It’s a sad truth in the collector car world that cars of the ’40s and ’50s aren’t as popular as they used to be; it’s not surprising, as time always wins, but that doesn’t make it any easier to take. Because we love cars here at Barn Finds, we’d like to see them all go to good homes where they’ll be returned to the road where they belong, but sometimes you have to call it as it is. This ’54 Pontiac hardtop will probably be best used to serve other cars as a parts donor, but perhaps I’m being too cynical. Please judge for yourself: It’s currently on eBay with a $1,750 (or best offer) price tag.
Another common refrain: This Pontiac is one of four being sold “from a small town estate,” and it’s clearly a project (or perhaps a parts car) that’s been sitting for decades. A brake drum, a gas tank, and a cooling fan take up space in the trunk, and that’s never a good sign.
Nor is the missing carburetor. The seller claims that it was “taken off for a rebuild by [the 80-year-old] owner.” That was two or three years ago (five or six?), and the engine was running at the time. Could you get it running now? Was there a rag covering the intake manifold that whole time?
The engine itself is a 268-cubic-inch straight eight with 127 horsepower (with Hydra-Matic). It was the last year for the Pontiac flatheads, as they’d switch exclusively to their new V8 for ’55. There are a lot of fans of these smooth and reliable inline Pontiacs, however, and I hope that one of them can get this engine running to use in something else.
The ’54 Pontiac is not a car you’ll find many reproduction parts for, so this interior is a bonanza of hard-to-find trim pieces. The upholstery is not too bad, and it could be used as a pattern for a car that needed reupholstering. The picture also shows that the rare and brittle plastic seat trim is in good shape with no visible cracks.
Yes, it’s hard to look at this Chieftain (the badge tells us it’s not the top-of-the-line Star Chief) as anything but a parts donor. Located in Iowa, it’s bound to have some rust, and you can see it in the driver’s quarter panel here. But as the ad says, it’s a complete car, so if you like ’50s Pontiacs and have the space for a parts car, this may be of interest. Let’s hope it can help to put another car or two back on the road.
Aw, 9 hours and bupkis on the old Chief? That’s a shame, and I’m sorry, this is the harbinger of things to come. The Pontiac was not a Chevy with lock washers. They may have looked the same, but entirely different cars. I’d go so far as to say, it was the poor mans Packard. The straight 8 was a wonderful motor, leave a Chevy in the dust, it would. Many a Chevy was traded in on a Pontiac, it was the next step up to a Caddy. Who bought a Catalina? Once again, that single uncle just out of the military, landed a good job, and while not a “Caddy”, it was darn close. Sadly, like all these, I just don’t see the interest, and the lack of comments always tells me so. They were great cars that so many will never know.
The SAD truth is that the most valuable and useable part of this old Pontiac is most likely that center grille piece! Many, many of those have found NEW homes in the grille areas of semi custom 49′ thru 51′ Ford cars over the years…
These 2-door hardtop Pontiacs are so beautiful when restored. And the old straight eights are so reliable. I restored a ’52 two-door hardtop 30 years ago–should have kept it. This one looks fairly solid, but it costs more to restore than the car will ever be worth.
Cool car.
If it truly just needs its carburetor reinstalled it could be a decent daily driver for a younger person who likes to tinker. Because it will take tinkering at the least. But if you can get it running with working brakes what’s to lose? You work on it as you use it. I can’t remember how many vehicles I’ve done this with, and I’m still doing it. Most recently with the 94 e320 mercedes wagon I drive daily, with an AMG 3.6l I had swapped under the hood. Granted it’s only 30 years old but you should get the idea. It was found on a hill up in Vermont, running well enough but with a slowly deteriorating transmission.
This Pontiac is just saying ‘give me a chance!’ And no I don’t really need a restoration, just some love.
We’re a dying breed Howard A…time marches on and these will soon be a fleeting memory….great times tho..
The GM hierarchy was, top to bottom, was Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Chevrolet. Obviously, there was an occasional overlap. A top-of-the-line Olds was nicer than a stripped Buick Special.
This would be a great project car for one of the “will it run?” pieces found on YouTube. Derek Bieri where are you? If I was in Iowa and anywhere near the vehicle I would be interested in seeing it and what else the seller has for sale. You never know what you might find. I’m sorry to say this but it really is all downhill for old relics like these. Equally true for a lot of us old BF aficionados too.
Were I a bettin’ man, I’d go even money that a little ATF down the cylinders, and it could be turned over. Being a flathead, it wouldn’t be that difficult to pull the head, marinate the rings, and “gently” persuade the pistons to move. Clean it up, deal with any mechanical shortcomings, and drive it.
Drove one of these in college. Great car but didn’t like to start when the engine was warm. Indestructible, a little slow on take off but once underway nothing was going to stop it. Straight eight, Hydramatic, comfortable multi-position front seat, under seat heater and one of the best sounding AM radios on the planet.
Aww, this car can easily be saved, and it’s cheap! Get it running and stopping, and cruise it while you tinker! I love it!