Make: | Pontiac |
Model: | Star Chief |
Type: | Convertible |
Trim: | Star Chief |
Year: | 1955 |
Mileage: | 35,246 |
VIN: | L855H18159 |
Color: | Bolero Red / Castle Gray |
Engine: | 287 |
Cylinders: | 8 |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Drive type: | RWD |
Interior color: | Red & White |
Drive side: | Left-hand drive |
Vehicle Title: | Clear |
Item location: | Orlando, Florida, United States |
The 1955 Pontiac was purchased almost twenty years ago to use as a driver/parade car, and fun car. Into the restoration, one thing led to another and it was restored to a #2 condition.
The nicely detailed engine is a 287 V-8 with less than 200 miles, rebuilt by Tim Weber who rebuilds Classic Chevy’s engines. Documentation is available. It is topped off with a Carter four barrel and original air cleaner. The transmission did not require a rebuild. It has a single aluminized exhaust pipe, as did all 55’s, due to the deluxe under seat heater. The braking system has been up-grated to front disk brakes and for safety reasons the master cylinder was replaced to a dual cylinder with a 7 in. booster. Because of the hard to get to M/C a remote fill was added. Other features under the hood are windshield washer bottle, electric windshield wipers, under hood light, and generator replaced with a one wire alternator.
The interior is vinyl with no rips, tears, or blemished. The side panels stainless trim is bright and shiny and makes the red & white trim stand out. The red carpet has no wear spots on inside or car. The kick panels are the weakest part of the interior, but a new set comes with the car.
The white power top has no tears or rips and operates perfect. The boot is in great condition as well. The dash has a full instrument cluster, a clock, and glove box with working key, script on the radio speaker grill, flashing red light when you engage the emergency brake, working deluxe push button radio, and tinted windshield and side glass. The body paint is in great condition, but the front fenders are beginning to blister. You will also find some old rust damage on the left inside panel of trunk( see trunk photo ).
The convertible is loaded with upgraded accessories. The Bolero Red and Castle Gray base coat/clear coat are factory colors that do not co-inside with the trim tag. The original colors were Nimbus Gray and Olympic Blue.
Some of the other accessory upgrades include: factory padded dash, fender skirts, stainless fender well openings, front bumper guards, rear fender guards (NOS), rear mount radio antenna, NOS exhaust deflector, full disk wheel covers, Coker wide whitewall tires, and including spare. Last but not least is the light-up Indian head hood ornament when your running lights or headlights are turned on. The car was made famous by Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz when traveling to California in none other than a 1955 Pontiac convertible. The two TV series episodes were called “Lucy Learns To Drive“ and “California Here We Come.”
I have owned and enjoyed this Pontiac for almost twenty years. During that time the Pontiac has been to countless car shows, activities, parades, homecomings, proms, weddings, and transporting many celebrities during Walt Disney World parades. My favorite event was making a football commercial for ESPN. They wanted a car to carry the Grand Marshall, and little did I know they selected my favorite coach, Don Shula. I will be 88 next week, and have a hard time keeping up with the cars. So I believe it is time to let someone else enjoy the car and make new memories with family and friends.