1954-66 Pontiac Star Chief: The Answer That Became a Question

摘要

By 1954, Pontiac's fortunes were on the wane. Following an impressive surge in sales after World War Ⅱ, the competition had largely passed by in the early Fifties. The introduction of the "Kettering" Oldsmobile and Cadillac ohv V-8s in 1949 left Pontiac as the only GM division still running nothing but L-head powerplants. The brand had become a bit of an anachronism. While it continued to appeal to sensible, somewhat-frugal types who still wanted something a bit fancier than a Chevy, Ford, or Plymouth, those buyers were being presented with other more interesting alternatives. What, then, might keep Pontiac customers in the fold-and maybe draw in a few new ones? The 1954 Star Chief was an innovative and cost-effective approach to the problem that faced Pontiac's product planners, a new marque flagship that rivaled higher-born cars in terms of luxury and style. It established a name-plate that would run well into the Sixties, even if its role in Pontiac's plans changed over time.