The Pontiac
1950 to 1959



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1928 Pontiac Indian Head Mascot from The Concous Show
This is owned by Frank Stirling from Langley, British Columbia Canada


A number of years ago I saw a one page calendar that showed all the Ford 
pickup trucks from the first one to the present day. I thought , what a nice idea.
I thought that I might try something similar with some of the car pictures I have collected.
I have been collecting pictures of Studebakers, Packards Nash, Hudson
and Jeeps and many more for some time now and I first wrote a web page on the Studebaker.
Then one on Jeeps  and Packard followed.
Since then I have many page on old cars and pickup trucks.
These pictures came for a number of sources including web pages of the manufacture, news groups and my own.
Since most of these pictures came from news groups there may be a chance that your car is shown here.

I would like to invite any one that has a favorite 
picture or a Web Page that they would like added to this page to E mail me a copy.

John MacDonald 


 

A Brief History of the Pontiac


The first Pontiac car made it's debut in 1926, but the Pontiac division's history actually dates back to 1893, when Edward M. Murphy established the Pontiac Buggy Company in Pontiac, Michigan. This company produced horse drawn carriages. It wasn't long before it became clear that motorcar sales were going to out distance the carriages. In 1907 Murphy started the Oakland Motor Car Company as an offshoot of the buggy company. 

In 1909 General Motors acquired half of Oakland Motor Car Company. GM's founder William Durant, a friend of Murphy's, was actually more interested in his talent and expertise than his Oakland cars. But before Durant could use these talents, Murphy died. Shortly after this GM purchased full control of Oakland. The Oakland was very successful car through 1920. Then, a minor economic depression combined with inefficient production weakened Oakland and GM.

General Motors was in disarray by 1920 and Durant who had founded the company 12 years earlier lost control of it again after loosing and regaining control several times before. The problem was that all the company's seven divisions were fighting for the same customers, and none were trying to gain the Model T Fords customers, which had the largest market share.
GM's prices ranged from $795 for the lowest end Chevrolet, to $5,690 for the highest priced Cadillac. Since GM wasn't in the position to go after the Model T, a committee of company executives led by the new GM President Alfred Sloan, decided to create a car to fill a long-standing price gap between Chevrolet and Oldsmobile. Besides being a gap filler this new car would serve as a platform to share vehicle components. This would improve volume efficiency. 
The Pontiac was created in 1926 as a replacement to the Oakland.
The Pontiac had the distinction of being the first General Motors car to be designed to fit in a specific market slot.
The first Pontiac was the Series 6-27, debuted at the 1926 New York Auto Show. It was built on a 110 inch wheelbase and it featured a Fisher designed body and a six cylinder Lead engine.

Demand soon outpaced capacity and by mid 1926, the division began plans to build a $15 million assembly plant in Pontiac, Michigan.

In 1927 Harley Earl created an Art & Color studio, which was an industry's first. Earl first designed the highly successful LaSalle, and he later became head of GM Design. Art & Color and designed all GM models, including Pontiac. 
Harley Earl was with GM for many years and was responsible for such cars as the Corvette.
He stayed with General Motors until his retirement in 1959.
For a more detailed history of the Pontiac please visit
http://www.welovepontiacs.com/history.html
 


 
I wonder how many people remember these totem poles.
One of my visitors submitted and was trying to get more information on it. It is thought that they were used for an advertisement icon for the 49 Pontiac Chieftian. Possibly for dealers below the Mason Dixon line. Most were destroyed by the weather, they stood 9'4" tall with a 6' wingspan and were made of some type of plaster of paris. 
If anyone can add to this we would like to hear from you.
!!!The search is on again!!!
Let's find Bob's 58 Pontiac
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Information on Bob Crocker’s 1958 ex Pontiac 

What we are looking for is a 1958 Pontiac Parisienne Sports Coupe, in two tone colours of Burma Green lower and Calypso green top and side panels.
When this car was sold on 1962, in the east end of Toronto Canada to a person who was moving and driving it to the west, unfortunately I didn’t keep his name.

The 1962 Ontario plate had 9670 on it. These were a series of license plates that went on sale at Queens Park and if you went in early in January, you could get the four digit plate.
The car was equipped with a big block 348 motor with dual exhausts. I had the air cleaner and valve covers chrome plated along with the oil cap and some other small engine items.
It originally had a Turbo-Glide transmission, but it was changed by me to a Power-Glide unit when the Turbo-Glide needed major, expensive repairs!
The gear shift quadrant was changed from GR to L. The car had a wonder bar radio with a rear seat speaker, power windows, power steering and power brakes!
The seats were covered with clear plastic seat covers. Mileage on this car when sold in 1962 was approximate 50.000 original miles! Being the second owner, the first being an Executive, it was just like new inside and out.

I installed an auxiliary amp meter and oil pressure gauge discreetly under the dash as the two original instruments were idiot lights which I did not care for.
There was a custom trailer hitch on the car with a wiring harness in the trunk.
I obtained a pair of Foxcraft Fender Skirts from Canadian Tire and painted them using touchup spray paint, which unfortunately did not match 100%.
I had a large exterior mirror mounted on the driver’s door. Both doors had stainless edgings to protect them from paint chips.

If anyone knows the whereabouts of this car I certainly would like to know about it.
The reason I sold the car was that I was getting married and needed the money for a down payment on a house which I succeeded in doing.

Bob Crocker
4 Brasher Drive
Tillsonburg, Ontario  N4G 5T2
Phone 519 688 5925
E Mail thecrockers at this link 

This page was last updated on Feb 22 2008

Got a junk car that you think isn't worth anything? Ever think about making a car donation to a good cause? When its time to file your taxes you always look for deductions so why not donate your rv or donate your boat? Get online today and make a donation!
Related Information:

 
1950 Pontiac Silver Streak Eight Convertible
1950 Pontiac Chieftain Eight Convertible
 1950 Pontiac Streamliner Wagon
 1950 Pontiac Catalina Hardtop
This picture was submitted by Paul Black. 
This wasPaul's first car and the picture was taken in his hometown in Indiana 
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Click on this image for a larger view in a new window
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 1950 Pontiac 4 Door Fastback
 1950 Pontiac 4 Door Fastback
This car is owned by Carl (& Ellen) Forsberg, Lakeville, MN
Carl had the folowing to say about his car.
"The car was my father-in-law's until he passed away about 9 years ago.  I bought from my mother-in-law, which began a long story of my involvement in "the car" hobby.  The car is original for the most part, but is starting to decay rather quickly.  I'm sure I will catch it from the purists, but I will be looking to customize it in the near future.  I'll be building it in the style of the 50's and 60's customs.  Remember, customs and hot rods are history, too.  My daughter has laid claim to the Pontiac when I'm done with it."
Click on this image for a larger view in a new window
Click on this image for a larger view in a new window
Click on this image for a larger view in a new window
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 1950 Pontiac 4 Door Fastback
 1950 Pontiac 4 Door Fastback
1938 Buick Park Avenue and a 1950 Pontiac Ad
1951 Pontiac Catalina Hardtop
1951 Pontiac Eight Convertible
1951 Pontiac Eight Convertible
 
1951 Pontiac Chieftain 4_Door Sedan
 
This car is owned by Frank Stirling, greater Vancouver, B.C. Canada.
This car is a 6 cyl with Hydra-Matic of which only 13,000 were made with this combination.  This is a US model (#2569) but assembled as a special order for a customer in Canada, with high import duties being paid. This is a real 100% US Pontiac and I have never seen another one assembled in Canada in the 
1951 model year.
1951 Pontiac Eight 2 Door Coach
1952 Pontiac 2 Door Coach (Canadian)
1952 Pontiac Chieftain 4 Door Sedan
1952 Pontiac 2 Door Coach (Canadian)
 
 
 1952 Pontiac Fleetleader Deluxe 4 Door Sedan (Canadian)
  1952 Pontiac Fleetleader Deluxe 4 Door Sedan (Canadian)
 
 
1951 Pontiac Chieftain at Minter Gardens July 7 2003
This is car is owned by Frank Stirling from Langley,
British Columbia Canada
This car is an USA model that was assembled in Canada but is totally an American Chieftain sedan (Model # 2569) with the Hydra-Matic transmission and a 6 cyl 239.2 
CI L-head engine (flathead).
 1953 Pontiac Bonneville Special Concept Car
 1953 Pontiac Chieftain 8 Custom Catalina 2 Door Hardtop
 1953 Pontiac Convertible
 1954 Pontiac 2 Door Hardtop
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Click on this image for a larger view in a new window
Click on this image for a larger view in a new window
1954 Pontiac Lauretian 4 Door Sedan (Canadian)
1954 Pontiac Lauretian 4 Door Sedan (Canadian)
This car is owned by Ken Burns, Paris, Ontario, Canada This car is owned by Ken Burns, Paris, Ontario, Canada
1954 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible
 1954 Pontiac Star Chief Catalina
This car was owned by Eric Gordon of New London County CT USA
Click on this image for a larger view in a new window
Click on this image for a larger view in a new window
 1955 Pontiac Star Chief 2 Door Hardtop
 1954 Pontiac Strato Streak
This car is owned by Gorden Birkhiem, Vernon, B.C, Canada
1954 Pontiac Chieftain 6
This picture was submitted by Derrick Lewis, Hout Bay, South Africa
and it was taken at Meiringspoort, Little Karoo in 1954.
The car was owned by his late Uncle
 1955 Pontiac 2 Door Hardtop
 1955 Pontiac Convertible
 1955 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible
 1955 Pontiac Convertible
 1955 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible
 1955 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible
 
1955 Pontiac V-8 Engine 287 Cid
1956 Pontiac Chief 2 Door Hardtop
1956 Pontiac Custom Starchief 2 Door Hardtop
1956 Pontiac Laurentian Sedan (Canadian)
1956 Pontiac Custom Starchief 2 Door Hardtop
1956 Pontiac Laurentian 2 Door Hardtop (Canadian)
1956 Pontiac Safari
1956 Pontiac Star Chief Catalina 4 Door Hardtop
1956 Pontiac Star Chief Catalina
1956 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible
1956 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible
1956 Pontiac Star Chief Custom Catalina
1956 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible
1956 Pontiac Star Chief Safari
1956 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible
   
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Click on this image for a larger view in anew window
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 1956 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible
 1956 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible
 This car is owned by Bud & Dona Elliott
 
Click on this image for a larger view in anew window
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 1956 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible
 
 This car is owned by Bud & Dona Elliott  
1956 Firebird II Concept Car
1957 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible
1957 Pontiac Chieftain Safari 9 Passanger Wagon
1957 Pontiac Pathfinder 4 Door Sedan
1957 Pontiac Star Chief 4Door Hardtop
1957 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible
1958 Pontiac Bonneville 2 Door Hardtop
1958 Pontiac Bonneville 2 Door Hardtop
1958 Pontiac Bonneville 2 Door Hardtop
1958 Pontiac Parisienne Convertible (Canadian)
1958 Pontiac Parisienne Convertible (Canadian)
 1958 Pontiac Pathfinder 4 Door Sedan
 1958 Pontiac Pathfinder 4 Door Sedan
 1958 Pontiac Safari Chieftain 9 Passenger Stationwagen
 1958 Pontiac Safari Chieftain 9 Passenger Stationwagen
1958 Pontiac Safari Chieftain 9 Passenger Stationwagen
1958 Pontiac Safari Chieftain 9 Passenger Stationwagen
This car is owned by Tony Leo and it is in the San Francisco USA area. Tony would like to sell this car. If anyone is interested please you this email link.  Tony had the following to say about this wagen.
"A very rare 1958 Pontiac Safari Chieftain 9 passenger STATION WAGON, V/8, AUTO TRANS, power steering, power
brakes, original AM radio & heater, three seat station wagon, less than 1,200 3 seat wagons were built by Pontiac in 1958. This is a California car from day one and is very solid inside and out.
3 seat wagons are the rarest of all station wagons. Original great colors of red and white with the two tone red and white interior.
A great 1958 Pontiac Safari wagon to start with.
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Click on this image for a larger view in a new window
 
1958 Pontiac Parisienne 2 Door Hardtop
This car was owned by Bob Crocker of Ontario, Canada from 1960 to 1962. Bob would be very interested in locating this car.
If any one has anyidea of where this car may be you can e mail Bob by using this link. 
1958 Firebird III Concept Car
1958 Firebird III Concept Car
1958 Firebird III Concept Car
Click on this image for a larger view in a new window
Click on this image for a larger view in a new window 
Click on this image for a larger view in a new window
Click on this image for a larger view in a new window 
 1958 Pontiac Bonneville
 1958 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible
 This picture was submitted by Paul and Clara Black, Tampa, FL USA  This picture was submitted by Paul and Clara Black, Tampa, FL 
1959 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible
1959 Pontiac Bonneville 2 Door Hardtop
1959 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible
1959 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible
1959 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible
1959 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible
1959 Pontiac Strato Chief Wagon
1959 Pontiac Catalina Convertible
 
1959 Pontiac Strato Chief Wagon
 
1959Pontiac Special Order Convertible
1959Pontiac Special Order Convertible
This car is a one of and is being offered fro sale for the first time.
Contact Brian Ellis, of Scottsdale AZ. brian91202@gmail.com
for more details on Harley Earl's wifes car.
 

 
 
 
To view the remainder of the Pontiacs use the buttons below
The Pontiac from 1926 to 1949
The Pontiac from 1960 to 1970

 
 
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A website featuring many articles on many different cars
If you can't find it anywhere else, try here
A very well done Japanese Pontiac web site.
Even if you can't read Japanese there are some nice pictures here.
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