Ozzie & Harriett's 2014 Dallas Autorama First Place Chieftain Wagon PS PB A/C

Pontiac Other 1956 Description

SUMMARY

52280-mile mostly original survivor
Originally owned by Ozzie and Harriet Nelson
Featured in "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" HBO's "A Private Matter" and an MTV interview
Awarded '49-'57 Restored Cars First Place at the 2014 Dallas Autorama
Our sale includes both the car's magazine feature and Dallas Autorama plaque
Original 316 cubic inch Strato Streak V8
Original Hydramatic 4-speed automatic transmission
Factory-optioned power steering and power drum brakes
Factory-optioned air conditioning
Currently wears a revised Glendale Green and bright white color combination

Whether it's a '58 Edsel or a '63 Corvette all collector cars have dedicated fans and admirers. But not many of those vintage machines can claim both exclusivity and star status. Sold by a north Hollywood Pontiac dealer and used both on and off the set of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet this 52280 actual mile Chieftain is a national award winner that's split most of its time between the screen the radio and the museum floor. Benefiting from new paint a reupholstered seat and freshened chrome it's a mostly-original survivor that's still humbled by vintage camera mounts installed during its sitcom debut. And accompanied by a roster of old school literature the car's history is delightful and well documented. If you like cool classics that tell a good story this incredible Poncho is your next cruiser!

HISTORY/CONDITION

Serving double duty as Ozzie and Harriet Nelson's on and off screen transportation this Pontiac tells a storied history of low mileage TV appearances museum appearances and eventually a Cincinnati radio appearance. It's 50K mile journey started around the set of "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" where the car in addition to being rigged for camera work often served as a prop that began Ozzie's scenes. When the Nelsons moved on to newer metal the wagon sold to Don Bruker's Cars of the Stars museum. And when the Car's to the Stars museum went out of business it found residence with California collector Ray Ostrander.

Since the Chieftain had been in museum mode for quite some time Ostrander decided to conduct a minor restoration that included freshened chrome some new upholstery and a wholesale swap of original Glendale Green and Nimbus Gray pigment for a pleasing combination of pearlescent Glendale and bright white. With that work complete the Pontiac landed two more TV roles appearing in HBO's "A Private Matter" and MTV's interview with actor Aidan Quinn. And in 1993 its short and sweet radio career began when Cincinnati's 103.5 WGBH bought it as a giveaway prize.

As part of WGBH's promotion the car was towed all over Cincinnati to glean listeners' personal information. One of those listeners Don Furnish was a bonafide Pontiac enthusiast who was planning to offer the car's winner substantial money to pass him the privilege of ownership. When the time came to draw names that winner was given 10 minutes and 35 seconds to call and claim their new wheels. And after that winner's time ran out Don's dreams turned to good fortune as WGBH DJ Chris O'Brien announced his name as the second winner. After a prompt call to the radio station Don spent the next several years enjoying his unrestored mostly original classic at summer cruise-ins and weekend car shows. And in 2014 the car claimed First Place in the '49-'57 Restored Cars class and the Dallas Autorama in Dallas Texas.

ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN

Raise this Chieftain's domed hood and the first thing you'll notice is an original Strato Streak 316 that according to the car's previous owners has never been removed or rebuilt. Less obvious of course is that stalwart engine's correct 521560 casting number. Tested for over 1 million miles and found throughout the 1956 Pontiac line-up this mean green mill was Pontiac Motor Division's creative answer to Chevrolet's red-hot 265. Behind that block an original 4-speed Hydramatic transmission which wears a correct "D56" prefix stamp transfers power to a factory-spec rear end. In front of that drivetrain correct control arms employ optional power steering and fresh shocks. Optional power drum brakes are a welcome addition and big performance upgrade. There's a traditional true-dual exhaust system that appears to have been patched with new turbo mufflers. And everything rides on painted steel wheels which spin fresh 225/75R15 Coker Classic whitewalls around full stainless hubcaps.

INTERIOR

Climb inside this awesome Poncho and you'll find a mostly original interior that features dramatic style and enough great looking trim to payroll a small upholstery shop. Covered in vivid hides the car's big bench seats equipped with optional power adjustment up front feature a nice combination of fresh front and original rear vinyl. At the sides of those seats original door panels look great hovering behind small armrests and correct chrome handles. At the front of those panels an original dash hangs original telemetry above optional air conditioning. In front of the driver an original ornate steering wheel spins around an optional foot-operated windshield washing system. And behind the passengers a matted cargo area frames ample storage space in original stainless skid strips.

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES

A vintage photo of the car
A vintage photo of the Nelson family
A WGBH giveaway flyer
A copy of the car's magazine feature
Miscellaneous service records
A DVD of HBO's "A Private Matter"
A black vanity license plate
A large show board
The car's Dallas Autorama registration card
The car's First Place plaque from the Dallas Autorama

It's been quite a while since we've seen such a unique Pontiac. This national award-winning Chieftain is an iconic classic that wraps clean aesthetics and an all-original powertrain in awesome history and first class provenance. Are you in the market for a unique cruiser that's a literal representation of classic Americana? Then come on down to RK Motors Charlotte and make this Chieftain the star of your nostalgic escapism!