I have an original rare 1957 vacuum ashtray (GM accessory sold by dealer) that is complete and that i have had for over 20 years. I had it in my 57 Chev Belair hardtop that i sold in 2006 and removed it before i sold the car. I have installed this vacuum ashtray in my 57 Pontiac but i have a big question. To this day i am not sure if this item was ever available for 57 Pontiac's, especially Canadian Pontiac's. Also i was wondering if the glass jar and bracket was mounted under the hood instead of next to the drivers kick panel? On the 57 Chev it was mounted next to the drivers kick panel under the dash but on the 57 Pontiac because of the fresh air vent, it would be impossible to mount the jar there. Does anyone have any info on this situation, any help would be greatly appreciated. These 57 and 58 vacuum ashtrays routinely go for $1,000 to $1,500 U.S. The 58 vacuum ashtray had a slightly different bracket. For those that are not familiar with this accessory there was a chrome pod with a side lever mounted under the ash tray with a small bracket. On my 57 Pontiac i could not mount under the ashtray because the tissue dispenser would hit it. One hose went to the glass jar and the other hose went to a fitting on the intake manifold for vacuum. You would squeeze the side lever on the chrome pod and this would open up the vacuum passage. Any ashes and actual ciggy butts would get sucked into the jar. When i had this hooked up in my 57 Chev it actually worked really well, clean ciggy butts only for demonstration. I have never smoked but i have always loved this neat accessory. Any info to share about this neat device? The only pic i have is of the chrome pod mounted in my 57 Pontiac dash photo. Cheers. George.
-- Edited by long stroke on Wednesday 11th of December 2013 09:02:55 AM
.....I like options too. I have a bunch in my 58 Impala but not the vac ash tray. I wanted one way back just to have it, but never found a parts car with one. They sure had some neat options back then. Nice rare toy you have there.
Michael like you i am original accessory crazed and have been for a very long time. I have and have had some really rare accessories over the years, some that few folks have every heard of. Mike i have a very good friend who has an N.O.S. Vacuum ash tray, complete in the original box for sale. It still has the factory instructions, hardware in the brown envelope, jar, jar bracket, chrome pod and pod bracket. This rare accessory has never been on a car. I do not know what my buddy is asking but i do know that it would not be cheap. Mike if you are interested PM me and i will pass on his number. Cheers. George.
427carl said
Dec 11, 2013
did the vacuum just plug in the ashtray ? was it able to reach the back seat?
mr57 said
Dec 29, 2013
I've seen two of those in the last thirty years. One in a 57 ragtop in saskatoon, and another in a 56 rag in Calgary. Both were Chevies, though. Neat things watching the butts get sucked into the jar and swirling around....
03cts sport said
Dec 29, 2013
427carl wrote:
did the vacuum just plug in the ashtray ? was it able to reach the back seat?
Haaa, email of the day!
long stroke said
Jun 8, 2014
long stroke wrote:
I have an original rare 1957 vacuum ashtray (GM accessory sold by dealer) that is complete and that i have had for over 20 years. I had it in my 57 Chev Belair hardtop that i sold in 2006 and removed it before i sold the car. I have installed this vacuum ashtray in my 57 Pontiac but i have a big question. To this day i am not sure if this item was ever available for 57 Pontiac's, especially Canadian Pontiac's. Also i was wondering if the glass jar and bracket was mounted under the hood instead of next to the drivers kick panel? On the 57 Chev it was mounted next to the drivers kick panel under the dash but on the 57 Pontiac because of the fresh air vent, it would be impossible to mount the jar there. Does anyone have any info on this situation, any help would be greatly appreciated. These 57 and 58 vacuum ashtrays routinely go for $1,000 to $1,500 U.S. The 58 vacuum ashtray had a slightly different bracket. For those that are not familiar with this accessory there was a chrome pod with a side lever mounted under the ash tray with a small bracket. On my 57 Pontiac i could not mount under the ashtray because the tissue dispenser would hit it. One hose went to the glass jar and the other hose went to a fitting on the intake manifold for vacuum. You would squeeze the side lever on the chrome pod and this would open up the vacuum passage. Any ashes and actual ciggy butts would get sucked into the jar. When i had this hooked up in my 57 Chev it actually worked really well, clean ciggy butts only for demonstration. I have never smoked but i have always loved this neat accessory. Any info to share about this neat device? The only pic i have is of the chrome pod mounted in my 57 Pontiac dash photo. Cheers. George.
-- Edited by long stroke on Wednesday 11th of December 2013 09:02:55 AM
Sorry George I have no answers cool option first I have seen. I just like looking at pictures of your car, I was lucky to see it in person what a beautiful 57. Brian
long stroke said
Jun 10, 2014
Canadian Poncho wrote:
What (if any) accessories are you missing George?
I have been searching high and low for a rear mounted antenna. No luck there even looking in the U.S. Those 57 Pontiac rear mount antenna'a tend to get some serious bucks, so i was hoping to just find the original base and then make my own. Down the road i will putting in original power windows. If i ever found original 57 Pontiac wire wheel covers, i would put those on. A past friend of mine had one of those very rare wire wheel covers. He had the one and good luck ever finding three more. I am still looking for a complete over drive unit for my original three speed manual transmission. The over drive units offered by GM were made by Borg-Warner back in those years. The last item i am looking for is the original Hydro-vac power brake system. Two power brake units were offered that year, Treadle-vac for automatic's and Hydro-vac's for manual shift cars. I am steadfast in my search for these items and all good things come to those who wait. Cheers. George.
long stroke said
Jun 10, 2014
Magician40 wrote:
Sorry George I have no answers cool option first I have seen. I just like looking at pictures of your car, I was lucky to see it in person what a beautiful 57. Brian
Thanks Brian, i appreciate the kind words.
canpontiac57 said
Jun 10, 2014
Hey George, I have a set of 4 NOS original 1957/1958 wire wheel covers. Right now they are nice decorations, hanging on nails in the garage. I picked them up on eBay a few years ago and decided that I like the spinner wheel cover better.
I have an original rare 1957 vacuum ashtray (GM accessory sold by dealer) that is complete and that i have had for over 20 years. I had it in my 57 Chev Belair hardtop that i sold in 2006 and removed it before i sold the car. I have installed this vacuum ashtray in my 57 Pontiac but i have a big question. To this day i am not sure if this item was ever available for 57 Pontiac's, especially Canadian Pontiac's. Also i was wondering if the glass jar and bracket was mounted under the hood instead of next to the drivers kick panel? On the 57 Chev it was mounted next to the drivers kick panel under the dash but on the 57 Pontiac because of the fresh air vent, it would be impossible to mount the jar there. Does anyone have any info on this situation, any help would be greatly appreciated. These 57 and 58 vacuum ashtrays routinely go for $1,000 to $1,500 U.S. The 58 vacuum ashtray had a slightly different bracket. For those that are not familiar with this accessory there was a chrome pod with a side lever mounted under the ash tray with a small bracket. On my 57 Pontiac i could not mount under the ashtray because the tissue dispenser would hit it. One hose went to the glass jar and the other hose went to a fitting on the intake manifold for vacuum. You would squeeze the side lever on the chrome pod and this would open up the vacuum passage. Any ashes and actual ciggy butts would get sucked into the jar. When i had this hooked up in my 57 Chev it actually worked really well, clean ciggy butts only for demonstration. I have never smoked but i have always loved this neat accessory. Any info to share about this neat device? The only pic i have is of the chrome pod mounted in my 57 Pontiac dash photo. Cheers. George.
-- Edited by long stroke on Wednesday 11th of December 2013 09:02:55 AM
Michael like you i am original accessory crazed and have been for a very long time. I have and have had some really rare accessories over the years, some that few folks have every heard of. Mike i have a very good friend who has an N.O.S. Vacuum ash tray, complete in the original box for sale. It still has the factory instructions, hardware in the brown envelope, jar, jar bracket, chrome pod and pod bracket. This rare accessory has never been on a car. I do not know what my buddy is asking but i do know that it would not be cheap. Mike if you are interested PM me and i will pass on his number. Cheers. George.
did the vacuum just plug in the ashtray ? was it able to reach the back seat?
Haaa, email of the day!
I have been searching high and low for a rear mounted antenna. No luck there even looking in the U.S. Those 57 Pontiac rear mount antenna'a tend to get some serious bucks, so i was hoping to just find the original base and then make my own. Down the road i will putting in original power windows. If i ever found original 57 Pontiac wire wheel covers, i would put those on. A past friend of mine had one of those very rare wire wheel covers. He had the one and good luck ever finding three more. I am still looking for a complete over drive unit for my original three speed manual transmission. The over drive units offered by GM were made by Borg-Warner back in those years. The last item i am looking for is the original Hydro-vac power brake system. Two power brake units were offered that year, Treadle-vac for automatic's and Hydro-vac's for manual shift cars. I am steadfast in my search for these items and all good things come to those who wait. Cheers. George.
Thanks Brian, i appreciate the kind words.
Hey George, I have a set of 4 NOS original 1957/1958 wire wheel covers. Right now they are nice decorations, hanging on nails in the garage. I picked them up on eBay a few years ago and decided that I like the spinner wheel cover better.
Send me a PM if you are interested.