Guy Barnette & Co. out of Memphis, Tennessee built ambulances and hearses from the late 1940s through the mid-1950s. Chevrolet and Pontiac sedan deliveries were typically what their conversions were based upon. This 1952 Pontiac is one of those… more»
Chieftain
Nov 11, 2023 • For Sale • 20 Comments
Attention Patina Fans! 1957 Pontiac Super Chief
In 1955-57, the Pontiac Chieftain used the same platform as the “Tri-Five” Chevies, though the sales numbers were less. In 1957, the Super Chief was introduced as a top trim level on the Chieftain, making it roughly equal to… more»
Jul 27, 2023 • For Sale • 25 Comments
Chieftain or Star Chief? 1955 Pontiac Sport Coupe
Pontiac rolled out a new design for its cars in 1955 and included a V8 engine for the first time since 1932. Only two broad series were available, the Chieftain and the Star Chief of which the latter rode… more»
Jun 13, 2023 • For Sale • 19 Comments
“Tri-Five” Poncho: 1957 Pontiac Chieftain
In the mid-1950s, the Chieftain was akin to the 210 in the Chevy lineup as the Star Chief was more like the Bel Air in terms of trim. All new bodies were introduced in 1955 (along with Chevrolet) and… more»
May 24, 2023 • For Sale • 13 Comments
Twelve Car Barn Find In Northern California!
Most vehicle collections focus on a specific brand or type of car or truck. While others seem to be a little bit of everything, like this dusty assortment that resides in a warehouse in Watsonville, California. What started as… more»
Apr 9, 2023 • For Sale • 19 Comments
Garaged 50 Years! 1951 Pontiac Chieftain
The Pontiac Chieftain was introduced as a 1949 model, offering good looks and some cool features such as a curved 2-piece windshield, but it seems these cars aren’t really garnering all that much attention from car enthusiasts at present,… more»
Apr 4, 2023 • For Sale • 36 Comments
Original Paint: 1957 Pontiac Chieftain
The “one owner, little old lady, only driven on Sundays” stereotype is well-worn, and many treat the concept with a grain of salt. However, those are the claims made by the seller about this 1957 Pontiac Chieftain. It wears… more»
Jan 6, 2023 • For Sale • 19 Comments
Pretty In Pink! 1958 Pontiac Chieftain
The 1950s Chieftain appealed to Pontiac buyers who were budget conscious. Its last model year in 1958, the car (along with all Pontiacs) was all-new and struggled a bit in sales as the U.S. economy was suffering through its… more»
Dec 27, 2022 • For Sale • 12 Comments
Stored In a Garage for 52 Years: 1951 Pontiac Chieftain Eight
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,… more»
Dec 22, 2022 • For Sale • 18 Comments
Tri-Power Included: 1957 Pontiac Chieftain
Pontiac’s Second Generation Chieftain brought wholesale changes to the badge, although not all were visible to the naked eye. It underwent further changes during its three-year production life, and our feature car is from the final year. It is… more»
Oct 28, 2022 • For Sale • 12 Comments
Needs Good Home: 1949 Pontiac Chieftain
Pontiac’s post-WW2 automobiles were retreads until 1949 when the all-new Chieftain and Streamliner debuted. The Chieftain would be Pontiac’s entry-level model, using the A-body shared with Chevrolet. Both six and eight-cylinder engines were offered, with the latter said to… more»
Oct 5, 2022 • For Sale • 17 Comments
Halloween Hauler? 1953 Pontiac Chieftain Hearse
Back in the 1950s, Memphis, Tennessee was a mecca of professional car builders where hearses, ambulances, and flower cars were the primary products. Guy Barnette & Co. specialized in converting Chevrolets and Pontiacs into these sorts of vehicles using… more»
Sep 26, 2022 • For Sale • 17 Comments
Tin Wood Wagon: 1951 Pontiac Eight
Like other divisions of General Motors, Pontiac rolled out new post-war cars in 1949. While the only badging on the seller’s wagon says Pontiac Eight, the simple VIN doesn’t tell us much more. P = Pontiac, MI assembly plant;… more»
Aug 13, 2022 • For Sale • 20 Comments
Parts Or Restore? 1955 Pontiac Chieftan
Every time I spy a pink and white car I think of two things, it must be from the ’50s and Good & Plenty, the pink and white coated licorice candy. The association is so real that I had… more»
Jul 6, 2022 • For Sale • 10 Comments
Easy Project? 1956 Pontiac Chieftain
In the mid-1950s, the Pontiac Chieftain was akin to Chevrolet’s mid-range 210. While the basic platform was the same, the Pontiac rode on a seven-inch longer wheelbase. The Star Chief may have been similar to the Bel Air as… more»
May 13, 2022 • For Sale • 10 Comments
Only Two Owners: 1957 Pontiac Chieftain
There is a lot of common ground between the 1955-57 Chevies (150/210/Bel Air) and the Pontiacs of the same period (Chieftain, Star Chief, Super Chief) as they were all built on the GM A-body platform. So, when you look… more»
