1956 Pontiac Star Chief Catalina Custom Sedan 

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.  Seat belts were added as options in 1956.  The Star Chief was available in Deluxe and pricier Custom trim, with the top trim level hardtop called the Catalina.

For consignment, under the mantra the more chrome the more buyers, this top of the line trimmed Catalina does not disappoint on the bling front.  Some recent re-chroming and a new rear bumper, (included with the sale but not mounted), along with some nifty 50's colors, small but mighty fins, and an original interior which may need TLC, but its ORIGINAL, are all in for the sale and ready to roll out the large bay doors here at Classic Auto Mall.  All owned by 1 family for all these years!

Exterior
A massive chrome bumper with a fat lower contains the signal lights and a wide midsection with “Dagmars” all chromed and even more for the grille upper surround and we've only just begun!  Chrome bezels surround a single round headlight with a bump up visor above; also chromed are on the edges of each front quarter.  Ribbed belts start at the grille top and flow upward and race to the windshield which is a wrap around style and also has chrome trimming surrounds.  In the center of the hood is the quintessential jet age plane, interestingly a flying wing not unlike the modern day SR-72, (how'd they know?), with plastic bullet styled engine in amber.  Just below around the curve of the hopped as it descends to the grille is P O N T I A C badging in grandmother's handwriting and of course…CHROMED!  As we continue, I should mention the car does have some paint on it, that being the front 1/2 upper front quarters and roof are bathed in Sandalwood Tan.  The remainder of the car is Sun Beige, and is nearly matching the original of this car.  Paint is excellent and use a few respray overs are noted where some chips were taken care of.  Back to the chrome as we need to note the trim spear starting upfront on the quarters mid headlight and moving rearward to die within the rear doors.  This spear is met by a descending swoop trimming mid front door delineating the tan and beige. On back, aft of the rear doors, the spear makes a comeback and sports horizontal rectangular cutouts which melt into the visored round tail light bezels and more upper flat ribbed banding for the fin toppers.  A series of 50's styled stars lineup in chrome on the back of the trunk lid and another big chromed bumper with large chromed exhaust tips.  Wrap around rear glass, wide whitewalls with turbine styled hubcaps and a bit more chrome aft of the rear wheel wells, and YOWZA, I told you there was chrome aplenty.

Interior
Original with come cracked rust and copper colored leather and broadcloth two tone benches in front and rear.   The doors sport the color scheme and show they also need some TLC. There are square textured aluminum panels showing on these doors not to be outdone by the exterior.  The original wrap around dash is full metal and copper for the top and some beige for the front lowers.  In the midsection of where all the business is mounted, like the crescent speedo bakelite knobs and round gauges flanking below on either side of the speedo.  An original AM radio is on with large bakelite cream aged buttons and knobs..just fab!  Vertically oriented rectangular gauges indicate water tempo and air flow and flank the copper steering column.  On top is the original steering wheel, large and in charge waiting for the driver's hands to take control.  Copper carpeting which has some smudging is seen on the floors, and as the dash continues to the passenger side, more round instruments, a glove box and some stylized “Star Chief” badging in grandmother's handwriting although she may have a snootful to get this stylized!  The headliner is solid cream but overall is not ripped and delineated in the seams by chromed metal ribbing.

Drivetrain
Under the hood is a 317ci V8 original to the car complete with a fresh tune up.  It is rated at 227 hp and is topped with a single factory 4bbl carburetor.  On back is a freshly rebuilt Hydramatic 4-speed automatic transmission, and way back is a 3.23 rear axle with new bearings and seals.  Dual exhaust and glasspack style mufflers are there for the exhale.  All over the engine is black and nicely preserved and fairly clean.

Undercarriage
Some light surface rust is noted where original undercoating has worn off, some is still there but mostly worn off.  A few areas of invasive rust are noted mostly on the rockers near the wheel wells.  The X frame remains solid and Independent coli spring suspension is on front and leaf springs provide the ride for the back.  Power drum braking is on all corners with new wheel cylinders and a rebuilt treadle vac unit.  

Drive-Ability
A neat car to drive and talk about a head turner.  I took this one through the McDonalds drive through, (a tradition of mine when in a cool car), and it turned heads elicited beeps and plenty of waves.  The chicken nuggets were great and I ate them in the car, (I didn't, but the story sounds good).  Good acceleration, bias free braking, and smooth shifting make for an all around great ride.  The clock did not work, but it did not faze me because I did not care about time when behind the wheel of this piece of Pontiac art!

Just an awesome 1 family owned car since new, the right colors, plenty of bling, and a snappy original all be it worn, interior, it is so cool.  Can't ya tell by the word count on this description?  I'll just say I'm lovin' it but that may be the McNuggets talking..gotta go!

W856H12600

W-Wilmington, DE Assy Plant
8-28 Series
56-1956
H-Hydramatic
12600-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

STYLE NO 56 2938sd-1956 Star Chief Catalina Sedan
BODY NO BW4544-Wilmington Body #
TRIM NO 255-Rust Pattern Cloth, Beige Leather
PAINT NO NP-Sandalwood Tan, Sun Beige

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.