Maybe we’re wrong but we think that this 1956 Pontiac Star Chief could actually be better looking than its Chevrolet counterpart the Nomad. The car is equipped with the right 287ci version of the venerable Pontiac V8 that would survive well into the late 1970s, it has black paint to die for, the chrome that was not exactly cool when it was made but has aged well, and it has eight lug Pontiac wheels on it! Yes, the eight lug Pontiac wheels are a bit of a departure from stock as they were not actually offered until few years after this model was built but we think that they look great and tough on the wagon.
Less than 4,000 of these cars were made in 1956, making this one a pretty rare beast for lovers of the Pontiac brand. It was during this period that Bunkie Knudsen got the job of moving Pontiac out of the nursing home demographic and into the youth demo. Those “silver streaks” on the hood were among the first things to go. Knudsen reportedly thought that they looked like suspenders.
The proportions of this car and is Chevrolet counterpart are just so perfect that it is amazing. The nose is a little long, the roof is a little low and the tail is a little tight, all adding up to a wagon that looks as right as rain. The Pontiac division was still a few years away from the explosive growth it would see during the 1960s but 1956 was a the very beginning of a new dawn for the company.
We’re interested in your thoughts on this one. Do you dig the eight lug wheels on it? We do!
Check out the photos and then hit the link to see more of this Pontiac!
nice, but if you are going to add the 8 lug drums, add the 389/421 under the hood..
this is a 1955 Safari (Nomad’s cousin) 1956 has a different grill and side chrome. I have 2 56’s nice clean car-but-looks like promotion pictures
I had a 1989 Pontiac Safari. Royal purple metallic with fake wood siding. The strong 307 with quadrajet under the hood meant I could smoke any LeBaron in town!!!
This is a ’55 Safari. The ’56 Pontiacs had a 316 cubic inch engine.
Those bug-eye headlamps!
Bring back the noble art of frenching, then swap in a 421 tri-power GTO motor. Fit air bags and some Rocket wheels. Now as usual I will hand over to the usual army of LS fans who will no doubt be lining up to have a pop at me…
Of all the GM lines, Pontiac has always been my favorite and this is an example of really a gorgeous Pontiac. And the best part? Pontiac engine.
As usual the gobshite weighs in with another inane comment, is there not a forum for unemployed brits you can frequent?
Only thing wrong with this car is the wide whites.
Didn’t Pontiac have their own version of Rochester Fuel Injection around this time as well?
Yes, 1957-58.
One of the best old timers i saw in my life.
clash of clans hack
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