Ryan submitted a new blog post: Featured Classified: 1955 Pontiac Continue reading the Original Blog Post
Well I would hot rod it, but what the hell do I know. But here is a 55 with the stance you're looking for.
I can't remember if it's a '55 or a '56 (When I can get to my magazine I'll confirm which), but one of my favorites is in the January 1958 Rod & Custom. This picture is just one I found online.
Well it's a Star Chief as opposed to a Chieftain so I would just lower it. It already has a 455. That should be able to provide you all the power you would need for a lowered cruiser. Perhaps a little this or that. The rear bumper swap to the front on the one above is pretty cool but so is the factory floating grill.
Star chief is the long one....126" wheelbase with a loooooong deck. I'm not one for customs but the star chief is just too long to hot rod. French 56 [painted] headlight rims, open up those Pontiac headlight scoops and dump the original chrome ornaments and go with 56 chevy tailight lenses in the original Pontiac centers...Stainless skirts, nose and deck, maybe even a continental kit with the rear bumper exhausts and 57 caddy hubcaps. I'd go with a dark, metallic paint like a deep plumb purple or even a dark pearl brown with whitewalls. Lower it 3 inches all 'round. A white leather interior would finish it off and leave the original 287/4 speed hydramatic in it. Get rid of the 3 stars on the sides and the gas filler door chrome. In fact, weld the gas door shut and hinge and latch the left rear fender suspender to lift and put the gas filler in there.............Done. Only other deviations from this would be to paint the original colors with a buncha pearl and metallic in the paint but I'd prefer the darker colors. And another choice could be using the 56 starchief chrome, hooded taillight bezels. I used them in my last 56 chieftain for effect.
Lower it, shave the door handles and gas filler, keep the stars, add skirts, change the hubcaps and tires. Fill up the tank and drive.
I'm more of a keep it simple guy... Lee Pratt lowering treatment. Chrome OE wheels. Current WWW tires or maybe a double line skinny whitewall. Delete continental kit. DRIVE. (I prefer keeping cars drivable with very little down time while making modifications, etc.) With what looks like a nice paint job, I'd refrain from any modifications that require paint work / rework.
Well best I can tell the wheelbase is only 2 inches longer than the Chieftain. But OK, how about a gasser?
My first car!! Absolutely identical but not nearly as nice. Had a '57 347 motor. $200 in 1964 Where is it now?
I once owned a pair of 55 2 dr Htps. One star chief and the other a chiefitan. The star chief had a lighted hood ornament and leather seats. The engines in both of them where locked up and partially dissembled with parts missing. So I never drove them. Even back them I was wanting a 59 or 60 -389 to put in them. And we where in one of those times when we where hurting for money. and out of nowhere a guy drives up and offers me $1650 for them.
My 55 Chieftain. Mostly stock. Put cylinder heads, exhaust manifolds, and tri power intake from a '57 347 on it and added the TT wheels. Nice cruiser. Sent from my SM-G950U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
The chieftain is 4" shorter at 122". I've had 11 of the 55-57 Pontiacs and the only Star Chief I've owned was a 56 Safari that's says Star Chief on the dash but has the shorter 122" wheelbase. I know, weird. I love 'em! My last 56 chieftain hardtop I swapped the 316 for a 1960, 389 and left in the original 4 speed dual coupling hydramatic. Was a blast to drive! I never considered the Star Chief as good hotrod material but I suppose it could be done.
I wouldn't be chopping and dicing for that money...I'd lose the Cont. Kit, bring in the rear bumper, lower the ass end and cruise it with my elbow out the window. Once you start frenching headlights, etc...you're into repaint..$$..