1955 Pontiac Chieftain Four door sedan-870 287 c.i. V8 from North America
Summary:
Great old cruiser. Never to be a custom or hotrod
Faults:
Well gee guys, this car is 54 years old. I bought it from a man that had it stored in a barn for some ten years or so.
Put a new battery and a set of tires on it. Poured some gas in the carb and she fired right up. Had to replace the head gaskets, which gave me a chance to look inside the motor. No ring groves, put new points and an alternator for convenience.
The interior is all original and beginning to show her age a little. I am in the process of prepping her for a new paint job and maybe a replacement interior, as original as possible of course.
This old girl runs and drives like cars were designed to way back when. Wish I could live long enough to see how the current junk Detroit is producing now will look in 54 years.
I am proud to be able to bring this nice old gal back to life, and make her all pretty again.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 16th February, 2009
8th Sep 2008, 10:27
You mention rebuilding the engine on this '55. I have a question - I know it is very cheap and rather easy to get a rebuild done on a 70's or 80's detroit iron V8, like say a 350 or a 302, or even a 455, but is it difficult to get it done on such an old and unusual V8? There can't be that many '273s' still out there.