1953 Pontiac Chieftain

The 1953 Pontiac model lineup consisted of a singular model - the Chieftain - offered with either six- or eight-cylinder engines and in Special or Deluxe trim levels. Pontiac's were all-new for 1953 with one-piece windshields, a wraparound rear window, 'stepped' rear fenders that hinted at the forthcoming tailfins, new hood ornaments, a new grille design that incorporated parking lights, large chrome headlight housings, and Panorama View gauge clusters.

Engines

The six-cylinder engine had a 239.2 cubic-inch displacement with four main bearings, solid valve lifters, a Carter two-barrel carburetor, and delivered 115 horsepower with the synchromesh transmission and 118 hp with the Hydra-Matic. The 268.4 cubic-inch L-head eight-cylinder engine produced 118 horsepower with the synchromesh and 122 hp with the Hydra-Matic. Nearly 82 percent of the 1953 Pontiac models were equipped with automatic transmissions.

Standard Amenities

The standard models were called the Specials and included hubcaps, straight upper beltline trim, short arrow-shaped side trim, and rubber gravel guards. The Deluxe Chieftains had stainless steel gravel guards with rear fender extensions, chrome full wheel discs, dipping belt moldings, and long 'dual streak' body moldings. Eight-cylinder cars had an '8' emblem located between twin 'Silver Streaks' on deck lids.

Body Styles and Pricing

1953 Pontaic body styles included a two- and four-door sedan, a Deluxe Catalina Coupe, Deluxe Convertible, and Deluxe Station Wagon with either six- or eight-passenger seating. Prices ranged from $1,950 for the two-door sedan and rose to over $2,500 for the station wagon with eight-cylinder power. The Custom Catalina Coupe had horizontally grooved decorative trim plates located at the rear roof pillar edge and only available in Milano Ivory, Laurel Green, or two-tone combinations of these colors.

Production

Production of the 1953 Chieftain began on November 17, 1952, and wasintroduced to the public a month later - on December 6. With model year output of 418,619 vehicles, Pontiac remained steadfast in its fifth position of U.S. automobile sales.

- 38,914 with six-cylinder power

- 379,705 with eight-cylinder power

A total of 33,705 examples of the six-cylinder cars had synchromesh transmissions, 4,507 had HydraMatics, and 702 had PowerGlides.

A total of 68,565 of the eight-cylinder cars had synchromesh, 293,343 had HydraMatics, and 17,797 received PowerGlides.

The Pontiac Chieftain

Pontiac produced the Chieftain from 1949 to 1958 and (along with the Streamliner) was the company's first all-new car design in the post-WWII era. Styling introduced in 1949 continued through 1954; the second generation of styling was produced from 1955 to 1957; and the third and final update was 1958.

The 1949 to 1951 Chieftain rested on a 120-inch wheelbase and had an overall length of 202.5 inches, a width of 75.8 inches, and a height of 63.3 inches. Sleeker styling and a longer 122-inch wheelbase platform were bestowed upon the 1953 Chieftain, with a length now reaching to 202.5 inches and a width of 76.6 inches. A minor increase in length for 1953 now measured 203 inches.

The 1949 Pontiac Chieftain replaced the previous Torpedo as the company's 'entry-level' model. It was built on the A-body platform and could be equipped with either a 239.2 cubic-inch L-head six-cylinder engine or a 248.9 cubic-inch 8-cylinder engine.

The 1949 Chieftain was joined by the newly redesigned B-bodied Pontiac Streamliner through 1951. After the Streamliner was discontinued, the Chieftain was Pontiac's sole model through 1953; the Star Chief was added in 1954.

The 'second generation (1955 to 1957)' Chieftain was given a new chassis, body and engine. The wheelbase increased to 122 inches, its length at 203.2 inches (205.6 inches in 1956 and 206.8 inches in 1957), the width at 75.1 inches, and its height at 60.5 inches.

Pontiac was the last General Motors division to retain its prewar inline eight-cylinder engine. In 1955, Pontiac offered a new V8 engine called the Strato Streak V8, and was the company's first 'V8' since 1932. The 287.2 cubic-inch unit produced 173 or 180 horsepower (depending on configuration). Displacement grew to 316.6 cubic inches, as did horsepower output. For 1957, the engine was enlarged to 347 cubic inches, and horsepower was now 290 horsepower for the Chieftain models.

Only eight-cylinder power was available to the post-1954 Chieftain vehicles, as six-cylinder engines had accounted for ten to fifteen percent of sales since 1951.

The third and final major styling update for the Chieftain occurred for 1958. Design elements included concave rear fenders, quad head and tail lamps, and honeycomb grilles. The wheelbase measured 122 inches, the length at 210.5 inches, the height at 55.7 inches, and the width at 77.4 inches. The 370 cubic-inch V8 made 240 horsepower (up to 270 hp depending on configuration) and could be paired with a three-speed manual or Super Hydra-Matic.

Pontiac Model Year Production

1949: 304,819

1950: 446,426

1951: 343,795

1952: 271,373 (calendar year production)

1953: 418,619

1954: 287,744

1955: 554,090

1956: 405,730

1957: 334,041

1958: 217,303

Pontiac ranged 5th in U.S. sales from 1949 to 1953. From 1954 to 1958, Pontiac ranked 6th in U.S. sales.

by Dan Vaughan

The Pontiac Sedan Delivery was based on the station wagon model, with the rear side windows replaced by sheet metal. Designed for light delivery duty, these vehicles were very popular with florists, grocers, drug stores, hardware stores and package courier services. Pontiac built only 1,324 examples of the Sedan Delivery in 1953, and very few survive today. This vehicle was originally sold in California, and was later moved to Massachusetts and later to Ohio. It was purchased at Hershey, PA, in 2003, and has undergone a complete restoration.

Custom Catalina Hardtop

The Custom Catalina was a limited production offering by Pontiac for 1953. All Custom Catalinas were available in two colors: Laurel Green and Milano Ivory - or a combination of the two colors. All Custom Catalinas are distinguished with a distinctive piece of trim - horizontally grooved plates at the rear roof pillar edge.

Interestingly, the current owner of this rare Pontiac owned one of these cars as a young man : he reluctantly sold it when he began graduate school. Many years later, a touch of nostalgia motivated him to locate this example. A complete restoration was completed in 1998 and it was a top award winner at the Pontiac-Oakland Club meeting that same year.

Power is supplied by Pontiac's own 268.2 cubic-inch L-head V-8 that develops 118 horsepower.

Deluxe Convertible

The 1953 Pontiac was all-new on a two-inch longer wheelbase with a new grille; modest fins; a flatter, blunter decklid that increased trunk capacity; and side chrome trim extending into the front door with a second lower strip sweeping to the tail lamp. It also had a new front suspension, a one-piece windshield, a wrap-around rear window and ignition key starting. Its straight-six engine, upgraded with aluminum pistons, a new camshaft and a two-barrel carburetor, cranked out 115 horses with a 3-speed manual transmission or 118 with the available Hydra-Matic.

The optional straight eight was just slightly stronger at 118 HP with manual or 122 with automatic. Its new instrument panel, a major improvement over previous models, housed the heater/defroster and (optional) radio controls in a comprehensive arrangement, instead of the haphazard add-ons in many other cars of the time. Power steering became available for the first time, as was Autronic Eye headlamp dimming; a useful hand-me-down inherited from more expensive Oldsmobiles, Buicks, and Cadillacs.

This 1953 Chieftan Deluxe convertible is an unrestored preservation car still wearing its original black factory paint and interior, with a well-known history.

Deluxe Convertible
Chassis number: P8XH88350

Pontiac were all-new once again for 1953. The only series offered was the Chieftain line, but it appeared in two trim levels, Special and Deluxe. The revised body design consisted of a one-piece, curved windshield, reshaped rear fenders and a bolder front grille. Inside, the dashboards were given 'Panorama View' instrument clusters.

One of the new models was the Custom Catalina, available with both six and eight-cylinder power. It a well-appointed and stylish two-door 'hardtop' design that had pillarless doors. A distinguishable feature were the horizontally grooved chrome plates at the leading edge of the rear roof pillar, and it could be had only in Laurel Green, Milano Ivory, or a two-tone combination.

Deluxe models had new, slimmer side trim. The wheelbase grew to 122 inches and the powertrains were carried over from 1952. The L-head straight eight engine accounted for 90 percent of production. 82 percent of the cars had the automatic transmission.

This particular example is a Chieftain Deluxe Eight Convertible Coupe powered by a 268.4 cubic-inch L-head engine fitted with a single Dual Downdraft Carter carburetor offering 118 horsepower. There is a 4-speed Hydramatic transmission and four-wheel drum brakes.

This car has been in the same family for the car's 55 year existence. It has been garaged kept and is in fine condition. It is finished in Continental Maroon Paint and has a convertible top with power folding mechanical system.

by Dan Vaughan

Deluxe Station Wagon

In 1953, Pontiac came with a new body style, offering a 122-inch wheelbase and sleeker lines. The windshield was now a one-piece and a standard 'panoramic' windshield adorned the rear for all models. Pontiacs sported accentuated bubble-up fins in the rear for the first time in 1953. The six-cylinder engine was standard. There was a less equipped Chieftain Special and the better equipped Chieftain Deluxe line, as well as the Custom Catalina two-door hardtop coupe.

As World War II ground to a halt in the late 1940's, production once again resumed at the Pontiac Motors Division of General Motors. Commissioned by the Government in 1942, Pontiac had assisted in the creation of rocket bombs throughout the duration of the war. Embroiled in the midst of the hysteria of a Communist Witch Hunt, in 1951, America also found itself of the long-lasting Korean War. At this time, American automobiles were stuck in the rut between the tank-like creations of the 40's, and the rocket-tailfin-like stylistic barges of the mid 1950's. The American public was exactly ready for 'compacts' yet.

Pontiac's were always viewed as reliable, value-packed, yet totally predictable in appearance prior to World War II. For those that find themselves in the middle-income bracket, the 'Middle Car' was best suited for middle-aged, middle-of-the-road buyers. Very clearly out of the loop compared to the sporty boom of the Post War Period, Pontiac was, unfortunately, missing out on the youth market.

This all changed in 1949 when Pontiac realized that to meet the market demand they would need to step it up. Developing newly designed bodies, these newly released vehicles came with lower fender lines and longer hoods. An instantaneous hit, the new 'youthful' styling in small rear fender humps that resembled small wheel's, were popular with the American public.

American auto sales had rocketed to 5.1 million by 1949. With the best road system at their disposal, Americans were ready for new automobiles that rid themselves of the tired 1940's style and expressed their optimism and confidence. Propelled by advertising and financed by America's post-war affluence, the 1950's revolution in automotive styling and engineering soared.

Not much variation in the Pontiac lineup from where it left off in 1942, post-war production began again in 1946. Following several years of updates to fit the general public's needs, Pontiac production soars, making 1950 the best year in the automotive industry to date. The Chieftain Super Deluxe Catalina Coupe was showcased in 1950.

Produced by the Pontiac Motors Division of General Motors from 1949 until 1958, the Pontiac Chieftain was introduced. Five years later, the Pontiac Star Chief Custom Safari was unveiled to the public. A variation on the Chieftain Super Deluxe Catalina Coupe, the Pontiac Star Chief Catalina Coupe was introduced in 1956.

Part of Pontiac's full-sized automobile line, the Catalina was a name that was initially used strictly to denote hardtop body styles. Originally appearing in the 1950 Chieftain Eight and DeLuxe lines, the Catalina eventually became its own separate and unique model in 1959, as the 'entry level' full-size Pontiac.

The top of the line model at the time for Pontiac, the 1950 Chieftain Hardtop, Series 25/27, was also dubbed the name Catalina. Featuring pillar-less design in both the door and window areas, along with the top-grade convertible appointments, these 'hard-top convertibles' were both airy and had a hard to resist sporty-feeling.

Rather than having a fixed-roof design, these models offered the appeal of the sport car without the drawbacks and expense that was normally associated with convertible top vehicles. From 1950 to 1958, all Pontiac hardtops were designated 'Catalina' with the exception of the 58 Bonneville hardtop. At the time of its debut, the Chieftain Hardtop was powered by a straight-8 'flathead' engine, before eventually receiving Pontiac's new V8, the 287 in³ OHV four years later.

The Chieftain name for Pontiac's entry-level model was dropped in 1959 and renamed Catalina. The once top-line Star Chief was dropped to mid-line status as the Bonneville nameplate was expanded to encompass a full series that included sedans, coupes, convertibles and Safari station wagons. The Catalina, as well as the more luxurious Bonneville, was eventually discontinued following the 1981 model year as part of GM's continued downsizing program, Pontiac strove to abandon the full-sized car market.

An equivalent of the Catalina model was produced by GM of Canada called Laurentian and was initially the mid-priced Pontiac. Placed between the budget-priced Strato-Chief and the de luxe Parisenne, the Laurentian's utilized a full-sized Chevrolet chassis, drive trains, and other various parts, Pontiac fenders and instrument panels. Though almost identical in appearance to the U.S. Pontiac Catalina, the Laurentian had much more in common with a Chevy Impala. Only produced for the Canadian market, Laurentians were never sold in the U.S., and were available in all the body styles used for the U.S. Catalina, including the hardtops.

In 1951, a total of 1,382 units were produced, while the numbers dropped to 984 in 1952. The numbers rose once again in 1953 to 1,324 units produced.

by Jessican Donaldson