Pontiac Chieftain

Pontiac Chieftain
Manufacturer General Motors
Production 1949–1958
Assembly Pontiac, Michigan, United States
Successor Pontiac Catalina
Class Full-size
Body style 2-door coupe
4-door sedan
2-door convertible
4-door station wagon
Layout FR layout
Platform A-body
Transmission 3-speed synchromesh manual
4-speed Hydramatic automatic

The Pontiac Chieftain was an automobile produced by the Pontiac Motors Division of General Motors from 1949 to 1958. Chieftains were one of the first all new car designs to come to Pontiac in the post World War II years. Previous cars had been 1942 models with minor revisions.

Contents

First Generation (1949-1954)

First Generation

1951 Pontiac Chieftain convertible
Model years 1949–1954
Layout FR layout
Engine 239.2 in³ L-head I6
268.2 in³ L-head I8
Wheelbase 1949-51: 120 in (3,000 mm)
1952-54: 3,098.80 mm (122.000 in)
Length 1949-51: 5,143.5 mm (202.50 in)
1952: 5,143.5 mm (202.50 in)
1953–1954: 5,149.85 mm (202.750 in)
Width 75.8 in (1,925 mm)(1949-1952)
76.6"(1953-1954)[1]
Height 63.3 in (1,608 mm) [1][2]
Curb weight 1949-51: 1,535.41 to 1,557.18 kg (3,385.0 to 3,433.0 lb)
1952-54: 1,691 to 1,563.99 kg (3,730 to 3,448.0 lb)

In 1949 the A-body Chieftain replaced the Pontiac Streamliner as Pontiac's top model. In turn the Pontiac Streamliner was moved from the B-body it had previously used to the newly redesigned A-body that the Pontiac Torpedo had used since 1942, and it was reduced to the lower model. Consequently Pontiac's two lines were now similar (if not exact) in dimensions, engines, trim levels and options. They had standard automatic interior lighting.[1]

The Chieftain was initially introduced with four models: Sedan, Sedan Coupe, Business Coupe and Deluxe Convertible Coupe. In 1950, a Catalina Coupe was added to the range while a station wagon was added in 1951.

First generation Chieftains came with a choice of four engines:

The horsepower differences between each of the 6- and 8-cylinder engines were due to changes in compression ratios.

Some of the more interesting optional items available for the first generation Chieftain included a radio with seven vacuum tubes,[1] tissue dispenser, under seat heaters, and a Remington Auto-Home shaver. In 1951, the horsepower on the 8-cylinder rose to 116.[1] The Chieftain came with a gas gauge, ammeter, oil pressure gauge, and temp. gauge(which had marks for 160, 180, and 220 degrees Fahrenheit).[3]

For the 1952 model year, Pontiac discontinued the Streamliner leaving the Chieftain as their only offering. The Chieftain moved to the new 122 wheelbase. Engine offerings were basically the same except for the 8-cylinder which got a .2 cubic inch enlargement. Horsepower did increase by 10 on the 6-cylinder and by 15 on the 8-cylinder.

The 1953 Chieftains were largely unchanged from 1952. The six-cylinder was standard.

The Star Chief joined the Pontiac line in 1954, bumping the Chieftain down to entry level status. Both cars were built on the A-body shell but the new Star Chief had an 11-inch (280 mm) extension added to its frame. Also in 1954, 8-cylinder engines increased by about nine horsepower due to carburetor changes. The 6-cylinder engines remained unchanged.

Also in 1954, power brakes and air-conditioning were offered as extra cost options for the first time. Also a power front seat was added.[1]

Second Generation (1955–1957)

Second Generation
Model years 1955–1957
Layout FR layout
Engine 1955: 287.2 in³ V8
1956: 316.6 in³ 2(192-205hp) or 4(216-227hp) bbl. V8[1]
1957: 346 in³ V8
Transmission 3-speed manual
Dual-Range Hydra-Matic
Strato-Flight Hydra-Matic
Wheelbase 3,098.80 mm (122.000 in)[4]
Length 1955: 5,161.28 mm (203.200 in)
1956: 5,222.24 mm (205.600 in)
1957: 5,252.72 mm (206.800 in)
Width 75.1 in (1,908 mm) [1]
Height 60.5 in (1,537 mm)
Curb weight 1,442.46 to 1,798.49 kg (3,180.1 to 3,965.0 lb)

The 1955 model Chieftains featured completely new chassis, body and engine. The engine was the biggest news as this was Pontiac's first V8. The 287.2 in³ engine made 173 or 180 horsepower (130 kW) at 4400 rpm depending on which version was ordered (again, the difference was due to changes in compression ratios). A 6-cylinder engine was no longer offered. The original five-chrome strips running down the hood and trunk where dropped, with a twin-stripe design used.[1]

The biggest change for 1956 was again in the engine. The new for 1955 V8 was drastically enlarged to 316.6 in³. Horsepower made a considerable increase, jumping to 192 and 205 respectively. Otherwise, the 1956 model Chieftains received only minor updates. A padded safety dashboard was added as an option.[5]

New "Star Flight" styling graced the 1957 Chieftains. This new theme included missile shaped side trim, extended rear fenders with V-shaped tips, lower hoods and massive bumpers. A new Super Chief sub-series debuted within the Chieftain line. These were the meant to be the top of the line Chieftain models. Sales were 58.02% of all Pontiac's in 1957. The first "Tri-Power" Pontiac engines were offered.[4][1]

Once again the Pontiac V8 was enlarged. The 1957 model year say the engine increase to 347 in³ with horsepower increasing to 290 for the Chieftain models.

Third Generation (1958)

Third Generation

1958 Pontiac Chieftain Safari
Model years 1958
Assembly Kansas City, Kansas[4]
Layout FR layout
Engine 370 in³ V8
Transmission 3-speed manual
Super Hydra-Matic
Wheelbase 3,098.80 mm (122.000 in)
Length 5,346.70 mm (210.500 in)
Width 77.4 in (1,966 mm)[6]
Height 55.7 in (1,415 mm)

Chieftains went through another major styling change in 1958. All models were give honeycomb grilles, quad head and tail lamps, concave rear fenders, and longer, lower lines. The Super Chief sub-series was promoted to full model status leaving just the standard array of Chieftains as the entry level Pontiac. The "Sportable" transistor radio became an option,[6] along with air-suspension.[4]

As in years past, the V8 engine was enlarged. For 1958 it grew to 370 in³ and made 240 and 270 horsepower (200 kW) depending on version.

The 1958 models were the last Chieftains to be produced. It was replaced with the all-new Catalina in 1959.

References

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Flory, Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5. 
  2. ^ "Directory Index: Pontiac/1954 Pontiac/1954_Pontiac_Prestige_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Pontiac/1954%20Pontiac/1954_Pontiac_Prestige_Brochure/1954%20Pontiac%20Prestige-24.html. Retrieved 2011-11-12. 
  3. ^ "Directory Index: Pontiac/1950_Pontiac/1950_Pontiac_Owners_Manual". Oldcarbrochures.com. http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Pontiac/1950_Pontiac/1950_Pontiac_Owners_Manual/1950%20Pontiac%20owner%20s%20manual%20-%20Pg%2006%20-%2007.html. Retrieved 2011-11-12. 
  4. ^ a b c d Gunnell, John A., ed. Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. krause publications. ISBN 0-87341-027-0. 
  5. ^ "Directory Index: Pontiac/1956_Pontiac/1956_Pontiac_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Pontiac/1956_Pontiac/1956_Pontiac_Brochure/1956%20Pontiac-10-11.html. Retrieved 2011-11-12. 
  6. ^ a b de la Rive Box, Rob (1998). Encyclopedia of Classic cars Sports Cars 1945-1975. Rebo Productions. ISBN 1-84053-111-8. 
Type 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
Subcompact Astre
Compact Sunbird
Tempest Ventura Ventura Phoenix
Mid-size Tempest Custom S Grand Am Grand Am
LeMans LeMans LeMans LeMans LeMans
Personal Grand Prix Grand Prix Grand Prix Grand Prix
Full-size Streamliner Chieftain Chieftain Chieftain Catalina Catalina Catalina Catalina Catalina
Chieftain Star Chief Star Chief Star Chief Star Chief Star Chief Star Chief Executive Bonneville Bonneville
Bonneville Bonneville Bonneville Bonneville Grand Ville
Sports Firebird / Trans Am Firebird / Trans Am
GTO GTO GTO