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Features Featured Classified: 1955 Pontiac

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by Ryan, Jan 22, 2019.

  1. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,633

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

    Ryan submitted a new blog post:

    Featured Classified: 1955 Pontiac

    [​IMG]

    Continue reading the Original Blog Post
     
    Kustom55, hrm2k, Stogy and 1 other person like this.
  2. BrerHair
    Joined: Jan 30, 2007
    Posts: 5,006

    BrerHair
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    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.
    55WAGON.jpg
     
    VANDENPLAS likes this.
  3. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 17,097

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    ^ That’s a @Rocky car if I’ve ever seen one
     
  4. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 17,097

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    A local one 172B7FC5-7C8A-4032-845F-BE1FEEA456E4.jpeg
     
    Stogy and VANDENPLAS like this.

  5. Rolleiflex
    Joined: Oct 25, 2007
    Posts: 1,243

    Rolleiflex
    Member

    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.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2019
    Tim likes this.
  6. wvenfield
    Joined: Nov 23, 2006
    Posts: 5,580

    wvenfield
    Member

    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.
     
  7. 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.
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2019
  8. 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.
     
  9. Malcolm
    Joined: Feb 9, 2006
    Posts: 8,032

    Malcolm
    Member
    from Nebraska

    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.
     
    teach'm and Hnstray like this.
  10. Ryan's "Featured Classified"

    Would make an Interesting weekly Blog Post

     
    scott27 and kidcampbell71 like this.
  11. BrerHair
    Joined: Jan 30, 2007
    Posts: 5,006

    BrerHair
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Well best I can tell the wheelbase is only 2 inches longer than the Chieftain. But OK, how about a gasser?

    Pontiac%20Pete.jpg
     
    mgtstumpy and kidcampbell71 like this.
  12. vetteson
    Joined: Oct 7, 2010
    Posts: 301

    vetteson
    Member

    My first car!! Absolutely identical but not nearly as nice. Had a '57 347 motor. $200 in 1964 Where is it now?
     
  13. 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.
     
  14. Smoke4570
    Joined: May 22, 2015
    Posts: 14

    Smoke4570

    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. FB_IMG_1538593121632.jpeg FB_IMG_1538593112841.jpeg

    Sent from my SM-G950U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  15. 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.
    56poncho.jpg
     
  16. the other Tri 5.......
     
  17. 55chieftain
    Joined: May 29, 2007
    Posts: 2,188

    55chieftain
    Member

    I like to have fun with mine, pontiac powered too 20180919_194426.jpg
     
    mgtstumpy, loudbang, Malcolm and 3 others like this.
  18. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,174

    Budget36
    Member

    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..$$..
     
    Malcolm and Old wolf like this.
  19. hotrodmano
    Joined: May 3, 2011
    Posts: 412

    hotrodmano
    Member
    from Norway

  20. Gahrajmahal
    Joined: Oct 14, 2008
    Posts: 493

    Gahrajmahal
    Member

    Seems like hotrodmano knew exactly what to do with it!
     
  21. IMG_20180124_124851_398.jpg 20180415_123649.jpg 55/56 Pontiacs have always been my thing, this is my third.
     
  22. corncobcoupe
    Joined: May 26, 2001
    Posts: 7,257

    corncobcoupe
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    ^^^^ Bitchin' ^^^^
     
    Kustom55 likes this.
  23. gagray
    Joined: Feb 18, 2007
    Posts: 15

    gagray
    Member
    from Tulsa

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