New Project in the Family - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**kwmech** · 10-24-2021, 01:49 PM

Son in law picked this up yesterday about 2 hours from his house. No engine or trans. Has all the glass minus windshield. Needs reassembly and a drivetrain.

Ok, not having much luck figuring how to load a pic from my email onto here, any help? Coming up as an upload error

56 Pontiac Star Chief?? wagon.

**AussieinNC** · 10-24-2021, 02:12 PM

Save the pic in your email locally to your computer then load from the computer.....

If you are on your phone save the pic in the email to your Photos folder then load from there...

**kwmech** · 10-24-2021, 02:28 PM

figured it out

**kwmech** · 10-24-2021, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussieinNC

Save the pic in your email locally to your computer then load from the computer.....

If you are on your phone save the pic in the email to your Photos folder then load from there...

I tried that but it kept coming up as an error. I had to put it into a download file then throw it into my picture photos so it would upload to the attachment files on this website. Kinda a round about way but it worked. I'm working with windows 7

CG · 10-24-2021, 02:35 PM

That's a rare find. Pretty cool.

**kwmech** · 10-24-2021, 02:58 PM

I know absolutely nothing about this car. But if my son in law can afford an Ls2 with a 4l80e, I think that may be a good start.

Warrens69GMC · 10-24-2021, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwmech

I tried that but it kept coming up as an error. I had to put it into a download file then throw it into my picture photos so it would upload to the attachment files on this website. Kinda a round about way but it worked. I'm working with windows 7

A error code means it too large of a file.

**truckster** · 10-24-2021, 07:20 PM

Nice! What are the plans?

**GOPAPA** · 10-24-2021, 08:33 PM

Very nice ,.a lot of work ,but it will be worth it,, maybe with a family project it will help in the cost to restore it.. keep us posted..

**kwmech** · 10-24-2021, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckster

Nice! What are the plans?

Not quite sure yet. He just picked it up yesterday. His initial was to lower it and all kinds of stuff. I'm telling him to get it assembled and running first. I do not know his exact plans for an engine. I'm sure there is rust to deal with and a whole lot of assembly. I'm not sure how much of the car he got with the shell. Looks like a project somebody gave up on. From what I understand a lot of parts are interchangeable with the chevy

**LEEVON** · 10-24-2021, 09:32 PM

Nice find! OEM parts are hard to come by, but you're right some stuff interchanges with Chevy. I enjoy my 55 Safari but I wouldn't want to tackle restoring one. I say mod away!

**kwmech** · 10-24-2021, 09:43 PM

Beautiful car. I've trying to determine which model it is. I'm leaning towards a Chieftain. My son-in-law is saying a Star Chief, but I'm seeing different tail lamps for those....any help?

**Ol Blue K20** · 10-24-2021, 10:28 PM

That's a great find. It's gonna be a cool car when it's done

4u2nv · 10-25-2021, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwmech

Son in law picked this up yesterday about 2 hours from his house. No engine or trans. Has all the glass minus windshield. Needs reassembly and a drivetrain.

Ok, not having much luck figuring how to load a pic from my email onto here, any help? Coming up as an upload error

56 Pontiac Star Chief?? wagon.

Pretty sure it's a 55
That's going to make one cool ride for sure

4u2nv · 10-25-2021, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwmech

Beautiful car. I've trying to determine which model it is. I'm leaning towards a Chieftain. My son-in-law is saying a Star Chief, but I'm seeing different tail lamps for those....any help?

Could it be the custom star chief ????

**LEEVON** · 10-25-2021, 11:09 AM

1955 Chieftain 2 Door Wagon (860). This was the first year Pontiac V8, a 287 with 173hp. The engine had several unique components like crossover exhaust but physically it will interchange with later 347's, 389's, etc. The Hydramatic transmission was a 4 speed unit that is relatively strong, but difficult to rebuild and maintain. The brake booster is frame mounted, and the heater box is on the driver's side firewall...that may be a bit of a chore to update. Mine had a 350/350 but the prior owner sourced an complete '55 v8 car and took all the original drivetrain, rebuilt and installed it back to factory correct. I was able to find a custom disc brake conversion kit from Canter or OPGI that fit the factory spindles and worked with the single pot master cylinder, that's the only real mod on my Safari.

I'm looking forward to seeing where this build goes, looks like a really solid body. Did it come with a drivetrain?

**kwmech** · 10-25-2021, 12:00 PM

No drive train, but what he said is that everything is there to put the body together, minus the windshield and a couple of door panels. Talking to him last night, the previous owner said this '55 (yes 4u2nv) was one of 300 something. The main body shell is a belair and the only difference is the front clip.

The drive train is an open book right now. An Ls2 would be nice, but he wants to keep it simple with the electronics. So maybe a Pontiac 400 with a t400? I have a BOP400 sitting under my workbench. Will have to check what the rear end gearing is

KW5413 · 10-25-2021, 12:28 PM

That has the opportunity to be a great ride. Even better, you get to help and spend your
S-I-L's $$$$.

LOL!.

10-24-2021, 01:49 PM	#1
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,395	New Project in the Family Son in law picked this up yesterday about 2 hours from his house. No engine or trans. Has all the glass minus windshield. Needs reassembly and a drivetrain. Ok, not having much luck figuring how to load a pic from my email onto here, any help? Coming up as an upload error 56 Pontiac Star Chief?? wagon. Last edited by kwmech; 10-24-2021 at 02:33 PM.

10-24-2021, 02:12 PM	#2
AussieinNC Moderator Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 2,158	Re: New Project in the Family Save the pic in your email locally to your computer then load from the computer..... If you are on your phone save the pic in the email to your Photos folder then load from there... __________________ Family and country before all others... 2006 Chevy Silverado (Daily Driver) 2012 Chevy Equinox

10-24-2021, 02:28 PM	#3
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,395	Re: New Project in the Family figured it out Attached Images

10-24-2021, 02:35 PM	#5
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 19,786	Re: New Project in the Family That's a rare find. Pretty cool. __________________ … … … … … … … … ... … … … … … … … … … … …

10-24-2021, 02:58 PM	#6
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,395	Re: New Project in the Family I know absolutely nothing about this car. But if my son in law can afford an Ls2 with a 4l80e, I think that may be a good start.

10-24-2021, 07:20 PM	#8
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,806	Re: New Project in the Family Nice! What are the plans? __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

10-24-2021, 08:33 PM	#9
GOPAPA "Tail Gate Best Seat In House" Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nampa Idaho Posts: 7,365	Re: New Project in the Family Very nice ,.a lot of work ,but it will be worth it,, maybe with a family project it will help in the cost to restore it.. keep us posted.. __________________ When you learn a thing a day you store up smart.

10-24-2021, 09:32 PM	#11
LEEVON Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,887	Re: New Project in the Family Nice find! OEM parts are hard to come by, but you're right some stuff interchanges with Chevy. I enjoy my 55 Safari but I wouldn't want to tackle restoring one. I say mod away! Attached Images __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids

10-24-2021, 09:43 PM	#12
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,395	Re: New Project in the Family Beautiful car. I've trying to determine which model it is. I'm leaning towards a Chieftain. My son-in-law is saying a Star Chief, but I'm seeing different tail lamps for those....any help?

10-24-2021, 10:28 PM	#13
Ol Blue K20 Proprietor of Dale's Corner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vacaville , CA Posts: 15,834	Re: New Project in the Family That's a great find. It's gonna be a cool car when it's done __________________ "Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man

10-25-2021, 11:09 AM	#16
LEEVON Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,887	Re: New Project in the Family 1955 Chieftain 2 Door Wagon (860). This was the first year Pontiac V8, a 287 with 173hp. The engine had several unique components like crossover exhaust but physically it will interchange with later 347's, 389's, etc. The Hydramatic transmission was a 4 speed unit that is relatively strong, but difficult to rebuild and maintain. The brake booster is frame mounted, and the heater box is on the driver's side firewall...that may be a bit of a chore to update. Mine had a 350/350 but the prior owner sourced an complete '55 v8 car and took all the original drivetrain, rebuilt and installed it back to factory correct. I was able to find a custom disc brake conversion kit from Canter or OPGI that fit the factory spindles and worked with the single pot master cylinder, that's the only real mod on my Safari. I'm looking forward to seeing where this build goes, looks like a really solid body. Did it come with a drivetrain? __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids

10-25-2021, 12:00 PM	#17
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,395	Re: New Project in the Family No drive train, but what he said is that everything is there to put the body together, minus the windshield and a couple of door panels. Talking to him last night, the previous owner said this '55 (yes 4u2nv) was one of 300 something. The main body shell is a belair and the only difference is the front clip. The drive train is an open book right now. An Ls2 would be nice, but he wants to keep it simple with the electronics. So maybe a Pontiac 400 with a t400? I have a BOP400 sitting under my workbench. Will have to check what the rear end gearing is

10-25-2021, 12:28 PM	#18
KW5413 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Rowlett, TX Posts: 494	Re: New Project in the Family That has the opportunity to be a great ride. Even better, you get to help and spend your S-I-L's $$$$. LOL!.



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