Desert Dream: 1957 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible – Sold?

May 25, 2022, Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

May 7, 2022 Update – We just noticed the seller reduced their asking price by ten thousand dollars from the original ask of $68,450 to $58,450.

April 13, 2022 Update – We just confirmed the private seller replaced their original expiring listing with an updated Craigslist ad. In it, the pictures, description, and price all remain the same.

Visit any classic car show and there’s a high probability at least one nicely restored ’57 Chevrolet will be on display.  For that very reason, we prefer the much harder-to-find General Motors sister brand offerings from the same year. A prime example is this 1957 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible originally listed in March 2022 on Craigslist in Orange County, California. The current caretaker bought the car from a Nevada museum eighteen years ago and reports they have been slowly going through the car ever since to get to its current level of restoration.

Currently offered for $58,450 (the original ask was $68,450), comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their Star Cheif priced just under this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $68,700.  As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 “Very Good” estimate of $61,000 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $89,000.

First introduced in 1954, the Star Chief became the top trim line on Pontiac’s Chieftain line of cars. Pontiac continued the use of the name when it launched a completely redesigned car line for 1955. Not only was the body all-new, but Pontiac introduced its new Strato-Streak V8.

In 1957, the high-performance Pontiac introduced the Star Chief Custom Bonneville as part of its divisional head’s push to raise the marque out of the doldrums. The silver streaks running down the hood were dropped for the new “Star Flight” design. All gauges were placed in an oval on the dash and the side trim had a missile-shaped spear behind the front door.

The Periscope Films YouTube Channel features this 1956 Star Cheif promotional video that provides a glimpse into how Pontiac marketed their cars in the mid-1950s:

With fresh Fontaine Blue paint set off by a recently reupholstered ivory and blue interior, there’s a lot to like about this Tri-Power-equipped convertible.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“I purchased this Star chief about 18 years ago from a museum in the Nevada desert southwest. This is the first year of the Pontiac Tri-power.  Most had the 4bbl carb. It still has the old license plate on the rear. Over the past 15 years have eventually finished going through everything from front to back on this beautiful car. Then it went back into storage.I just brought it out, it is running and driving and just decided to list it for sale.

Here’s what has been done to this car: New….030 rebuild on original, numbers matching (standard bore- low mileage) 347 engine, complete rebuild on transmission. All ball joints, bushings, brake lines, original radiator re-cored. new brakes including drums, shoes and cylinders. Power brake booster sent to California to have rebuilt. new wiring harness front to back using modern spade fuse master block, Electric wiper conversion, new convertible top, top motor, lines and rams, new glass including windshield, new power window motors and switches. new chrome and polished stainless. There is new Aluminized dual exhaust, starter and 5 brand new Coker wide white classic tires.
New paint in the Original Fontaine Blue Metallic base/clear, new ivory and blue upholstery and carpet.
Even the front top fender light tips recast in clear resin. There is new Aluminized dual exhaust, starter and 5 brand new Coker wide white classic tires.

New paint in the Original Fontaine Blue Metallic base/clear, new ivory and blue upholstery and carpet.
please contact me with any questions.

May take interesting light trade?”

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