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Needs Finishing: 1955 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible

Tackling the restoration of a classic car can be a daunting prospect. This is especially true if every aspect of that vehicle is going to require work. That’s where cars like this 1955 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible can fit into the equation. Most of the heavy lifting has already been completed. That will leave it to the new owner to add the finishing touches to bring a sense of accomplishment to that person. If you think you could be the right person to return the Pontiac to its former glory, you will find it located in Lubbock, Texas, and listed for sale here on eBay. While there are currently 65 people watching the listing, the bidding has been subdued. A mere two bids have pushed the price to $20,100, but this is short of the reserve. There is a BIN option, which is set at $25,000.

When considering a project car, many people will find the prospect of significant rust repairs to be too daunting to contemplate. Well, that isn’t an issue here. This is a classic that is claimed to be rust-free, with the floors and frame all said to be solid. With the car having split its life between California and Texas, this comes as no surprise. The panels wear a few dings and dents, but there’s nothing present that I would consider to be a deal-breaker. The Convertible is finished in a combination of Bolero Red and Raven Black and must have been a stunning sight in its prime. The paint has deteriorated over the past 65-years, but that’s nothing that a simple repaint couldn’t fix. The owner has undertaken a fair amount of work in recent times, with the Black convertible top and the windshield both being new. The remaining glass is in good order, and while the bumpers and trim on the hood might need a trip to the platers, the rest of the trim is free from issues.

The person who buys this Pontiac isn’t going to be handing over huge wads of cash to whip the interior into shape. That’s because it has all been done. The owner has treated it to a full retrim, and the result is stunning. The upholstered surfaces complement the exterior color combination, while the black carpet and painted dash sections tie it all together. There are a couple of aftermarket gauges hanging under the dash, but these are probably a wise move to monitor the health of things under the hood. There are no other additions, with the original AM radio still holding pride of place in the dash. The only item that I might be tempted to look at would be the wheel. With the rest of the interior presenting so well, the fact that it isn’t perfect might distract some people. I would either treat it to a restoration, or I would hunt for a suitable replacement. Otherwise, I would be tempted to hit the road in this baby.

I’d be willing to bet that there are a few of you just waiting for me to break some bad news to you. Well, you’ll have to keep waiting because the positive vibes continue when we look at the Pontiac’s mechanical condition. Under the hood, we find a 287ci V8, producing 180hp. This is backed by a 4-speed Hydramatic transmission, while power steering should help to make cruising effortless. The Convertible does carry some weight, tipping the scale at 4,080lbs. That makes the 19.8-second ¼ mile ET seem pretty respectable in a 1955 context. This is the point where we find that the real heavy lifting was performed on this car. The car has undergone a full mechanical restoration and has recently been fitted with new tires and new wiring. The result is that this is a classic that runs and drives perfectly and could be driven and enjoyed immediately.

I have been involved in the classic car scene for more years than I would care to remember, and I have seen trends come and go. However, vehicles from this decade continue to be highly sought, and I don’t see this trend changing any time soon. This 1955 Pontiac Star Chief is a real beauty, and there is a heap of potential hiding in this one that could emerge without the need to outlay mega-bucks. Values have taken a slight hit during this year, but that is common across the classic scene in what has been an extraordinary twelve months. However, with signs beginning to emerge that the tide is turning, now could be a good time to invest in a classic car if you have the funds available. A straightforward project car could be a hot option, so does this one tempt you?

Comments

  1. Avatar DETROIT LAND YACHT

    Love this old heap.
    Drive it as-is. Or restomod that puppy beyond recognition.
    You’re not wrong either way.

    Like 4
    • Avatar Tom Bell

      Restomodding this car would be an obscenity.

      Like 17
  2. Avatar Driveby

    Classic “stump pullin’ Pontiac”. This car should have it’s own You Tube channel.

    Like 5
  3. Avatar Kenneth Carney

    I agree with Detroit Land Yacht. Just drive and enjoy it for what it is–a great old car that’ll get you looks anywhere you drive it. Not all old cars need to be
    over restored trailer queens and this car
    is one of these. Kudos to the seller on his presentation. They just don’t come any nicer than this one. I could just see
    the looks on my friends faces when my
    SIL and niece drop me off for my shift
    at our McDonald’s in this car! Uh oops,
    time to wipe the drool off my keyboard!

    Like 7
  4. Avatar Moparman Member

    Lucy, Ricky, Ethel and Fred on their way to California! Looks good, GLWTA!! :-)

    Like 17
    • Avatar Steve Clinton

      I was thinking the same thing!

      Like 6
    • Avatar nlpnt

      I have to wonder if the show and Pontiac were auditioning each other for a more permanent sponsorship, Desilu’s original deal with Philip Morris was coming to a close and if GM had done the deal the Ricardos and Mertzes would’ve stayed in LA and driven everywhere in their new Pontiacs, replaced annually (perhaps explained by an in-show meta-sponsorship) rather than going back to NYC and taking the subway off-camera.

      Like 1
    • Avatar Joe Spinelli

      Moparman….You beat me to the punch exactly what I was thinking and didn’t they use a car like this in the movie they made together with the trailer?

      Like 1
  5. Avatar William Fox

    The reddish color looks more like the terra cotta (clay pot color) shade Pontiac had in `55, and not ‘Bolero red’. Maybe it’s the film used.

    Like 3
  6. Avatar Fred W

    A couple of days with a buffer and a paintless dent guy could do wonders

    Like 4
  7. Avatar Burger

    The longer I am into old cars, the less I want them all perfect. This one presents better as a “used car” than it would with every dent pulled and a flawless paint job. I see enough of that everywhere I go. These NOT done cars get more interesting to me every day. Great to see one in a NON typical paint scheme too !

    Like 5
  8. Avatar Maestro1

    If i wasn’t busy with other projects underway I would jump on this with a bit of concern regarding the price, which seems a bit high. It’s my favorite
    50s’ Pontiac.

    Like 5
  9. Avatar JimmyinTEXAS

    It looks like the BIN is gone. “Reserve not met” at the current bid of $20.200.

    Like 1
  10. Avatar Timothy Youngberg

    If I didn’t already have a project I would pay the buy it now price in a heartbeat. BEAUTIFUL!

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Pat D

    As a kid my neighbor had one just like this. Haven’t seen another one like it for 50 years. Beautiful!

    Like 0
  12. Avatar HARM R SMIT

    Nice!

    Like 0
  13. Avatar 370zpp Member

    Never seen that paint combination before. Beautiful.

    Like 1
  14. Avatar stillrunners

    Nice to see another rare GM offering – nice and should be gone………….

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Johnmloghry

    The more I look at this car I believe the front half has been sanded and sprayed with primer. I’d like to go see this car, but even though I live in Texas it’s more than 500 miles away.
    God bless America

    Like 1
  16. Avatar JOHN Member

    This would be soooo cool to sit with his younger sibling, my 65 GTO convert. I would do nothing more to it than drive and enjoy it! I love it.

    Like 1
  17. Avatar Tom hanlon

    Clear coat and drive it… She’s an old bueaty.

    Like 0

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