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Low Cost Chief: 1956 Pontiac Star Chief

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After 15 years of storage this Pontiac Star Chief is on the chopping block. Mostly original and complete with a pleasant patina, this Pontiac would make a great project. Although not currently running, the engine does turn over. Priced at $3,500 with a title, this Pontiac seems like a reasonably priced project. Find it here on craigslist out of Hatboro, Pennsylvania.

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Complete, but grimy, the V8 heart does turn over, but is not currently running. Although we would imagine with a little time and some fresh gas, this one would likely be a runner. The paint on the firewall is surprisingly nice and brilliant, in the dark engine bay. Degreaser, a tooth brush, and some patience would likely do a lot for the engine and bay.

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The interior is as well surprisingly nice with some needed tlc to make it great. The headliner looks to be drooping and the front bench is obviously split in a few places. The dash and door panels look awesome. The glass in this Pontiac looks quite nice as well. The exterior obviously has some surface rust here and there, but from the photos, it is difficult to pin point any rot in this car. Most of the paint is present, but its current state of patina isn’t a total turn off to someone who is looking for a fun driver that could easily be maintained. Or of course this would make for a great restoration.

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Despite what your plans may be, the price and condition are both reasonable for this Pontiac Star Chief. What would you do with this Pontiac?

Comments

  1. Avatar Kevin

    I am pretty sure this is a 1957, not a ’56. Great looking car, even in sedan form. Definitely worth saving!

    Like 0
  2. Avatar grant

    Not sure we’re looking at the same car. That seat has jagged chunks missing from it, not just a few splits. And it will take more than a toothbrush and some cleaner to get rid of the rust that’s everywhere in that engine bay. Still a nice find for the price.

    Like 0
    • Avatar waynard

      Yep. I agree. Our host needs to revise his spectacles.

      Like 0
  3. Avatar Bob

    Yep 57 not 56. The 56 looked like the 55.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar jeff6599

    Neither is it a sedan but a 4dr HTP

    Like 1
  5. Avatar Glen Riddle

    Definitely a ’57.
    My late father had the 1958 version of this car, Star Chief 4-dr hardtop.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Luke Fitzgerald

    That’s a buy

    Like 0
  7. Avatar RoughDiamond

    Oh a ’57 4 door hardtop! I love these as much as a two door. That front end and exhaust through the rear bumper is so late 50s.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Wayne Thomas

    Digging the building in the background. Looks like an old school building. Needs a brewpub and some apartments!

    Like 0
    • Avatar Bobsmyuncle

      The building is what actually grabbed my interest!

      Like 0
  9. HoA Howard A Member

    I think the ’57 Poncho was so much nicer than the ’57 Chevy. I wonder what the price difference was, as most went with the Chevy. What is that under the dash, a speaker? Just love the exhaust coming through the rear bumper. Lot of work here, but what a neat car.
    (btw, sometimes, I don’t get an “edit” feature either)

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Djs

    Two to many doors but might be a fun restore for the right buyer.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Gear Head Engineer

    I like the car, but the price is high for what you get. These four door cars (even hardtops) just don’t demand a lot of money, so you will be upside down very quickly. It does look solid, but it needs everything. And I don’t know how easy it will be to get it running. Judging by the distributor cap and wires, someone has already tried. You have to wonder why they were not successful.

    I would love to see it back on the road, but I would negotiate that price significantly.

    – John

    Like 0
    • Avatar CATHOUSE

      I don’t know if the price is too high or not but there is another factor that may have effected the seller’s asking price. Going on right now is the Fall Carlisle swap meet and next week is the big AACA Fall Hershey show and swap meet. Hatboro is only about a 1-2 hour drive from these shows. There are quite a few people who come to these shows from Norway, Sweden and several other European countries. In those countries the big GM cars of the 50s-60s-70s are very popular. The seller may be hoping to reach one of these buyers.

      Like 0
  12. Avatar flmikey

    …would rather have the 58 Buick featured yesterday…about the same price, about the same condition, and 2 less doors….

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Mike D

    gearhead: then don’t buy it as an ” investment” bring it back to it’s former glory, excellent color combo , if the orig engine has bit the dust, drop a 400 in it duals, glass packs ( do they still make them? ) luxo interior and you are good to go. It would be a crowd pleaser at an all Pont. show being a 57, it is pre smog, tweak the engine what you will . Personally, I wouldn’t be able to buy it, but I can dream . It would be my ” fair weather” car (since I am from the NE) take it down the boulevard, and E-A-S-E- it away from a stop light and let everyone wonder what is under the hood

    Like 0
  14. Avatar don

    definitely 1957 had one just lke it in high school

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Steve W

    Definitely a 57. I learned to drive on that tank.

    Like 0
  16. Avatar GRAY WOLF

    Let’s face it, we are running out of qualility 2-door vehicles and now to get into the hobby this is what you can afford! Hurry, because Cuba is open and needs parts! JUST SAYIN! Maybe be reality!

    Like 0
  17. Avatar Rolf Poncho

    Beats the Bel-Air by looks by far!

    Like 0

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