You had to know my dad to kinda understand this next car. Dad was, um, lets say... 'fiscally responsible'. But dad also had a thing for NVH and good suspension. And that 57 Ford drove him nuts; he hated that thing. Ford did something different with their front end and the steering was completely different from even his 55 , and dad said that thing was awful. He did everything he knew to do, took it back for warranty more than once and just generally obsessed on that car, but could NOT get it to steer or 'handle' right. [I know...handling is a relative/subjective term and not usually used in the same sentence as 57 Ford...] Drove him crazy. Said other 57 Fords drove crappy too. Really bugged him. Bad design. And he hated bad design. So, very much unlike my dad, he said 'enough!' , prepared to take the financial hickey and started looking for a new 'family car' , tho the 'family' part was several months away.
The 59s had just been introduced and he went looking, tho NOT at any Ford products.
He wandered into Cashon Pontiac on 11th looking to maybe buy a new Catalina 2 dr sedan. He drove a couple, looked at a few, found a base model that he thought he could afford and started dealing. [as an aside - you do NOT want to be on the other side of the desk trying to make a car deal with my dad...] He and the salesman danced around but couldn't get to Dad's number; when Dad had a number in mind, that was all he was going. Period. Anyway, they got within $25, but dad wouldn't budge. Nor would the salesman. So dad started out the door...
The general manager had been in his office and had overheard all of this. When he saw dad walking, he trotted up to dad, introduced himself and asked if dad might be interested in a top-of-the-line Star Chief 4 door hardtop for LESS money than he had offered for the Catalina?
Dad was interested.
Only one problem... the car was a brand new, year old 58 model. Seems that the dealer had received this car off a rail shipment at the beginning of the LAST model year. it was a beautiful car - bright white with ice blue 'coves' , gorgeous tritone blue leather interior and an uprated engine with 2 fours and Hydramatic. Power steering, power brakes, most every option available except... no a/c.
Seems the car had been put on the wrong rail car; it was supposed to go to Wisconsin, but landed in Tulsa Oklahoma, humidity capital of the world. Most cars still didn't have a/c, but no one was gonna buy a top of the line expensive car without it here. The dealer called GM, told them of the problem, but the general decided it would cost more than it was worth to re-ship the car and told Cashon to just keep it. Gave 'em a heck of a deal on it. But Cashon had been unable to move it. Enter Dad.
They went way out back and looked at the car - it was dirty from sitting almost a year, but was indeed brand new. They drove it around - dad liked it. then they started talking numbers...
dad beat the guy to death on it cause he could 'smell blood'. They reached a tentative agreement and then dad added, "of course, that would be AFTER you install FACTORY air in it, right?"
Poor manager swallowed hard, said 'yeah, I can put a Mk IV underdash unit in it for you' with sweat pouring from his forehead.
Dad said' No, I would need factory air - this is too nice a car to hang something under that beautiful dashboard.'
manager declined.
No problem - dad shook his hand, said good night and went home.
Next morning, dealership's owner called and agreed to the deal; they wanted that car GONE. Done deal.
Dad and mom drove the car for a few weeks while the Parts Department ordered in every single little piece to make the car factory air. Every. Single. Little bitty. Piece.
Once all the parts were in, he took it in to the Service dept. They said they would have to have it for a week or so since they had to tear half of the bleedin car apart. dad needed a loaner, so the sales manager gave dad his personal 'Company Car - a 58 Bonneville convertible with Tri Power to drive.
We have a photo of that car also, but I dont have a scanned one of my parent's unit. So, with 58 Pontiacs being slightly esoteric, I shall follow Mr Plym Crazy's example and go find a similar car off the www for a visual.
Just turn the turquoise parts Ice Blue Metallic and narrow the whitewalls a bit and you know what our 58 Poncho looked like
