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Definitely Not A GTO: 1957 Pontiac Chieftain

1957 Pontiac Chieftain Wagon

After years of scouring the internet for cool cars, I’ve seen a lot of seller’s make mistakes in their ads. It happens, we can get complain about it or claim they are trying to pull a fast one, but sometimes mistakes just happen. I have to think that’s what happened with this seller’s ad for their Pontiac Chieftain Wagon. There’s absolutely no reason for the title of their ad to say GTO, but it does. As much as I wish Pontiac had built a GTO wagon, they never did, especially not in ’57! If you can overlook that mistake and the lack of information, you can find this wagon here on eBay in Berkley, Massachusetts with a current bid of $1,000 and no reserve!

1957 Pontiac Chieftain Enginebay

This wagon has it’s problems, it has some rust and is missing it’s engine. Of course both of those things can be remedied. I love the look this old hulk has and I’d be tempted to leave it looking rough. I might go over the trim with some polish and aluminum foil to clean the rust off, but that’s about it.

1957 Pontiac Chieftain Interior

For ’57, Pontiac only offered a V8 in the Chieftain. It would have had a 290 horsepower 347. You could install just about any Chevy or Pontiac V8 in this engine bay, but I’d try to find a correct 347.

1957 Pontiac Chieftain

Whether you leave this one a bit rough or do a full restoration, it will be an amazing ride! The question is, which direction would you go with it?

Comments

  1. Avatar Fred W.

    “Little GTO, y’know your lookin’ fine….” wait a minute…you’re a 4 door full sized wagon!

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  2. Avatar grant

    He put GTO in the ad to attract unrelated searches.

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  3. Avatar Dave Wright

    I would look for a nice stock 389……maby with tri power if it would fit under the stock hood.

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  4. Avatar BMW/Tundra Guy

    Please help out the “uneducated” here? Polish (easily understand) Aluminum Foil (huh?)

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    • Avatar Josh Staff

      I’m surprised no one asked about that sooner. If you have chrome that is rusty, but not terribly pitted, you can polish it with aluminum foil. The foil is actually softer than the chrome, so it won’t scratch it, yet it’s hard enough to polish off the rust. I cleaned up some Spitfire lug nuts that Jamie gave me. They were covered in rust when I got them, but I was able to remove all the rust with a couple pieces of foil, some polish and elbow grease. As long as the chrome hasn’t fallen off, the rust will come right off! You can even use a can of coke if you want, instead of the polish. The acid in it will eat at the rust and makes it a bit easier to remove. Give it a try sometime!

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      • Avatar BMW/Tundra Guy

        Thank you for the tip!!! Always like to learn new stuff! Hence my addiction to this site!!! (you guys do a FANTASTIC job)

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      • Avatar grant

        Never knew that, thanks.

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  5. Avatar Luke Fitzgerald

    When I see things like this – I always wonder – why not just take the lot to the tip? – or, fix it and put it back in? – someone’s headache

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  6. Avatar stillrunners

    is this a standard…..kinda rare for a three on the tree in a 55/57 Poncho

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    • Avatar bigdoc13

      I had a 1955 Pontiac with a standard.It pulled really well.But,if you ever have to replace it,lots of luck.It is entirely different from most standard transmissions.

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  7. Avatar Charles

    What direction? To the nearest junkyard! Talk about a money pit!

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Prowler

    In the 50’s. 3 on the tree was the state bird
    Didn’t really matter make or model they were everywhere

    Like 0

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