Photo: LukeChildress/YouTube
When it comes to GM cars from the mid-1950s, none is more iconic than the Chevrolet Tri-Five. Built from 1955 to 1957, it was available with Chevy’s first V8 in decades and came in various body styles and trim levels. It was also affordable and sold millions of units, so it’s not surprising that it’s a popular choice in the classic car market. I’m also a Tri-Five fan, but I like the Pontiacs of the era even more.
When the Tri-Five arrived for the 1955 model year, Pontiac had two main models in showrooms: the Chieftain and the Star Chief. The former debuted in 1949 and would remain in production through 1958, while the Star Chief was introduced in 1954 as a range-topping model.
Pontiac also offered the Catalina (since 1950), but it…