Although Pontiac was laid to rest in 2010, Pontiac is still an interesting and relevant brand due to its amazing history, and great cars. The brand was established in 1926, making this 1927 model a rare and early machine to the recently departed brand. Early Pontiac’s seem to be quite a rarity and this original condition car has a lot of promise and parts to aid in making this a driver once again. Currently listed with an opening bid $3,900, this Pontiac is just itching to be revived. Take a look at this old timer here on ebay out of Erie, Pennsylvania. We can all offer a big “thanks” to reader Adam Q. Frase for this special opportunity to see such a rare machine! Thank you Adam!
In true Pontiac fashion, this car features an engine larger than the relatively standard 4 cylinder of the time. Packing 186.5 cubic inches in a 6 cylinder configuration, this engine offers a whopping 36 horsepower. Two owners back took the heads and valve-train covers off for one reason or another and now gaskets are needed to reassemble the engine properly. The seller has placed the heads back on the block and reports the bores are in nice shape and the rotating assembly turns over smoothly. The seller claims that this Pontiac has 43,265 miles, which may or may not be factual, but it does appear quite clean for its age.
Inside is a very original and reasonable condition interior that that looks to still wear factory upholstery. The wood floors are in place and look to be in fair condition as well. In the back seat area there is some wood framing that may be from this Pontiac, and possibly from the roof, or door frame areas. Also you will notice that the head gaskets are sitting in the back seat area as well. For a preservation effort, this interior would cut the muster.
The biggest concern with this 90 year old car is the decaying roof material, and some potential rot in the rear wood section of the body/roof area. A tremendous amount of factory paint is still present, and there is little rust to be seen other than on the radiator cowl. The extent of the wood damage is unknown, but hopefully someone will carefully repair, and maintain the original finish of this sedan. One feature that I can’t help but point out is the Pontiac Indian head penny badge on the radiator cowl, how cool is that? Certainly appealing with its original finish, and a wealth of spare parts, would you take the time to revive and preserve this early Pontiac?
That Chief has done left the garage!
This is the type of car that should get a simpathetic restoration, meaning only repair what needs repairing. For example only replace rotted wood frame pc’s with new, and maybe stress the new wood to appear old. Use used materials such as the roof covering or seat coverings, clean and reuse as much as possible. I’m not a big fan of patina but in a case like this I could make an exception. Great find.
This car brings back memories of a story that Dad used to tell from when he was younger where for what reason he didn’t elaborate on,he and two school chums took a ’26 Pontiac body and put it on the frame and running gear from a ’28 Chevrolet,considering the Pontiac originally had a straight six like the featured car and Chevrolet used a four cylinder until the next (1929)model year,I can only assume the Chevys body was trashed and the Pontiac was the only one available to them (it was in the thirties after all)
I had an all original ’28 Tudor in the same colors but in excellent driver condition in and out. These were so ahead of the competition in comfort and drivability than the average car in the day….
Note that the two, half cylinder heads appear to be the same and could be put in either position. If the head gaskets are solid copper they can be heated up and reused and with such low compression engines even the old fibre filled gaskets can be reused.
Also, note the bolted cover hole at the back of the exhaust manifold. Possibly for an optional interior heater.
My father was conceived in the backseat of one of these. LOL.