1956 Pontiac sedan delivery build

Thought I would start a thread on this 56 of mine. I bought it about 15 years ago and it has been waiting its turn. Always kinda liked it but, not enough to build it. Now have some ideas on what to do with it and want to see what others may think too.
If anyone has some ideas please share.
Not sure but, I do not think Pontiac made a sedan delivery in 1956. This Pontiac started life as a 2 door wagon. It is not the fancy Safari but, the low cost plain Jane 2 door wagon. Sometime in its life, I would guess in the late 60s or 70s, someone took out the back windows and replaced them with sheet alum.
Its been off the road for a long time. Its missing some parts like the hood and r fender, radiator. The 316 is still in there but, heads are gone. Someone also swapped in a later bench seat. In side is full of related parts and rat dung.
Does anyone have anything similar?

....and what to do with this thing?

I think this could be built as a cool retro parts chaser and light tow vehicle..?

 

I just finished building a 53 Pontiac delivery and was told that it was the last year they built one from the factory.
Still, I could picture a 56, Chevy had them and they are cool. If the conversion is decent I'd keep it. I could also see pulling the tailgate (window part) foward and making a Pontiac El Camino out of it.

 

The last US built Pontiac sedan deliveries were '53s. They continued building them in Canada. Lots of 2 door wagons (and even some 4 doors) had the glass replaced with metal over the years, some well done, others not so much.

 

I would make a cool parts chaser/tow vehicle, great idea ! Any pics !

 

You gotta post some pix of the beast!

 

the 55-56 non safari 2-door wagons are extrmely rare and i dig 2-door wagons, even the falcons.. 316 engines were a one-year only issue but as long as its already been modified into a sedan delivery clone and total resto is out of the qustion, you could really bolt just about anything to the four speed hydramatic (assuming it's still there), would make a nice rod or street cruiser, post some pics when u get a chance..

 

Arnt the Canadian built 55 6 7 Pontiacs still classed as Pontiac Sedan Deliveries.
The 55 and 56 had Chevy Bodies with Pontiac front clips but unique tailights to suit the chevy body,the 57 Looks to actually be a 57 Pontiac Delivery.
I have friend here in Australia that has a LHD 57 Pontiac Sedan Delivery but I have never actually seen it in the flesh but I do know he does own it and he has done for about 15 years. He only paid $3000.00 for it. It was advertised for months but no one wanted it. I wish it would come up for sale now for that much.

 

If it's a Canadian Pontiac it will be easy to ID, as it will have a 115" wheelbase with the same chassis as a Chevrolet, including motor options (although the Canadian cars had a 261 six instead of a 235), the same 5x4.75" wheel bolt pattern, etc. The US Pontiac has a longer wheelbase (121" if memory serves, but at least 117"), only came with a Pontiac 317 V8 (exhaust crosses over below the front of the motor, among other things), and the frame has a big X-shaped center section. Also, the master cylinder will be under the floor and the car will have a small defroster on the left firewall and heater coils under the seat. (which personally is the first thing I'd suggest re-engineering).

 

My 55 Chevy sedan delivery had a one piece tailgate.......thought only the wagons had the 2 piece. Learn something new all the time!

 

Here is one that was offered for sale on ebay. It is a very nice restoration but, frankly, it does nothing for me.



The more I look at my car, the more I see the front bumper assembly has got to go....
Also thinking of using a piece of pipe for a rear bumper, converting to a tilt front end, vintage mags I have laying around...
Have many choices for an engine and trans but, thinking of a very low buck and simple '73 400 with a known 375thm trans, discs on the front, raised a little bit.
I have an Anglia straight/dropped axles assembly and can visualize it under this car but, will hold off on that for now.

As for color? primer black is about the only way I can see it.

 

Well, tomorrow I plan to tow the '56 up to Az dmv for inspection for a bonded title. Once I have the title in my name, will start on it.
For now, it will have a pipe rear bumper, 400eng and 375 trans. Will remove the front bumper assy. have soe vintage mags around to use too.
stay tuned.


Hosting-
Arizona Pontiac Power Group
www.meetup.com/Arizona-Pontiac-power-group

 

she's definitely a project, but your options are that much more wide open for customization and making her all your own..

 

I believe that '55 Chevy tailights will fit that Poncho!!

 

i had a tudor 55 poncho wagon shown here years after i sold it

the front clip on these 55-56 wagons is specific to wagons only

things to consider is welding tailgate to window hatch...

glass will switch with 55 chev wagons

ooops like he said above

use the buick 55 chev taillite conversion in that stock hole..

ohooohoohoo el ponchino too

 

The chev and Pontiac wagon bodies were built on the same line and share much but, I will use the Pontiac tail lights assuming I can find them.

Welding the tailgate together is a great idea and worth considering.

Today, I was finally able to tow it to DMV for an inspection. The records came up clear so I will be able to get a bonded title for it.
Now, I can start working on it as time allows. Going to pull the 316 and hydro, pull the front bumper assy. Start to fit in the 400/375thm, convert the front end to a tilt.

On the fenders, now sure if that is true. I have heard of that on chevs but, never on a Pontiac having unique wagon front fenders. I will check and report what does fit. I have some '55-6 2 and 4 dr parts cars here at Pontiac Heaven to use for parts.

Looking forward to seeing it without the bulky bumper and with some mags, etc. Should really change the look.

Thanks for sharing the pic of the 55 2dr wagon. I think the '55 side trim looks better than the '56 trim.

 

subscribed!

 

the pontiac fenders on your wagon are diff than your fourdoor or two door ...
now a chev clip may fit its the bastard poncho fenders-hood made to fit the chev based wagon that make them diff thats why the taillites are chev based ..


now try putting those poncho wagon fenders on a 55 chev hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm me thinks ick

 

ooops clickon pic to open larger then next then prvioous

 

Sounds like a plan,Steve! Keep it poncho.

 

This should be good. I'm watching.

what's the STYLE# on the body tag?

 

Leave the bumpers on and make it a push car for a dragster. Back about 62 or 63 my neighbor had a 56 Pontiac flower truck that he hauled his fl;at track K model in. It was like an El Camino but still had side doors in the bed.

 

i have had 3 55 pontiac wagons {2-2drs & a 4dr} i still have some of the trim parts & maybe some random other stuff,
P/S the wagons had a one piece bumper were reg-cars had 2 piece bumpers,

 

Cool car ! A friend of mine is sitting on a 55 Pontiac delivery (Canadian one) ,the last year for a Pontiac delivery was 58 ,I would love one of those ! They are super rare, I only ever saw 2 of them and the same guy owned both of them .

 

haha You can bet your left nut on that. I'll drop dead before I put anything other than a Pontiac in this thing.

 

never heard of the fenders being different. i have a 55' 2dr. wagon and they look the same to me. anyone have any trim pieces?

 

I have a fellow 55-57 Pontiac fanatic buddy who has both a 56 and a 57 delivery....canadian cars...and both have 261 six bangers..or they did originally. Both 3 speed manual trannys too with hanging [chevy] pedals. He use to take trips to Canada just to find cars like this and bring 'em back to Omaha.
I've been trying to talk him outta the 57 for years but he won't talk. I was able to score a 56 American two-door solid driver for stupid cheap [316, 3 speed stick...Rick Gonser bought the car and made it a 285 HP nascar car out of it] but he won't sell the 57 delivery...damn!

 

I think the different fender length is a chevy thing and not on Pontiacs. today, I will go out and measure the half dozen or so '55 and '56 Pontiacs I have and let everyone know for sure.

 

No difference in length on 55-57 Pontiac fenders; wheelbase difference in the shorter and longer cars is in the quarters. No difference in length on 55-57 Chevy fenders, they're all the same wheelbase.

 

I am fortunate enough to already have a Pontiac push car and a Pontiac powered AA/Fuel Dragster. This pic is at Bakersfield around 2003.



I still will probably fit a push bumper to the '56 though.

The '61 is also being gone through but, will extensive upgrades from bumper to bumper. This project is much more elaborate than the '56 and is nearing completion.

The '61 now has a '78 Grand Safari front frame clip with 12" rotors, slightly narrowed rear end and frame rails to accomodate larger truck tires, slightly opened up wheel wells too, 4 wheel discs, OD trans with mild 455 ( towing, mileage and tourque ), POSI, twin fuel tanks, holds 4 batteries. 1 for the '61 and 3 for the 36volt blower starter for the Fueler, reclining seats, 1 ton truck radiator, etc, etc. I even put watts linkage on the rear end to help with stability, to cut down in side sway while towing. Maybe I should have a thread on that one too?

The '56 deal is going to be a simple, inexpensive project compared to the '61.