Three-Owner 1956 Pontiac Star Chief Catalina

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

After years of neglect, Pontiac’s image had been waning. That all began to change in 1955 when, under the leadership of General Manager Semon E. "Bunkie" Knudson, Pontiac aimed to revitalize its image and appeal to a broader audience.  

The “Strato-Streak” 1955 Star Chief featured a new 287 cubic-inch V8 engine, which was a significant upgrade from the antiquated straight-eight engine used previously. Though one of the last companies to do so, Pontiac finally joined the 1950’s “horsepower race” and upped the ante in ’56 with an increase in displacement to 317 cu-in and horsepower to 277; more with a performance dual four-barrel option. After a 24-hour record setting event with famed Bonneville racer Ab Jenkins the division could now brag that “Pontiac blazes to new world's record!” 

The Star Chief’s design included a combination bumper grille with enclosed circular parking lights and round, bomb-type bumper guards. The car also featured reversed, vertically radiused slash accent moldings and “sweepspear” body rub trim, giving it a modern look. The two-door hardtop, known as the Catalina, was particularly popular for its style and V8 power. And this very original California-built Catalina has had just three owners from new, spending most of its life in arid southern Arizona. 

Highlights 

• Three-owner southern Arizona 1956 Star Chief Catalina 

• 316.6 cu-in V8 with four-barrel carburetor rated at 227 hp and 312 lb-ft torque 

• “Strato-Flight” four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission 

• The Body by Fisher tag decodes as: 

  • Style: 56-2837SD – 1956 Star Chief Catalina Coupe 

  • Body No: PO 5948 – Pontiac, Michigan, plant sequential body production number 

  • Trim No: 272 – Rust and Beige genuine leather 

  • Paint No: NP – Sandalwood Tan with Sun Beige upper body two-tone 

• The chassis number (C856H12983) decodes as: 

  • C – South Gate, California, final assembly plant 

  • 8 – Star Chief model 

  • 56 – Model year 1956 

  • H – Hydra-Matic transmission 

  • 12983 – Plant sequential assembly number 

Features 

• Factory options include: 

• Rare front bumper riser  

• Lighted hood ornament  

• Dual exterior mirrors  

• Padded dash  

• Tinted glass  

• Stainless headliner bows  

• Full size wheel covers 

Known Imperfections 

• Cracks in passenger door glass and other glass delamination around edges  

• Some pitting in the chrome window frames and right taillight ring, and other interior trim  

• Some paint flaws throughout  

• General wear to the interior  

• Small bubbling on the front bumper lip  

• Some damage to the front bumper and chrome peeling near mounting bolt in front bumper  

• The owner recently disconnected the speedometer cable because it was making noise, resulting in the speedometer not currently operating  

• The interior white plastic buttons, knobs, and switches are dried and cracked, and the plastic knobs on the shifter and turn signal levers are missing  

• Radio is not operating  

• Some scratches in the windshield glass  

• The carburetor was recently rebuilt but could use some adjustment  

• Switch added under the dash to operate an electric fuel pump 

Included 

• Service manual  

• Full size spare  

• Two sets of keys  

 Ownership History 

The current owner purchased this 1956 Pontiac Star Chief Catalina Coupe approximately two years ago from the nephew of the original owner in southern Arizona. The nephew had it repainted in original colors and the interior redone approximately 25 years ago (no records for this work). The front and rear bumpers were probably re-chromed at some point also. The owner states that the car “has spent most of its life in southern Arizona. There has never been any rust repair anywhere on the car.” 

Additional Notes 

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.  

Contact: Frank Malefors   Phone: 602-488-7888   Email: fmalefors@hagerty.com