How about this baby? “Dollar for dollar you can’t beat a Pontiac!” GM took the basic ’56 Chevrolet body, lengthened the wheelbase in front by seven inches, put in a bigger Strato-Streak V-8 engine, paired it with the rather advanced 4-speed Strato-Flight Hydra-Matic transmission; festooned the body with all the chrome jets, baubles, protrusions, and strapwork Harley Earl and his boys could dream up–and there you have it! A real dreamboat–offered in the lowest-priced Chieftain series to give the working-class man and his family something to trade up to. Select the then-revolutionary 4-door hardtop, order a two-tone paint job in cream and pink, and boy–what a car! Won’t the neighbors be impressed!
I found this beauty on Craigslist. Here’s the seller’s description:
1956 PONTIC CATALINA CHIEFTAIN 4 DOOR HARDTOP ,V8 AUTOMATIC ,SEATS FRONT AND BACK ,DOOR PANELS ,RUGS .HEADLINER ,ALL REPLACED WAS PAINTED YEARS AGO STILL LOOKS GREAT ,TRUNK PERFECT ,NOT RUSTED UNDERCARRIAGE SAME .MUST SEE .RUNS OFF CAN ONLY BECAUSE TOW TRUCK PUT HOLE IN TANK .BRAKES NEED TO BE BLED I BELIEVE SO I ONLY LOT DROVE IT WITH E BRAKE .ASKING A FRACTION OF WHAT WAS PUT INTO IT ,NO TITLE COME SEE ,487 WEST MAIN STREET PATCHOGUE NY 11772
Call (6)(3)(l)*(5X6)(9)*(2)(0)(6)(2) OR (5)(l)(6)*(9)(9)(3)*(7)(8)(0)(4). NO EMAILS OR TEXTS ANSWERED
(I should point out that Catalina in this case refers to the fact that this is a 4-door hardtop. In 1959, the Catalina name was then used to replace Chieftain, the lowest-priced car in the Pontiac line. From then on, four-door hardtops were called Vista. The games they play!)
For mysterious reasons, this kind of pale pink only seems to work on cars of the ’50s–say from 1955 or so, to 1959 or ’60. Even if it’s not factory-correct, I think it really looks delightful on this Pontiac. Solid pink, maybe not–but paired with the creamy white on top (and wide whitewall tires and matching pink on the rims), it looks quite glamorous.
And now we have one of those great tragedies of human existence–a difference of opinion. It results in fistfights, wars, and writing mean things on social media. If this became my car, all that silly, tacky crap has to go. I’m talking about those dopey aftermarket headlight half moons, and those cutesy pink pinstripes–this beautiful car doesn’t need all that hokey stuff…
…Ditto for the inside. Looks like someone really loved ordering out of the J.C. Whitney catalog: non-stock wheel, “footprint” gas pedal, dice knobs. And why do we need the likeness of Chief Pontiac on the glovebox door, along with more superfluous stripes? I guess because someone thought it was “cool”. Can you remove this stuff without damaging anything?
Color-matching pink door panels and seat upholstery are not period-correct (you couldn’t get this interior combination in 1956), but unlike the J.C. Whitney stuff, they seem well-made and appropriate to the car.
Except for the tacky add-ons, this is a pretty nice interior, even if it isn’t original–$7700 for a running ’50s car with a rust-free body and chrome and a nice interior seems like a good buy.
Open the trunk–Oh look, there’s the original steering wheel! I wonder if it could be restored and re-installed?
Here’s the “Strato-Streak” 316 cubic inch V-8, making 205 HP with the 2 bbl. carburetor; and 227 HP with a 4 bbl. Not sure which carb this engine has.
But what is the ’56 Pontiac like as a car? Consumer Reports gave it a mixed review. Pontiac’s chief virtue was that it was a good car for “leadfoot drivers”. Flooring the accelerator downshifted Hydra-Matic from 4th to 3rd, bringing the V-8’s ample power into play. Elsewhere CR stated, “The car can be driven fast with ease and confidence in its handling, affording a particularly dramatic comparison with Buick in this respect.” Yes, this was a time when the cars from the various divisions of the Big Three each had their own distinct “personalities” that matched the tastes and desires of the motorists who bought them. Buick, with its soft coil spring ride and silky Dynaflow transmission was all about dreamy-smoothness. Pontiac was a rather stiff-riding car, but with good power, better handling, and the more responsive 4-speed Hydra-Matic transmission. Take your pick!
So what’s the bottom line on this Pontiac? Given the apparent condition of the car, this potentially could be a very good deal. A solid, rust-free chassis with nice paint; engine runs, and and a new interior (even if it doesn’t look original). But you’re going to have to get a title (which may cost you several hundred), a new gas tank, and do some brake work. Let’s say $2000 for all that. Offer $6000 for the car, and you have a really sweet-looking ’50s classic for an $8000 outlay. Not bad, I’d say. Less than what you’d pay for a comparable Tri-Five Chevy, methinks.
But the necessary magic ingredient this car needs now is…love! You have to love this car if you’re going to buy it, and I think it has a lot of charm and personality that you can fall in love with. In many respects, this fascinating survivor is “pure ’50s”!
Further CC reading:
Curbside Musings: 1956 Pontiac Chieftain Catalina Hardtop–Sweet Treat by Joseph Dennis
Curbside Classic: 1956 Pontiac Star Chief–A Place To Make A Change by Jon Stephenson
And best of all, it’s a ‘four door pillarless hardtop’. So, so much better than the garden variety common place 2 door hardtops. Added to this, 1956 was the first year that Pontiac offered a 4 door hardtops. Just 20 years later in 1976, Pontiac would offer its last 4 door hardtop.
Sadly few survive today, but the 4 door hardtop has to be the stand out post Second World War body style.
Impressive car!
I wonder why the original Pontiac wheel covers are in the trunk while units from a 56 Oldsmobile are on the car? An easy fix, though.
I don’t love it, but I like it. That stretch of the front end coupled with the multiple trim details really disguises this car’s Chevrolet bones. Pontiac buyers got a lot of extra for their money in 1956. And I love that it is a 4 door hardtop. I am also right there with you on the oddball choices made in this car’s restoration. I can’t help but think it would have been much more saleable (and for more money) had it been restored closer to stock condition.
Nearly a twin to the `56 Star Chief Custom Catalina 4dr. my grandparents had. Same pink/white two-tone but obviously the trim was different, and it was a few inches longer in wheelbase. No pink interior, as the car came with a gray-black-white cloth and leather motif. I remember it was loaded: PS. PB, power windows and seat. To Grandpa AC was out of the question due to price.
My grandmother crossed the RR tracks as usual that day to run her errands, but the signal lights didn’t operate to let her know a train was coming. Back then, there were no cross arms that would lower to stop traffic. A freighter eastbound came through town at over 50MPH, but she couldn’t get completely across in time, God Bless her. That was in `66. I was only 5 at the time.
So sorry to hear of your grandmother.
An awful story, that is still with you.
The house fits the Pontiac personality. A simple Cape Cod with extra shutters, porch and coachlamp.
Pretty rare. Wouldn’t see may others. I can see changing the steering wheel. Not the one chosen though. Needs to be a bit larger; smaller than the “50’s”, era original..
’56 Olds hubcaps —
It’s a “Chieftain 98” !
Not a fan of this non-original “light Pepto Bismol pink”, GM offered much more attractive shades. Also not a fan of the superfluous kitsch, but overall it’s a very good buy, if that were a Chevy it’d easily be 3 times that price.
I could live with most of the modifications. It has period-correct early ’60s personalization. Chief Pontiac on the dash has to go though. Fortunately, it looks like it’s on a door and therefore removable for repainting. I thought that was the ashtray but there’s a lock on the door. The ashtray is to the right of the radio and above the plug for the optional electric clock.
While I would never put the fancy pinstripes on a car, these do not look out of place or over the top, but the chieftan on the dash has to go. Having all 4 original better looking caps in the trunk makes that a no-brainer. Another repair needed is the passenger side headlight trim. The rear bumper has a AAA sticker, hope the tank damage was not done by an affiliated garage. Much about condition is not listed but if the price is right it is very much worth the risk. The lack of a title does make me pause.
In CT you don’t need a title on anything over 20 yrs anyway (maybe less these days), so that wouldn’t bother me.
CT is swell like that.
Personally, I like the aftermarket Steering wheel, and it’s white, not the ‘usual’ black rimmed wheel.
That “BareFoot gas pedal” would be my main bother, and 1st to go. (even though I liked them when I was about 10 yo).
Certainly not ‘restored’ but looks to be in decent shape, I’d want it up on a hoist before buying .
It’s a pretty car even in the pink .
First year OHV V8 . I miss my ’54 Pontiac two door hardtop, it was nice and only $150 in 1972 .
New York state doesn’t give titles to older vehicles, I has this issue with my father’s 1969 Jeepster, California simply issued registration and tags, no title .
-Nate
Second year for the V-8, 287ci for ’55. Dad’s first new car was a ’55 Poncho two door sedan in mint green. Basic car wlth only radio and heater. More car for the money than Chevy probably sold him, V-8 standard, and bigger, longer wheelbase and a lot more chrome. Prestige of a step up the Sloan ladder didnt hurt.
Seems like a reasonable buy for the price being asked, but like Nate, I’d want to take a good look at the chassis for rust. Also, the extent of the gas tank damage and the brake problem would need to be assessed.
I don’t mind the color combo inside or out, even if not original, but those JC Whitney add-ons would have to go, especially the half-moon headlight covers, footprint gas pedal, steering wheel, and chief painting on the dashboard.
I’ve long puzzled over the ornamentation on the trunk lid, the upside-down shallow “V” with a circle in the middle, which was used on mid-50s Pontiacs. It looks odd to me when everyone else was using a proper “V” to signify the presence of a V8 engine.
Our next door neighbor, in the san Fernando Valley 1966-68, drove one of these 56 Pontiacs. Have to say that 11 year old car looked really old compared to the 67’s on the block. Yet, today, a 2015 car be it Accord or Camry, doesn’t look that old compared to a 2026. Heck my 2004 Focus doesn’t look old.
As for this car all I can say is why. Why all this stupid junk that diminish the value because I now have to get rid of it. That is even before I roll under the car to take a look. As for the gas tank that is the responsibility of the transport company.
Bunkie was right-this is an old man’s car. Yes, upgraded mechanicals over a ’56 Chevy, but the square rear wheel cutouts, the “suspenders” and the ponderous grille with the “sleepy” hooded taillights just don’t add up to sleek. Yup, the add ons don’t really add anything to what would be a stock period piece.
My ’55 Pontiac Chieftain 2 dr post sedan was recently featured in a You Tube video. My car kind of has a different personality than this pink Chieftain but shares many mechanical and body component with it. Check it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcjubEi4rhg
Very nice car and presentation! 🙂
Its Groucho Marx!!! Those chrome eyebrows, that thick upper bumper, once you see it its impossible to unsee it.
Its funny cause all the other 1956 GM cars are drop dead gorgeous. I do like the pink and white paint. And the pink interior, its period correct if not correct for this car. But yeah its just all the doo-dads and chrome bits, the tragic face, there is a reason its cheap.