The Chieftain was Pontiac’s entry-level car for most of the 1950s, but it certainly wasn’t a bottom-end automobile. The 1958 model would become notable for two reasons: it would be a one-year-only restyle (like its other GM contemporaries) and it would be the last time the name would be used on a Pontiac car. This 1958 2-door hardtop has emerged from storage via an estate sale and it could be the posterchild for patina. The seller says it runs, although it will take a restoration to make this a handsome machine once again. It’s located in Burbank, California and available here on eBay where bidding is up to $7,100 with no reserve. However, be aware that the title is missing, so the transaction will be consummated by bill of sale.
The inaugural Chieftain of 1949 was Pontiac’s first new design to emerge after World War II. It would see three generations of production during its 10-year span in the Pontiac line-up. For 1958, the Chieftain was all-new and bigger than ever, much like the Chevrolets were. The Chieftain saw production top 128,000 for the year, which was a decline from 1957 due to the economic recession that year. The most popular Chieftain was the 2-door hardtop like the seller’ car, coming in at 51,000 units. So with so many of these having been made, it’s surprising you don’t see more 1958 Chieftains today.
This car was purchased by the seller as one of eight acquired from an estate. He was told the car had just one owner, was never in an accident and was in storage since 1973. After installing a new battery, we’re told the seller fired the 370 cubic inch V-8 and it moved around a bit under its own power. But more effort will be needed before going any further, such as reworking the carburetor, giving the engine a tune-up, flushing out the fuel system and replacing the exhaust. Also the brakes, as they apparently will barely stop this heavy machine.
We’re told that most of the rust is superficial, with the problem areas being some small holes under the carpet. Otherwise, patina is the word of the day in describing this car, to the point that’s hard to tell what the original color was. I’m guessing black or dark blue given the colors of the interior. The seats will need to be recovered as well as the carpeting replaced once the floor issues are resolved. The dashboard and glass look really good on this original (we’re told) California car.
The Chieftain is said to be complete, with the exception of the air cleaner, spare tire/wheel and part of the Pontiac script on the back. For the more serious buyers, the seller can email a video clip showing the engine running, apparently no worse for wear after 79,000 miles and 62 years. We’re also told all the electricals work, which is not always the case with cars having been dormant for five decades.
Hagerty estimates these autos to be worth $20-30,000 in super-duper shape, with convertibles commanding the highest prices. Being a 2-door hardtop is probably this car’s greatest selling point, because the cost of a full restoration will likely mean this is a labor of love. My family had a 1958 Chieftain when I was little, and I remember the car being a tank, but it was a sedan and far less cool then than I think it to be today!
And I thought ’58 Chevrolet had a neat dash! I spy a clutch pedal, and isn’t the engine a 370 CID?
I guess you could restore, or go for a custom vibe with chromed reverse rims, and multiple carbs.
I think with a fresh black Cleacoat, it would be a stunner.
You’re right. 370 cubes. Have updated. Thanks!
Lightened up the interior pic and there is definitely a clutch pedal …
Wasn’t Patina Galore in a James Bond movie?
Galore something, that’s for sure!
Patina, yeah right.
Old vehicle with thin, worn, missing paint = “patina”…la-la speak for rust. Most sellers finding these cars will never paint them, so they put a spin on this beauty as having “patina”.
Folks, call it what you will, this is rust. Plain, simple, destructive rust. Clear coat it and you have a recipe for further rust. Clearcoat will not stop rust and in fact will worsen it. Drive it as is and in a matter of a few years, the car will experience rust through. There was a “patina” Corvair for sale where the seller said he put a quart of marvel mystery oil all over the car to protect it.
After that treatment, it is unlikely that the car could ever be repainted without a chemical dip of the entire car.
Cars and trucks were primed, painted, and undercoated for the singular purpose of avoiding and resisting rust. Rust is a metal cancer and until it is completely removed it will reduce this once beautiful Pontiac to the recycle yard.
This car deserves to wear new paint just as it did the day it rolled off the assembly line. They don’t manufacture 1958 Pontiac’s anymore and when they’re gone, they’re gone.
This car managed 62 years on this planet, for heavens sake, paint the poor car!
The writer didn’t extoll the virtues of patina. He merely mentioned it has it, obviously. You call it rust, same thing. You patina haters should be grateful cars are being sold like this. A painted one would be far more expensive and you would have no idea what evils lie beneath the fresh paint. Oil won’t prevent the car from being painted in the future as all it would need is cleaning to return it to this state. You would know that if you had ever actually painted a car.
I bought the car and planned on painting it all black and gold in the middle.
Agree with Art that the patina passion is nuts. Don’t understand why anyone would want their car to look like rusty crap. The Chieftain, like any other car, looks way better with a nice paint job.
I totally agree with you and Art. All I can say about that is that it is the current fad and you know how so many people have to jump on the band wagon with any new trend.
The shinier they are, the more I like ’em!
IMHO the best design of ’58 regardless of division. Just that it’s a manual vehicle makes it desirable. The Bonnie of this year has an absolutely stunning interior when done right with the silver threads carpet
http://www.kingoftheroad.net/pontiac_html/58pontiac_2.html
`58 Chieftains haven’t survived in any huge numbers, being Biscayne equivalents. They were work-a-day cars then; used up, traded, and crusher material by 1965. This one is amazing solid, and with no visable rust-through of the sheet metal, it’s a serious contender for resurrection. The gray/white interior was applied to many color combos that year, being a neutral tone. Restored, this would look amazing in factory pale yellow with gray coves! I wouldn’t resto-mod this, I’d restore it. If you joined the Pontiac-Oakland club you would have a very interesting alternative in a sea of GTOs, Judges,and Trans Ams.
Wow, now this car really was a stripper for the dealer to advertise how cheap ’58 Pontiacs could be. The cheapie steering wheel and the 3-speed manual. The little CHEAPER dealer!
…and manual brakes and manual steering.
You’re right , this was definitely a car to get frugal customers to the Pontiac dealership ! Entry level car with monotone paint job, man trans and steering and dog dish hubcaps . i’m surprised this one made it through the 1960s – Can you imagine how dated this car looked against something like a 65 Pontiac ?
It does have a clutch pedal. My Dad had a ’60 Catalina that he bought new. It was a standard shift 3 speed car. I remember how much nicer it was than his other cars which were all base model Fords. The Catalina was a base model as well but with much nice trim than the Fords.
Yeah, Pontiac was the next step up in the hierarchy ladder at GM for customers to climb. Start out in the cheaper Chevrolets, then as you made more money, you moved up to a Pontiac, then again as you progressed, you bought an Oldsmobile, then on to a Buick and finally when you had reached the top, you proudly purchased a Cadillac.
Ford did the same with the Fords, then on up to a Mercury and finally a Lincoln.
Chrysler ditto with the entry-level Plymouths, then up to the Dodges, then on up to Chrysler and finally reaching the pinnacle, the Imperial.
Ah, those were the days in the auto industry. And there can be no doubt why GM reigned supreme in the 50s. All one has to do is look at the masterpieces of design the produced.
As the saying used to go; As GM goes, so goes the rest of the country.
You forgot deSoto, and the Edsel,
Yeah, Pontiac was the next step up in the hierarchy ladder at GM for customers to climb. Start out in the cheaper Chevrolets, then as you made more money, you moved up to a Pontiac, then again as you progressed, you bought an Oldsmobile, then on to a Buick and finally when you had reached the top, you proudly purchased a Cadillac.
Ford did the same with the Fords, then on up to a Mercury and finally a Lincoln.
Chrysler ditto with the entry-level Plymouths, then up to the Dodges, then on up to Chrysler and finally reaching the pinnacle, the Imperial.
Ah, those were the days in the auto industry. And there can be no doubt why GM reigned supreme in the 50s. All one has to do is look at the masterpieces of design they produced.
As the saying used to go; As GM goes, so goes the rest of the country.
I would drive that as a survivor new seats spray it with clear put a new motor in it happy man
I absolutely love this car. Since it’s already a standard transmission car that needs considerable love to bring it back to its former glory, I think I would source a 4 speed for it removing all indications it was ever a three on the tree as they say. Then add vintage a/c and you end up with a very nice d.d then go all out with upholstery, carpet, headliner and exterior paint. Brakes, wheel bearings and suspension rebuild is what I specialized in back when I worked as a mechanic along with engine overhauls or rebuilds etc. etc. so I can (with a little old man struggle) rebuild/restore most of the mechanical work. Painting I would have to leave to person more qualified than myself. That said, all I need is a few grand extra cash and I’m on my way to a beautiful 58 Pontiac.
God bless America
…and manual brakes and manual steering.
I had a ’58 Pontiac 2 door, Starchief 3 speed, stick, 2 tone blue, light blue coves with a dark blue body, it was a pretty good winter beater but in very nice condition. The heater worked excellent, the car ran very good with that 370 humming, lots of power for a tank of a car. I smile every time I remember how big the back seat was.
This car would cost way more to restore than it would ever be worth. It’s already at $7000,you’d be better off and way ahead money wise buying a done car.
Fix the brakes, do the tune-up and carb work to make it a safe and road worthy ride, shoot a coat of clear over the patina and ride. We did that for a while with my son’s 54 Caddy (all original and complete car that he bought when he was 15), he’s now doing a a full restore and rebuild on her
well, geez, I left a comment and it was removed. Oh well…. carry on.
The year Pontiac went “wide track.” UM, no title, no thanks.
No, actually that was in 1959.
The writer didn’t extoll the virtues of patina. He merely mentioned it has it, obviously. You call it rust, same thing. You patina haters should be grateful cars are being sold like this. A painted one would be far more expensive and you would have no idea what evils lie beneath the fresh paint. Oil won’t prevent the car from being painted in the future as all it would need is cleaning to return it to this state. You would know that if you had ever actually painted a car.