1955 Pontiac Full Size Cars Fact Sheet
Cleaner, Crisper and
More Svelte for 1955
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.
General Year Information
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.
The new 287 CID V-8 was introduced – changing Pontiac for al 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.
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.
Model year production peaked at 554,106 full-sized units, an increase of 266,362 – almost double 1954 production. V-8 power counted in the 50s.
Models Offered
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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 narow, 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.
The Custom Catalina sedan was retained, and it 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.
Engines
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Base V-8 – Manual Transmission. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 287.2 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.750″ x 3.250″. Compression ratio: 7.4:1. Horsepower: 173 @ 4400. Torque: 260 @ 2400 RPM Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 2769°, Exhaust 270°, Overlap 49°, Lift 0.327″. Carburetor: Carter WGD two-barrel Model 2182S, 2182SA, 2182SB, 2207S, or 2207SB.
Hydra-matic Transmission V-8: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 287.2 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.750″ x 3.25″. Compression ratio: 8.0:1. Horsepower: 180 @ 4600. Torque: 264 @ 2400 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 269°, Exhaust 270°, Overlap 49°, Lift 0.327″. Carburetors: 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.
Optional “Power Pack” V-8: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 287.2 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.750″ x 3.25″. Compression ratio: 8.0:1. Horsepower: 200 @ 4800. Torque: 264 @ 2600 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: 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.
More detailed information on the 1955 287 CID V8 engines may be found in the 1955 AMA Specifications Sheets. When available, you may access the sheets HERE or use the navigation on the main page.
Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: Series 27 – 122″, Series 28 – 124″.
- Overall length: Series 27 passenger cars – 203.2″, Series 27 station wagons – 202.9″, Series 28 210.2″.
- Front tread: (All) 58.66″.
- Rear tread: (All) 59.05″.
- Tires: (passenger cars) 7.10 x 15; (station wagons 7.60 x 15, tubeless type. NOTE: 7.60 x 15 tires were recommended for Star Chiefs.
Power Train Options
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- 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 was available.
Power Trains
Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios: 1st – 2.39:1, 2nd – 1.49:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.71:1
Hydra-matic Ratios: 1st – 4.10:1, 2nd – 2.63:1, 3rd – 1.56:1, 4th – 1:1, Reverse – 4.62:1
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 |
1955 Pontiac –
Current Market Values
Significant Options
- 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 Di-Noc trim not available for station wagons.
Related Document
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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 Pontiac AMA Specifications Sheets –
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Leads Appreciated
1955 Pontiac Star Chief Road Test – Motor Life Magazine
1955 Pontiac Star Chief Road Test – John Wherry Publications
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
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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.