Most Pontiacs that we cover are Trans Ams, GTOs, and early ’60s Grand Prixs or Catalinas. We’re going to go a bit further back today with this 1938 Pontiac Six Two-Door Touring sedan. Known as “Betty” this sedan was in garage hiding until recently and it’s now out and about looking for new digs. T.J. found this Langley, British Columbia, Canada domiciled subject for us here on craigslist where it’s available for $16,900 U.S.
Being a Canadian Pontiac means that there’s a good deal of Chevrolet thrown into the mix. In the U.S., this sedan was known as a Pontiac Six Two-Door Touring sedan but the seller refers to it as a “DeLuxe” which would have been the corresponding Chevrolet model name. Now that we have that out of the way, this Poncho is pretty much a time capsule. It has been in storage since 1974 and the conditions must have been satisfactory and to its liking as it has well survived the test of time. We are told the lacquer finish is 95% original and I’m hard-pressed to find an issue with the body, glass, trim, etc.
In true Canadian Pontiac form, this DeLuxe, or Touring Sedan, whichever you prefer, is Chevrolet powered by its original, number matching engine that is likely an 85 HP, 216 CI in-line six-cylinder unit instead of a 223 CI Pontiac six banger. The seller claims,” A previous owner pulled the engine in ’74 had it rebuilt and never got around to reassembling. I put it back together in 2021“. He further adds that it runs and drives great. Other mechanical improvements include all new brakes along with wheel cylinders, lines, hoses, shoes, and hardware.
The interior is quite a surprise for its general condition and cleanliness. Stored for 48 years is more than enough time to turn the interior into a mouse house but that’s hardly the case here. I find it hard to fathom that the interior is original but the seller claims that’s the case – all 100% of it. I suppose you could call this one a stripper as it has no radio, clock, or heater (no heater in a Canadian winter?).
The seller concludes with, “Includes a set of Fatman 2.5 inch drop uprights and 3-inch” blocks, I haven’t had the heart to install :)”. Oh boy, keep that idea as far away from this sedan as possible. This Pontiac is too perfect a discovery to be messing around with a Fatman, Skinnyman, Tallman, Shortman or anything man. Cars of this vintage just aren’t found, in this condition, often anymore, especially at this price. This is a buy, drive, and enjoy example if ever there was one, right?
Nice old car. Don’t believe they were putting Lacquer paint on cars in those years, but whatever it is looks good. Mildly modified it would make a great street cruiser. (OK purists, have at it)
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/automotive-paints
Take a look at the attached hyperlink from Hemmings. It claims that nitrocellulose lacquers were first used in the ’20s.
JO
Didn’t know that. A couple of the ’30s GM cars we worked on touching up paint, or repainted like my ’32 Ford, seemed to have enamel on them by the smell when we sanded them. Either way, it was tough stuff. Good information. Thanks.
Would be criminal to modify this beauty. Since it’s mostly a Chevy, I know this car cruises nicely at 65 or more, and would be super dependable to drive to any car shows.
Cruising at 65+? I have just got back from the Silverstone Classic event here in UK in my friend’s 1928 Bentley 6 1/2 litre. It cruised at 70 mph with revs at about 1700 rpm. No bouncing around, vibrations etc. It feels as though the engine fires every other telegraph pole! Evidently he has had it up to 90 mph begore he ran out of guts, not the car! A truly wonderful piece of machinery.
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My father had a 1938 Pontiac, U.S. edition, in a 4 door. Looks very similar to this car but, besides having 4 doors, it also had 2 taillights, the famous Pontiac chrome strip down the grill and hood, and the trunk. This one doesn’t have it on the trunk. His has the banjo steering wheel, a clock and heater and radio. The back seat was enormous! Like a limousine but without the jump seats. Oh, the interior was red plaid.
The horns were loud trumpet horns.
I played in that car a lot as it was stored in the far barn away from everything. I was quite disappointed when he sold it. For pennies.
When I saw that comment about lacquer I was wondering what the thought was about what was on them if not lacquer It was fast drying and easy to apply Henry Ford bought it by the train load …In ANY color you wanted ,,so long as it was black Enamel was seen as a bit of a high end finish for jewelry or only the best of cabinets and furniture
I know nitrocellulose lacquer was used through 54 on Chevrolet and arcylic was started in 55
On to a pet peeve ..Breaks my heart and turns my stomach when I see a car such as this with metal flake or any modern two stage paint on it Kinda like slathering this years shade of hott pick lipstick on the Mona Lisa and giving her a bright pink hair do to match Grrrrr some people Im sure someone will say ALL it needs is an SBC and all that comes with that sawsall and duct tape
This Pontiac looks like a real Cracker Jack Im not much on Pontiacs but the Chevrolet engine would be a real plus for me Only thing I would have to consider would be a heater I had more than my share of no heater longggg time ago My first wrecker was a 53 Chevy that came with no heater ya know they did charge extra I think the heavy duty heater was about 11 bucks extra well the first summer the drivers window got broken and always being in a hurry I thought little of it as it was going to be down any how In the early autumn I took off to Austin to pick up a car and comeing home bout halfway come up a blue norther and dropped about 40 degrees and I being young and dumb I had only a lightwight summer shirt and by the time I got home I was a popcycle I have never liked being cold and even with a window I thought I was gonna freeze for sure in that truck Come to think of it I have had heater problems with every wrecker I have owned My newer IH the heater ran all summer when I first got and only one of the ecleric windows windows would roll down …either cold or hot Goldie Lox would not like to hang out with me
My ’54 210 didn’t have a heater in it when I bought it. Went through one winter without and hitting a junk yard for a good one to install was the the first thing I did in the Spring.
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No heater might explain in part the lack of rust since it would have likely remained in the garage. As far as modifying ANYTHING on this car would be tantamount to sacrilege. I would surely be proud to drive this one around during the Spring and Summer months and trust me the only alteration I would make is to keep it clean and dry.
Thanks for the article Jim, this is my car.
To clarify, Canadian Pontiacs (maybe US ones too?) used the Buick, Olds platform not the Chev one, even though the drivetrain is indeed all Chev.
I do have an era correct heater for it, but the original plugs are still in the firewall so doubt I will be the one breaking them :)
It is definitely lacquer paint, I used a black lacquer spray bomb to touch up the fender edges and it blended very well, rest of the paint is original.
Thanks again