1956 Pontiac Facts, Figures, and Specifications
1956 Pontiac – Small Changes Only
Pontiac styling was only slightly revised for 1956, featuring a combination bumper and grille with enclosed circular parking lights and round, turbine intake-type bumper guards. The big news was an increase in engine size to 317 CID and horsepower climbing to 285 with the introduction of the “Extra Horsepower” V-8.
1956 Pontiac Resources
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1956 Pontiac Facts –
Body Paint Color Codes
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1956 Pontiac
| A Raven Black | |
| B Chesapeake Blue | |
| C Olympic Blue | |
| D Amethyst | |
| E Phantom Gray | |
| F Grenada Gold | |
| G Bolero Red | |
| H Hialeah Green | |
| I Malabar Yellow | |
| J Vista Blue | |
| K Nimbus Gray | |
| L Glendale Green | |
| M Terragon Green | |
| N Sandalwood Tan | |
| O Kerry Green | |
| P Sun Beige | |
| Q Catalina Blue | |
| R Camellia | |
| S Sandalwood Tan | |
| T Sun Beige | |
| U Marina Blue | |
| V Avalon Blue | |
| W Sun Beige | |
| X Rodeo Beige | |
| Y Rodeo Beige | |
| Z Lilac | |
| P,W Sun Beige |
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1956 Pontiac Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1956 Pontiac
New Pontiac styling for 1956 featured combination bumper grilles with enclosed circular parking lights and round, bomb-type bumper guards. All models had reversed, vertically-slanting, slash accent moldings and an upper body ‘Sweepspear’ as body rub trim.
On Chieftains the slash accents were of constant width. There were oval embossed medallions with reflectors on the rear fenders with gull-wing and circular medallions on the deck lid. Special-level Chieftain 860s lacked upper belt moldings, wore small hub caps, and had plain tail light rings.
Chieftain 860 Wagons had distinctive rear ventipanes. The 2-door 860 Chieftain wagon was called the “Colony Wagon” in some promotional materials. The term “Catalina” was used to denote pillarless two-door or four-door hardtop styling for 1956. Two-doors hardtops were “Catalina Coupes” and four-doors hardtops were “Catalina Sedans”.
Model year production peaked at 405,429 units, a decrease of 148,677 from 1955 but still better than 1954.
1956 Pontiac Factoids
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The new 4-door hardtop body style, 2739D and 2839SD arrived in 1956. Now 4-door owners could have the hardtop styling afforded to 2-door owners since 1950. Over 108 thousand were sold.
In March 1956, an “Extra Horsepower” V-8 was released, with 10.0:1 compression cylinder heads, dual four-barrel Rochester carburetors, and a high-lift, long duration camshaft. It is estimated that 200 cars were equipped with this motor. See specs and service procedures, with illustrations HERE.
1956 Pontiac Facts – Models Offered
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Chieftain – Series 56-27 – Chieftain 860s did not receive upper belt moldings, were fitted with small hub caps, and had plain taillight rings. Chieftain 870 models, with the exception of station wagons, had taillight rings with visors, full wheel discs, and upper belt line trim. The two-door Custom Safari was continued as a Star Chief model; however, it was still on the Chieftain chassis, now with the base four-barrel Star Chief engine. An 860 level Catalina Hardtop Coupe was new. And the four-door hardtop was available as both 860 and 870 models and designated as Catalina Sedans. In some factory literature, Chieftain 870s were called “Super Chiefs”.
860 models available were 4-door Sedan, 4-door Catalina Hardtop Sedan, 2-door Sedan, 2-door Catalina Hardtop, 2-door Station Wagon 6-Passenger and 4-door Station Wagon 6-Passenger. 870 models were 4-door Sedan, 4-door Catalina Hardtop Sedan, 2-door Catalina Hardtop, and 4-door Station Wagon 6-Passenger.
Star Chief & Star Chief Custom – Series 57-28. All 1956 Star Chief models were set on a 124 inch wheelbase. They 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.
The two-door Custom Safari was continued as a Star Chief model; however, it was still on the 122 inch Chieftain chassis, as were all wagons.
Star Chief models were 2-door Custom Safari, 4-door Sedan, 4-door Catalina Hardtop Sedan, 2-door Catalina Hardtop, and Convertible.
All wagons were on the Series 27, 122.0″ wheelbase chassis. Only the Star Chief Custom wagon was called “Safari”. This model featured the Star Chief Custom interior with a choice of all leather or leather and nylon. The Safari model, though considered a Star Chief, also sat on the shorter 122.0″ wheelbase. The other wagons were in the 870 and 860 lines. The 860 Series wagons came in two- and four-door models and were trimmed similar to the 860 line. The 870 wagon was a 4-door. It was trimmed as all other 870 series models. The 870 four-door had available 9-passenger seating as an option.
1956 Pontiac Facts – Engines
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- 173 HP 287 CID V-8 SMT
- 192 HP 317 CID V-8 SMT
- 205 HP 317 CID V-8
- 216 HP 317 CID V-8 SMT
- 227 HP 317 CID V-8 AMT
- 285 HP 317 CID V8
- NOTES
287 CID 2-Barrel Economy 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.
Camshaft timing: Intake 269°, Exhaust 270°, Overlap 49°, Lift 0.327″.
Carburetor: Carter WGD two-barrel Model 2182S, 2182SA, 2182SB, 2207S, or 2207SB.
NOTE: This was an early model year offering replaced by the 192 HP version mid-model year.
287 CID 2-Barrel Economy V-8 – Manual Transmission Only. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 316.6 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.9375″ x 3.25″.
Compression ratio: 7.9:1.
Horsepower: 192 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 297 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft Duration: Intake 269°, Exhaust 270°, Overlap 49°, Lift 0.370″.
Carburetor: Rochester 2GC two-barrel Model 7008696.
317 CID 2-Barrel V-8 – Automatic Transmission Only. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 316.6 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.9375″ x 3.25″.
Compression ratio: 8.9:1.
Horsepower: 205 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 394 @ 2600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 280°, Exhaust 280°, Overlap 55°, Lift 0.400″.
Carburetor: Rochester 2GC two-barrel Model 7008695.
317 CID 4-Barrel V-8 – Manual Transmission Only. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 316.6 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.9375″ x 3.25″.
Compression ratio: 8.5:1.
Horsepower: 216 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 315 @ 2800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 269°, Exhaust 270°, Overlap 49°, Lift 0.370″.
Carburetor: Carter 4-barrel WCFB 2364S.
NOTE: Available Star Chief and Star Chief Safari.
317 CID 4-Barrel V-8 – Automatic Transmission Only. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 316.6 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.9375″ x 3.25″.
Compression ratio: 8.9:1.
Horsepower: 227 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 359 @ 2800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 280°, Exhaust 280°, Overlap 55°, Lift 0.400″.
Carburetor: Carter WCFB four-barrel Model 2364S or Rochester Model 7008697.
NOTE 1: Available Star Chief and Star Chief Safari.
NOTE 2: This engine was later optional on all 860-870 Chieftains, including wagons.
317 CID Dual 4-Barrel “Extra Horsepower” V-8 – All Transmissions. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 316.6 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.9375″ x 3.25″.
Compression ratio: 10.0:1.
Horsepower: 285 @ 5100 RPM.
Torque: 330 @ 3600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 289°, Exhaust 298°, Overlap 71°, Intake Lift 0.409″, Exhaust Lift 0.413″.
Carburetors: two 4-barrel Rochester carburetors Models: Front & Rear 7009820. Single-breaker ignition.
NOTE 1: Optional – Available on all models after January 1 1956.
NOTE 2: See all specifications in the 1956 Pontiac AMA Specifications Sheets page 2A HERE.
NOTE 1: Except where cited, Torque is in lb. ft.
NOTE 2: More detailed information on the 1956 317 CID V-8 engines may be found in the 1956 AMA Specifications Sheets. You may access the sheets HERE or use the navigation on this Fact Sheet’s main page.
1956 Pontiac Facts – Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: Series 27 – 122.0 inches, Series 28 – 124.0 inches.
- Overall length: Series 27 passenger cars – 205.6 inches, Series 27 station wagons – 206.0 inches, Safari only – 206.7 inches, Series 28 – 212.6 inches.
- Overall width: 75.1 inches.
- Overall height: 60.5 inches.
- Front tread: (All) 58.66 inches.
- Rear tread: (All) 59.05 inches.
- Tires: (passenger cars) 7.10 x 15; (station wagons 7.60 x 15, tubeless type. with Synchromesh 7.50 x 14 station wagons and Bonneville 8.50 x 14; all others 8.00 x 14.Coupes and Sedans 8.00 x 14 Station wagons and all w/Air conditioning 8.50 x 14.
1956 Pontiac Facts – Powertrains
- Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- 1st – 2.39:1, 2nd – 1.53:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.53:1.
- Automatic Transmission Ratios
- Series 27: 1st – 4.10:1, 2nd – 2.63:1, 3rd – 1.56:1, 4th – 1:1, Reverse – 4.62:1.
- Series 28: 1st – 3.97:1, 2nd – 2.55:1, 3rd – 1.55:1, 4th – 1:1, Reverse – 4.31:1.
- Rear Gear Standard Ratios
- All Series 3-Speed manual transmission: 3.64:1.
- Series 27 automatic transmission: 3.08:1.
- Series 28 automatic transmission: 3.23:1.
NOTE: Dealer installed ratios of 3.42:1 and 3.64:1 were available for automatic transmission equipped vehicles.
1956 Pontiac Facts – Powertrain Options
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- A three-speed Synchromesh gear box with column mounted shift was the base price transmission.
- The D-56 Dual-Range Hydra-Matic ($188) was available in both the 860 and 870 models.
- A new Strato-Flight Hydra-Matic ($205) was used in two-door Star Chief Custom Safaris and all Series 28 models.
- Standard rear axle gear ratios: (Synchromesh) 3.64:1; (Hydra-matic) 3.23:1. Additional ratios were also available.
- Dual exhausts were optional on all Pontiacs except the Chieftain 860 three seat station wagon where it was not available.
- Cars with the “Extra Horsepower” V-8 had dual exhaust as standard.
- Four-barrel carburetion “Star Chief Engine” was optional for Chieftain 860 and 870 models, as was the Extra Horsepower V-8.
1956 Pontiac Facts – Significant Options
- Prices Where Known
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- 4-Way manual seat ($40).
- 6-Way power seat ($93).
- Air-conditioning ($431).
- Arctic windshield wipers.
- Autronic Eye.
- Comfort-Control.
- 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 ($38).
- Power steering ($108).
- Power windows ($97).
- Radio, Standard ($90).
- Radio, deluxe ($118).
- Rear seat speaker.
- Reduced ratio power steering.
- Remote control outside mirrors.
- Safety spot lamp.
- Seat belts ($11 per passenger).
- Trunk lamp.
- Under hood lamp.
- Visor vanity mirror.
- Windshield washers.
1956 Pontiac Downloads and Images
1956 Pontiac Facts – Related Document Downloads
Files directly related to the 1956 Pontiac Full-Size Line will appear below. Click to Download:
1956 Pontiac Full Line Deluxe Brochure
1956 Pontiac Full Line Regular Brochure
1956 Pontiac Portrait Size Print Ads
1956 Pontiac Landscape Size Print Ads
1956 Pontiac AMA Specifications Sheets
1956 Pontiac 285 HP Specifications Bulletin
1956 Pontiac Facts – Related Images
Related Images to the 1956 Pontiac Full-Size Line will appear below
1956 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible
The Pontiac Star Chief convertible was the price leader in the upscale line at a $2,853 base price. But the convertible came with many items standard that were optional in others. 13,510 were delivered.
1956 Pontiac Star Chief 4-door Catalina
The 1956 Pontiac Star Chief Catalina 4-door hardtop was as good looking as the 2-door – and it sold better, too, with 48,035 delivered!
1956 Pontiac Star Chief 2-door Catalina
The 1956 Star Chief 2-door Catalina hardtop was slick and popular and as such, 43,392 were sold.
1956 Pontiac Star Chief Safari wagon
The 1956 Pontiac Star Chief Safari wagon was the highest priced Pontiac at $3,124 base price. It was not classed as a Star Chief but identified in the series 27 line due to its shorter 122″ wheelbase. However, its interior and exterior trim and power plant were that of a senior Series 28. 4,042 were delivered – with most stickering at over $3,600 with options.
1956 Pontiac Star Chief 4-door sedan
The 1956 Pontiac Star Chief 4-door sedan was a solid offering with 18,346 leaving the showroom.
1956 Pontiac 870 4-door Catalina
In 1956, all lines had 2- and 4-door hardtop models. This mid-range Pontiac 870 4-door hardtop sold 25,372 units.
1956 Pontiac 870 2-door Catalina
Not to be outdone, the Pontiac 870 2-door hardtop ran a close second to the 4-door in sales at 24,744.
1956 Pontiac 870 4-door sedan
The 1956 Pontiac 870 4-door sedan was the least expensive in the line at $2,409, yet it was third in sales for that group, with 22,072 delivered.
1956 Pontiac 870 4-door wagon
The Pontiac 870 4-door wagon was the most expensive in the 870 line. Even so, its 21,674 in sales was only about 350 units less than the Sedan.
1956 Pontiac 860 4-door Catalina
The 1956 Pontiac 860 4-door Catalina hardtop was stylish enough to sell 35,201 units.
1956 Pontiac 860 2-door Catalina
This 1956 Pontiac 860 2-door Catalina hardtop is shown with optional wheel covers. At 46,335 sold, it was the best-selling 860 model.
1956 Pontiac 860 4-door sedan
Safe and steady, the 1956 Pontiac 860 4-door sedan ran no. 3 in sales for that model with 41,987 sold.
1956 Pontiac 860 2-door sedan
The 1956 Pontiac 860 2-door sedan was the car picked for racing. With the “Extra Horsepower” 285 HP 317 CID V-8, it was a terror. It also sold well at 41, 908 delivered.
1956 Pontiac 860 4-door wagon
The 1956 Pontiac 860 Series 4-door wagons were popular, selling 12,702 units.
1956 Pontiac 860 2-door wagon
The 1956 Pontiac 860 Series 2 wagon was less popular than the 4-door popular, with the 2-door producing only 6,099 units.