Fantastic Convertible Project? 1952 Pontiac Chieftain

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?