long “southern” car up into the rust belt !
My mom owned a 55 Star Chief Custom 4 dr sd. in Turquoise and cream. It was a great riding car , The interior trim was leather not vynyl in the Custom.
She passed it on to me in 59 when she got a 59 Olds 98 flat top 4 dr. I had it repainted one tone because the creame was fading. painted it 59 metallic
turquoise. Wish I still owned it. Loved all my Ponchos
My dad owned a 55 Chieftain 2 door sedan. 2 barrel 3 on the tree. This was in 1962 with less than 20k miles. First car I drove that would go 50 in first gear. Almost 90 in second. Barely 105 tops in hi gear. I don’t know if he knew this.
My second car was a 55 Pontiac Cheiftan 2 door hardtop. Loved the car but had to sell it at my last base because I didn’t have Michigan approved insurance. Sad day.
Gorgeous. These are a high water mark for the marque’s pre-Bunkie/DeLorean personality.
weak hood springs are a common problem for all 55-57 gm products. new springs fix them right up.
I was born in a 1955 Pontiac in Aug 1956. My Mom had just gone to the doctor and he told her I would be born on schedule in 3 more weeks. I was her first so she didn’t know about labor pains. We didn’t make it to the hospital on time so I was born on the back seat. I remember the leather being as tough as a cowhide. She had power steering and factory AC, which was rare and expensive in those days. My Dad traded her for a 1966 Chrysler 300 in late ’66.