The seller describes this 1952 Pontiac Chieftain Catalina as an awesome driver. Their listing images seem to support that claim, as the Pontiac presents well and features a straight-eight under the hood. They dropped the ride slightly to emphasize its swooping lines. Otherwise, it is unmolested. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mike F for spotting the Catalina here on Craigslist in Peyton, Colorado, for $28,000 OBO.
Released in 1949 as the company’s first new post-war model, the First Generation Chieftain remained on sale until 1954. The Catalina joined the party in 1950 as the Hardtop variant, remaining available throughout this generation’s production life. This 1952 example features a two-tone combination of Seamist Green and Belfast Green, giving this luxury model a classy look. The paint doesn’t hold a mirror shine, but instead has a warm glow you would expect from a survivor with over seven decades under its belt. The seller’s emphasis on originality suggests no restoration history, and the overall presentation is impressive if that is the case. There are no genuine cosmetic shortcomings, and no evidence of rust. The trim looks excellent for a classic of this vintage, and the glass is clear. The seller performed a 3″ ride drop, giving the Pontiac a more purposeful stance that should also improve the handling. Rounding out the exterior are steel wheels with full covers and whitewall tires.
Pontiac unveiled its straight-eight flathead engine, which became known as the Silver Streak, for the 1933 model year. It served faithfully into the 1950s, although it looked antiquated in its final years as it competed with OHV V8s. It reached its maximum capacity of 268.4ci in 1952, which was the year our featured car rolled off the line. The motor wasn’t a bad thing, and while its power and torque figures of 118hp and 222 ft/lbs of torque might seem modest, the eight was a “lazy” engine that produced its maximum torque low in the rev range. That made it ideal to pair with the new-for-1952 Dual Range Hydramatic transmission, which this Catalina’s first owner chose. The seller says that they recently replaced the braking system, allowing the Pontiac to stop on a dime. They also installed a new fuel pump, water pump, voltage regulator, and rebuilt the generator. It runs and drives beautifully, so the buyer can fly in and drive it home.
Trimmed in two-tone Green leather matching the exterior paint combination, the Pontiac’s interior makes a positive impression. The seatcovers might be slightly stretched, but there is no evidence of developing holes or other problems. The paint is crisp and clean, and the plated items show no obvious pitting. I love the clock and its chrome surround, while other appointments include a heater, defroster, and the optional seven-valve radio.
When Pontiac attached the Catalina badge to the First Generation Chieftain, it never imagined the Catalina would become an integral part of its history for over two decades as a standalone model. This 1952 Chieftain Catalina is a striking car, but the seller’s high-end asking price means that it needs to be to justify that figure. However, since the price is negotiable, respectful haggling may improve the situation. It has no apparent needs and would suit enthusiasts seeking a “plug-and-play” classic. It begs the question: What would you pay for this Pontiac?
Beautiful car! Got a chance to drive a ’52 convertible, same color, cross country and back. It certainly earned it’s cruiser merit badge with it’s 80 mph low noise performance. This old boy should be fun to put on a long road.
Here’s a sweetheart for ya’,,,,I bet that Chief hood ornament lights up. While the straight 8 was mighty impressive in 1933, by the 50s, only Pontiac and Packard used flathead 8s, and were the last to use them. I chuckled at the authors use of the “7 valve” radio,( they made an 8 tube as well) I never heard vacuum tubes called that, and clearly defines his location, of British/Australian lingo. Regardless, it was a hefty option, almost $140. The automatic was also pricey, at almost $180, making this the most expensive Pontiac in 1952 at about $2485. The only one more was the convertible at $2550. Compared to a base 6 cylinder Pontiac at about $1900, for the extra $600 bucks, you got quite a car. While this car, like the Packard, was “lazy” upon acceleration, make no mistake, get this car rolling, it was a road car in true Pontiac fashion. I hope someone enjoys this car, pretty hard not to.
Back in 1985-1986 I spent a year living in the Florida Everglades off the old loop road.
The place belonged to the whore I was living with at the time’s parents. It had a one room cabin, two ponds and a 1951 Pontiac Chieftain 2 door hardtop that had been abandoned by an Uncle. As far as I know it’s still there, although condition is unknown. But it was complete with all the desirable chrome, engine and parts.
This subject car is a beauty, put aftermarket a/c in it and make it a perfect eye catching cruiser.
God Bless America
I love these Chieftains! I think they look best in black, though.
Story goes when I was a toddler my folks had a used 50’s Pontiac with auto. Tranny failed at a cost that kept Dad away from autos through two new three on the tree Chevys, ‘til his ‘67 V8 auto Belair. Driveway never saw another Pontiac, but did see Olds Cutlass S and Buick Century. He never forgot.
Very nice car but I think that the asking price is too optimistic for the existing market. When this car was new it had an image as an old man’s car. The Oldsmobile Rocket Eighty Eight with the OHV V8 was the hot setup. Silver Streaks and a light up Indian hood ornament were on the way out as the arrival of one Mr. Semon (Bunkie) Knudsen was right around the corner. I have wondered if the GTO would have been created under the Pontiac marque had Mr Knudsen not influenced the target market. I think he was the person who said that you can sell an old man a young man’s car but you can’t sell a young man an old man’s car. This is an old man’s car for sure nowadays and I should know because I am an old man. And a lot of us old men who like these are just not looking to buy anything that we know is not realistically priced. Only a real bargain and I do mean bargain will motivate me anymore. But GLWTS.
Also has the same lomg and narrow 6v battery as my straight eight ’49 Packard.
Awesome Pontiac and very well taken care of and restored!
Thanks again for the help Adam!
Last time you steered me to a 427 V-8 that I drew as part of a ’65 Shelby Cobra print I made for a customer. And now Sea Mist Green? Now I know what it’s going to look like on a print of my
Dad’s ’47 Chrysler Town & Country 2 door hardtop! It was one of only 7 ever built. He bought it off a used car lot in ’52
after he came home from Korea.
He told me that it was light Green
with a dark Green top. He said the car ran and drove great but it
was a real pain in the ass stripping and re varnishing all that wood for 2 years in a row. He wound up trading it in for a new ’54 Dodge Royal convertible
replica of the Indy Pace Car that year. Hopefully, I can find something close to it for use in that car. And yeah, these cars weren’t the fastest things on the road, but they were dead pan reliable and always showed up.
Another beautiful turnkey entry into the classic car hobby. I would have to check Haggerty’s price list for a dickering price, but his listing is probably near the top dollar?
THese are beautiful, dependable cars. I wish they had not lowered the suspension on this one.
I never thought I’d see another ’52 Catalina in two tone green, exactly like my dad bought from Jack Coe Pontiac in Waukesha, WI. I learned to drive on that car. It was great transportation for my folks until the rust worm got to it.
I remember the steering was very heavy and required many turns of the wheel when parking. Pontiac didn’t offer power steering until the next year.
Say Denny, you hit a nerve there. I seem to remember my uncles ’61 Ventura was from Jack Coe. The dealer badge on the trunk lid seemed odd to us like some letters were missing. I have a neighbor named Coe, but she’s from Ohio. I forgot all about that until just now. The “miracle” of BarnFinds. Thanks, man!
Same parking issue with my Packard….my gym!
Great car with lots of memories! $ 2500 was a lot of money in ’53. The straight 8 had torque down low. No high speed interstates back then. Great article
Love it, love the colour!
What a ride