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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 Dan Vaughan


In the fourteen years since its beginning, Pontiac had known both high times and low by 1940. Though the first years of its existence were tough, by the stock market crash in 1929 Pontiac was well on its way. The Depression years were difficult ones and it wasn't until the end of the 1930's that Pontiac regained its position in the industry.

The 1940 models had only minor changes from the year before with larger and more streamlined bodies and built in headlights, a more complicated fender design (made with seven separate pieces), and 'alligator' type hoods trimmed with three sets of slanting louvers. The DeLuxe models shared the same sheet metal as the lower-priced Specials, but were available with either an inline Six or Eight engine on a longer wheelbase. Also introduced in 1940 was the Pontiac Torpedo, a more streamlined car without running boards. In 1941, all Pontiac models were based on the Torpedo styling, making the 1940 Special and DeLux models the last of their breed.

This car was purchased by Don Holmberg's grandfather in 1940 and has been in his family ever since. Don has restored the car to its original condition over the last 30 years.

by SDAM