Projects 1956 Pontiac 4dr ht

I just got my new project car home. It's a 1956 Pontiac Star Chief Catalina, 4 door hardtop. It's originally from Arizona and 99% rust free. All original drivetrain (I was told). Not sure what the plan is yet, but this is my first car from the 50's (I also had a 1954 international R-110 that I sold when I went to college) so it should be fun, and a great learning experience!

 

Good for you!

My first "ride" was a '56. Oh did it suffer!

They are a great driving car too!

 

Good to know!

 

A few more pictures of some of the parts, and my garage isn't normally this messy but I'm doing renovations to the house too

 

So I've been thinking and I've got two different directions I'd like to go with this.
1. Red oxide primer and tan primer 2 tone (red and beige were the original colours), side pipes, pinstripes, like a more traditional hot rod
2. Make it look like an old stock car that just came out of the woods
Any thoughts?

 

So we've got two Pontiac threads on the front page today: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/building-a-56-pontiac-4-door.1024540/

Nice cars!

 

First thought is don't junk it up. Clean simple shiny paint job, lowered a tad and a decent but not over the top interior. Narrow white walls and moons or interesting caps as if it was done in the early 60's. I had a 55 Buick Special 4 door hardtop while going to trade school and it was usually the car of choice to double date in or to load the whole crew in to go somewhere simply because it was so damned comfortable and the guys in the back seat could get in and out easily.

 

Nice to see another Tri-5 Poncho fella!!! Gonna follow your build for sure!!!! So it looks like you have most everything that came with the car originally?

 

Yes, just missing the windshield, rear window, oil bath breather setup and air conditioning stuff, so far everything else seems to be there, as well as some extra parts

 

I'm with you all except for a shiny paint job, I like my patina for one, and I'm also on a very limited budget. Maybe someday it'll get the paint it really deserves but not likely in the near future

 

Shiny paint please. That is too big and fancy of a car to be in primer the rest of it's life.

 

I_F_A,

If your budget has you buying good used parts, the tri-five Chevy gl*** I believe is the same for the similar tri-five Pontiac body style. There are also some other tidbits like stainless at or above the beltline that is the same between the Tri-Five Chevs & Pontiacs.

Gotta56forme/Scott

 

Good to know!

 

The problem is as I said I'm on a budget, and if I paint it then I also have to re-chrome everything, paint the engine (which I might do anyway), etc. Maybe over time it will happen but I'd like to get it on the road and start enjoying it for now.

 

Glad you found a good one to start with. Keep us posted. Thanks Bruce.

 

I will be following along. My 56 more door in in my avatar. I bought it to have something turn- key to take to the local cruises & visit with the guys. My 4 other projects are spread all over the shop, with no signs of being done anytime soon!

 

I wanted shiny paint for mine but with a new job, house and family, it just wasn't in the budget. I swapped a derelict old chevy pickup for the primer job and swapped out labor replacing a broken valve spring while my buddy whipped up the small flame job.
I used the engine from my parts-car...a 56, 4 door hardtop...later swapped in a built '60 Pontiac 389 and kept the slant-pan hydro...loved this car!

 

Will do!

 

I never really finish a project either, it's always an ongoing thing. Nice poncho!

 

That's similar to my situation, I just bought a house and perfect paint just isn't in the budget. That being said, primer done right can look great! I ***ume when you say "loveD" that you don't have it anymore?

 

So I believe I'm missing some trim for the trunk, and rather than get some trim to put on it I thought it might be a good spot for a little pin striping. Is anyone here good at pin striping that can see what I'm trying to do with this? And if so, could anyone whip up a better sketch?

 

That piece of trim IMHO helps open the truck as it kinda provides a handle. Also missing the trim on the fins by looks of it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I have the trim for the fins in a box, along with most of the trim, the lights, and all the mouldings. Just missing the three stars and where it says Pontiac.

 

Ohhhh okay. If you wanna find those should you decide to go that route, Ames Performance or California Pontiac Restoration has them

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Awesome I'll keep that in mind! Do they have other trim as well?

 

Yes sir just about any piece you want

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Got anything done?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Nice, saw a 56 4 door hard top at a Mazda dealer in Post Falls Idaho, lady had traded it in on some rice rocket. Saw it at a show in NW Washington and the new owner was livin large and lovin it. My partner has a 57 Starchief drop top and loves / drives it daily.

 

Shave all 4 exterior door handles.

 

I haven't been back for awhile, with moving and renovations at the new place I got a little busy. Now I'm back, and I need some help. I may have found a windsheild, I met a guy at a car show that has one for a 55 Chevy Belair Wagon (Nomad?). Does anyone know if it'll fit? I don't want to buy it until I'm sure. Pics of my very sloooooow progress coming shortly lol