1955 Pontiac Full Size Cars Fact Sheet

1955 Pontiac Facts, Figures, and Specifications

1955 Pontiac Facts Specifications Information Data

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 all future generations.

 

 

1955 Pontiac – Cleaner,
Crisper and More Svelte

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 – 1955 Pontiac

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.

 

1955 Pontiac Factoids

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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 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

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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 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.

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 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.

1955 Pontiac Facts – 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.

1955 Pontiac Facts – Chassis Features

    • 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.

1955 Pontiac Facts – Power Train 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 was available.

1955 Pontiac Facts – Power Trains

    • Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios:  1st – 2.39:1, 2nd – 1.49:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.71:1
    • Hydra-matic Ratios1st – 4.10:1, 2nd – 2.63:1, 3rd – 1.56:1, 4th – 1:1,  Reverse – 4.62:1

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

1955 Pontiac Facts –
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.
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