Proud new 56 Poncho owner

Well today was my day. I was jerked around by the Plymouth owner b/c he didnt wanna cut off 200 bucks if I was bringing my tools, driving 4 different 45 minute trips and wasting maybe an hour on fixing the brake line so I didn't even go.

I found a 56 Pontiac 2 Door Post in Palmdale. Went and checked it out and the car was nice. Patina'd with a light skim of bondo (over solid metal..dont get it..it looks factory). All the chrome is intact and in decent condition. Dont know the engine but it's the factory StratoStreak v8 with a crane cam elec ignition. Starts up and runs like a beast. No stumble, no miss, no backfiring nothing. Drove it down the mountain it was in and back up. Followed by a 2 hour trip through Palmdale, Mojave, Tehachapi and back to Bako with absolutely no problems at all.

No interior is left except the back bench which is covered and the front was replaced with shitty, uncomfortable buckets. The entire dash is complete and everything except the speedo work. All windows look new and are intact. Even the trunk was 100% rust free. Replaced passenger floorboards. Look at the pictures I took.

All Im doing now until the 66 buick is gone is buying skirts and lowering the rear a bit.

 

Quite the starter kit you have there! Those racing seats make me grimace..not comfortable at all. Really like the tri-5 ponchos, they are drippin' chrome.

 

Now you need to change your name on here! Congratulations

 

Good score, finding a good tri 5 split bench maybe tough, but surely there's something out there that would be a close enough fit.

 

Lucky B***ARD! My first car was a '56 Poncho. Man I loved that car. Good luck with yours. N.N.

 

Nice score!!! Love them old ponchos . Hey if you like the split front bench and want another one . Find one out of an 80's Monte carlo. I had one in my 55 chevy and it was almost identicle to the factory 55 bench . The flip and fold in the same way and fit great.

 

Nice score - you done good!!!

 

Really like the ribbons on the hood, always thought that was the extra touch!

 

Thanks for that tip. I despise these bucket seats. This is my 1st real classic. Love the chrome and the body is just beautiful.

 

that'll make a sweet custom, maybe a 3inch chop

 

1956 was the last year for the 'suspenders' on the hood.

All '56 Pontiacs had the 317-cube V8 (316.6") with a 3.9375" bore X 3.250" stroke.

Rated at 205 HP for the 2-barrel and 227 HP for the 4-barrel, both had 8.9:1 compression. Super-rare 10:1 compression 2X4-barrel engines were rated at 285 HP.

Cool car, nice score.

 

maybe make it a clone 317 2 by 4????

 

The 317 2X4 intakes are like hen's teeth.

Very pricey even if you can find someone who'll let one go.

 

You know where can I find an air cleaner? I dont like the sponge filter with the spectre tube. Only one I have seen on ebay is like 200 bucks. Can one be used off a different car same year?

 

Nice score!

Quick question... looking at the pic of your dash it looks like the cig lighter is above the gas gauge and the ashtray is over your clock-delete? I was just curious because in my '55 it's reversed. I also noticed your missing half of your horn ring, just like I am (sigh...).

If you want, I have an original oil bath air filter assembly I'd let go for much less than $200 ebay bullshit. It's original to my '55, but I dont think there would be a huge difference that it couldnt work for yours?

 

Correct. The lighter is top of the gas and the ash tray is by the radio delete. Im not sure about the steering wheel. I haven't seen too many 56 interiors yet online. How much would you like for the air cleaner (pm me with details).

 

Hey its another Poncho on the street. What else really needs to be said. Great Score Bro!

48 Poncho

 

Nice project, congrats!

 

A '56 I parted out a few years ago had some '60 Chevy bumper guards added as teeth on the stock grille bar. They fit it pretty good and they're cheap to buy - and it's a subtle enough change that it would make guys scratch their heads trying to figure out if it's factory or not.

If it's a 2bbl you might be able to run a later (57-up) air cleaner on it, they're plentiful and cheap.

 

The speedo may have a bad cable. Unscrew it at the speedo and pull the cable to check it out.
New ones are available from auto parts stores, lube 'em, slip it in and you may have indicated speed.

 

Great Car! Congratulations & best of luck with it. Love the chrome on the hood, (or is that stainless!?)

 

nice looking car great score

 

Excellent find!!! And a 2 door sedan at that.

BTW My 55 CanIndian Pathfinder has the same interior set-up as 1LOWCHIEF's 55 so they must have change it in 56. Kind of silly to have the ashtray over you gauges.

 

cool

 

Cool find! Congratulations

 

Congratulations great car, just got one myself last Saturday enjoy!

 

cool car.....

 

Can anyone tell me what my outside mirrors are from? They are close to the accessory thermometer mirrors in shape but mine have a knob on top to swivel the mirror and they also move up and down on the arms.

 

I do not think your mirrors are factory. Every 55/56 factory and dealer installed mirrors I have seen has been on the door by the vent window. Those most likely are some installed from another car or aftermarket. I know not much help.

 

You should be proud...Nice car, just got it, and can ride while you work on it!