Mario's Tribute to 1955 Pontiac

57timemachine on Aug 20, 2022 said:

The 1955 was a real beauty but it would be two more years before the real beauty came out. Ok I Know I am partial. The 287 was the beginning of an amazing Pontiac V-8. A motor that has left a major impression on the motoring world. Cheers.

Mario on Aug 20, 2022 said:

George the 1955 Pontiac was a trend setter in so many ways and I agree with you the 57 was improved upon 100%. Your 57 Pontiac is one of the best I have ever seen so I don't think you're being impartial, just being honest! Cheers!

Mario on Aug 20, 2022 said:

The 1955 Pontiac is the car my Father-In-Law owned brand new in the two-tone Fire Gold and White Mist paint. It was a beauty and he loved it.

This post is my Tribute to my favorite Father-In-Law John and his 1955 Pontiac. My wife tells me she used to stand in the back seat of their 55 Pontiac and put her hands around her father’s neck while he was driving! So cute! She was 8 years old.

The all-new 287 cu in (4.7 L) Strato Streak V8 with 180 hp and a 12-volt electrical system added power and many new options like never before. Six-cylinder models did not return and the 1955 lineup was V8-only. A six-cylinder model had been considered, but Pontiac management decided not to retain it due to slow sales—six-cylinder Pontiacs had accounted for only around 10-15% of volume since 1951.

The I Love Lucy episode series “Hollywood at Last” featured a new 1955 Pontiac convertible which they rode cross country from NY to California. The journey was hysterical and some of the episodes have been colorized.

1955 was a huge turning point in the automotive industry, especially with General Motors. The GM Motorama was in full bloom, and I remember going to the NYC GM Motorama with my Dad in 1955. I was sold on cars after that! Enjoy! Mario.

azmusclecar on Aug 20, 2022 said:

Oh my, oh my, oh my. If my uncle could see this. He was a certified Pontiac mechanic in his years. I told the story before of how I sat on the milkbox outside the house waiting to see that lit up Indian Head on his car and I knew it was him.

Sadly he is in a nursing home and not doing well. He taught me a lot of things. How to cuss, how to throw tools, how to make up words that you knew meant dirty things and a few mechanic tricks along the way.

I miss him, and I miss the old POINTYASS as he would call them.

I did get a few beatings for saying things Uncle Ray told me. But all in all, I learned some life lessons as well.

Thanks for the reminder of a great car, and a good man. Truly a great thread Mario. But then again, if it wasn't, you'd hear about it. :-)

Mario on Aug 21, 2022 said:

Rob, it always amazes me how a classic car can bring back a lot of memories just by seeing it. Hopefully they're good memories.

This car brought back memories of your Uncle Ray. It also brings back memories of my father-in-law John who has long passed. I also recall my very first car, a 59 Pontiac Catalina convertible. Lots of good memories there.

And George has a clean 57 Pontiac because it's like the one his Dad had! I'm sure it brings him a lot of Joy.

Our generation is forever locked with classic cars and our memories which I think is a good thing. Cheers! Mario.

57timemachine on Aug 21, 2022 said:

Mario, I love all your comments and they are all bang on. It has always amazed me how old cars not only bring back great memories of family, they also bring good people together in our great hobby. With no exaggeration ALL of my closest buddy's and acquaintances are old car guys and girls. I do not know anyone that is not an old car nut and I like it that way. Cheers to you sir.

Mario on Aug 21, 2022 said:

I totally agree with you George how classic cars jog our memories and bond people together as family into a different world. They certainly put a smile on my face! Cheers, Mario.

azmusclecar on Aug 22, 2022 said:

There is something to be said about a black and white classic car. It's the elegant look of a tuxedo.

Or a penguin.....

A penguin driving the black and white convertible is such a visual statement in so many ways......

Yes, my mind even scares me at times....

Hard to beliece I never did any illegal drugs as a kid. My grandfather was the police dispatcher. I was like the Johnny Cash song:

I WALK THE LINE........

Now you have an earworm humming that song don't you?

Enjoy and you're welcome........ :-)

Mario on Aug 24, 2022 said:

Hey Rob, check out the Pontiac Indian Head Hood Ornament pictures I added. Remind you of your Uncle coming Home? Cheers!

azmusclecar on Aug 24, 2022 said:

Oh that is awesome, I would LOVE to have a display case with ALL the different hood ornaments that adorned the hoods of so many cars. I was in San Diego and they had a museum exhibit and part of that exhibit was exactly that.

One ornament after another placed accordingly to their make and modng els. WOW......I was overwhelmed with how many and how intricate the craftsmanship was on them.

To me they were miniature sculptures worthy of being exhibited in homes. I am considering one to replace the photo of my mother in law.

No, not the SWAN you can get from our favorite old time parts catalog, JC Whitney.... more like the Bulldog from the Mack Truck series. (snicker snicker)

Bad Robert, BAD........I'm headed to my room, again.

Mario on Aug 24, 2022 said:

That's funny you mentioned you like hood ornaments, I do too! I actually have the Original Hood ornament from my Dad's 1952 Ford.

It's a jet plane all chrome and he gave it to me when he bought an Eagle Hood ornament and replaced it with the original.

You're correct they were sculptures on their own and check out Ebay for the prices they're getting for them!

A good Post for you to do is Fifties Hood Ornaments! Do you accept the challenge? Cheers!

azmusclecar on Aug 24, 2022 said:

I feel like someone is calling me out, taunting me. Or is this just so someone we won't mention, wants to show off their knowledge and make the rest of us feel like ........well you know......less.

Is the person taunting me have the initials

M A R I O

Hmmmmm, I wonder. :-)

Mario on Aug 24, 2022 said:

No not at all, I like hood ornaments and would like to see a Post with many of the fifties popular ones like the Fords, Pontiacs, etc.

It was your idea when you said you would sit on your milk box waiting for your Uncle to come home with his Indian Head Pontiac ornament.

You can do it, take a break and do some research. I'm sure you can find pictures on the internet!

azmusclecar on Aug 24, 2022 said:

Oh I'm entertaining it in my head. There's plenty of space in there.......

I almost....and this is for you, thought of a thread with many of the odd options you could order on a car. I actually saw a record player in a car once. The odder, the better. There's your challenge. Now we both have a job.

Mario on Aug 24, 2022 said:

Yes I believe it was a 1956 Chrysler that came up with that option. Wasn't very popular though. You had to buy special records from Chrysler and not many good choices!

Mario on Feb 18, 2023 said:

The 1955 Pontiac Star Chief. Same car and color combo my Father-In-Law John Rico owned brand new. This is my Tribute to my Father-In-Law John and his 1955 Pontiac! Rest in Peace Dad, a Great Man.