1940 Pontiac DeLuxe

The 1940 Pontiac model lineup included the Pontiac Special available solely with a six-cylinder engine, the six- or eight-cylinder Deluxe, and the Torpedo Eight. Both the Special and the Deluxe could be purchased as a coupe, sport coupe, and two- and four-door touring sedan. A station was exclusive to the Special and a cabriolet to the Deluxe. The Special's rested on a 116.5-inch wheelbase platform while the Deluxe had a 120.25-inch platform. The only gearbox was a three-speed synchromesh column shift with an Inland single disc clutch and braking was handled by duo-Servo four-wheel hydraulic drums. The Special's used the GM A-body and the Deluxes used the B-body platform.

The Deluxe models had weathered sealed keyholes, used the same hood ornament as the Special Six, a squared-off rear deck, and the gas filler was located on the left rear fenders.

The L-head six-cylinder engine had a 222.7 cubic-inch displacement, solid valve filters, four main bearings, a Carter one-barrel carburetor, and delivered 100 horsepower at 3,700 RPM. The output was an increase of 15 hp over the prior years. The inline eight-cylinder engine displaced 248.9 cubic-inches and had the same 100 horsepower as the prior year.

Distinguishable features of the six- and eight-cylinder Deluxes include an '8' emblem affixed to the front chevron-shaped trim plate. On the rear deck was a Pontiac Eight nameplate.

The Pontiac Torpedo was a more streamlined car sans running boards.

Prices for the six-cylinder Pontiac Deluxe ranged from $835 to $1000, while the eight-cylinder version ranged from $875 to $1050.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2020