Having been a top drawer model at one time, the Pontiac Star Chief underwent a demotion over the years so by 1960, it was reduced to a downgraded Bonneville but still rode on the Bonneville’s long 124″ wheelbase. The seller of this 1960 Star Chief claims that this Sport Sedan is one of only 5,797 assembled that year, so let’s see what this car is all about. Located in Apple Valley, California, this Poncho is available, here on eBay for an opening bid of $7,500. There is a BIN price of $11,500 too. Thanks to T.J. for this tip!
Pontiac’s line-up in ’60 included the Bonneville at the top, including a two or four-door hardtops and a convertible, with the Star Chief, in both two and four-door sedans, and a four-door hardtop, as an underlying trim level. The Ventura two and four-door hardtops followed with the Catalina, two and four-door hardtops, and a convertible, bringing up the rear. Bonneville and Catalina station wagons were available as well. In its second year of wide-track excitement, Pontiac came in fifth place in the 1960 sales race with just under 400K copies finding new garages.
While this Star Chief presents pretty well, the seller advises, “Cabin floors have previous patches but seem pretty solid with a nice thud when I took my closed palm to them. Half of the trunk floor is good as I stood on it, the other half will need replaced (sic) along with the brace directly under the trunk. Frame looks good with only surface rust that I can see. Passenger roof rail shown in pic. needs a bit of TLC. Rocker panels will need some work but overall not bad“. The images aren’t very revealing, and the two-tone finish still looks pretty fair. The chrome plating has gotten thin but the typical late ’50s/early ’60s excessive stainless trim looks like it’s all there. The body panels appear to be straight and free of crash damage and the seller states that has NOS backup light lenses that are included in the sale.
In spite of its flat tires, the seller claims, “Runs strong and does not smoke. When lifted on jack stands, the rear wheels move forward and backward when put into each gear“. And that running is the result of a 389 CI V8 engine tethered to a Hydramatic automatic transmission. As to which version of the 389 engine is under the hood, isn’t stated but the standard Star Chief variant developed 283 gross HP. Here’s a brief video of the engine running.
The interior is going to need some help. The carpet is missing (better to see the full condition of the floors) and the upholstery and the door panels will need to be replaced. Also, the kick panels are nowhere in sight. In one of the interior images, the underside of the doors are pretty well revealed and they’re not sound, rust has done a number on them. While the steering wheel has lost the top half of its grip, the instrument panel still shows nicely.
Earlier this week, we covered this 1959 Pontiac Bonneville and it is a magnificent specimen from Pontiac’s inaugural “wide-track” year. This sophomore year Star Chief entry is considerably more worn and is probably a less desirable collectible, regardless of its low production numbers. We always want to see older cars, such as this Star Chief, saved but the motivation to do so, in this case, may not rise to the necessary level. It will be liked by many, but will it be liked enough?
Wow! What a come down from the 59! Still, though it could be a good entry level for a Poncho fan who couldn’t afford the 59. GLWTA!! :-)
A better view of the 59 interior and dash.
I think I like it just as well as the 59. These were nice cars in their prime. New upholstery in this and new tires you got a reasonably priced classic car. I hope someone does it justice and makes a nice daily driver and show and tell car out of it.
God Bless America
What does a Buick Riviera have to do with a Pontiac Star Chief?
Hahahaha !!!! PatrickM I thought the same thing. 😂😂
Nothing at all. I just wanted to see if I could post the picture with my new lap top.
I drove a 4 door ’60 Catalina for several years in the ’70s. Lots of power from the 389, but that sucker had a 10.25 to 1 compression ratio and it only drank GOD high test gas, like Shell, Exxon, etc. No Speedway stuff!
The two door sedan is indeed a rarity and being a Star Chief it may still have the Hydramatic 315 4-speed automatic in it. You could easily make this a car that never was…a 1960 Bonneville two door sedan. The visual cues between the Bonneville, Star Chief and Catalina from the outside were very subtle. Lose the stars and instant Bonneville begging for a bucket seat tri color interior a 1962 console and floor shift, factory tach on the left hand instrument cluster, throw in the Tri-Power, AC, Power everything…It is still possible. Time consuming but a lovely one year without the split grill, the Shark. Oh, almost forgot, the eight lug wheels! This is a car of possibilities, money and time.
I had a 1960 Bonneville Stardust Yellow convertible. Ran it at a 1/4 track out on Long Island. ran a 15.8 @ 84mph. Had the standard 3.08 rear…
A lot of hedging in the description. I especially like, “Rear tires stay aired up for about 10 minutes or so”. Lol.
Also, “When lifted on jack stands, the rear wheels move forward and backward when put into each gear.” C’mon, man, tranny needs clutches!
Lotsa work needed for this one, rusty floor pan and demolished door card on the bottom indicate a flood car. Pass…….