1955 Pontiac Facts, Figures, and Specifications
1955 Pontiac – Cleaner,
Crisper and More Svelte
A completely new body and chassis were developed for 1955 Pontiacs in anticipation of the new V-8 engine. The decision to go all V-8 changed Pontiac for many future full size car generations. Changes from 1954 included a massive, divided bumper grille, revised body moldings, split “Silver Streak” hood bands, twin streaks atop rear fenders, swept-style front wheel cutouts, and wraparound windshields.
1955 Pontiac Resources
Equipment or products directly related to this car. Click to view:
Need New Springs or Shocks?
Get the Exact Springs for your Pontiac
Click Here for
1955 Pontiac Facts – Body Paint Color Codes
Click on the Paint Code Name to See the Mix Codes for the appropriate color:
1955 Pontiac
| 00 Raven Black | |
| 03 Persian Maroon | |
| 11,21L Firegold | |
| 12,22L Turquoise Blue | |
| 21U,22U White Mist | |
| 01,18U,36L Beaumont Blue | |
| 02,23L,39U Corsair Tan | |
| 04,14U,33L Falcon Gray | |
| 05,15L,25L Avalon Yellow | |
| 06,16L,34U Bolero Red | |
| 07,13L,17L Valley Green | |
| 08,18L,19U,37U Marietta Blue | |
| 09,14L,19L,20L Castle Gray | |
| 10,17U,25U,29L Sequoia Green | |
| 31,24L,26U,28L,30U Nautilus Blue |
Collector Car Insurers
Click on the links below to find your car’s value or get a quote:
1955 Pontiac Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1955 Pontiac
New Styling and Chassis
A completely new body and chassis were developed for all 1955 Pontiacs. Changes from 1954 included a massive, divided bumper grille, revised body moldings, split “Silver Streak” bands – twin streaks atop rear fenders, swept-style front wheel cutouts, and wraparound windshields.
Body style 2764DF, the two-door Custom Safari station wagon, was announced on January 31, 1955. The Safari featured two-door hardtop styling. It had a slanted tailgate, roof that was grooved side-to-side, Star Chief rear fenders and luxury interior appointments. Chieftain station wagons for 1955 utilized Chevrolet station wagon rear fender styling. Model 860 4-door sedans had distinctive rear ventipanes. The two-door Chieftain station wagon was referred to as the “Colony” wagon.
A New OHV V-8
The new 287 CID V-8 was introduced – changing Pontiac for all future generations – for the first time, all Pontiacs were overhead valve V-8 -powered – the L-Head I-6 and I-8 cylinder engines were retired. Going forward, Pontiac would only offer V-8 power in its full-size cars until the mid-1980s.
Historical
Model year production peaked at 554,106 full-sized units, an increase of 266,362 – almost double 1954 production. There was no doubt that OHV V-8 power counted in the 50s.
1955 Pontiac Factoids
Click a Tab to See the Details
The “Strato Streak” V8 was an overhead valve V-8 with a bore & stroke of 3.75″ × 3.25″. It was rated 180 HP @ 4600 RPM and 264 lb⋅ft of torque @ 2400 rpm with a two-barrel carburetor and 200 HP @ 4600 RPM and 278 lb⋅ft @ 2800 rpm with the four-barrel carburetor. See a test of a V-8 1955 Pontiac HERE.
The Pontiac Custom Safari was introduced as a counterpart of the 2-door Chevrolet Nomad. The Safari shared its exterior bodywork and interior trim with the Pontiac Chieftain, though using the shorter 122″ wheelbase. 3,760 examples of the Safari were produced. See the 1955 Pontiac wagons Brochure HERE.
1955 Pontiac Facts – Models Offered
Click a Tab to See the Details
Chieftain 860-870 – Series 55-27. There were three versions of the Chieftain in this Series, and this included the Custom Safari, a wagon with two-door hardtop styling and Star Chief trim and appointments. The Custom Safari rode on the Chieftain 122-inch chassis like all other wagons. The Custom Safari had tapered slanting vertical slash moldings, Chieftains featured a narrow, constant width slanting vertical slash molding.
Chieftain 860s had small hub caps, painted taillight housings, and no upper belt line moldings. 860 vehicles featured only sedans and wagons, there were no hardtops in this line. Interiors featured nylon weave seating surfaces and Morrokide upper trim. Chieftain 870s had full wheel discs, chrome taillight rings, and upper belt line trim. The line offered a wagon, a two-door and four-door sedan and a “Catalina” 2-door hardtop. Interiors were much more plush than the 860 Series, with cloth, nylon and Morrokide trims.
Chieftain 860 Models were 2-door Sedan, 4-door Sedan, 2-door Station Wagon, and 4-door Station Wagon. Chieftain 870 models were 2-door Sedan, 4-door Sedan, 2-door Catalina Hardtop, and 4-door Station Wagon.
Star Chief & Star Chief Custom – Series 57-28. All 1956 Star Chiefs were distinguished by tapered diagonal accent slash moldings on front doors and three stylized star emblems on front fenders and doors. Convertibles and Catalina hardtops had wide, fluted lower rear fender extensions. The Custom Catalina sedan was retained, and it also had stainless steel window surround moldings. All Custom Star Chiefs used hooded taillight rings. Interiors could be had in all leather or leather and nylon fabric.
Star Chief models were 4-door Sedan and Convertible, Star Chief Custom models included the 122 inch wheelbase Star Chief Custom Safari Wagon, 4-door Sedan, and 2-door Catalina Hardtop.
1955 Pontiac Facts – Engines
Click a Tab to See the Details
287 CID 2-Barrel V-8 – Manual Transmission Only. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 287.2 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.750″ x 3.250″.
Compression ratio: 7.4:1.
Horsepower: 173 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 260 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 2769°, Exhaust 270°, Overlap 49°, Lift 0.327″.
Carburetor: Carter WGD two-barrel Model 2182S, 2182SA, 2182SB, 2207S, or 2207SB.
287 CID 2-Barrel V-8 – Automatic Transmission Only. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 287.2 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.750″ x 3.25″.
Compression ratio: 8.0:1.
Horsepower: 180 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 264 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 269°, Exhaust 270°, Overlap 49°, Lift 0.327″.
Carburetor: Carter WGD 2-barrel with any one of the following models: 2182S, 2182SA, 2182SB, 2207S or 2207SB. Some Cars received the Rochester 2GC two-barrel.
287 CID 4-Barrel “Power Pack” V-8 – All Transmissions. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 287.2 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.750″ x 3.25″.
Compression ratio: 8.0:1.
Horsepower: 200 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 264 @ 2600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 269°, Exhaust 270°, Overlap 49°, Lift 0.327″.
Carburetor: Rochester 4GC four-barrel carburetor. Some Power Pack cars used Carter WCFB model 2268S and 2283S four-barrel carburetors.
1955 Pontiac Facts – Chassis Features
-
- Wheelbase: Series 27 – 122.0 inches, Series 28 – 124.0 inches.
- Overall length: Series 27 passenger cars – 203.2 inches, Series 27 station wagons – 202.9 inches, Series 28 210.2 inches.
- Overall width: 75.4 inches.
- Overall height: 2- and 4-door Sedans – 60.5 inches; Convertible & Safari – 59.0 inches; 2-Door Catalina – 59.1 inches; Station Wagons – 61.0 inches.
- Front tread: 58.66 inches.
- Rear tread: 59.05 inches.
- Tires: (passenger cars) 7.10 x 15; (station wagons 7.60 x 15, tubeless type. NOTE: 7.60 x 15 tires were optional and recommended for Star Chief models.
1955 Pontiac Facts – Powertrains
- Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios:
- 1st – 2.39:1, 2nd – 1.49:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.71:1.
- Automatic Transmission Ratios:
- 1st – 4.10:1, 2nd – 2.63:1, 3rd – 1.56:1, 4th – 1:1, Reverse – 4.62:1.
- Rear Gear Standard Ratios
- All Series 3-Speed manual transmission: 3.64:1; 3.42:1 optional.
- Series 27 automatic transmission: 3.08:1.
- Series 28 automatic transmission: 3.23:1.
1955 Pontiac Facts – Powertrain Options
-
- A three-speed manual gear box with column mounted gear shift was standard on all models.
- Dual-Range Hydra-Matic drive was a $178 extra cost option.
- Available for $35, after March 1955, was the V-8 “Power Pack” option.
- A variety of rear axle gear ratios were available as dealer installed.
1955 Pontiac Facts – Significant Options
- Prices Where Known
- 4-Way manual seat ($40).
- Air-conditioning.
- Arctic windshield wipers.
- Autronic Eye.
- Comfort-Control Heater.
- Dash panel courtesy lamps.
- Deluxe steering wheel for Special station wagons.
- Directional signals.
- Door edge guards.
- Door handle guards.
- Electric antenna.
- Electric window lifts.
- Fender skirts ($11).
- Glove box lamp.
- Grille bug screen.
- Lighted ash tray.
- Padded dashboard.
- Power brakes ($36).
- Power steering ($108).
- Power windows ($97).
- Radio.
- Rear seat speaker.
- Reduced ratio power steering.
- Remote control outside mirrors.
- Safety spot lamp.
- Trunk lamp.
- Under hood lamp.
- Visor vanity mirror.
- Windshield washers.
- Wood grained trim not available for station wagons.
1955 Pontiac Downloads and Images
1955 Pontiac Facts – Related Document Downloads
Files directly related to the 1955 Pontiac Full-Size Line will appear below. Click to Download:
1955 Pontiac Full-Line Deluxe Brochure
1955 Pontiac Full-Line Regular Brochure
1955 Pontiac Station Wagons Brochure
1955 Pontiac Strato-Streak V-8 Brochure
1955 Pontiac Portrait Size Print Ads
1955 Pontiac Landscape Size Print Ads
1955 SAE Engineering Paper – the New Pontiac V-8
SEEKING – 1955 Pontiac AMA Specifications Sheets – Leads Appreciated
1955 Pontiac Star Chief Road Test – Motor Life Magazine
1955 Pontiac Star Chief Road Test – John Wherry Publications
1955 Pontiac Facts – Related Images
Related Images to the 1955 Pontiac Full-Size Line will appear below
1955 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible
The 1955 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible was the next most expensive 1955 Pontiac. At $2,691 it was still a good deal for a drop top with V-8 power. As a result, 19,762 left the showroom.
1955 Pontiac Star Chief Custom Catalina 2-door hardtop
The 1955 Pontiac Star Chief Custom Catalina 2-door hardtop was a good-looking ride. It sold an astounding 99,929 units—more than any other model in the brand in that year!
1955 Pontiac Star Chief Custom 4-door sedan
The 1955 Pontiac Star Chief Custom 4-door sedan was the high-end 4-door with a deluxe leather interior and all amenities that were possibly available in a Pontiac. 35,153 were produced.
1955 Pontiac Star Chief Custom 2-door Safari Wagon
The 1955 Pontiac Star Chief Custom 2-door Safari wagon was a competitor to Chevrolet’s new Nomad luxury wagon. It was trimmed as a Star Chief but sat on the 122″ wagon wheelbase and sometimes referred to as a Star Chief and others as a “Safari”. 3,760 were delivered
1955 Pontiac Star Chief 4-door sedan
The 1955 Pontiac Star Chief 4-door sedan was the bread and butter top-line car that captured 44,800 buyers.
1955 Pontiac Chieftain 870 2-door Catalina hardtop
The 1955 Pontiac Chieftain 870 2-door Catalina hardtop hit the nail on the head at $2,335 list price. 72,608 were produced, making it the no. 3 seller at Pontiac for 1955.
1955 Pontiac Chieftain 870 4-door sedan
The 1955 Pontiac Chieftain 870 4-door sedan was the second-most popular 1955 Pontiac with 91,187 sold.
1955 Pontiac Chieftain 870 2-door sedan
The 1955 Pontiac Chieftain 870 2-door sedan was not a great seller, but even so, over 28,950 were delivered.
1955 Pontiac Chieftain 870 wagon
The 1955 Pontiac Chieftain 870 wagon was only available as a 4-door. It sold well with 19,439 delivered.
1955 Pontiac Chieftain 860 4-door sedan
The 1955 Pontiac Chieftain 860 4-door sedan competed almost directly with upper end Chevrolets and Fords. Regardless, the 860 4-door Sedan sold 65,155 units.
1955 Pontiac Chieftain 860 2-door sedan
The 1955 Pontiac Chieftain 860 2-door sedan was the low-price 2-door in the Pontiac line. It sold well, with 58,654 produced.
1955 Pontiac Chieftain 860 4-door wagon
The 1955 Pontiac Chieftain 860 4-door wagon was part of the 860 line wagon offerings that came in 2 and 4-door configuration. The 4-door accounted for 6,091 in sales. NOTE: All wagons used the Chevrolet rear quarters with Pontiac tail lights.
1955 Pontiac Chieftain 860 2-door wagon
The 1955 Pontiac Chieftain 860 2-door wagon was the least expensive station wagon in the 1955 Pontiac line. 8,618 were delivered that year. NOTE: All wagons used the Chevrolet rear quarters with Pontiac tail lights.