By 1949, most U.S. automakers were rolling out their first all-new cars since before World War II. That included Pontiac, which introduced the Chieftain as its entry-level vehicle alongside the Streamliner (the Torpedo had been retired). Based on the same platform as Chevrolet, the Chieftain looked quite similar, and the coolest of the body styles was the 2-door fastback (aka coupe). The seller’s example looks quite original, but has been sitting for years, so it doesn’t run. Located in San Diego, California, this solid project is available here on craigslist for $12,500. Kudos to T.J. for this bodacious tip!
The Chieftain was Pontiac’s leader car from 1949 to 1958 (my folks owned a ’58 when I was young). While it was budget-minded, the body and wheelbase were practically the same as the upper Streamliner. An L-head six-cylinder was standard, but an inline-8 was optional and appears to reside in the seller’s Poncho. That motor produced 103 or 106 hp, depending on compression ratio.
We don’t know the history pertaining to this Chieftain, but the car was not molested and seems complete, including the wheel covers (in the trunk). The seller says it has an automatic transmission, but wouldn’t a “3-on-the-tree” be more likely? At a minimum, the fuel system and brakes will need to be addressed in hopes of this piece of Americana hitting the road again.
While the paint is faded (perhaps it will respond to wax), the body looks good, and the interior may be okay, too, when detailed. The listed mileage is 111,111, but surely that’s a placeholder. This could be a cool ride once set right, and maybe rarer than its GM counterpart, the Chevrolet Deluxe.
I’d go for saying it’s an automatic transmission since there is only one pedal, has the gear selector on the column, and 4 speed was an up and coming thing for GM. The car looks solid on the surface. Got some time in a ’52 convertible with the 8 engine and 4 speed automatic and it was a fun ride.
Ive always liked this bodystyle on the Chevy and Pontiac line. Automatic transmission was definitely available back then. Not sure it was as common as the 3 on the tree but I know they had automatic as far back as the 1948 Pontiac as I have one for sale in my area. Nice looking example but I think 12k might be a little on the high side for something that isn’t running and needs work.
In 1948 Pontiac first offered the Hydra-Matic transmission in its vehicles for $185. One source indicates 73% of that year’s Pontiacs were equipped with the automatic.
The 4 speed automatic in my Olds powered ’53 Studebaker really made the car go.
Bob, this is a small world question. Was your Olds powered ’53 Studebaker ever owned by someone in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts or Saxtons River, Vermont? A friend of my parents, Donald Crane had one. It was red, with a black roof.
My car was pea green new but I changed that to medium metallic blue with a blue and white interior. Was in Mississippi at the time.
That’s a Hydramatic hooked up to that ol’ door stop engine. Pontiac embraced the use of the Hydramatic at least a year before this one made its way down the assembly line. Interesting that on the American side, Pontiac ran a straight eight with Hydramatic. Cross the border into Canada and Pontiac was downsized to a flathead six but hung onto the Hydramatic at first then succumbed to a 2-speed version of the Hydramatic later…
$12,500? What do you think folks? I would think $2500 would be reasonable?
It’s only $12,500 because it’s in the people’s Republic of California any place else it would be under $7k
I agree. Not enough bang for the bux.
2500 !? and 18 agree ?!? OmG
Very cool body. Great project, I might even want to restore this one, which is usually not the direction I think to take. I’d rehab it to be a driver leaving it as it is as much as possible, cleaned up and solid.
Pricey for a nonrunner that will need a complete going through to refurbish it. Though maybe not for somebody. Nice find.
Love the fastback and it’s a Pontiac!
Then again maybe a 326 & 4spd under the hood with discs brakes up front, reclaiming the original paint. I’d want to keep pace with modern traffic … Cool project.
Don’t think you’d have any problem keeping up with modern traffic with the stock running gear. Did a cross country in that ’52 I referenced and we cruised at 80 and the 4 speed got it up there pretty quick.
Good to know. Wondered how the old flathead would run in traffic.
Thanks Bob.
Back to my original thoughts then of just getting this thing up and running as is.
That would be something worth looking into—Maybe a 389 because the parts would be easier to find. No “slim Jim” trans because of their bad reputation—automatic for sure. Disc brakes most certainly. A/C, power
windows, steering are a must. Sure would be fun to have—no fancy wheels (MAYBE 8 lugs at best). Sure would be a nice road cruiser. Vanity plate straight from “Snow White”—Sleepy 1 !!!
It’s all there including the hood ornament. -10G would be more like it.
I wonder if that paint would shine up after a good wash, clay bar and wax.
$12,500???? Please, $1,500 would be reasonable…. Need. Tom if restoration! Get it running & drive it. In the day, these cars were called “Torpedo” backs, not fastbacks if today.
i agree that somewhere between 1500.00 and 3k is the right number. small market for this style poncho
Oldsmobile has this body style also. Mom had one when she got her license. She took it f or a test drive at night when across the windshield it said HYDRO. This was 1957 in the inner city of Chicago. She got lost. I remember Dad leaning on the hood of our new 1957 Plymouth bouncing the car trying to get me baby sister to go to sleep. Mom never came back. She saw something familiar and drove home. Dialing used car places listed in the phone book until one answered. It was then 3 hours later and quite late. The car lot owner by then was a nervous wreck. He was sure that the wife had abandoned her family and was “headed for the hills”. Dad bought the car and Mom drove it for only a couple of years before getting a 1955 2 door hardtop Oldsmobile.
What patina this old lady has. That flathead 8, incredible. You certainly do not see many of those around.
I’d restore it to factory, but might change some things, ac is a must and not that thing that sat in the window and you put ice in it.
Gotta do some updating on the interior.
I’m hapoy to collect a 51 – but has a tuned 455 motor
That GM series of “Torpedo Backs”, went from Chevrolets, to Cadillacs. Beautiful cars!
Beautifully styled and desirable classic!
Always liked those GM scat-backs. I see just two pedals, Russ, and a shift quadrant just behind the “tiller” (N D L R with “Park” available if R selected AFTER shutting down that flathead anchor).
Back then, other than “Body by Fisher,” each division was responsible for engines- Chevy, OHV I-6; Pontiac L-head I-6, -8; Olds OHV V-8 (finally!), Buick OHV I-8; Cadillac OHV V-8 (also finally!). Suspensions were up for grabs, too, with Buick still holding on to its torque tube and coils in back. Corporate just did the money thing, I guess leaving the divisions to their own devices.
The dummies here not liking the price should consider their low bargain price might be accurate for a 4 door sedan with a 6 and 3 speed, but this is the fastback 2 door with straight 8 and Hydramatic. The most valuable and desirable body style other than the convertible or maybe the wagon. Also this car isn’t a eastern rust bucket.
THANK YOU
If i said it id have character assasins ganging up on me
Ya, it seems the p gallery here is far lost to the classic car world.
One couldnt get a 200,000 mile Subaru for 2500,
but a ’49 2 door ‘fast back’ with an 8 and in exceptional condition with good paint in a great color.. 1500 !!??!!
WOW
Like, a set of GoodYears on my truck, an oil change and an insurance payment.
Thats all this is worth to them.
Ive been looking for a good sedanette for years, this is an exceptional specimen. Worth plenty of money.
Bought a 51 Pontiac Chieftain in 1968. Gave $200 for it, cherry condition. I remember it had a 4 speed automatic. It was crazy to feel it shift through all those gears. The heater was a radiator under the front seat. Seamed like all I had to do was set the temperature and the car handled the rest. Black with grey interior. Very smooth ride.
My dad bought me a 1948 Chevy Fleetmaster in 1968 for $40.00
It ran good, had a couple rust thru holes in the 2 front fenders which I fixed with Black Magic.The interior was like brand new after I took off the seat covers.
I drove it for 2 years and sold it for $100.00
$12,500 ??????? I’d say if you could get it for $1,000.00 you could have fun getting it up and running.
These were great cars especially with the straight eight great motor plus an automatic big plus in an old car like this…Problem is the price there is no wiggle room this car would be worth it for 6k being as the buyer knows nothing really about it buying cars that you can’t drive or hear run is flat scary good chance this car will need almost everything and this car when restored is of big value but this car could require large amounts of money just to make it drivable etc etc