Pontiac Star Chief

The Star Chief was Pontiac’s top trim package for the Pontiac Chieftain. Later generations were built on longer wheelbases. Those versions laid the foundation for the Pontiac Bonneville. Easily identified by its chrome star trim along its side, the car was smooth and iconic as every classic car should be.

The First Versions of the Star Chief

Based on the Pontiac Chieftain, the Star Chief was Pontiac’s prestige model from 1954 to 1957. A year after its release, air conditioning was included. Optional seat belts were added in 1956. Soon, the Star Chief was available in Deluxe and the more costly Custom models. The Catalina was the top trim level hardtop.

Manufactured on the A platform, the launch of the Star Chief in 1954 was the first application of the lengthier 123.5 inch wheelbase to the Pontiac division. The straight eight engine provided raw power. The six-cylinder was not available.

The Star Chief as a Wagon

By 1955, many customers viewed the car company as dull and not very exciting. Executives attempted to redefine its dependable image by releasing the Start Chief Safari in 1955. Even the name “Safari” has connotations of adventure. Khaki clad hunting expeditions capped with pith helmets come to mind. The intention was to produce a vehicle that would have low production cost, but a higher price tag. It was to be striking on the inside as well as the outside. The Safari station wagon was to represent the sportiest wagon ever manufactured.

The Safari wasn’t quite part of the Star Chief series because it rested on the shorter Chieftain wheelbase of 122 inches. The four-door Custom Safari Transcontinental was introduced in 1957.

The direct rival of the Safari station wagon was Chevrolet’s Bel Air Nomad. Several car enthusiasts considered both to be the most attractive station wagons designed after World War II.

The Star Chief Evolves

1955 also brought about an all-new body style and a fresh V8 engine. The car’s hood was ornamented with two wide silver streaks of chrome which was typical of Pontiac’s at the time. The 1956 models saw moderate revisions to the design such as bumpers that appeared heavier.

In 1957, the high performance Star Chief Custom Bonneville was released. It was another attempt by Pontiac to raise the division out of the doldrums and give it new light. The common silver streaks were removed and all gauges were positioned in an oval on the dashboard. The side trim had a spear that was missile shaped behind the front door.

The popularity of the Bonneville allowed it to be given its own position on the Pontiac roster. It was marketed as the ultimate Pontiac and only available in a two-door hardtop or a two-door convertible. Though it wasn’t Pontiac’s prestige model any longer, the Star Chief remained a well-received car.

The vehicle received some notoriety when the characters of I Love Lucy drove to the West Coast in a 1955 Star Chief Convertible.

The Dodge Monaco

Naturally, with Pontiac striking it big with the Grand Prix, Dodge and its competitors were looking to throw their hats into the personal luxury marketplace. In their pursuit to satisfy the personal luxury consumers, Dodge turned to the Monaco and Monaco 500.

First Generation

Dodge’s venture into the personal luxury market began in 1964 for the 1965 model year. The original Monacos were modeled after the Dodge Custom 880 and featured a two-door body with a hardtop roof. To differentiate it from the Custom 880, Dodge gave the Monaco a different grille and tail light design and made the interior sportier. The 1965 Monaco was given a standard V8 engine that could produce 325 horsepower, and more powerful engines were available as upgrades.

In 1966, Dodge decided to replace the Custom 880 altogether with the Monaco and also added a second version, branded the Monaco 500. The original Monaco was upgraded and available in four different body styles including the hardtop coupe, the four-door hardtop sedan, the conventional four-door sedan, and the four-door station wagon. The Monaco 500 essentially took the place of the original Monaco body style.

For the 1967 model year, Dodge decided to redesign all of its full-size models, which included the Monaco. This redesign included an all-new sheet metal exterior and a body that featured “flat body panes” that were accompanied by “sharp-edged” accent lines.

As the 1968 model year rolled around, Dodge decided to make minimal changes to the Monaco. As for the Monaco 500, Dodge decided to stop producing this version of the Monaco.

Second Generation

For the 1969 model year, Dodge once again redesigned the Monaco. This time, the Monaco was lengthened, moving the wheelbase out an inch, lengthening the car to 220 total inches. Also new for the 1969 year was the return of the Monaco 500. The return of this option was accompanied with new front bucket seats and an armrest between them.

1970 once again brought along another redesign for the Monaco. The target of this redesign was the front and rear bumpers. The 1970 version of the Monaco was given loop bumpers that enclosed a new grille and headlights in the front and a double-loop bumpers that enclosed the tail lamps. Also new in 1970 was a longer hood that stretched the front end out by three inches.

For the 1971-73 models, the basic layout of the newly redesigned 1970 Monaco was used with minor adjustments being made to the front grille in 1971 and a new rear tail light look in 1973.

Third Generation

The Third Generation of the Dodge Monaco was essentially doomed from the start. Dodge redesigned the Monaco for the 1974 model year, once again adding size to its full-size frame. However, unfortunately for Dodge, the oil crisis began shortly after its introduction and Chrysler and Dodge was highly criticized for the Monaco’s large frame. Additionally, automotive critics scorned Dodge for the Monaco’s look, stating that it was too similar to past vehicles.

Fourth Generation

Due to the effects of the oil crisis that plagued the Third Generation of Monaco, Dodge once again redesigned their full-sized offering. This time, as a result of the oil crisis and calls for smaller vehicles, Dodge rolled out a slimmed down version of the Monaco that featured the mid-size B platform body. Eventually, during the 1978 model year, Dodge announced that it was discontinuing the Monaco line.

Fifth Generation

The Monaco name was eventually brought back when Chrysler was forced to repurpose parts from the purchase of AMC. Production of the Fifth Generation Monaco spanned from 1989 to 1992.