1942 Pontiac Streamliner

Pontiac halted civilian automobile production on February 10th of 1942 due to the United States' involvement with World War II. The month prior, Pontiac became the first U.S. automobile manufacturer to win the U.S. Navy 'E' pennant for production excellence. Due to the shortened production period, the total 1942 calendar year production was a mere 15,404 units and 85,555 model year production units. Of those, 26,506 were Streamliner Eights and 12,742 were Streamliner Sixes.

The 1942 Pontiac Streamliner had a 122-inch wheelbase and could be powered by either a six- or eight-cylinder engine. The L-head six-cylinder unit displaced 239.2 cubic inches and delivered 90 horsepower. The eight-cylinder displaced 248.9 CID and had 103 horsepower. Both were backed by a synchromesh three-speed transmission with column gear shift controls, a single disc clutch, and a Hotchkiss drive. Braking was provided by duo-servo hydraulic drums on all four wheels. The other 1942 Pontiac model was the Torpeo built on the GM A-body platform, while the Streamliner used the larger B-body (except for the station wagons). Body styles included a two-door sedan coupe, sedan, and station wagon. The Streamliner Chieftains trim level added a folding rear seat center armrest.

Styling changes included a wider bumper, hood, and grille, and the headlamps were farther apart. The cowl was eliminated by the hood being extended back to the front doors. In the front was a horseshoe-shaped grille with horizontal bars and a circular emblem in the middle of the upper main surround moldings. Six-cylinder cars had the word Pontiac on the hood while the eight-cylinder models had the words 'Pontiac Eight.'

All Pontiacs produced after December 15th of 1941 had wartime 'blackout' trim in Duco Gun-Metal gray on all parts that were previously chrome plated.

The six-cylinder Pontiac Streamliner was priced from $980 to $1,315 while the eight-cylinder models were priced from $1,000 to $1,340.
By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2020