Poll: Which '55? (7/17/2025)

In a competition of automotive art, neither, in my eyes, qualifies as the winner. But neither are egregious.

The color separations and choices are not a favorite on the Clipper. They are far better on the Star Chief. Going with the Indian by a smidge!

Packard for me. I like the shape, but the color separation is unfortunate. I never found Pontiac good looking until 1957.

Pontiac for me. The Packard looks heavy and clumsy to me while the Star Chief looks well balanced.

Pontiac for me, it looks lower and sleeker.

Lucy & Ricky Ricardo and Fred & Ethel Mertz drove cross-country from NYC to California in a '55 Pontiac convertible. The car was prominently shown and talked about in numerous "I Love Lucy" episodes that season. Great promotional opportunity for Pontiac!

@moe-parr and without a windshield.

@bob-jackman Good catch Bob!

Not fond of either one.   If I had to choose it would be the Pontiac today.

In '55 I would have bought a Mercury. 

I remember that show because of the car. They were filming this inside the studio. I recall reading, some time later, that they removed the windshield so that they could film the stars without distracting light reflections and images.

The Pontiac gets the easy nod today as it is my fave year of its decade.  The Packard is nice too though.

I chose the Packard despite misgivings about the trim balance. The Pontiac does looks more attractive, but overall, I believe the Packard is a better car.

@perrone1 That's what I remember too Tony.

@brush Bruce I think what happened was the Ricardos switched to a Pontiac in "55 after they tore the Merc-O-Matic tranny out of their Mercury towing that massive trailer!

Posted by: @bob-jackman

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@moe-parr and without a windshield.

Many windshields in '50's TV shows and movies did not have a windshield.  It was done to eliminate glare from camera angles.  

PONTIAC only because it looks less bulbous.  And that color scheme on the Packard has to be the result of some bad drugs.