Pontiac’s Second Generation Chieftain brought wholesale changes to the badge, although not all were visible to the naked eye. It underwent further changes during its three-year production life, and our feature car is from the final year. It is a restoration project that stalled before it started, with the seller deciding to part with it due to changed circumstances. They provide a collection of parts to assist the new owner with their build, including some welcome performance upgrades. The Chieftain is listed here on eBay in Oceanside, New York. Bidding has raced past the reserve to sit at $3,151, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for spotting this promising project.
The most visible changes with the Second Generation Chieftain included more modern styling, while a new frame improved comfort, handling, and safety. The appearance evolved through 1956, with more updates visible when our feature car appeared in 1957. The most obvious was the deletion of the distinctive “Silver Streaks” running the length of the hood. Pontiac followed many manufacturers by incorporating more “space age” embellishments and larger bumpers, making cars from this model year look very different from their predecessors. This Pontiac rolled off the line wearing an attractive combination of Braeburn Green and Sheffield Gray. It retains those shades, with the paint looking surprisingly good for its age. The photos are limited, but they seem to indicate there is little exterior rust. Therefore, if the new owner wished to retain the exterior in its current state as a survivor, that seems viable. The seller admits there is rust, but it appears it may be limited to the floor and trunk pans. A couple of interior shots reveal these areas with the carpet removed, and some areas may require steel replacement. The chrome trim pieces will benefit from a trip to the platers, but the stainless items should polish nicely. The hubcaps are more modern, but there are two original sets in the trunk for those seeking a “factory” appearance. The seller also includes a complete set of green-tinted side glass which should look excellent against the existing color combination.
One area of this Pontiac begging for TLC is its interior. The bright trim pieces look fine, and apart from the missing radio controls, it is complete. However, it needs complete stripping and new upholstery to return to its former glory. I performed an admittedly brief online search but failed to find a company producing trim kits. However, the buyer may strike gold with more patience. Otherwise, the existing upholstery could act as a pattern for a professional to stitch together new soft parts.
Although many people focused on the updated styling of the Second Generation Chieftain, significant changes below the surface dramatically transformed its performance. The company introduced a V8 into the range, marking the re-emergence of a configuration that last graced a Pontiac engine bay in 1932. Initially available with a capacity of 287ci, it had stretched to 347ci by the time this classic rolled off the line. Buyers could specify a manual transmission, although this car’s original owner selected the Hydramatic option behind a motor producing a healthy 252hp. While the company focused on practicality, the fact this car could have stormed the ¼-mile in 17.3 seconds wasn’t too shabby in 1957. The seller indicates the Chieftain hasn’t run for five years, but coaxing it back to life may not be challenging. Additional included parts could increase this classic’s performance if the new owner felt so inclined. A shiny new dual exhaust system should make it sound pretty sweet. However, the complete Tri-Power setup might push this V8’s power considerably higher. One corner is broken off the intake, but most machine shops could repair that. With the engine breathing better courtesy of those additions, it is conceivable that the new owner could find 290hp under their right foot. That would place a 16-second ¼-mile ET and a top speed above 120mph within reach. I suspect most potential buyers will see that as a no-brainer.
Although this 1957 Pontiac Chieftain requires work to return to its former glory, the new owner will commence their build with an essentially solid and complete candidate. The extra parts are icing on the cake, potentially allowing the buyer to extract improved performance and a touch of luxury. We’ve recently seen a few project cars unlikely to become mega-bucks classics, and this Pontiac probably falls into that category. However, a high-end build could see it worth more than $30,000 when the tools are put down for the final time. With all you know about this Chieftain, would you park it in your workshop?
Bargain at today’s insane pricing. If it was same year chevy it would be no cooler (in my humble opinion) but would be several times more dollars
It’s not a bargain until the bidding is over. Seller realistically wants to sell and starts bidding at an enticing number and lets the crazys establish the value.
I smell what you are stepping in, but I’ve seen tri five chevies with a starting bid much higher. And while the bidding may get more intense, it has not seen the bidding frenzy that occurs with certain year chevy or mopars, for example. My point was that this is a lot of 50s coolness for the money
Wonderful style looking car. I remember my uncle had one. The speedometer changed colors at different speeds. I,d rather invest in this -then a way over priced throw away modern piece of junk . This IS a real car.
I saw one a few weeks back at the last garage/yard. It had just won its best in class award at the castin
I think this model is actually a Star Chief (the stars on the sides give it away). There’s no badging to say either way, and this car appears top-of-the line. The Chieftain was the lower-end model.
Hi Terry. My uncle had a Star Chief, and I remember the side trim that connects to the tail lights was bright work, not painted. So, maybe a Star Chief? 60 year old memory, I defer to your assessment.
Neat cars.
Not being an expert on ’57 Pontiacs, my memory is about as old as yours..Too bad the script is missing off the car. I like these too!
The Chieftain has 3 stars on the side and the Star Chief and Super Chief have 4 stars on the sides. This is a base model with a couple of options. Mine is Braeburn green and Nassau green. The Chieftain has a shorter wheel base.
Wife recognizes the interior as the Pontiac wagon she, as a 5 or 6 yo, could stick a coke bottle in the vents to keep the soda cool on long drives.
This is definitely a Chieftan with the 3 stars. Star Chiefs had 4 stars along with a polished stainless trim on the raised spear as well as a 124″ wheelbase versus the Chieftan’s 122″.
A sweet if expensive project.
I wonder if this is a Hurricane Sandy car? Engine rust looks like flood aftermath. Hmmmmm.floors too.
Flat tire? What no air left at the beach?
It’s a Chieftain, the lov2xlr8 site has a brochure with all the information. https://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/pontiac/57pt1/bilder/5.jpg
Keith is correct, IMHO. Start it low and let the bidders establish the price. With so much scamming and bogus bids, you have to be diligent and hopefully have a conversation with whoever is really serious. Its not fun like it used to be. Everyone thinks its easy. I like this poncho!
Cheers
GPC
I had a ’57 Chieftain when a high school senior in 1965. Four door sedan and yes, It was a base model, plain jane. I worked after school pumping 31cent gas and bought the Poncho from a customer for $100. Other than rust (North West Ohio), it was a great car. The V8 Pontiac was so much beter than my ’53 Chevy with the embarrassing 6 banger and vacuum assist 3 on the tree. Was under that Chevy often, manually moving the linkage. A floor shifter from J.C. Whitney solved that problem. It was way cool!. This beauty is most certainly the higher end Star Chief and a 2dr hardtop! If only I was younger and had excess money!!
I’m not sure what We’ll Documented has to do with just an old car. These were dime a dozen not too many years ago. I had the chance to buy a 57 Pontiac Chieftan for $375. And that was after it stayed in the want ads for several weeks, and regularly kept coming down in price. I made my mind up that when it got to $350 I would buy it, even though I didn’t need it or have room for it! It never made it to $350, and I actually ran into the guy that bought it, and the car, at a local fast food place a few days later. All original, beautiful dark grey paint, no rust, and was running like a sewing machine. The guy said he was waiting for the price to go to $350, but got to anxious and paid the $375! It was a nice driving car.
I realize that people have lost their minds on pricing lately, even so, I think that $3000 is a pretty decent price to pay….if it runs good, and no major rust exists.
If I had the room I would go as high as $3500…..but not $3750! Lol
This is a bargain in today’s market. It’s also nice to see one of these with it’s original engine. A lot of these projects have the engine missing and this is nice for once.
Just look at that dash! They used to put a lot of thought into the design and appearance of the dash and instrument panel. Today’s cars, not so much.