Usually when the topic of defunct auto brand Pontiac surfaces, visions of GTOs and Trans Ams dance through one’s head. But Pontiac had a storied past long before its halcyon days of the ’60s and ’70s. It’s time now to take a look at a product from Pontiac’s earliest days, a 1932 Pontiac Deluxe 6, also known as a Series 402. This beautiful coupe is located in Quincy, Illinois and is available, here on Barn Finds Classifieds for $32,000.

Briefly, Pontiac was a GM-created brand that first saw service in 1926. Marketed as an associate brand to GM’s Oakland line, Pontiac eventually supplanted Oakland in 1931. By 1932, Pontiac managed to secure sixth place in the automotive sales race with 45K units produced, a step behind Buick but one ahead of Nash. Interesting to note is that Pontiac actually introduced a one-year-only V8 engine for 1932, though this example isn’t one of them. By 1933 Pontiac was off to the races with its long-term straight-eight engine.

The seller opens his listing description with, “This car is in very nice condition with only 58,000 original miles. The body is super straight and rock-solid“. There is no mention of restoration work having been performed, and if that’s not the case, this Pontiac is in absolutely fabulous condition for being 89 years of age. The finish, trim, chrome, grille, wire wheels – the entire package presents like new – not a bone to pick! I particularly like the concept of a rumble seat though I often wonder about the logic of placing a seat outside of the passenger compartment in the first place. While probably not the most comfortable place to ride, it makes an interesting statement.

The interior exudes originality and pretty well matches the exterior from a condition perspective. It is a typical velour fabric with matching door panels, carpet, and headliner. It shows so little wear that it does bring its true age into question. The instrument panel is complete with numerous clear and legible gauges – but the aluminum-like finished gauge panel is a surprise to find. The rumble seat, for obvious reasons, appear to be upholstered in vinyl, a material better acclimated for outside use.

The 65 HP, 200 CI in-line six-cylinder engine is finished in Pontiac Blue! Looking complete, with some potential, but not stated carburetor work having been recently performed, the seller claims, “Runs and drives great“. Nineteen thirty-two would be the final year for this six-cylinder engine as Pontiac utilized only straight-eights in ’33 and ’34 before returning to a new, in-line six for 1935.  Power to the rear wheel is conveyed via a three-speed manual transmission.

Here is another pre-war example like yesterday’s 1928 Buick Opera Coupe, which is in excellent condition, and is looking for a new home. From a research perspective, it will be a valuable experience to note the level of inquiry, and potential interest, in acquiring such a beautiful specimen from this era. If a 1930s vintage automobile, other than the ubiquitous Ford, is for you, it would be tough to improve on this Pontiac, wouldn’t you agree?