The Safari, Pontiac’s most expensive model at $2,962, was a
Pontiac’s Division
Pontiac’s new engine block, like its valve train, was relatively light. This was canada goose uk outlet https://www.canadagoosejacketsaleca.com due in part to canada goose outlet shop the engineers’ use of precision casting techniques. But more importantly, in lieu of the deep block design then in general use (exemplified by Ford’s widely touted “Y Block” V 8), Pontiac split the block canada canada goose factory sale goose factory outlet at buy canada goose jacket the crankshaft centerline. Thanks to the engine’s basic rigidity, this was done with Canada Goose Parka no sacrifice in canada goose outlet uk strength.
Other features of the new V 8 included the canada goose outlet online uk right cylinder canada goose outlet canada bank cast slightly forward of the left to simplify distributor positioning, a forged steel crankshaft cradled in five large main bearings, completely machined combustion chambers, and a canada goose outlet uk sale “Quad Gallery Lubrication System” to keep “every highly machined part cushioned with oil.” Hydraulic valve lifters were also featured.
“Where mechanical connections canada goose outlet new york city were used before,” said Pontiac, “the Strato Streak V 8 uses a column canada goose online outlet store of oil to canada goose clearance compensate for dimensional changes caused by heat expansion of valve train parts. The quantity of oil needed canada goose outlet parka is adjusted automatically to Canada Goose Online keep lifters cheap canada goose uk in constant contact with push rods. The result? Accurate timing, silent operation, long valve life, no canada goose outlet black friday tappet adjustment ever needed!”
Standard issue was a three speed, column mounted manual gearbox. But nearly 91 percent of all canada goose clearance sale 1955 Pontiacs left the factory equipped canada goose outlet store with the buy canada goose jacket cheap four speed Dual Range Hydra Matic transmission, a $178 option, supplied in combination with 8.00:1 heads. In this edition, the V 8 generated 180 horses.
Then, in the spring, a $35 Power Pack became available. With a four barrel carburetor replacing the standard two barrel pot, this package raised the gross horsepower to a comparatively lusty 200, just two horses less than Oldsmobile’s Super 88.
Altogether, 13 models were offered, four each in the Chieftain Canada Goose online “860” Special and “870” Deluxe series, and five Star Chiefs, including a spectacular hardtop style, two door station wagon called goose outlet uk canada goose canada the Safari. The Chieftains rode a wheelbase of 122 inches, while top of the line canada goose outlet online Star Chiefs (except for the Safari) employed canada Canada Goose Jackets goose outlet sale a 124 inch chassis.
Overall, the 210.2 inch long Star Chiefs (again, apart from the Safari) stretched seven inches longer than the Chieftains, the difference canada goose outlet in usa taking the form of an extended canada goose black friday sale rear deck. As a matter canada goose outlet store uk of fact, canada goose outlet toronto factory the 1954 Star Chief had even more rear Canada Goose Outlet overhang, resulting in an canada goose outlet nyc overall length 3.5 inches greater canada goose uk black friday than that of the 1955 version; some owners had complained that turning canada goose outlet reviews into official canada goose canada goose store outlet a steep driveway caused the rear bumper to scrape the pavement.
The volume leader in both Chieftair lines, which differed mainly in interior appointments, was canada goose coats the canada goose black friday sale traditional four door sedan, with the smartly styled canada goose uk shop Catalina two door hardtop in second place in the 870 line. A two door sedan and four door station wagon completed the roster in each instance, save for a lone two door wagon in the 860 Canada Goose sale series.
The Star Chief four door sedan and canada goose outlet jackets Catalina hardtop came in either deluxe or Custom trim; the Star Chief convertible, canada goose outlet Pontiac’s only ragtop, was considered a deluxe. The Safari, Pontiac’s most expensive model at $2,962, was a member of the Star Chief Custom sub series despite its shorter wheelbase Canada Goose Coats On Sale and canada goose length. canadian goose jacket But cheap Canada Goose the most popular Pontiac of them all for 1955 was the $2,499 Star Chief Custom Catalina.
Overall, the new Pontiacs represented the most canada goose jacket outlet radical change the division had seen since 1933, and sales responded accordingly. It is true, of course, that 1955 was a record year for the entire industry. Sister divisions Buick and Oldsmobile, for example, scored 47 and 48 percent production gains, respectively. canada goose coats on sale Pontiac, though it remained in sixth place, did even uk canada goose outlet better, showing a rousing 57 percent increase.