Star Chief Automatic Convertible

1957 Pontiac Other -- Additional Info:

Super rare Star Chief Convertible finished in striking color combination, and fitted with a host of factory options to include air conditioning, power steering & brakes, continental kit, dual outside mirrors, fender skirts, and much more! Super solid example out of a Texas museum collection, and just recently serviced to the fullest extent to be ready for the immediate enjoyment! One of very few ever to appear on the market! Don't hesitate on this one! Pontiac introduced its premier model... in 1954 on the Chieftain model platform as the Star Chief. It would be fitted to a new Series 28 chassis for the first time for Pontiac, departing from the traditional shared chassis borrowed from Chevrolet. The Star Chief would stretch to a 124" wheelbase from the upscale Oldsmobile & Buick line, providing 11" of overall extra length to the chassis. This allowed for longer body lines as well as much more interior and trunk space. Additionally, Pontiac offered air conditioning with all components under the hood, a very unique feature not normally found in this price range. The following year, the body would receive a full redesign, as well as new V8 power leaving the straight 8 behind forever. The engine displacement would grow each year during the first generation, providing additional horsepower. By 1957, the engine measured 347ci pushing 270 standard horsepower or 317 horsepower with optional performance options! Also new for 1957 would be the new "Star Flight" design featuring new side trim in the shape of a missile. The former "Silver Streaks" running over the hood, along with the illuminated hood ornament, would go away for much cleaner lines and new illuminated, decorative marker lights atop each of the front fenders. The bumpers would become sleeker and shapelier for a more sophisticated front end appearance. All in all, the 1957 model year is arguably the most attractive of the first generation Star Chief examples! Offered here is an exquisite 1957 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible Coupe finished in Fontaine Blue Metallic over Blue and Ivory Leather interior. its original 347ci-4bbl V8 engine providing a stout 270 horsepower through the Strato-Flight Hydramatic automatic transmission. Options on this well-equipped example include factory air conditioning, power steering & brakes, power folding convertible top, electric wipers with windshield washer, transistorized AM radio with rear seat speaker control, dash clock, front & rear rubber floor mats, full wheel covers, Coker Classic wide whitewall radial tires, rear fender skirts, rear continental kit, dual outside mirrors, door handle paint protectors, interior courtesy lights, under hood lamp & glove box light, padded trunk mat, and under dash tissue holder! Pontiac managed to produce nearly 334,000 automobiles in 1957, of which only 12,789 would be Star Chief Convertibles representing less than 4% of total production. Today, they are increasingly difficult to find, especially in such outstanding condition! This rust free example was built in Pontiac's Arlington, Texas plant and believed to have stayed in Texas much of its life. We purchased this already restored unit from the Central Texas Museum of Automobile History that housed the incredible collection of the late Richard Burdick. His carefully hand-picked collection are some of the most beautiful and rare automobiles one could amass in a lifetime. And as a determined owner who also enjoyed driving his collector cars, all were kept in exceptional mechanical condition to remain usable on fair weather days with little effort. Sadly, with his Mr. Burdick's passing, the cars were largely untouched mechanically for well over a year. Upon arrival to the St. Louis Car Museum, it was treated to a complete brake service to cure a mild pulling to the left. This allowed us to install brand new front brake drums, turned the rear drums, all new shoes & wheel cylinders for good measure, and front brakes hoses. We also found the original air conditioning system to be out of service for some time. Because of advances using modern components prove to be far more efficient, we opted to remove the original compressor, condenser, receiver dryer, binary switch, and replace with all new components. This included a modern Sanden compressor and conversion to R134a with all fresh hoses and connections. It performs wonderfully with a rebuilt blower switch, and all original a/c equipment will be included with the sale. The carburetor was fully rebuilt with new accelerator pump and tuned to perfection. You will also find an all new exhaust system, new fuel sending unit, flushed power steering pump & screen, new engine oil/filter, new cabin filter, new front upper & lower outer pin suspension kit with front end alignment, and new battery! It sincerely couldn't be more ready to thoroughly enjoy once again! Act quickly Pontiac collectors! Opportunities like these do not come available often!