Fifties cars have an all-American lure on all of us. Maybe it was because Hollywood glamorized the Truman and Eisenhower years. Or, maybe we all long for a simpler time and simpler cars. Take for example this 1952 Pontiac Chieftan sedan for sale on Craigslist in Snohomish, Washington. The seller of this big Pontiac set out to find a great fifties car, bought this all-original beauty, and kept it for 30 years. While it is time for the seller to move on, you can move behind the wheel of this 73,000-mile fifties four-door for $39,000. Is that price too high for even a beautiful car like this? Thanks to TJ for the four-door find!
According to the seller, the story on this Pontiac is that they searched for years to find the perfect “fat body” fifties car. While it may be a bit rude to “fat shame” a fifties ride, the seller seems to say it out of love for that particular style of car. At any rate, this Pontiac was located in the clutches of what I think the seller insinuates as fabricators. They had just purchased the car a few weeks previous to that point and I guess had diabolical plans. The seller made an offer on the car immediately or paid its ransom, and has safely kept it for thirty years. It has been driven sparingly, mainly for family events and photography opportunities.
The car is said to run and drive well. All of the original parts are there, and the seller has worked hard to keep the car in great condition. Having been garaged for its eighty-year existence, the seller has used a seat cover on the lower part of the front seat to protect it from wear. The mohair portions of the interior have been shampooed and brushed out to get that “soft wool feel.” Metal and chrome interior surfaces have been waxed to protect the surfaces underneath.
On the outside, the chrome and paint are also shielded from the elements by multiple coats of wax. As you can see from the pictures, the car shines like a new penny almost everywhere. It has also benefitted from a new set of tires. The seller regales us with the knowledge that it drives nicely in the snow with its new tires. In contrast, we are also told that it was driven to a prominent local car show in 90-degree heat without incident.
The picture above shows the original rubber matting on the floor and the previously mentioned seat cover. The seller brags that the car can seat six people, and there is enough room for ballroom dresses if the riders are so inclined to dress that way.
Pushing this car down the road is a Pontiac straight eight engine with 268 cubic inches of displacement. Putting out 118 horsepower, these engines were more of a smooth ride than a stoplight terror. Helping with all that creamy smoothness is an early automatic transmission, most likely a Hydra-Matic. As previously stated, the car runs and drives well. We do see what looks like a heat shield between the carburetor and the engine. Perhaps there was a vapor locking problem in the past.
Overall, this is a very nice car. The seller is proud of it, and the price reflects that. Is the price too high for a four-door Pontiac of this vintage? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments.
It’s nice, but I’d rather pay 8K for the Nash and keep the $31,000.
Pretty hefty price. It is a very nice car. Took a cross country run and back during summer break in college with 2 other students to go work in the Oregon mountains logging. Car was a ’52 Chieftan convertible, same color, same engine. Cruised at 80 all day and ripped The Rocky Mountains climb over and back. Car was pretty old and on the way back the block cracked on the left side in the water jacket. Little bit of JB Weld and we pressed on. Lasted the last two years of college and the owner grabbed his diploma and drove off into the sunset, JB Weld and all.
I’m old enough to remember when early-fifties Pontiacs were ubiquitous on the roads of my city. Many were pale yellow or wore the same light-green paint as this one.
I indeed think the asking price is too high. I might be a bit more receptive if the car had a manual transmission. But the noisy, jerky Hydra-Matic of this Pontiac’s day kills all interest.
Hat included?
Hi Ike, BINGO! I bet just about everyone here, knew some guy on their block that had a Poncho like this,,,and wore a hat just like that. The “common man”, like my grandfather, who was a simple laborer, bought the Chevy. HIS superior, had a bit more cash, bought the Pontiac. Little things, the lighted “Chief” hood ornament, rear ash tray, seat pull cord, and a host of other options, put this car a step above, GMs clear intent. “Drives nicely in the snow”? You have GOT to be kidding, how dare you drive this beautiful car in the snow,,,I figure. It’s why they are so rare today.
Whoa Nelly!! 80 years….1952? Try 71. Stop making me older! Besides….I still have all my hair!
The heat shield below the Carter wcd two barrel carburetor is standard equipment on these Pontiacs.
As a rule I don’t like to comment on the asking price of Barn Finds cars, but Jeff asked. Yes I think it’s too much. I understand it’s original, and the hood & trunk chrome is worth a fortune, but the paint is seriously flawed. A real Poncho fan would want to make an offer South of $29K. For my purpose I’d want a much more hammered down example that didn’t run.
Dave, as a Poncho fan (Ref. my user name), I strongly agree. His asking price would have to be for a darn near perfect car. This one has issues vs. a perfect car and you’d really have to like green (one of my least preferred colors).
Like the band Aerosmith once sang: Dream On.
Don’t forget Supertramp, Ozzy Osbourne, 4 Aces, Chris Brown, The Association, Jackson 5, and 8 others with songs titled “Dreamer”. More of a nightmare, price wise. I see on the auction, a pristine 1983 Porsche 911 barely made $25g’s, so for an old Poncho, yes, way overpriced, but hey, why not? The automatic is a big plus, but I doubt people today, with $50 /bag for groceries, have this kind of money for a toy.
Really beautiful car but 39k for a more door? There better be a brown paper bag with 25k in the trunk in small used bills.
Beautiful looking car. I hope whoever buys it enjoys it while keeping it as original as possible. If only more pics were posted on craigslist. $39k would be rather steep for me. However nice it may be, however safe it may be to drive under its own power, I’d be willing to pay, at the most, $20k-$25k.
‘my wife says sell it’
I will answer your question of is 39K too high for this car?? Yes very much indeed! Be lucky to get half of that.
All I can see is the lighted hood ornament. LOL I still remember seeing my first one as a car-obsessed small child. A Chieftan was parked right next to us at the local drive-in. They honked for the carhop to pick up their tray, started the car, and when the lights came on, there was that extra one on the hood. I was mesmerized. Never got to own one, but always wanted to.
BTW- it’s a Chieftain not a Chieftan.