Pontiac Star Chief Vista, 1960
Pontiac Catalina I
Pontiac Catalina I•
•44 views
Chassis No.: 460P15949
Auction: Indy 2019
Auction date: May 19, 2019
Lot No.: T190
$27,000 | High bid
- Exterior: Copper
- Interior: Brown
- 22,000 original miles
- Star Chief Special 283 HP V-8 engine
- 4-barrel carburetor
- Super Hydra-Matic transmission
- Straight body refinished in original Palomino Copper Poly paint
- Polished chrome and stainless trim
- Detailed engine compartment, trunk, and chassis
- Power steering and brakes
- Deluxe wheel covers
- Under hood light
- Rare Sport-able radio
Building on the smash success of its 1959 “Wide Track” designs, Pontiac continued a stunning transformation that vaulted the nearly extinct GM Division to third place in the sales race by 1962—a position it would hold through 1969. Rich advertising artwork by Art Fitzpatrick and Van Kaufman, plus the marketing wizardry of Jim Wangers, who won class at the NHRA U.S. Nationals in a 1960 Pontiac, heightened the image. With just 22,000 miles and featuring a straight body refinished in factory-correct Palomino Copper Poly paintwork, this upscale 1960 Pontiac Star Chief Vista is a great example from Pontiac’s glory years.
Featuring a clean, uncluttered body design along more horizontal lines than the year before, this Star Chief Vista’s visual appeal is heightened with polished chrome and stainless exterior trim, as well as a detailed trunk, chassis and engine compartment, with the latter featuring factory-type decals, components and finishes. An eye-catching four-door hardtop, this Star Chief Vista also benefits from careful refinements applied by Pontiac engineers for 1960 that yielded greater interior space and methodical improvements to the brakes, steering, suspension and Hydra-Matic transmission, as well as overall quietness and comfort.
Ample cruising power is delivered by a 4-barrel 389 CI V-8 engine breathing through dual exhaust. A Super Hydra-Matic transmission, power steering and brakes provide heightened driving ease. This Star Chief Vista features a rare, factory-optional Sportable accessory radio; a compact, transistorized unit connected to the car’s electrical and speaker systems that could also be battery-operated as a portable radio when removed from the vehicle, this interesting optional feature rounds out this feature-rich Pontiac very nicely.
An attractive “Jet Age” Pontiac with power, presence and plenty of room for enjoyment with family and friends, this 1960 Pontiac Star Chief Vista marks a highly compelling opportunity for collectors of the finest postwar American cars.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/371399/1960-pontiac-star-chief-vista/
