(first posted 9/20/21) The beach is a great destination for contemplating life. Many a pensive mind has gotten clear there and resolved to make a life change. The 1956 Pontiac, though a proud car, never-the-less decided to make a major life change. I can’t say if this epiphany happened on a beach at sundown, but one would be hard pressed to find a better setting for it.
The Pontiac was born in 1926, the offspring of Chevrolet and Oakland divisions of GM. A sizable price gap existed between Oakland and Chevrolet, which an Oakland “companion make” was thought could bridge. The Pontiac was similar size and shared many parts with the Chevrolet, but had a six cylinder engine instead of a four and a few other improved features. The new car was a massive success, so much so that the Pontiac laid his progenitor Oakland to rest in 1931 and struck out in the world on his own.
The Pontiac lived a fruitful life, primarily as a value proposition. A careful buyer could get a significant functional and visual upgrade over a Chevy for not a whole lot more money. Many folks felt it was a great trade off if one could swing the extra cash. In 1935, the Pontiac got bolder and staked his place in the family hierarchy with a distinctive visual trademark: the Silver Streak, which was a chrome waterfall running from the cowl down the hood and cascading into the grille.
In 1952, the Pontiac suffered a tragic loss in the family, when his caretaker, G.M. Arnold Lenz, died in a collision with a train (his wife and two daughters were also in the car, the daughters survived but sadly left orphans). Lenz had been spearheading the division’s work on a new OHV V8 which was originally supposed to be released in the Pontiac for 1953. Some accounts say it was Lenz’s death that delayed the engine, others that Buick and Oldsmobile prevailed on GM to delay it to keep Pontiac from encroaching too quickly on their markets. Either way or both, the Pontiac didn’t get his V8 until the 55 model year.
1955 saw a brand new A body shared by the Chevy and the Pontiac. As part of the value proposition, it had its own styling distinct from Chevrolet, a longer wheelbase and two Silver Streaks. The new V8 was initially a 287c.i. job good for 173-200hp. but would be used in various displacements and versions through 1981. Though the Pontiac in 1955 was the most popular in sales ever up to that point, he was never as loved as Chevy’s Hot Ones. Chevy not only sold over three times as many cars, but the 55 Chevy became a cultural phenomenon then and remains one of the iconic cars of postwar America.
When 1956 rolled around, the Pontiac appeared with only detail changes and a grille arguably even less attractive than in 1955. Sales also dropped to one fourth of Chevy’s still iconic 56 model. The Pontiac knew he remained as always a good value, with his longer wheelbase and V8s more powerful than Chevy’s standard in every model. Why didn’t more people recognize that?
It was at this time that the Pontiac had his moment of existential questioning. Whether it happened on a beach, who’s to say, but he came away determined to make a change. He had a great new caretaker and partner in this quest, Mr. Semon “Bunkie” Knudsen. Mr. Knudsen famously recognized that you can sell a young man’s car to an old man, but you can’t sell an old man’s car to a young man. The quest was to expand the Pontiac’s appeal and market by giving him a more youthful image, with new styling and increased emphasis on performance.
The first step was to immediately drop the Silver Streaks already planned for 1957. The Pontiac asked, “Are you sure? That’s my trademark?” Mr. Knudsen replied “Trust me. Those suspenders are old fashioned. We’re getting you new duds ASAP”. And new duds he got. He also got last minute changes to the side trim and a new midyear model: a Bonneville convertible with up to 310 fuel injected horsepower. In 1958 he had perhaps the most attractive of GM’s new bodies. 1959 was the start of the Wide Track and split grille eras. And we all know where the Pontiac went in the 60’s: a golden era of sales growth, one of the most memorable caretakers he ever had, and some “great ones” that are now some of the best remembered cars of the time.
Sometimes the key to success is to recognize at the right moment that you need to make a big change. If the Pontiac hadn’t changed direction in 1956, maybe some of the most memorable cars of the 60’s wouldn’t have had arrowheads on them.
The Pontiac drives off to an uncertain but eventful future.
Postscript: We were on a short stay in Galveston, TX last fall when I ran across this big Chief. If you’ve never been there, Galveston is an interesting place with a lot of history. It’s the only beach town I’ve been to that has a main road (Seawall Blvd.) running between the beach and the buildings. As such, it may be one of the only sizable beach towns in which you can find a gas station with a direct beach view, as well as a supermarket parking lot, strip centers, etc. It does have a few large hotels/resorts, but in some ways Galveston is more like a regular city that happens to be on the beach rather than a beach resort. It doesn’t have crystal clear water or white sand beaches, but the sand is soft, the dropoffs are extremely gradual, wave sizes vary greatly by day, and if you come in the early fall the crowds are thin, the water is still very warm, and seaweed is minimal. That’s when we always try to make it.
I didn’t get much of the story on this Star Chief. The driver was friendly-ish but in a bit of a hurry. He allowed a few pics including in the interior, but quickly left. The front license plate suggests it’s in the hands of a dealer, while the condition gives the impression of being somebody’s daily or at least semi-daily driver. It’s great to see the Pontiac still kicking after so many years!
photographed in Galveston, TX on October 6, 2020
I love your postscript. There is a few coastal towns here in Oregon that are just as you described.
As a value proposition that car no doubt stands up today, with a 4-door ’56 Pontiac likely being one of the cheaper ways into mid-50s car ownership. If it’s solid mechanically you could probably own it, lose the narrow white stripes, get that front seat restitched or just throw an “Indian blanket” seat cover over it and maybe even paint the roof white to cool off the non-AC interior and still have spent less than a pile of rust that used to be a 2-door ’57 Chevy would cost.
Yeah, you could probably buy this car for less than the taxes on a 57 BelAir hardtop coupe! This car does actually have aftermarket AC, don’t know if it works.
The first ad is fascinating. I’ve never seen the business coupe version of the ’35 Turret-top. It worked out better than the 4-door, which looked clumsy. Also unusual to see a business coupe in an ad at all.
Did the artist get the perspective wrong on the front? The Silver Streak seems to be displaced to one side.
I didn’t intentionally choose the business coupe, I just looked at a bunch of 35 and other early Pontiac pictures and like that one best!
Bice essay! Amongst the goofy features of the ’49 to ’54 Pontiacs is that the body shells were the same but the more expensive the model, the longer the rear end! Thus, a Star Chief was much longer than the base Chieftain Special plus had nicer trim inside and out. But, it was a ridiculous feature that indeed would not appeal to a young person. The 1958 Bonneville was a sharp car. Seeing Pontiacs throughout the 1940’s until their demise, I agree that the change to performance and youthful look was terrific. A young man would be pleased to be seen in a Pontiac.
The opening shot made clear this was last year! $2.29/gallon…Oy. For some reason I can’t recall the last time I saw (or maybe noticed?) a pre-mid 1960s Pontiac. Lots of Chevys and Buicks but no Pontiacs. Looks good in black though, nice find.
Jon, your essays are great, but this one is outstanding – such a fine piece of writing. You would do well to bookmark it for “Best of 2021” when those run later.
I like that Pontiac (as personified by you) made a leap of faith and made some major life changes at that time – a theme I can personally relate to. And I also spend a lot of time on the beach – sometimes contemplating life, and sometimes just the opposite and turning off serious thoughts.
This generation of Pontiac always seems tied in my mind to “I Love Lucy” and the ’55 convertible the Ricardos and the Mertzes drove cross-country. That was a great example of early product placement by Pontiac, if that was intended.
Again, a terrific read.
Thanks, Joseph! This Pontiac would look natural with a long, long trailer attached to it. Hard to believe it ever seemed natural to people to see a convertible used to tow a trailer on a cross country trip!
You’re right, the beach is also a good place to go to turn ones’ brain off completely.
Fred’s Cadillac is on a video. I like the Pontiac, the Cadillac even more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45Cq47ToLg4&t=7s
Yes, 1956 was the turning point in the history of Pontiac, when Knudsen, Estes, and DeLorean as the dream team took over and remade the brand. Pontiac had a great run through the 60s, nipping at Ford Division’s heels as the no. 3 brand in the US.
About the 1955-56 cars GM cars in general, I’ve always had a hard time distinguishing between the two model years, except of course for Chevy. This is because by the time I became car aware around 1958, both model years were frequent sightings on the road. But it’s clear there are a lot of detail differences, and in the case of Pontiac, the ’56 grille/bumper is overwrought compared to the ’55.
I don’t want to imagine where Pontiac would have been if Knudsen, Estes and DeLorean didn’t come to Pontiac. Chances then Pontiac would had been killed more earlier…
One correction: It was “Knudsen,” not “Knudson.” Semon E. “Bunkie” Knudsen, to be precise.
Corrected. Thanks for the heads up!
My 28 year old dad bought an old man’s car, a ’55 Pontiac, as his first new car. As an engineer, he saw the value over a Chevy in more engine and longer wheelbase. I dont know if the extra chrome was a plus or minus in his mind. If GM upper management did not allow Buick to sell the similarly priced Special, Pontiac would have sold a lot better.
“As an engineer, he saw the value over a Chevy in more engine and longer wheelbase.”
Don’t forget the 4 speed Hydra Matic transmission shared with Oldsmobile and Cadillac instead of the Chevrolet-specific PowerGlide.
Yes , the 1956 Pontiac 287 was enough cu. in. , and with hydramatic “ Jetaway “ you had a trans that would burn 12 to 15 mph in first , burn and squeal tires to 30 in second and third gear would take you out past 60 mph . That trans had its own PRNDL . I still catch myself going for Jetaway gears . It had PND2LR and the only way to shift to first , unless you modified it , was to punch pedal to floor . That got things in motion . Note second on 56 Pontiac was marked “ city “ . We have to remember Pontiac was straight eight in 1954 . They tried out the 287 V8 in 1955 , on sand and blacktop at the Daytona 500 . The three Pontiacs came in First , Second and Third . What more can be said ? Please feel free to correct any mistakes or omissions I have made .
When GM quit the Hydramatic , the Turbo 350 and maybe Turbo 400 didn’t measure up . Rolls Royce and Bentley ran them another two or three years . A friend of mine had an old 1964 ? GMC pickup that he bought off cousin . He bought it new with Pontiac 389 and hydramatic trans , a factory deal .
Hey , you could tow to start the Powerglide at 30 mph , in the 60s . You could tow a Hydramatic 15 mph to start it . Always used to park my 1949 – 6volt Cadillac , frame 62 (shorter frame ) one house up the hill ,in NY state in winter so I could roll it to start it . Six volt batteries are weak in cold . It had first year 331 V8 and 2bl carb . go 110 mph . I was a salesman and young and drove 800 miles a week , business and pleasure . This was in 1972 , a 23 year old car. It had two piece windshield and three piece rear window .
Hey , the Hydramatic didn’t have torque converter . It had something called a split coupling , that resembled a torque converter but could be disassembled . The main body was 9 in.steel like a pipe . The alum. bell housing bolted off as well as tail section . They were used in certain applications by many famous auto makers that are gone now , and ones that are still around , including Rolls and Bentley .
Dad got the manual trans, so upgrade from Powerglide to Hydramatic was irrelevant to his purchase.
Great 50s ad copy:
With its unmistakable future-fashioned styling and unforgettable mode-of-tomorrow beauty, it is the most distinctive automobile of the year.
Excellent write up, Jon!
“It’s the only beach town I’ve been to that has a main road (Seawall Blvd.) running between the beach and the buildings”
You will be most welcome to Uruguay, all our beaches are that way!!!
I’d love to come to Uraguay sometime! I’m sure the beaches would be a blast. Someday I’ll make it to South America.
When I was a kid, all the fuel oil delivery trucks had a chain hanging down from the rear of the frame to reach the ground. Sparks would fly. Was common to see automobiles with a rubber ground strap like on this Pontiac at this time. Could purchase these from J.C. Whitney or a “Red Front” store like Pep Boys. I think the oil trucks were required to have a ground here in New York State. Haven’t seen anything like this in many years. My cousin’s BF drove a Pontiac 2 door sedan like this one that had been his father’s. Still a bit of an old man’s car though. An Olds or a Buick would have been more impressive.
Good observation! I hadn’t thought about it, but maybe that strap has been hanging there since 1956!
Good grief. I’d forgot all about those rubber ground straps! Yeah, they used to be visible on numerous cars, didn’t they.
Looked up the ’55–full braces and head gear in the front, but the rest is attractive.
My dad’s first new car was a ’50 Pontiac, bought in Annapolis when he graduated; mine was an ’84 Turbo Sunbird. He never bought another used car after the ’30s Ford he had and hated in high school. He gave it to an old man who wanted to have a car parked in front of his house. I’m on my fourth used Cadillac.
I agree that the 55s are a bit better-looking, but since these are scarcer, it evens out. Black really suits it, as it does most 50s designs. Gives it a more Cold-warish sinister look while making the tons of chrome pop out even more.
Lovely post, perfect CC subject!
A fabulous find! It is a rare treat to watch and listen to an original 50s car in regular service.
Probably the ugliest front end of any car from the Big 3 in ’56. Take a Chevy body and put a ponderous grille/bumper on it and turn it into an old man’s car. Mechanically,a big step up from a Chevy with the standard V-8 and Hydramatic though. As another commenter said, Bunkie, Pete and John Z. got there just in time to save the marque.
When I was a kid we had a 56 Star Chief 4 door hard top in dark grey and white. The colors looked rich, it had fins, it had gobs of chrome, a jukebox dash and it floated down the road. It was a nice car. Sorry to shatter the myth but it as nicer than any GTO ever built. No, never as cool, but much nicer.
This was an enjoyable read—with everything about Galveston a nice bonus!
Interesting that in 1955 the Chevrolet was 3x the Pontiac’s sales. Wiki seems to say that power brakes/steering/etc. were first-time Chevy options for 1955; did that perhaps convince buys just to fancy-up their Chevy, rather than spend the extra for the Pontiac?
BTW, the early-1955 SAE report obviously says nothing about internal policies at GM perhaps holding up the engine, etc.—only that it was “nine years” in development:
Great shots, glad the owner took a few moments for you.
A beautiful car indeed .
At 17 years old or so I had a 1954 Pontiac coupe, straight 8 and hydromatic drive, fully loaded, I fixed everything but the factory A/C and loved that car, I’m sure it was an old man’s car but it was smooth and silent and purred along at 85 on the open highway .
-Nate
Notice the “through the floor” brake pedal. I think Chevrolet got suspended pedals in ’55. Most other makes had suspended pedals by then also. If you were in the “In crowd” you would install a static strap on either side even if you couldn’t afford the dual antennas and spotlights..
I really enjoy reading about the old 55 Pontiac star chief. Mostly because I have one that I bought off a young man a few years back!
The 55 Pontiac was a young man’s car? That’s unexpected!
Hope it does well for you!
In 1956, my Dad graduated from college, he needed a car for his first job (in semiconductors…he picked right, he worked for a bunch of companies but he never had problems getting a job till he retired) since it wasn’t in the same town he lived in…he bought a stripper Plymouth Plaza with no options (maybe a heater since it was Pennsylvania, but no radio, flathead 6 manual transmission). He only owned one Pontiac much later, but he choose poorly as it was the worst car he owned, going through 2 engines in less than 80 k miles despite dealer maintenance per schedule….it was incapacitated by a broken timing belt at less than 1000 miles on the odometer after having been bought new.
I’m embarrassed to say that despite having lived in (central) Texas for almost 40 years, I’ve been to Galveston but once, and that was before I moved here…kind of a “sales” job on me by my Dad before I moved here, it worked well since I moved to Texas the next year. I’m not much of a beach person, so not a dig against Galveston, I hardly visit the Gulf coast. I should get out more admittedly, even to places I’m not drawn to. We visited Astroworld (it was still in operation) and drove back to Dad’s in central Texas, stopping at a Mexican restaurant on the way back home. My parents still had the dog they brought down from Vermont, which promptly chewed us out for leaving it at home, as there was a tremendous (noisy) thunderstorm while we were away..August 1982. I helped him put a ceiling fan in their bedroom (their house predated the ceiling fan rage so we had to put supports up in the attic since the fan is much heavier and moves around than the original light fixture)…which is still in place.
Galveston explains that van in the first photo. I was wracking my brain trying to figure out where the first photo was taken, because the white van behind the Pontiac wasn’t any van sold in the US that I could identify. It looks a bit like a Nissan NV200, but not quite.
But now that I know it’s South Texas, I might take a guess that it’s some Mexican-market van that’s not sold in the US.
In a parking lot yesterday, I saw a Hyundai CUV that I couldn’t identify. I can’t remember the model, but once I saw the Mexican License plates, I knew all bets were off.
That IS a Nissan NV200, just with the wheel covers and the black rub strip options. Most don’t have that but some do, it makes them look a little different than most. The same car was also sold as the Chevy City Express.
Ah.
Instead of chrome fender skirts, I’d have fixed that front seat.
Been wanting to share this for a while:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/inv4JqyfTz255c3s6
Really pops more with two tone, doesn’t it?
I agree with Jon’s preference for the ‘55’s grille. I’ve liked the ‘55 since the first time I saw it, in glorious black-and-white:
Much cleaner.
Those scoops over the headlights do it no favours at all; a styling dead-end. Was it Tom McCahill who said it looked like it had been born nose-first? That front end, while different from the ’55, looks very heavy, with too much visual weight. The rest of the design’s not bad though, and I like the way the Silver Streaks morphed into fender-top trim.
Wonder how many would-be buyers looked at this and decided to hold off for next year’s model – or did they just lap up whatever their favourite brand churned out, because it was new?