1955 Models and Body Styles

The table below lists the Pontiacs models that were offered in 1955. The Body Style Number can be found on the car's Fisher Body Data Plate. The first two digits of the Body Style Number, "25" or "28", identify the "Series".

Body Style No. 25xx = 27 Series = 122 inch wheelbase, 176.5" frame length = all Chieftain models and Safari

Body Style No. 28xx = 28 Series = 124 inch wheelbase, 183.5" frame length = all Star Chief models except Safari

This was the only year that the first two digits of the Body Style Number didn't correspond to the Series (for Chieftain models only).

The Safari (2564DF) is somewhat of an anomaly because it is built on the shorter frame but uses the more expensive Star Chief components and trim. "Catalina" designation is used for cars with no post between front and rear side windows (usually called "hardtops"). "Catalina Coupe" is a two-door hardtop.

*Model*	*Body Style*	*Body Style No.*	*Factory Price*	Shipping Weight*	*Production Total*	*Comments*
Chieftain,	Catalina Coupe 870	2537D	2,335	3,631	72,608	2-door hardtop
27 Series	Two Door Sedan 860	2511	2,105	3,586	58,654	lowest price
	Two Door Sedan 870	2511D	2,209	3,586	8,950
	Four Door Sedan 860	2519	2,164	3,621	65,155
	Four Door Sedan 870	2519D	2,268	3,621	91,187
	Four Door Station Wagon 860	2562	2,518	3,736	6,091	3 seat wagon
	Four Door Station Wagon 870	2562DF	2,603	3,786	19,439	2 seat wagon
	Two Door Station Wagon 860	2563F	2,434	3,736	8,618	2 seat "Colony" wagon

Star Chief, 27 Series	Custom Station Wagon (Safari)	2564DF	2,962	3,746	3,760	2 seat sporty wagon, most expensive model

Star Chief,	Convertible Coupe	2867DTX	2,691	3,901	19,762
28 Series	Catalina Coupe Custom	2837SD	2,499	3,676	99,629	2-door hardtop
	Four Door Sedan	2819D	2,362	3,666	44,800
	Four Door Sedan Custom	2819SD	2,455	3,666	35,153

* Shipping Weight is with automatic transmission.

Trivia:

1955 was first year for the overhead valve V8 engine.
1955 Pontiac production began Oct 4, 1954 and cars were introduced to the public 15 days later.
Except for station wagons, Chieftain 860 and Chieftain 870 models were the same except for trim and price.
Star Chief was the "high end" model. Except for the Safari wagon they were approximately 7" longer (all in the rear overhang) than the Chieftain models.
The Safari was not introduced until Jan 31, 1955.
The 200 hp 4-barrel carb "Power Pack" engine was released in March of 1955. It did NOT include dual exhaust.
A total of 57730 Chieftains were equipped with the manual transmission (light-duty Buick 3-Speed Synchromesh).
Only 1156 Star Chiefs were equipped with the manual transmission
The automatic transmission was a Hydra-Matic of the "dual-range" variety, often called the "slant pan", based on it's unique case design.
90.6% of 1955 Pontiacs had the Hydra-Matic transmission installed.