[67drake]

OK. I might be premature in this, but I just put a deposit on this to hold until I can check it out in person. I’ve talked with the seller extensively, and got every pic and video I could throw at him. So 99% sure this is my new ride!
Not a perfect car by any means, but it reminds me of my ‘63 LeMans as far as being solid. It was painted in ‘07. My garage is climate controlled all year long, so it should look this good for awhile.

[67drake]

More

[67drake]

And

[b-man]

That thing is sweet.

Appears someone painted the suspenders on the hood black.

Super neat car, 1955 was great year for GM.

When it’s time for tires….wide whites for the win!

If you get the itch for more horsepower a 1959 389 bolts right in with a minor modification to the crank flange to accept the 1955 flex plate. The standard 2-barrel 389 makes 280 horsepower which is a nice 100 horsepower bump over the 287.

[67drake]

Originally Posted by b-man

That thing is sweet.

Appears someone painted the suspenders on the hood black.

Super neat car, 1955 was great year for GM.

When it’s time for tires….wide whites for the win!

If you get the itch for more horsepower a 1959 389 bolts right in with a minor modification to the crank flange to accept the 1955 flex plate. The standard 2-barrel 389 makes 280 horsepower which is a nice 100 horsepower bump over the 287.

Thanks.
The headliner/visors are a little rough, as well as the door cards. Seats were reupholstered by the previous previous owner years ago, but not that cool two tone leather, it’s kind of a tweed. More comfortable, but not as sharp as the leather.
Only things non operational that I could think of is the cigarette lighter blows the fuse, and turn signal indicators on the dash don’t work, but the signals themselves do.
I really like the light up hood ornaments, this car doesn’t have one.
How are the strips on the hood supposed to be? These look like stainless on top, but blacked out in the recesses. The guy spent big bucks rechroming the bumpers and misc pieces, so maybe he was unaware of what the hood pieces were supposed to look like?
You can kind of see them in the dashboard pic.

[67drake]

Also, anyone know if this is a reproduction of the original seat material?
I read in an old brochure that it could be cloth or leather?
These are in “OK” shape still, I’d rather put my money elsewhere for now, but maybe go leather down the road.

[b-man]

The hood trim is likely the way it’s supposed to be, from the angle of the photo they looked black.

[67drake]

Originally Posted by b-man

The hood trim is likely the way it’s supposed to be, from the angle of the photo they looked black.

Yeah, that was one of the low res pics from the ad. It does look almost all black in the first pic.

[stevep]

Those seat cover are not close to the original. Is it a Star Chief Deluxe or a Star Chief Custom Catalina?

[67drake]

Star chief custom Catalina.
Just figured I’d ask. I’ll have to dig a little to see if I can find what the fabric looked like. Not a big deal though, it wasn’t represented as an original car.
Like I mentioned, the two tone leather looks sharp.

[Safari Larry]

It is unlikely that colors of the car are original. Leather upholstery for green/white was not offered on the Star Chief Custom Catalina in '55. You can find out what the original color and upholster was in the car from the Fisher Body Data Plate (often called "cowl tag" because it is on the cowl, passenger's side). To decode the information on the cowl tag, see this link.

[Bill Hanlon]

Larry was a bit quick on the trigger with the cowl info. He was probably referring to this https://www.pontiacsafari.com/L1Earl...ags/index.html
page on his web site.

[67drake]

Thanks guys. If I’m remembering right, the car was originally green /cream. I’ve looked at so many cars in the last few weeks I can’t remember.
Actually,I think I’ll have the guy snap a pic for me.

[Safari Larry]

Originally Posted by Bill Hanlon

He was probably referring to this https://www.pontiacsafari.com/L1Earl...ags/index.html
page on his web site.

Bill, that is the link at the end of my post where it says "this link".
That link and a pic of the cowl tag will allow him to decode the original colors/material of the upholstery, and the colors won't match the car's current paint colors. In the end, it really doesn't matter much, if he likes the current colors, he shouldn't be too concerned about originality. He should do whatever he wants with upholstery without being constrained with originality.

[Bill Hanlon]

Sorry Larry, I didn't notice the link hidden under the words "this link".

[Safari Larry]

No problem Bill, my link wasn't obvious and yours was. You did it the better way and I appreciate you checking to insure I don't do anything stupid! If i include a link like that again, I'll make it more obvious.

[67drake]

This is the photo from the seller. I can’t make anything out on it, unless anyone else can, I’ll just wait till I get the car.

[Safari Larry]

I can't make it out either. All I get from it is the P after BODY No, meaning it was assembled at the Pontiac MI plant. Get the car and enjoy it for what it is.