1947 Pontiac Streamliner Six Cylinder Standard Station Wagon

Even before the automobile, horse-drawn wagons carried people and luggage from the train station to their hotels or other destinations....hence the term, 'station wagons.' Early self-propelled station wagons evolved from trucks and were typically commercial vehicles rather than personal automobiles. Their wood framing was left unsheathed because of this commercial nature.

While commercial in their origins, station wagons began to take on an aura of prestige during the mid-1930's. Priced higher than regular cars, they became popular in affluent communities, especially among country club social sets. Pontiac introduced its first station wagon in 1937. Cachet aside, wood-bodied station wagons required constant maintenance, including recoating the varnish.

This example, a 1947 Streamliner Station Wagon, offers seating for eight and is powered by a 289.9 cid 'straight-eight' engine rated at 103 horsepower. Originally priced at $2,111, it was the most expensive Pontiac offered for 1947. The body was manufactured by Ionia Manufacturing Company, of Ionia, Michigan. Ionia produced 18,791 Pontiac wagon bodies from 1946 to 1948, the last year a full wood-body Pontiac station wagon was offered.

Prior to obtaining this car, the current owner searched for many years for a Pontiac Station Wagon produced in 1947, the year of their births. Their family has sold Pontiacs in Reading, PA since the brand was introduced in 1926.

For 1947, the Pontiac Streamliner came in two series, the Six Series 26 and the Eight Series 28. The six series was powered by a six-cylinder L-head engine that produced 90 horsepower. The Eight Series had an eight-cylinder engine which produced 103 horsepower.

The base bodystyle, the two-door sedan coupe with seating for five, would set the buyer back $1360. The top of the line of the Streamliner Six Series was the four-door deluxe station wagon, which cost just over $2000. The Eight Series had a price that ranged from $1400 - $2110. Bodystyles for both series included Coupe, Sedan, and Station Wagon.

Little changed for the Streamliner in 1947; they carried over the same designs and features as the prior year. Only slight changes were made and those were to the vehicles aesthetics, such as the trim and grille.

This 1947 Pontiac Streamliner Station Wagon was on display at the 2007 Eastern Concours of the United States. It is an elegant 'woody' wagon, with no visual blemishes, scratches, or flaws. An excellent example and well maintained wagon of the 1947 Streamliner.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2007