Pontiac Torpedo

The Pontiac Torpedo was a Full-sized car produced by Pontiac from 1940-1948.

Contents

1940-1941

First Generation

1941 Pontiac Custom Torpedo Eight coupe
(C-body)
Model years 1940-1941
Assembly South Gate, California
Pontiac, Michigan
Linden, New Jersey
Class Full-size
Body style 4-door sedan
2-door coupe
2-door Deluxe convertible
4-door Custom station wagon
Layout FR
Platform A-body
B-body
C-body
Engine 239 cu in (3.9 L) Flathead I6
249 cu in (4.1 L) Silver-Streak I8
Transmission 3-speed synchromesh manual
Wheelbase 1940: 122 in (3,099 mm)[1]
1941 Deluxe and Custom: 122 in (3,099 mm)[1]
1941 Special: 119 in (3,023 mm) [1]
Length 1940: 207.5 in (5,271 mm)
1941:
Custom: 211.5 in (5,372 mm)
Custom station wagon: 213.5 in (5,423 mm)
Streamliner: 207.5 in (5,271 mm)
Deluxe: 201.5 in (5,118 mm)
Width 1940: 74.5 in (1,892 mm) [2]
Height 1940: 65.0 in (1,651 mm)
Curb weight 1940: 3,600–3,700 lb (1,600–1,700 kg)
1941:
Custom: 3,500–3,900 lb (1,600–1,800 kg)
Streamliner: 3,500–3,700 lb (1,600–1,700 kg)
Deluxe: 3,300–3,500 lb (1,500–1,600 kg)
Related Custom Torpedo:
Cadillac Series 62
Buick Roadmaster
Oldsmobile 90/96/98
Buick Super

Streamliner Torpedo:
Cadillac Series 61
Buick Century
Oldsmobile Series 70
Buick Special

Deluxe Torpedo:
Oldsmobile Series 60
Chevrolet Special Deluxe
Chevrolet Master Deluxe
Chevrolet Master 85
Designer Harley Earl

In 1940, Pontiac introduced the Torpedo on the General Motors C-body.[1] Along with Oldsmobile, Pontiac had the distinction of having all three of GM's platforms this year, but this would last only one more year. The new C-body featured cutting-edge "torpedo" styling. Shoulder and hip room was over 5" wider, running boards were eliminated and the exterior was streamlined and 2-3" lower. When combined with a column mounted shift lever the cars offered true six passenger comfort. These changes had clearly been influenced by the Cadillac Sixty Special. The first year the Torpedo came out, it was only available with the Inline 8-cylinder engine. It was either a 4-passenger coupe or a 5-passenger sedan. A heater, cigarette lighter, six-tube radios, an electric clock, and a trunk light were all optional.[1]

In 1941 the A-body and B-body were similarly restyled. Consequently Pontiac renamed its entire line-up "Torpedo", with models ranging from the low-end A-bodied Deluxe Torpedo (with a 119" wheelbase),[3] the mid-level B-bodied Streamliner Torpedo (with a 122" wheelbase up 2" from the previous year), and the high-end C-bodied Custom Torpedo (with the same 122" wheelbase as the previous year). All models came with either the six or eight cylinder engines.[1] A power top for the convertible was added.[4]

1941 was the last year Pontiac offered a model with the GM C-body until the big clamshell tailgate Pontiac Safari and Grand Safari wagons of 1971-76.

1942-1948

Second generation

1948 Pontiac Torpedo convertible (A-body)
Model years 1942
1946-1948
Successor Pontiac Chieftain
Class Entry-level full-size
Layout FR
Platform A-body
Engine 239.2CID L-head 1-bbl. 93.5 hp (70 kW) I6[5][6]
Transmission 3-speed synchromesh manual
Hydra-Matic[6]
Wheelbase

119.0 in (3,023 mm)[1]

[6][7]
Length 204.5 in (5,194 mm)
Width 75.8 in (1,925 mm)
Height 66 in (1,676 mm) [6]

For 1942, the Torpedo name was assigned to the A-bodied Pontiac while the Streamliner became the B-bodied Pontiac. The grill got horizontal bars, while the headlamps were placed farther apart. It had notchback styling. After Dec. 15, 1941, the Torpedo received wartime 'black-out" trim, which meant that all the chrome pieces were painted in Duco Gun-Metal Grey.[1]

In 1946, the first postwar Pontiac's looked very similar to the pre-war models. The dash contained full instrumentation with round gauges. The engines were the same.

1947 Torpedoes received a new "Chief Pontiac" hood ordainment. An 8-tube radio became optional.[6]

1948 was the last year for the Torpedo. The Hydra-Matic automatic transmission became optional.[8] Base price was $1,500.

See also

Pontiac Chieftain

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Kimes, Beverly (1996). standard catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. Krause publications. ISBN 0-87341-428-4. 
  2. ^ Dusan Ristic-Petrovic. "Image: 1940 Pontiac Brochure/1940 Pontiac-15". Oldcarbrochures.com. http://oldcarbrochures.com/new/021110/1940%20Pontiac%20Brochure/1940%20Pontiac-15.html. Retrieved 2011-11-20. 
  3. ^ "Directory Index: Pontiac/1941_Pontiac/1941_Pontiac_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Pontiac/1941_Pontiac/1941_Pontiac_Brochure/1941%20Pontiac-22.html. Retrieved 2011-11-20. 
  4. ^ "Directory Index: Pontiac/1941_Pontiac/1941_Pontiac_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Pontiac/1941_Pontiac/1941_Pontiac_Brochure/1941%20Pontiac-15.html. Retrieved 2011-11-20. 
  5. ^ "Directory Index: Pontiac/1946 Pontiac/album". Oldcarbrochures.com. http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Pontiac/1946%20Pontiac/album/1946%20Pontiac-11.html. Retrieved 2011-11-20. 
  6. ^ a b c d e Flory, Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5. 
  7. ^ Gunnell, John A., ed. Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. krause publications. ISBN 0-87341-027-0. 
  8. ^ Dusan Ristic-Petrovic. "Image: 1948 Pontiac Foldout/1948 Pontiac Foldout-08-09-10-11-12-13-14-15". Oldcarbrochures.com. http://oldcarbrochures.com/new/021110/1948%20Pontiac%20Foldout/1948%20Pontiac%20Foldout-08-09-10-11-12-13-14-15.html. Retrieved 2011-11-20. 
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