So, what’s under the tarp, you ask? Well, logically, it’s the trashed folding top for this 1952 Pontiac Chieftain convertible, but I think full visual disclosure would be better. Regardless, this is a neat find, a car that doesn’t turn up too often. The question is its salvageability; why don’t we take a look and see what we can determine? Mr. Zappenduster discovered the listing for this resident of Gladstone, Illinois, and it’s listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $12,000.
In 1952, Pontiacs were built as Chieftains in two and four-door sedans, station wagons, a Sedan Delivery, and a two-door hardtop known as the “Catalina”. There were two trim levels: Standard and Deluxe, with the convertible a member of the “Deluxe” category. Pontiac placed fifth in the great domestic automobile production race of 1952, with the Chieftain responsible for 271K units. The Facebook listing, using a canned description, proclaims, “This vehicle has no significant damage or problems.” But then, the seller adds, “Top needs replaced and to my knowledge, it last ran in 1994 when it was parked in a barn. Was removed from the barn about 1 year ago.” So there is surface rust, faded paint, and worn chrome but not too much else is observable. Not stated is the condition of the floors, a primary concern in an old convertible, especially one that appears to have gone topless.
The slumbering engine is a 118 gross HP, 268 CI, flathead in-line eight, married to a Hydramatic automatic transmission. While the engine compartment reveals an intact and complete powerplant, recall that the listing states 32 years of inactivity.
The interior is not well photographed, but it looks like it’s in better shape than I would have thought. The front vinyl-upholstered bench seat appears to wear a duct tape patch or two, and it’s a not-surprisingly dusty environment. Generally, though, it appears to be sound. The dash’s central focus is a signature piece for Pontiacs from this era, an outsized circular chrome-plated radio speaker grille, surrounding an embedded clock.
The seller concludes with, “54,000 miles on the car, and it appears to be completely original, including the 268 cu in in line V8. Fantastic project car for someone.” I’m not sure what an “in line V8” is, doubtful that I’ve encountered one, but I get the error; some aren’t familiar with the concept of an eight-cylinder engine that’s not a “V” configuration. The second part of that statement, however, the “fantastic project car for someone,” is the more significant part. It may be a fantastic project, but for $12 large, I’d want to really go over this project-in-waiting with a nuanced inspection – certainly in a lot more detail than is contained in a Facebook ad. It’s that underside soundness, always a potential with a topless, long-parked convertible, that concerns me most. As for that “someone”, might it be you?
The tarp looks easy enough to remove and replace, so why not let us have a look-see?
I’d be interested at half that price.
What’s an in-line V8? Maybe if your line is a zigzag…
It is slightly bigger than a V-slant-6.
hmmmmmmm………….
My favorite was a “Three on the Tree Fordomatic manual transmission I saw on this post a couple of years ago.
You can see how nice this old Pontiac was at one time. Such a shame it came to this. If it were running, driving, had a good top and at least matching duct tape on the front seat, ( just kidding, no duct tape) maybe this price would make sense. But otherwise I’m thinking the same thing as Will said above, about half the asking price. And thats IF it has solid floors and a trunk and frame. It would be great to see this fixed up and on the road again though.
When are people going to get real ?
That car will sit and sit for another god knows number of months or years with that stupid price !
No one is going to buy this car unless it’s priced for a person who will want it and restore it .
It has become absolutely insane how people are trying to get stupid money for projects .
The whole car needs restoration- Even if mechanical is addressed, top and interior – leave the panels alone – good luck . Needs $$$ and time .
The market for these older cars is going quick.
Boomers are aging out fast . GenX is not going to do these cars – Millenials are hung up on 80’s-90’s. GenZ – lucky if they look into the 90’s and up as they get into their 20’s .
Market forces on this one .
Listing it for an outrageous price is step 1 of the 12 step process for gearheads anonymous.
Step 2 is to reduce the price $1000. Step 3 is to wash it and take pics without the tarp. Step 4 is reduce the price another $1000. Step 5 is to reduce the price another $1000. Step 6 is to take it off market until the “economy improves”. Step 7 is reduce the price another $1000. Step 8 is to call around the salvage yards that collect old Pontiacs and see if they want it. Step 9 is to reduce the price another $1000. Step 10 is tell your wife you are now serious about selling it. Step 11 is to reduce the price to $2000.
Finally, step 12, which is true capitulation to the actual market value, which means calling those salvage yards to come and get it, or practically giving it away to that one guy who always said he wanted it, but couldn’t quite afford it.
If there is no rust (highly unlikely) or at least no significant rust (rockers, floors, the toughest areas to address), and the seller dropped a 0 from the price, it might be a fun attempt to make a driver. I have a couple of SBC 350s that would fit nicely, along with a TH400, maybe front disk brakes. Then it might make sense to get it on the road. But who knows if the hydraulics for the top work or what else might be needed. Nothing like a well-detailed ad with a reasonably priced vehicle. Sarcasm off.
To do a full restoration would be at least $100K, at which time it would be worth at auction $25K.
These year cars were the last gasps of the dependable straight eights and the early years of the hydramatic transmissions. This Poncho has plenty of potential, but seller needs to be more realistic with his asking price if he really wants to sell it any time soon. If it were at least running and stopping it may be worth $7500 to the right guy.
floor pan rust. not run in 30+ yrs. its worth 4k tops. at his price i hope he likes looking at because he will be for a while.
Worth 6K but not much more. Make a kool restorod
The pictures tell the story: rust is firmly entrenched both above on the body and below on floor/trunk pans and frame. The convertible top has more of it in absentia than present and accounted for. Interior fabrics will need to be replaced. What can’t be verified until personal inspection is whether the engine turns free and the top mechanism is at least restorable. What can reasonably be assumed is that it will need a lot of mechanical bits repaired or replaced. It’s a shame that this vehicle has been reduced to this condition due to neglect. With an ever dwindling market and an unrealistic seller; this Poncho will continue to moulder quietly away.
I just took a 1965 Dodge Dart GT convertible out of a 25 year storage. The car ran fine when I parked it. Despite indoor storage in moderate Northern California climate it has taken a lot of work to get it streetable. Every system deteriorated. Brakes, cooling, fuel. All rubber rotted. Gas tank, gas gauge.
Getting parts and service is harder than ever. For example, the Bendix power brake booster needed to be rebuilt. Sounds like a simple thing but is not. Despite manufacturing millions upon millions of these things you can’t just walk into a parts store and buy one of these units. It has to be rebuilt. Power Brake Booster Exchange once located nearby in San Jose has relocated to Carson City Nevada because their rent increased. I sent the booster to them and expect it back in about 2 more weeks.
Once the car is back on the road I will have to re-evaluate how well it is operating. Do I have a freeze plug about to blow? Old gaskets about to fail? Etcetera, on and on and so forth.
What IS it, with 1952 Pontiacs lately? Sluggish year because of the Korean War; and yet it is the 1952 that keeps showing up. There is a 1949 down the street from me — close relative of this one — 98-year-old owner — cracked driver’s side window — close to 200,000 miles on it’s clock — horse blanket covering the falling-apart front seat. But you know when he is coming up the street, because he needs a visit to Midas! Oh — and did I mention the carbon stain where the exhaust pipe emerges from under the bumper?.(she burns a bit of oil)
$100 max.