for sale 1959 Pontiac Star Chief INCREDIBLE SURVIVOR *SOLD*

[Matt Harwood]

 

*SOLD* If you do this job long enough, eventually the cars start to find you. This fantastically original 1959 Pontiac Star Chief "Vista View" sedan came to me through one of those familiar stories involving a widow, a garage full of cars (40+) and the opportunity to cherry-pick the good ones before the jackals showed up. So we grabbed this cool Poncho, which shows just 47,781 original miles. Cleaning it up, it became eminently clear that it features 100% original paint (which means no rust, no bondo), a spectacular all-original interior, and that tight, all-of-a-piece feeling that you only get from low mile, original cars. The engine bay had been badly resprayed by someone long ago, all in what looked like Ford Blue (literally, they just opened the hood and spray-bombed the entire thing), so my 87-year-old friend Jerry, who needed something to do in his spare time, spent weeks at the shop getting it cleaned up. He yanked the engine and spent more than a few long days wiping everything down with paint thinner.We repainted the engine and the air cleaner just because they were really a mess, but the rest, I assure you, is original. Cleaned, but original. Jerry actually wiped down the individual wires in the original wiring harness, cleaned the inner fenders, and carefully stripped paint from the heater box. We sent the power brake booster out to be rebuilt ($1200), rebuilt the carburetor (this car has the 280 horsepower 389), installed a new fuel pump, pulled the gas tank and radiator and had them cleaned, pulled all four wheel cylinders and rebuilt them (they are the originals, not replacements), then put it back together. The Hydra-Matic automatic transmission wasn't working properly, so we pulled it and had it rebuilt (another $3500). Today the car runs and drives like new. Tight, smooth, quiet, and powerful. The seats are firm and unmarked, the sparkly carpets are gorgeous, the headliner is taut and unstained, and the only real demerit inside is some wear on the passenger's door armrest but I didn't want to try to replace it on a car so original. All the gauges work, the radio works, all the lights work, and, well, it feels almost like a brand new 1959 Pontiac. The glass is unmarked and there's A LOT of it. The trunk is completely original and I believe that's the original mat, original spare tire, and it appears that the factory jack assembly has never been used. Demerits are few: the "Star Chief" script on the driver's side tail fin is broken, missing the "S" (I'm looking for a replacement), there are a few minor scratches on the paint, and some of the original chrome shows very, very minor pitting. I wanted to put new tires with proper whitewalls on it, but the financial department stopped the bleeding because we went way over budget on this one. But this giant cruiser was just too cool to walk away from. So here is one fantastic survivor with a spectacular interior for the bargain price of $17,900. I know I've got at least that much in it and Jerry really earned his money on this one--he has more energy at 87 than I do at 47. Nevertheless, this is a way-cool car that deserves a good home and a place on the HPOF show field. Maybe I'll drive it to Hershey this year...

 

Thanks for looking!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 22, 2017 by Matt Harwood (see edit history)

[30 Hupp]

Now, that, is a "stunning" survivor!!!

 

Iowa Dale

[auburnseeker]

That does seem like a great price.  You couldn't think of buying any similar car in any lesser condition anywhere at almost any price and making it look this good for near or less.   That car makes you appreciate a 4 door hardtop all over again. 

For your sake i hope you sell it right away but for mine,  I would love to get a look at it in person when I'm at Hershey if you don't.  

Definitely an awesome find. 

[Marty Roth]

Where will you be at Hershey?

[KVP]

Matt,

Wonderful car! Pushed the "like" button and ended up with the "haha" emoji.  ???  Can't seem to change it.

Keith

[suchan]

Too cool and a good price. You don't see them often.

[Matt Harwood]

Sold! Thank you!

 

I was going to bring this to Hershey, now I'll have to find something else reasonably-priced that's ready to go. Would have liked to have driven this one around town that week...