I wonder what this old Pontiac’s story is. It’s been in storage since 1970 – 52 years in hibernation – and was recently pulled out of a garage in Southern California. It’s not running but it looks original, straight, and ready to be brought back to life and made roadworthy again. It’s wearing a new set of whitewall tires but everything appears to be what was on the Chieftain before it went for a long snooze. Currently located in Sherwood Forest, California, this 1951 Chieftain two-door sedan is for sale here on craigslist for $7,500. Another thank you goes out to T.J. for spotting this old Poncho and sending it our way to feature
There aren’t many photos, but this appears to be a straight car that has a ding or two but nothing major. The bumpers and grill would need rechroming and all the other trim and stainless and glass look good and it’s sporting its original hubcaps. I also like the old school visor above the windshield that you saw on a fair share of cars and pickups from this era. The seller says there is “some minor rust on the rear lower quarters” and there are no photos of the undercarriage or trunk.
There’s a nice photo showing a closeup of the Pontiac’s illuminated hood ornament. The old chief’s face is discolored and weathered and looks 71-years-old. My twin brother had a ’55 Pontiac Star Chief with one of these on its turquoise hood and it was such a unique and cool feature, especially at dusk or night.
The Pontiac’s interior is original and there’s only one photo supplied, but it looks pretty good for its age. It would’ve had 19 years of use before going into storage in 1970, and the front bench seat is showing a few holes and some stains, but we’ve seen far worse here on Barn Finds. No photos of the rear seat, headliner, or floorboards were supplied. The two-tone instrument panel is dusty but looks all there including the original radio. I’ve always liked Pontiac’s big round radio speaker in the middle of the instrument panel with the clock in the center, and the huge honking steering wheel. It even has a prism on the dash in case the overhanging windshield visor kept the driver from having a clear view of the stoplight.
Although it’s not running, and maybe that’s why this Pontiac was parked in 1970, under that long black hood rests a 116-horsepower, 268-cubic inch “straight-eight” engine. It’s paired to a popular option as 78% of all eight-cylinder Chieftains were ordered with a Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. As this ad proves, there are still old cars squirreled away and snoozing in garages and barns out there – some for over 50 years! I hope the next owner gets this old Pontiac up and running again (along with that cool illuminated hood ornament).
I’d like to have that. 👍:-)
A thousand times Yes!!
Good finds on here today! As much as I want to say big block sleeper, it would be cool to build that straight 8. I work for a very large steel fab shop so designing and building an intake/exhaust setup would be cool. There’s something to be said for the feel of the torque of a straight engine.
Stock those straight eights were fast. My Dad found that once it hits 120 it still keeps going faster and speedo starts a second trip around the dial.
Roger , Your Dad must have kissed the Blarney Stone . I had a ’54 Straight Eight with a manual transmission and a 3.9 axle ratio which refused to go faster than 85 MPH in top gear . Fortunately for me , I didn’t have a pronounced need for speed .
Coooool car.She looks like she’d be a runner easy but who knows.I think it’s priced right.
I had a 50 silver streak with that same engine, it possessed a low growl that signified torque coming on, it was a great cruiser and I miss having it. I fought vapor lock in July and August but other than that it never left me stranded. So much aircraft and space inspired stainless bling all over the body I was thought it was a very subtle work of art
I worked for a company that collected cars and machinery for scrap in ND in the 70’s. Saved several of those hood ornaments. Put one on my 49 GMC 5 window 1/2 ton. Still have all of it.
That’s a car I wish I could buy. I still remember the first time I saw one of those lighted hood ornaments. I was maybe five years old, already completely fascinated with all cars, and we were sitting at the local drive-in where you honked for the carhop to pick up your tray after you were finished eating. The Pontiac across from us turned on their lights to leave, and sure enough, the hood ornament lit up. I have wanted one ever since.
Peter Storen, your car needed a tune-up. I saw 100 in the same car.
Quite possibly , Kenn . Perhaps the mob I was working for had their guy de-tune it so I wouldn’t write myself off too readily as I was then capable of hand- washing 25 cars jn a day or mounting 15 sets of snow tires , and at 75 cents an hour ( 1960 ) , this sort of slave-labour was hard to beat !
It’s sold and it’s easy to see why . Very nice old Pontiac with good bones .