There was a lot of big news at GM in 1955, and like Chevrolet, the guys at Pontiac were very excited about their all-new OHV V8 and fresh bodies. More power is always welcome, but the new 287 cubic inch V8 also made Pontiacs some of the fastest cars on the road with a fantastic power-to-weight ratio. Traditional Pontiac styling cues like the Silver Streaks along the hood and trunk were retained, so there was no mistaking a Poncho on the road. Delightful 2-tone color combinations, new interior fabrics and patterns, and plenty of chrome were to define the remainder of the 1950s, with Pontiac leading the way with a wonderful combination of performance and style that few other brands could match.

This particular 1955 Pontiac Chieftain is a Catalina, with Catalina, of course, being Pontiac’s name for their 2-door hardtop body style. But that’s not the most remarkable part. No, this car’s most extraordinary feature is the mileage: 6209 miles, which we have every reason to believe is authentic and that is not a typo. The car was discovered in a body shop in 2008, and at that time, it had not been registered for road use since 1965. The interior, undercarriage, and engine bay are completely original, but its time in the body shop necessitated a repaint and some chrome work, making this car the best of both worlds: cosmetically stunning with the wonderful comfort and mechanical precision of a low-mileage survivor. It has already collected many major awards, including an AACA National Senior First Prize, suggesting that it is one of the very best of its type in the world. It is filled with wonderful authentic details combined with a surprising sophistication that many antique car enthusiasts would not expect.

The lovely paint job is how this car was delivered originally, a combination of Marietta Blue and Castle Gray that’s just stunning in person. Sadly, our photos were not able to quite capture the brilliance of the colors, particularly the Castle Gray, which does indeed have a bit of green mixed in, giving the car a wonderful ‘50s pastel color pallet that appears to have been designed by artists (which, of course, it was). The paint was freshened in 2009-2010, and the job was extremely professional, with all the trim removed, new weather-stripping, and even the original glass was carefully removed and reinstalled during the process. The finish is deep and lustrous, with no metallic or other additions, so it looks quite correct and as I said, the color combination is simply gorgeous. You’ll note that the crisp line between the two colors is hidden behind the side trim, but where it is, the line is laser-straight and extends even into the door jambs. There were obviously no rust issues or major body repairs, and the entire surface of the car was block sanded to reflect like a mirror from just about any angle.

At the same time, most of the chrome was re-plated and the stainless trim was polished and straightened, including the lovely little eyebrows over the headlights and distinctive brightwork on the lower quarters behind the wheels. Of course, the trademark Pontiac silver streaks on the hood were in beautiful condition with no pitting, and they were chromed and painted to match the Marietta Blue sections of the car. The same is true of the smaller streaks above the taillights, and while there is some debate as to whether they should be body-color or basic black, these are painted to match the bodywork and given the awards this car has won, it appears that the judges agree that it’s correct. Experts will also note that the ultra-rare trim pieces below the taillights and back-up lights, designed to hide the two-tone color break, are not only in place but remain in excellent condition. It also wears a set of accessory chrome fender skirts that enhance the long, low look.

The remarkable all-original interior will help convince you that the mileage is correct. The two-tone Light Blue Cloth and Dark Blue Vinyl upholstery is unquestionably vintage 1955 and perhaps the most amazing element of this already pretty impressive car. Yes, there are a few loose threads, just look at the floor coverings, the beautifully finished door panels, and the taut headliner. GM’s familiar gauges arranged in a round hood ahead of the driver were a popular look across all the brands—perhaps a piece of jet-age styling—and the Pontiacs got a full set, including temperature, ammeter, oil pressure, and fuel level, in addition to speed. Secondary controls are simple knobs down low on the dash, and the heater/defroster controls are wonderful aircraft-style levers on either side of the steering column. An AM radio still sits in the center of the dash and does power up and make noise, but we haven’t been successful in dialing-in a station, and one of the levers for the heater is a little sticky, but otherwise, it remains in fully-functional, as-new condition. For authenticity, there’s a neat visor-mounted instruction sheet about the 4-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, and even that original 1965 Pennsylvania registration tag is still affixed to the windshield. The trunk is wonderfully correct, with original burlap-style trunk linings, a full-sized spare (new, to match the other four tires), and the original jack assembly which appears to have never been used.

Pontiac’s all-new “Strato Streak” OHV V8 engine was 22 cubic inches bigger than Chevy’s 265, and with the same bodywork to haul around, performance is more than entertaining. The engine was removed during the body repaint and cleaned, but it was not dismantled or painted, then reinstalled using original fasteners and clips wherever possible. The engine bay was also tidied up, but all the decals, markings, and hardware are from 1955, keeping it as authentic as possible while bringing it up to show standards. The smooth-running 287 cubic inch V8 starts easily and idles with that wonderful burble from the tailpipe that only these early V8s can offer. The water pump was recently replaced, and there’s no doubt that the one that was removed was the original, crumbling bearings and all, but otherwise the engine bay runs all its original equipment. It idles smoothly, doesn’t get hot, the generator makes plenty of juice, and it has that smooth, effortless feeling that you only get from untouched, original cars. We also serviced the brakes, including a rebuilt master cylinder, and there’s a correct tar-top reproduction battery to make it look right.

The Hydra-Matic 4-speed automatic transmission is virtually indestructible, but while the car was apart, it was treated to new gaskets and seals (there are only two of them) so it drives like it should. Obviously with so few miles on the clock, we’re not taking extensive test drives in this car, but we can confirm that it rides, handles, shifts, and feels like a new car might have in 1955. The undercarriage is extremely clean, having been detailed but not disassembled or repainted, and it shows that GM was painting just about everything satin black in 1955: suspension, frame, floors, all of it. With the aforementioned master cylinder installed, it stops confidently with 4-wheel drum brakes and the exhaust system is a correct replacement that sounds right and ends with an accessory chrome deflector. It sits on four color-matched steel wheels with Pontiac hubcaps, and was just recently fitted with a correct set of 7.10-15 BFGoodrich Silvertown wide whitewall tires that might just be only the second set of tires this car has ever worn.

There’s also a bit of neat documentation, including an ad featuring a Catalina hardtop in these colors, plus a spectacular display book with fantastic cut-away illustrations on clear visquene showing all the engine’s internal details. This car has won numerous awards at the national level, including its AACA National Senior first prize, which is a rather remarkable feat for a car that hasn’t been fully restored and speaks to the quality of the preservation as well as the work that was done.

It’s sad that Pontiac is no more, because they seemed to combine sport, image, and luxury in a way nobody else could match. The good news is that cars like this lovely Chieftain Catalina are still out there to show us just how good they really were. Poised to win more awards (it was scheduled for its AACA Grand National Senior), this is quite likely the finest example of its kind in the world. Combining the very best aspects of a survivor (the driving experience) with show-quality paint and chrome, this is a car that will delight you no matter what you decide to do with it.