The custom car scene is alive and well, and the vehicles that enthusiasts create within this genre are many and varied. The only limiting factors are typically imagination and budget, although legislative requirements can be a factor in extreme cases. This 1955 Pontiac Chieftain Station Wagon is a prime example of someone pushing the boundaries. Its mechanical specifications provide power and performance far beyond what people imagined when this car was new, while the panels, paint, and interior combine to give this Wagon the “wow” factor. The time has come for this cool custom to find a new home, with the seller listing the Chieftain here on Facebook Marketplace in Stamping Ground, Kentucky. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pnuts for spotting a classic that could be yours for $41,000.

Pontiac started work with virtually a clean sheet of paper when it designed its Second Generation Chieftain range. It featured a new body, frame, and engine. Only a few minor components found their way from its predecessor, making it easy to understand how the company shifted over 350,000 of these classics across all variants in the first year. This Wagon would have been one of them, but much water has passed under the bridge since it left the line. It has been transformed from humble family transport into a cool and potent custom that is loaded with details. However, the first thing to note is the seller’s claim that it isn’t a trailer queen. It features a few minor imperfections, reflecting the fact that it has been driven and enjoyed as its creators intended. The paint shade is a mystery, although it appears fairly close to the Nautilus Blue that was part of Pontiac’s 1955 color palette. It holds a pleasant shine, complemented by a few touches of custom pinstriping. The trim and glass look excellent, while the slammed suspension and American Racing Torq Thrust II wheels give this Pontiac a sense of presence.

The most potent engine a buyer could select to slot under the hood of their ’55 Chieftain Wagon was the 287ci “Power Pack” V8 that delivered 200hp and 275 ft/lbs of torque. This Wagon’s creator has rendered that fact academic, ditching the original engine for something best described as bigger and better. They selected a 400ci V8, adding a Tri-Power setup and headers to improve breathing. They don’t mention internal upgrades, but with the power feeding to the road via a four-speed 700R4 transmission, it should effortlessly eclipse this Chieftain’s original ¼-mile ET of 19 seconds without raising a sweat. The engine bay presents nicely, with no evidence of long-term fluid leaks or other problems. The seller is parting with this gem because they rarely get a chance to enjoy it. They describe it as great to drive, I claim that I find readily believable.

The builder continued to utilize the exterior paint shade to cloak the interior steel, adding upholstery in a similar hue, contrasted by White. The interior looks clean and tidy, with no significant wear or evidence of abuse. They chose to retain the original wheel and radio, adding a new shifter for the upgraded transmission. The buyer doesn’t receive a long list of luxury features like power windows or air conditioning. However, what they receive for their money is an interior that should receive plenty of positive comments and admiring looks.

Okay, I’ve decided that the time is right to encourage you to perform some mental gymnastics. I want you to imagine that this 1955 Pontiac Chieftain isn’t for sale, but you’ve seen it roaming the streets, and wish to create a copy. Your first task is to locate one of the relatively rare 1955 Wagons as a starting point. The next task is to return it to a rust-free state, massage its panels, and apply the paint. An interior retrim will follow, while engineering the car to accept the drivetrain that you have purchased specifically for this build, and sourcing the wheels, are the final pieces of the puzzle. How much will that cost? I suspect that your tally will be higher than the seller’s price, even if you adopt a DIY approach to many of the tasks. That is why this Wagon might be pricey, but it is worth a close look.