Pontiac’s post-WW2 automobiles were retreads until 1949 when the all-new Chieftain and Streamliner debuted. The Chieftain would be Pontiac’s entry-level model, using the A-body shared with Chevrolet. Both six and eight-cylinder engines were offered, with the latter said to be in the seller’s Sedan Coupe. The seller bought the car to fix up, but it has ended up being one too many projects and Mama’s not happy (we can’t have that). Located in White Lake, Michigan, this “Poncho” is looking for a new home here on eBay where the seller will take $10,000 or entertain an offer. Thanks for the cool tip, T.J.!
First-generation Chieftains were built from 1949 to 1954 and the nameplate would continue through 1958 (my family had one of them). The cars replaced the Torpedo as Pontiac’s smaller and lower-priced model, though its physical dimensions differed little from the more upscale Streamliner, which was also new. This was the first time since 1934 that all Pontiacs rode on the same wheelbase. Although the Chieftain was offered with an L-head six, a 248 cubic inch L-head eight was more popular, like the seller says we have here. Depending on the compression ratio, the engine put out either 103 or 106 hp (what’s the point?). Pontiac didn’t break out production numbers by body style in those days (how would you know what sold best?), but the eight-cylinder autos saw a production of 174,449 units with the Hydra-Matic transmission.
This Pontiac is not currently running, but the seller believes simple things like a distributor cap, cables, a battery, and fresh gasoline should remedy that situation (we don’t know how long it was sitting before he got it, so that may be optimistic). The body and paint look good from what we can tell, but the seller would have presented the car more accurately had he chosen landscape instead of portrait pics (a common mistake made by cell phone users).
The interior looks okay, again from what we can tell, and things like the headliner appear to be dirty. The prior owner was a classic Pontiac enthusiast who was getting on in years, so that might speak well to it having had a good home before. That’s what the seller wants for it now (and to stay married).
Beautyful car, but althought it’s a nice color, somebody painted that green with a brush, rust and who knows what else under that paint.
Plus brushmarks on the trim, the bumpers, lightseals, …
I’ve been thinking about (read:wanting) something specifically like this for a long time – a post-war GM bomb with fastback roofline, I-8 and manual. However I, too, try to avoid divorce so my conclusion is I’ll pass…sad…
I too, been seeking this era and type..
but
ohhh what lurks behind the latex ??.
a good conversation with seller is in order.
but
if its mostly solid and straight ,
wow, sweet barn find !
Two tone green that machine and itd be money.
If i only had a building to work in.. . sigh
lousy pictures for the asking price.
One of GM’s best looking bodies. It would be much wanted here in the LA Latino low rider car culture.
The E-Bay listing says Automatic. I need my eyesight checked. Looking at the E-Bay interior photos, I see 3 pedals on the floor and no gear indicator on the steering column.
Right you are….good pickup. Unless it has his & her brake pedals. lol
Was this actually a factory color ?
I like the fastback styling, like the Chevy Fleetline. These are hard to find.
My mother had a 49 Buick, same body style and engine, automatic
It sounds like your under the thumb! Get a divorce and keep it! Alternately sell her daily driver and get her to love the Pontiac.This sloper is beautiful from any direction!
I love the streamliner Fastback looking lines on this year Pontiac. The body looks solid and pretty rust free and sounds like it may not take much to get her running in a home workshop. $7500-10,000 is a pretty fair price for a car in this condition IMO. Good find
Memories growing up in that huge back seat. Three kids with coloring books while mom shopped. Ours was black and hot in the summer. Cool ride.
Really like the looks of this old girl. I’m pretty sure ‘49 was 1st year Pontiac offered the accessory lighted Chief Pontiac hood ornament too. Cool…..