1955 Pontiac Chieftain

Pontiac resumed civilian automobile production following World War II with mildly updated versions of its pre-war products. Models included the Torpedo and Streamliner with both offered with either a six- or eight-cylinder engine with the 239.2 CID six delivering 90 horsepower and the 248.9 CID Eight developing 103 horsepower. The Hydra-Matic transmission was introduced in 1948, and new, modern, redesigned bodies with integral rear fenders, and lower lines appeared in 1949. The Catalina two-door hardtop body style was introduced a year later and the eight-cylinder engine displacement grew to 268.2 cubic-inches, and power was rated at 108 hp at 3,600 RPM.

By 1954, the Pontiac model line included the Chieftain and the Star Chief, both offered with either six- or eight-cylinder power, the 239.2 CID six now offering 115 horsepower and the 268.4 CID eight producing 122 horsepower.

Completely new bodies were introduced for 1955, resting on a lower chassis and wearing all-new steel body panels. The Pontiac model lineup included the Chieftain, offering in the Special, Deluxe, and Custom trim level, and the Star Chief offered as a sedan or convertible, or a Custom trim-level sedan or Catalina hardtop. The only engine was an overhead-valve, 287.2 CID V8 with a Carter two-barrel carburetor (or Rochester two-barrel), five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and 173 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. With the Hydra-Matic, power rose to 180 horsepower. The standard transmission was a three-speed synchromesh gearbox with column-mounted gearshift controls.

The Chieftain Special trim level body styles included a two- and four-door sedan, and a station wagon. The Deluxe trim level added a Deluxe Catalina Hardtop, and the Custom trim level was offered solely as a two-door Safari wagon with seating for six. Both the Special and Custom four-door sedan were popular, with 65,155 and 91.187 examples produced respectively. The two doors were also popular, with 58,654 of the Special two-door and 28,950 of the Deluxe. 72,608 were Deluxe Catalina Hardtops, having a base price of $2,335.

Much of the 1955 Pontiac styling was shared with contemporary Buicks and Chevrolets, with the Chieftains having a compound curved windshield that was lower and wider, with straight-through fender lines. Bright trim work and two-tone paint jobs adorned the bodies, with the hoods receiving a wide stainless strip down each side. The large front bumper was divided, positioned within the rounded grille.

The Pontiac Chieftains rested on a wheelbase that measured 122 inches while the Star Chief models were slightly larger, measuring 124 inches. The Chieftains station wagons had a length of 202.9-inches while the rest of the bodies measured 203.2 inches. The Star Chief had a length of 210.2 inches. Pontiac's Custom Safari Wagon was the counterpart to the Chevrolet Nomad, with the Nomads finding 8,530 buyers compared to the 3,760 examples of the Pontiac.

A long list of options was offered on both models, including fender skirts, power windows, power steering, power brakes, padded dashboard, E-Z-Eye glass, dual fog lamps, rear seat speaker, electric antenna, outside rearview mirror, traffic light viewer, exhaust deflector, Autronic Eye, backup lamps, and more.

The public agreed with Pontiac's new styling, and over 500,000 units were sold for the first time, placing the company sixth on the sales list for the year.

by Dan Vaughan

As World War II ground to a halt in the late 1940's, production once again resumed at the Pontiac Motors Division of General Motors. Commissioned by the Government in 1942, Pontiac had assisted in the creation of rocket bombs throughout the duration of the war. Embroiled in the midst of the hysteria of a Communist Witch Hunt, in 1951, America also found itself of the long-lasting Korean War. At this time, American automobiles were stuck in the rut between the tank-like creations of the 40's, and the rocket-tailfin-like stylistic barges of the mid 1950's. The American public was exactly ready for 'compacts' yet.

Pontiac's were always viewed as reliable, value-packed, yet totally predictable in appearance prior to World War II. For those that find themselves in the middle-income bracket, the 'Middle Car' was best suited for middle-aged, middle-of-the-road buyers. Very clearly out of the loop compared to the sporty boom of the Post War Period, Pontiac was, unfortunately, missing out on the youth market.

This all changed in 1949 when Pontiac realized that to meet the market demand they would need to step it up. Developing newly designed bodies, these newly released vehicles came with lower fender lines and longer hoods. An instantaneous hit, the new 'youthful' styling in small rear fender humps that resembled small wheel's, were popular with the American public.

American auto sales had rocketed to 5.1 million by 1949. With the best road system at their disposal, Americans were ready for new automobiles that rid themselves of the tired 1940's style and expressed their optimism and confidence. Propelled by advertising and financed by America's post-war affluence, the 1950's revolution in automotive styling and engineering soared.

Not much variation in the Pontiac lineup from where it left off in 1942, post-war production began again in 1946. Following several years of updates to fit the general public's needs, Pontiac production soars, making 1950 the best year in the automotive industry to date. The Chieftain Super Deluxe Catalina Coupe was showcased in 1950.

Produced by the Pontiac Motors Division of General Motors from 1949 until 1958, the Pontiac Chieftain was introduced. Five years later, the Pontiac Star Chief Custom Safari was unveiled to the public. A variation on the Chieftain Super Deluxe Catalina Coupe, the Pontiac Star Chief Catalina Coupe was introduced in 1956.

Part of Pontiac's full-sized automobile line, the Catalina was a name that was initially used strictly to denote hardtop body styles. Originally appearing in the 1950 Chieftain Eight and DeLuxe lines, the Catalina eventually became its own separate and unique model in 1959, as the 'entry level' full-size Pontiac.

The top of the line model at the time for Pontiac, the 1950 Chieftain Hardtop, Series 25/27, was also dubbed the name Catalina. Featuring pillar-less design in both the door and window areas, along with the top-grade convertible appointments, these 'hard-top convertibles' were both airy and had a hard to resist sporty-feeling.

Rather than having a fixed-roof design, these models offered the appeal of the sport car without the drawbacks and expense that was normally associated with convertible top vehicles. From 1950 to 1958, all Pontiac hardtops were designated 'Catalina' with the exception of the 58 Bonneville hardtop. At the time of its debut, the Chieftain Hardtop was powered by a straight-8 'flathead' engine, before eventually receiving Pontiac's new V8, the 287 in³ OHV four years later.

The Chieftain name for Pontiac's entry-level model was dropped in 1959 and renamed Catalina. The once top-line Star Chief was dropped to mid-line status as the Bonneville nameplate was expanded to encompass a full series that included sedans, coupes, convertibles and Safari station wagons. The Catalina, as well as the more luxurious Bonneville, was eventually discontinued following the 1981 model year as part of GM's continued downsizing program, Pontiac strove to abandon the full-sized car market.

An equivalent of the Catalina model was produced by GM of Canada called Laurentian and was initially the mid-priced Pontiac. Placed between the budget-priced Strato-Chief and the de luxe Parisenne, the Laurentian's utilized a full-sized Chevrolet chassis, drive trains, and other various parts, Pontiac fenders and instrument panels. Though almost identical in appearance to the U.S. Pontiac Catalina, the Laurentian had much more in common with a Chevy Impala. Only produced for the Canadian market, Laurentians were never sold in the U.S., and were available in all the body styles used for the U.S. Catalina, including the hardtops.

In 1951, a total of 1,382 units were produced, while the numbers dropped to 984 in 1952. The numbers rose once again in 1953 to 1,324 units produced.

by Jessican Donaldson