1939 Pontiac Deluxe

The 1939 Pontiac model lineup included the Quality 115 and the Deluxe 120. Both wore General Motors A-body with the Deluxe 120 being the larger of the two, resting on a 120-inch wheelbase platform versus the 115-inch version of the Quality. The Deluxe was available with either a six- or Eight-cylinder engine, while the Quality was offered solely with a six. Both of the six-cylinder engines were the same, an L-head inline unit with a 222.7 cubic-inch displacement, four main bearings, solid valve lifters, a Carter one-barrel carburetor, and delivering 85 horsepower at 3,520 RPM. It was backed by a three-speed, column shift, synchromesh transmission with a dry disc clutch, Hotchkiss drive, and a semi-floating rear axle. Braking was handled by hydraulic drum brakes located at all four corners. The inline eight-cylinder unit displaced 248.9 cubic-inches and delivered 100 horsepower, also backed by a three-speed gearbox. Body styles on the Deluxe included a coupe, sport coupe, convertible, and a two- and four-door touring sedan. Prices ranged from $760 to $990 for the Quality 115, from $815 to $990 for the six-cylinder Deluxe, and $860 to $1050 for the Deluxe Eight. 34,774 examples of the Deluxe eight were produced, and 53,830 of the six-cylinder Deluxe. 55,736 examples of Quality 115 were constructed for the 1939 model year.

The Pontiac marque had originated from another member of the General Motors family - Oakland - which itself had grown out of the Pontiac Buggy Company. Located in Pontiac, Michigan, it used the name of the eponymous Indian Chief and was conceived as a quality six-cylinder model priced in the four-cylinder territory. From the start, it was successful with nearly 77,000 units sold, more than its Oakland parent achieved that year. Part of the Pontiac Six's success was its modern styling, conventional mechanical components, and attractive pricing.

The Pontiac models received the nickname, the 'Silver Streak' in the mid-to-late 1930s due to the distinctive multi-groove chrome strip that bisected their bonnets. Both the 1939 Qualit and Deluxe models had similar Art Deco styling, while the Deluxe's had larger windshields, V-shaped windows openings, wider back windows, and additional chrome trim around the beltline. They could be ordered with or without running boards, or streamlined 'body skirts.'

With the eight-cylinder engine installed, an Indian head ornament was placed on the hood. Six-cylinder models had a straight-back feather design while eight-cylinder models had fin-like feather designs. A 'Pontiac Eight' emblem was placed on the cars' rear deck, further distinguishing them from its six-cylinder siblings.

General Motors contracted with two companies in 1939 to produce wood bodies for Pontiac station wagons, including the Hercules Body Company in Evansville, Indiana. Though Pontiac did not maintain exact body production numbers in 1939, total Pontiac station wagons numbered no more than a couple thousand.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2020