Until 1957, the Star Chief was a top-line Pontiac automobile. That’s when the Bonneville was introduced as a limited production convertible with fuel injection. Because that was an expensive car, buyers were few at 630 copies. But you could still get the Star Chief as a drop-top with carburetion, and the seller’s car is one of them. Located with the same family since new in Rohnert Park, California, this original car runs but needs a full makeover. $13,100 has been cast in the bidding war so far, with no pesky reserve now to deal with here on eBay.
Despite more than 12,700 copies of the ’57 Star Chief convertible being built, when was the last time you saw one? You’re much more likely to run across a 1957 Chevy Bel Air drop-top because they have been more popular with collectors. The Star Chief had a shorter wheelbase than the Bonneville, more in line with the less expensive Chieftain. This moniker remained a Pontiac fixture through the 1960s and was eventually phased out.
The seller’s father drove this Pontiac off the dealer lot when new, nearly 70 years ago. We’re told the odometer reads just 2,821 miles, but since it was used as a daily driver for many years, we suspect the counter has turned over. The paint resembles Seafoam Green, and it’s the finish that was applied at the factory oh so many moons ago. There is bound to be some rust after all these years, but the photos saw a solid car overall.
Running condition is not mentioned, so we assume the 347 cubic inch V8 engine and automatic transmission are up to par. The interior may not have faired quite as well and will need work, such as replacing the cracked steering wheel. The original radio has been extracted, and we don’t know if it may be in the trunk. This once-stately automobile is no doubt an heirloom that the family has finally decided to part with. It could be a stunner once again!
Actually, a very good candidate for a frame-off! And not being yet another Chevy, it will turn some heads at shows. No mention of accessories on this; I assume PS & PB, but anything else? I would even repaint it in the original seafoam green.
real cool poncho. looks to be solid worthy of dropping some cash into. you don’t see these like he chevies at the shows
Very nice. A few things to take care of (some bubbling in a fender, floor boards needing rust inhibitor). No indication if the top mechanism works. Interesting that it’s doing 55 with the gear shift in Park. Note where reverse is. Our 57 Olds and 59 Catalina had the same bottom right reverse position. I like the light green paint too. Nice car to use as a driver with a few fixes. As always, price a little strong for a non-runner.
PRNDL shift pattern was government mandated beginning in 1966. Ford adopted that pattern in the early 50’s. Our 57 Plymouth had pushbuttons. Corvair automatics had a lever that operated vertically, RNDL.Both the Plymouth and Corvairs lacked a park position.
No Chrysler products had a park position until 1963.
In ’57 Olds & Pontiac came with the 2nd generation GM Hydramatic trans. Both used the same tranny, but Oldsmobile called it the Jet-away. I think it was used through ’60. BTW, though not common, 3spd manual was still available.
Things look pretty good until you get downstairs, those floor boards. Agree it looks just different enough from a trifive Chevy to be interesting.
my uncle had the star chief I was 12 that car was fast and burned lots of rubber way back in 57 by 1960 they had tri carbs and 370 cubic inchs
Pontiac had some great colors in ’57. My first car was my grandfather’s ’57 Super Chief. My dad has it today and is working to get it back on the road. Its original color was pink (coral). A 16yo boy in 1986 could not easily drive an already distinctive car that was also pink, so it was painted black. If money weren’t an object, it’d be great to put it back to its factory color.
This (seafoam) convertible is a beauty and I hope it finds a good home. I see it suffered the same flaw as mine – the caps where the exhaust exit the bumper are rusted (or missing from falling apart).
Nice,love it!
SOLD for 15K.
10 bids.