Pontiac Star Chief
1957 Pontiac Star Chief
Overview
ManufacturerPontiac (General Motors)
Production1954–1966
Assembly(main plant)
Pontiac, Michigan, United States
(branch assembly)
South Gate, California, United States
Wilmington, Delaware, United States
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Framingham, Massachusetts, United States
Linden, New Jersey, United States
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size
LayoutFR layout
Chronology
PredecessorPontiac Streamliner
SuccessorPontiac Executive

The Pontiac Star Chief is an automobile model which was manufactured by Pontiac between 1954 and 1966. It was Pontiac's top trim package on the Pontiac Chieftain, with later generations built on longer wheelbases, and serving as the foundation platform for the Pontiac Bonneville. The car was easily identified by its chrome star trim along its sides, a feature all Star Chiefs were equipped with.

First generation (1954)

Series 28
1954 Star Chief 2-door hardtop
Overview
Model years1954
Assembly(main plant)
Pontiac, Michigan, United States (Pontiac Assembly)
(branch assembly)
Framingham, Massachusetts, United States (Framingham Assembly)
Kansas City, Kansas, United States (Fairfax Assembly)
Linden, New Jersey, United States (Linden Assembly)
Wilmington, Delaware, United States (Wilmington Assembly)
Body and chassis
Body style2-door hardtop
2-door convertible
4-door sedan
PlatformA-body
RelatedPontiac Chieftain
Pontiac Strato-Streak
Chevrolet Bel Air
Powertrain
Engine268 cu in (4.39 L) straight-eight I8
Dimensions
Wheelbase1954: 124 in (3,100 mm)
Other Pontiacs:
1949-51: 120.0 in (3,050 mm)
1952-54: 122.0 in (3,100 mm)
Length1954: 213 in (5,400 mm)
Other Pontiacs:
1949-51: 5,143.5 mm (202.50 in)
1952: 5,143.5 mm (202.50 in)
1953–1954: 5,149.85 mm (202.750 in)
Width75.8 in (1,925 mm)(1949–1952)
76.6 in (1,946 mm)"(1953–1954)

Between 1954 and 1957, the Star Chief was Pontiac's prestige model and was based on the Pontiac Chieftain. In 1954, Pontiac also introduced air conditioning with all the components under the hood, a first for the price range.[1] Seat belts were added as options in 1956.[2] The Star Chief was available in Deluxe and pricier Custom trim, with the top trim level hardtop called the Catalina.

Prior to the introduction of the Star Chief, all Pontiacs had shared the modest wheelbase of the Chevrolet since the beginning of Pontiac. The introduction of this new premier model in 1954 was the first application of the longer 123.5 inch (313.7 cm) wheelbase of the junior Oldsmobiles and Buicks to the Pontiac division. The car was still on the A platform, but with 11 in (28 cm) added towards the rear of the frame.[3] Power the first year came from Pontiac's venerable straight eight engine, with the six-cylinder not available. The eight produced 127 hp (95 kW) in the Star Chief, five more than when fitted to other Pontiacs.[4]

1954 Star Chief sedan

Second generation (1955-1957)

Series 28
1955 Star Chief convertible
Overview
Model years1955–1957
Assembly(main plant)
Pontiac, Michigan, United States (Pontiac Assembly)
(branch assembly)
Arlington, Texas, United States (Arlington Assembly)
Doraville, Georgia, United States (Doraville Assembly) "Atlanta"
Framingham, Massachusetts, United States (Framingham Assembly)
Kansas City, Kansas, United States (Fairfax Assembly)
Linden, New Jersey, United States (Linden Assembly)
South Gate, California, United States (South Gate Assembly)
Wilmington, Delaware, United States (Wilmington Assembly)
Body and chassis
Body style2-door hardtop
2-door convertible
2-door station wagon
4-door station wagon
4-door sedan
4-door hardtop
PlatformA-body
RelatedPontiac Chieftain
Chevrolet Bel Air
Powertrain
Engine287 cu in (4.7 L) Strato Streak V8 (1955)
316.6 cu in (5.2 L) V8 (1956)
347 cu in (5.7 L) V8 (1957)
Transmission3-speed manual
3-speed Strato-Flight Hydra-Matic[1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase124 in (3,100 mm)[1]
Length213.7 in (5,430 mm)
Width76.6 in (1,950 mm)
Curb weight3,860 lb (1,750 kg)

Along with an all-new body, the straight-eight was superseded by the new Strato Streak V-8 power in 1955.[3] Typical for the 1955 Pontiacs is the design with two wide "Silver Streaks" running the length of the hood. The hood ornament “Indian” was amber plastic that lit up when the headlights were turned on. Also for 1955, the new Star Chief Safari two door hardtop wagon, which was similar to Chevrolet's Bel Air Nomad, was introduced, shared with the Pontiac Chieftain. This variant lasted through 1957; after that the Safari name was used for all of the division's standard four door wagons. The Safari was introduced on January 31, 1955, over three months behind the rest of the 1955s. Prices listed for the Star Chief averaged at US$2,594 ($28,337 in 2022 dollars [5]) and 203,404 were recorded to have been manufactured in 1955.[1]

When the storyline of I Love Lucy pointed towards a Hollywood setting in the 1954-1955 season, the characters drove (in episode 110, "California Here We Come") to the West Coast in a red on white 1955 Star Chief convertible, that in the previous episode "Lucy Learns to Drive" was "bumped together" with a 1922 Cadillac Type V-63.[6] General Motors was a sponsor of the show and the Pontiac was used several times for product placement.[7]

The Safari was not quite part of the Star Chief line, as it sat on the shorter Chieftain 122 in (3,100 mm) wheelbase. It was officially part of the "27 series", whereas the longer Star Chief received the "28 series" designation.[3] In January 1957, some time after the rest of the new models, the four-door "Custom Safari Transcontinental" station wagon was introduced.[3]

For 1956 the design was lightly revised, with heavier looking bumpers and a vertical slash on the front door above the swage line. In 1957, the high performance Star Chief Custom Bonneville was introduced as part of its divisional head's push to raise the marque out of the doldrums. The silver streaks running down the hood were dropped for the new "Star Flight" design. All gauges were placed in an oval on the dash and the side trim had a missile-shaped spear behind the front door.

Third generation (1958)

1958 Pontiac Star Chief Catalina 2-door hardtop
Series 27/28
1958 Pontiac Star Chief Custom 4-door sedan Golden Jubilee Edition
Overview
Model years1958
Assembly(main plant)
Pontiac, Michigan, United States (Pontiac Assembly)
(branch assembly)
Doraville, Georgia, United States (Doraville Assembly) "Atlanta"
Kansas City, Kansas, United States (Fairfax Assembly)
South Gate, California, United States (South Gate Assembly)
Wilmington, Delaware, United States (Wilmington Assembly)
Body and chassis
Body style2-door hardtop
4-door station wagon
4-door sedan
4-door hardtop
LayoutFR layout[8]
PlatformGM B platform
RelatedPontiac Bonneville
Chevrolet Impala
Dimensions
Wheelbase122 in (3,100 mm) (Safari)
124 in (3,100 mm)
Width77.4 in (1,966 mm)

In 1957, the "Limited Addition" Pontiac Bonneville were sold to customers. They featured Bonniville Badging, Chevy's manual linkage fuel injection systems mounted on Pontiacs 347 cid V-8 engine. The transmission was a Jetaway 4 speed automatic. In 1958, the Bonneville was first given its own position in the Pontiac lineup as the ultimate Pontiac, and was only available as a two-door hardtop and two-door convertible. While no longer Pontiac's prestige model, the Star Chief remained a well-appointed car, and the division's finest four door hardtops and sedans. The 1958 Star Chief received all-new bodywork and an updated chassis with an appearance that was shared with all GM cars for that year. The body was considerably longer and lower, and featured a new honeycomb grille design and twin headlamps.[3] The sedans and coupé models all shared the longer 124 inch wheelbase, while the Custom Safari model remained on a chassis two inches shorter, shared with the lesser Chieftain.[3] In spite of the new bodywork, sales of the 1958 Star Chief dropped precipitously; down by around 60% while Pontiac's overall sales dropped by more than a third. 1958 was also the year the "Silver Streak" styling feature was no longer offered, which was first used in 1933.[3]

1958 Star Chief Custom Safari (model 2793 SD)

The engine was updated from the 347 cu in (5.7 L) unit used in 1957 to a slightly bored out 370 cu in (6.1 L) version. Power only increased marginally, to 255 hp (190 kW) for the manual version, while the most powerful "PM" option was now up to 330 hp (246 kW).[3]

Fourth generation (1959-1960)

Series 24
1959 Star Chief
Overview
Model years1959-1960
Assembly(main plant)
Pontiac, Michigan, United States (Pontiac Assembly)
(branch assembly)
Kansas City, Kansas, United States (Fairfax Assembly)
South Gate, California, United States (South Gate Assembly)
Body and chassis
Body style2-door sedan
4-door sedan
4-door hardtop
LayoutFR layout[8]
PlatformGM B platform
RelatedPontiac Bonneville
Chevrolet Impala
Dimensions
Wheelbase124 in (3,150 mm)
Length215.5 in (5,474 mm) (cars)
210.5 in (5,347 mm) (wagons)[1]
Width80 in (2,032 mm)
Height56.4 in (1,433 mm)

In 1959, when the Bonneville gained a full range of body styles, the Star Chief was limited to sedans and hardtops, while the Bonneville and the new Catalina models received the lion's share of Pontiac's attention in the marketplace. In 1959, the Star Chief made 17.97% of Pontiac sales.[1] This was also the first year of the "wide-track" Pontiacs with a front tread width of 63.7 in (1,618 mm) and rear tread width of 64 in (1,626 mm).[3]

In 1960, the new Ventura was introduced, and the Star Chief was thereafter limited to four door sedans and hardtops. This was a novel, but unsuccessful approach. The Star Chief was equipped and powered in a manner similar to the lower-priced, slightly smaller Catalina series.[3]

The Ventura was more lavishly equipped in the manner of the high-line Bonneville, but was available with only two doors and rode the Catalina's slightly shorter wheelbase. This gave sedan buyers of modest means a larger choice than Catalina for only slightly more money, and gave upscale coupe buyers a lighter, sprightlier alternative to the big Bonneville. The Ventura lasted only through 1961, and was replaced by the even sportier new Grand Prix. The Star Chief continued to be available only with four doors through the end of production. Compared to the Catalina, the Star Chief was equipped only very slightly more lavishly; the major additional interior feature was the electric clock.[3]

1960 Pontiac Star Chief Sedan

Fifth generation (1961-1964)

Series 26
1961 Star Chief Sedan
Overview
Model years1961–1964
Assembly(main plant)
Pontiac, Michigan, United States (Pontiac Assembly)
(branch assembly)
Doraville, Georgia, United States (Doraville Assembly)
Kansas City, Kansas, United States (Fairfax Assembly)
South Gate, California, United States (South Gate Assembly)
Body and chassis
Body style4-door sedan
4-door hardtop
LayoutFR layout
PlatformB-body
RelatedPontiac Bonneville
Chevrolet Impala
Dimensions
Wheelbase123 in (3,124 mm)
Length218.6 in (5,552 mm) [9]

For 1962, Pontiac offered a 421 cu in (7 L) Super Duty V8 with two four-barrel carburetors, rated at 405 hp (302 kW), as a US$2,250 option as the base Star Chief listed at US$3,097 ($29,962 in 2022 dollars [5]).[10] A rare option, it was probably never ordered on this somewhat heavy sedan. As in the other Pontiac series, the 4-door hardtop was designated the Star Chief Vista. Bonneville taillights and the three chrome stars on each side continued to distinguish the car from the Catalina. The stars were located either on the roof or rear fender, depending on year. No wagons were offered. All Safari wagons during this period (including the Bonneville Safari) rode the four and a half inch shorter wheelbase shared by Chevrolet and Catalina.[3]

Sixth generation (1965-1966)

1966 Pontiac Star Chief Executive sedan
Series 256
Overview
Model years1965–1966
Assembly(main plant)
Pontiac, Michigan, United States (Pontiac Assembly)
(branch assembly)
Kansas City, Kansas, United States (Fairfax Assembly)
South Gate, California, United States (South Gate Assembly)
Body and chassis
Body style2-door hardtop
4-door sedan
4-door hardtop
LayoutFR layout
PlatformB-body
RelatedPontiac Bonneville
Chevrolet Impala
Dimensions
Wheelbase124 in (3,150 mm)

For 1966, the car was renamed the Star Chief Executive as the first step towards retiring the name, which by the mid-1960s had become dated. For 1967, Pontiac dropped the Star Chief name for United States sales and renamed the mid-priced model the Executive.

In Canada, Pontiac models used Chevrolet drivelines for greater economy. To ensure that used car buyers in the U.S. were not sold less expensive Canadian models, different series names were used. The Canadian equivalent to the Star Chief was called Laurentian. Nonetheless, Pontiac offered a similarly-named series called the Strato Chief, but this model was the lowest-priced big Canadian Pontiac.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Flory Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5.
  2. ↑ Gunnell, John A., ed. (1982). Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. krause publications. ISBN 0-87341-027-0.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Gunnell, John; Kowalke, Ron (1995). Standard Catalog of Pontiac, 1926-1995. Iola, WI: Krause Publications, Inc. pp. 63–72. ISBN 0-87341-369-5.
  4. ↑ "Directory Index: Pontiac/1954 Pontiac/album". Oldcarbrochures.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-05. Retrieved 2011-11-12.
  5. 1 2 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  6. ↑ 1922 Cadillac Lucille Ball
  7. ↑ "Top 50 TV Cars Of All Time: No. 18, I Love Lucy's 1955 Pontiac". Street Muscle Magazine. Power Automedia. 10 October 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  8. 1 2 "1957 Pontiac Star Chief Technical Specifications and data. Engine, Dimensions and Mechanical details. (Star Chief Custom, Series 27, Series 28, Catalina, Bonneville Convertible)". Conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 2011-11-12.
  9. ↑ "Directory Index: Pontiac/1962_Pontiac/album". Oldcarbrochures.com. Archived from the original on 2013-04-29. Retrieved 2011-11-12.
  10. ↑ Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. American Cars 1960-1972 (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2004), pp.191 & 193.
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