When I spy a car like this 1938 Pontiac “Silver Streak” coupe with a chain wrapped around its front bumper, I assume it’s a non-runner. And in this case, I would be wrong because the listing claims, “Engine Starts and runs great“. OK, well now that we have that out of the way, let’s look this cool coupe over – its lines are great! Located in San Jose, California, this bygone business coupe is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $3,150 with the reserve not yet met.
Pontiac’s coupe lineup in ’38 consisted of the Deluxe Six (our subject car) and the Deluxe Eight – both business coupes, and then a pair of Sports Coupes, powered by a six or eight-cylinder engine, and featuring sideways mounted rear jump seats. One of the defining style elements of these coupes is the small, double-pane rear window – it’s probably not too helpful with rear visibility but it is neat looking. Pontiac placed seventh in the domestic auto race in ’38 knocking out 97K total units. As a comparison, number one Chevrolet reached 465K total copies.
The body on this old Poncho looks solid and free of rot though it’s obviously skimmed over with surface rust. It looks complete trim-wise though the bumpers have lost their luster. That Silver Streak hood treatment is just fabulous! The wheels don’t appear to be original and the seller mentions that they have been powder-coated.
The interior looks tired – the door panels in particular. The bench seat fabric is fair except for some bottom rest staining that reminds me of a scene from an old Seinfeld episode that I caught recently. The images of the floor and dash aren’t very clear so I can’t render an assessment of their condition. It all shows as being pretty complete except for some missing door hardware.
As stated at the outset, have no fear, the chain isn’t necessary as this coupe’s 85 HP, 227 CI, in-line, flathead, six-cylinder engine still renders a wee bit of Pontiac excitement. The engine shows as original and complete though I question the red-finished cylinder head. The mileage listing is stated as being 54K miles but there’s no authentication of that reading. One nice upgrade here is the conversion of the electrical system from six to twelve volts. As with so many domestic cars produced in this era, a three-speed manual transmission was the only way to roll.
So now, it’s what to do with it time. Coupes like this seem to invariably end up hot-rodded, restomoded, or customized. Its completeness factor, however, would lend itself to a stock restore too – and that’s something to consider as cars like this Deluxe Six coupe are just so far removed from most of the automotive dreck kicked out today. So tell me, if you were the successful bidder on this Pontiac Silver Streak, what would you do with it?
It looks like Bonnie & Clydes car.
Not even close! Their car was a ‘34 Ford four door sedan. The only similarity is that they’re both old cars.
It does!
Not near enough bullet holes.
That’s some sexy hood trim!
Definitely resto-mod. Stock parts for Pontiac are hard to find! I discovered that when restoring my 35 Plymouth touring sedan. If it ain’t Ford or Chevy good luck!
Very solid car! Did Pontiac have column shift in 1938? Looks like it. If so, they beat Buick by a year (except for the rare Self-Shifter transmission which Buick put on the column in ’38)
According to my book on Pontiac by John Gunnell, the 38 Pontiac was the first car in the US to have a column shifted transmission. It was an option called “Safety Shift”
Chevys of the 40s would likely have all the mechanical parts needed to restore.
It was the first year that it was offered.
I’d put it in the woods with all the other “stalled” projects, then fight with the local zoning gestapo. Eventually when my Estate Auction is held the cursing of the attendees over my squandering of my orphans will be my legacy.
Having typed this, during proofreading, this time it will register and change my behavior.
Meanwhile, I have this rusty shard of metal I have to jam in a vein…..
I´d keep it and drive as is. Wonderful patina.
I love late 30’s cars. Currently have a 39
Buick Special 2 door Touring Sedan. A very nice 75K miles original.
Love the 38 Pontiac
I would restore it as original. Definitely
NO hot rod, restore mod, hot rod!
Love the chrome on the hood! SO CLASSY!
I thought some business coupes had a pullout small pickup box in the trunk.
I have seen a couple of that type but not for years.
Chevrolet for one offered a pickup style box but I don’t think it was a pull out thing, I think you removed the trunk lid and installed the bed.
There is a family, movie of my Dad and bunch of cousins in the back of his uncle’s 39 Chev Coupe PU. Can’t even think of that now.
Yes, Ron(and Al) the pickup bed, such that it was, was an insert. You removed the trunk lid and placed it into the trunk.
I’ve seen these on multiple models, the newest being a 68 or 69 Dodge Coronet that was owned by the Texas Department of Transportation.
No it was on a slide frame much like a drawer with locks to hold in each position
Sam Donahue:
Thank you for your reply!
That is the one I was talking about, but I still can’t recall the Brand. It could be Hudson, Nash or one of the other independants.
I knew of the insert as I have seen them as well.
My uncle had a late 30’s Ford with a pickup box accessory. He owned a fruit store and made home deliveries with it.
Wash it and enjoy it!
Mr. Business Coupe Fan here so I have to comment. I’d get it road worthy, clean it up and give it the Derek Biarri shine juice treatment. Neat car. Love the silver streaks.
Give her a redo stay stock if I could but diffently two tone paint ! I love the old gal !
The milage could possibly be correct? Taking in consideration the Great Depression, World War 2 etc.
My Dad told me gas was restricted during this era. You had to have a voucher of some sort to even purchase gasoline, even if you had the money? Most folks didn’t!
I would rebuild the motor if needed, replace the clutch and get it road worthy first.
Then, I would lightly scuff the existing paint and shoot 80 percent clearcoat overall, similar to a semi gloss paint.
This would be the economical way to have a nice piece of history that you could still drive and enjoy.
I think the car is a true survivor. I don’t see any signs of hacking or body damage at all?
Actually, this is about the only thirties model car that has peaked my interest in awhile.
Please don’t start chopping!
Just my oponion!
Simple. Wash her and drive her as is.
I would give this a Vice Grip Garage 4-ought steel wool refinish followed by a coat of clear. Paint the wheels red and add trim rings, baby moons, and wide whites. Convert to disc brakes and clean the interior and DRIVE it everywhere.
Chief Pontiac was a legendary Original Peoples leader. He organized tribes from Lake Superior to Ohio in an attempt to drive the British out of Michigan. Regarded as a brilliant strategist he was betrayed during his attack on Detroit. Later on he ended up getting stabbed in Illinois by a member of the Peoria tribe. He had a brother, Okemos, for whom my hometown was named.
So Pontiac had a city and an automobile named after him and his likeness was the hood ornament adorning many cars.
On balance, I think he would have preferred to keep Michigan.
Interesting, but you nearly lost me at red wheels
love the flame armrests on the doors.
Goes well with red wheels
“…you do with it?..”
Well, that’s the part the photo editor left out.
The largest part, the BUSINESS part, the “trunk & back seat”
a single unit. Only guessed at by the pic of the rear. – I’d place a kind
of circular reinforcement starting coupla feet above those rear windows’n
going round the sides, floor, roof. Almost like the metal ring ona wooden barrel. At top I place hinge so that whole back’d be a hatch back.
Exactly what I want. But it is too far away. I would go for a repaint with red wheels. Also would add front disc brakes at a later point in time.
Again with the red wheels….
I might have to take the trailer down when I go with kids to get an Xmas tree in hills above San Ho. I am doubtin I will get a 389 in here so I would drive as is as well.
Guess I’m the only hot rodder here? I for sure ditch the flathead 6 and 3 speed for a GM V8, preferably a Pontiac 400 but a Chevy 350 would do. Back it up with a 700R4 and a 10 bolt rear. Front disc brakes and a set of polished Torque Thrust wheels all around with some decent tires with sidewalls. Inside would get new threads in old style cloth. Probably add power steering and brakes with a tilt smooth painted column. Outside would get bodywork to perfection with shiny black paint, all trim polished to a mirror finish. Classic looks with modern power and drivability. Would also add AC for comfort. Stock looking until you looked closer. Perfect cruiser.
Or go super old school with jimmy 302 inliner
I have a 421 SD that would be nice in that one.
Oh, please … !