[cuz68]

All i can say is WOW those sure are great looking Pontiacs, Thanks for the photos.

[Poncho60]

My 1st 60 was a Catalina vista...Bristol blue & white top......grey / white interior + the rubber mats. I really loved that car, but it wasn't the hot setup for driving Chicago traffic by the time I moved there in 1970. Enough about the 60s...back to the 59 focus.

[U47]

The 59 StarChief is a car in transition. Once the flagship of the Pontiac line, the 57 marks the first year that it's #1 place was down graded and will eventually be eliminated in the 1966 model, you will recall 1965 the car is called StarChief-Executive and in 1966 just the Executive. 1959 StarChief does not have a Convertible, two door hardtop, or a Safari wagon. Just a 2 dr. sports sedan , 4 dr. sedan and a four door hard top. The 2 dr. sport sedan is gone in 1961. All part of Knudsen's original plan to eliminate any Indian name besides the name-symbol "Pontiac" to the cars. Gone are names as Chieftain, SuperChief, StarChief and the Indian head except in the high beam indicator for trademark purposes at the time.

[Centurion]

U47, yes, it's very interesting to observe what was happening with the Star Chief series in '59. Despite sharing the larger body with the Bonneville, Pontiac was careful to avoid overlap in body styles, with the exception of the Vista 4-door hardtop.

The local owner of the '59 Bonneville Vista (solid Cameo Ivory shown earlier in this topic) had described the '59 Star Chief as a "Bonneville with Catalina trim", but I do not believe this is an accurate description. Perhaps Pontiac was being careful not to lose any existing Star Chief loyalists, because the car seems to me to be only slightly downgraded compared to the Bonneville series. The interior lacks the fancy tri-tone vinyl, the passenger side assist handle, and the bright headliner moldings, but still strikes me as a significant step up compared to the '59 Catalina. In my view, there was a far greater difference between the Catalina and Star Chief than between the Star Chief and Bonneville, allowing room for the introduction of the Ventura in 1960. Was the Ventura regarded as a separate series in 1960, or was it essentially a trim option on the Catalina series?

[Poncho60]

60 Ventura was a separate line in the "catalog / lit". Only consisted of 2 & 4 door hardtop (vista).

[U47]

Originally Posted by Centurion

U47, yes, it's very interesting to observe what was happening with the Star Chief series in '59. Despite sharing the larger body with the Bonneville, Pontiac was careful to avoid overlap in body styles, with the exception of the Vista 4-door hardtop.

The local owner of the '59 Bonneville Vista (solid Cameo Ivory shown earlier in this topic) had described the '59 Star Chief as a "Bonneville with Catalina trim", but I do not believe this is an accurate description. Perhaps Pontiac was being careful not to lose any existing Star Chief loyalists, because the car seems to me to be only slightly downgraded compared to the Bonneville series. The interior lacks the fancy tri-tone vinyl, the passenger side assist handle, and the bright headliner moldings, but still strikes me as a significant step up compared to the '59 Catalina. In my view, there was a far greater difference between the Catalina and Star Chief than between the Star Chief and Bonneville, allowing room for the introduction of the Ventura in 1960. Was the Ventura regarded as a separate series in 1960, or was it essentially a trim option on the Catalina series?

Yes you are correct, and the the Ventura is a separate series for 60-61 and then becomes a upgraded trim option on Catalina afterward. The 62 Grand Prix essentially took the Ventura concept of 60 & 61 and raised it even higher. I mentioned my dad's special ordered Catalina with the NASCAR hand built 389 Tri-Power and complete Tri-Tone leather Bonneville interior. Perhaps there was enough pressure to make a more luxurious interior Catalina/short wheelbase and hence Ventura and later G/P. I know one thing, our Catalina just made it into the garage. A seven inch longer Bonneville or StarChief wouldn't have fit!

[CATBIRD]

Dual exhausts were an extra cost option on all engines in 1959 except for both versions of the 420A. Even the 315hp Tri-Power came standard with single exhaust……John

[Centurion]

Confirmed, as you all figured out before me, that the car has the 2-bbl 389. The dual exhausts were added to the car in 1994.

cballweg was asking for some fuel filter photos, etc., so here goes. As noted previously, when the top-end was rebuilt and the engine painted, I don't think the rebuilder picked a correct color match for the Pontiac blue engine paint.

[U47]

Originally Posted by Centurion

Confirmed, as you all figured out before me, that the car has the 2-bbl 389. The dual exhausts were added to the car in 1994.

cballweg was asking for some fuel filter photos, etc., so here goes. As noted previously, when the top-end was rebuilt and the engine painted, I don't think the rebuilder picked a correct color match for the Pontiac blue engine paint.

That baby blue color comes on some 57 and all 1958 to 1965 V-8's is correct on your 59 389" " Tempest " V-8.
The original name for the Pontiac V-8 in 1955 " is the Strato Streak " V-8 and becomes the Tempest V-8 from 1958 to 1960 and then the " Trophy V-8" from 1961-1964.
FYI, 59 will be the last year for the superior "reverse flow" engine cooling and 59 is the first year for block motor mounting.

[cballweg]

Thanks for the gas filter photos.The one I seen from a post on here with tri-power had the filter up on top of motor in front of the carbs but yours is probaly correct position for a 2-barrel carb and the paint is the correct color on motor also.The metallic draker blue came out in 1966 I believe or close to that.

[Centurion]

Thanks for the information regarding the engine color.

I shot a few photos at my office recently, and the lighting was cool at the end of the work day.

[U47]

Originally Posted by cballweg

Thanks for the gas filter photos.The one I seen from a post on here with tri-power had the filter up on top of motor in front of the carbs but yours is probaly correct position for a 2-barrel carb and the paint is the correct color on motor also.The metallic draker blue came out in 1966 I believe or close to that.

Originally the Pontiac V-8 was painted a dark green just like the flathead six and eight through 1957 the exception is the 57 Bonneville FI engine and the engines from 1958 to 1965 which was painted Bunkie Knudsen's color powder blue. The light metallic blue engine color from 1966 and for the remainder of the 60's was changed by John DeLorean. I call it DeLorean blue. Just a FYI all engines with reverse flow cooling ( 1955-1959) have the short hoses connecting to the cylinder heads painted the color of the engine because those hoses were put on before the engines were painted.

[pontiacfarmer]

Gratulations to a nice find
I wish I stumble over something 58-66 in that cond
seems that all I finds on craigs is .. junk

regards stig

[cballweg]

Check these 1959 photos out DFW