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1949 Pontiac Chieftain

Pontiac re-introduced pre-war models in the post-war era powered by flathead sixes and eights. The price points were affordable and they quickly regained its reputation for being a value-packed and reliable product. The models included the Torpedo and Streamliner, both of which had been introduced in the pre-war era. The six-cylinder L-head unit displaced 239.2 cubic-inches and delivered 90 horsepower; even more with the optional high compression cylinder head. The eight-cylinder unit displaced 248.9 CID and delivered just over 100 horsepower. Both were backed by a three-speed manual transmission with column shifting.

On the front of the hood was a straight-back Indian head ornament. Continuing the 'Native American' theme, Pontiac introduced Chieftain line 1949. They had a similar footprint to the Streamliner line, the only difference being a 3/4-inch higher body on the Chieftains. Except for the station wagons, the rest of the dimensions were identical to the Streamliner. The majority of the differences between these two lines were in the level of trim and accouterments. Offered with either a six- or eight-cylinder engine, the Chieftain was available as a 2- or 4-door sedan, sedan coupe, business coupe, and Deluxe Convertible. Pricing began at $1,590 and rose to $2,200 - slightly less than the Streamliner but similar none-the-less. In comparison, the Streamliner six-cylinder, 4-door sedan sold for $1,740. A comparable Chieftain example began at $1,760.

The 239.2 CID Six continued to deliver 90 horsepower while the eight-cylinder was still rated at 103 hp.

Pontiac would continue the Chieftain name through 1958, by which point it was joined by similarly themed names such as the 'Super Chief', and 'Star Chief' models.

by Dan Vaughan

2-Door Sedan
Chassis number: P6RH5385

Pontiac introduced a restyled line-up in 1949 thanks to designer Herman Kaiser with influence from Harley Earl.

The Pontiac Chieftains had notchback body styling and wore the General Motors A-body shell. The lengths and widths were identical to the other model line in the Pontiac lineup, the Streamliner. Both rode on a 120-inch wheelbase. The Chieftains, however, were nearly 1 inch higher than the comparable B-body styles.

The Chieftains were available with either six- or eight-cylinder engines. Both engines were L-head units with cast iron blocks and solid valve lifters. The Six displaced 239.2 cubic inches while the eight displaced 248.9 CID. The Six offered 90 horsepower while the eight delivered 103 horsepower.

The vehicles with the 8-cylinders were referred to as Silver Streaks and had Silver Streak lettering placed above front fender spears on Deluxes. Eights also had the number '8' located between the two words.

The standard transmission was a three-speed Synchromesh gearbox with a Hydramatic four-speed unit available for an additional $159.

Both the Streamliner and the Chieftain were available as either a 4-door Sedan or 2-door Sedan Coupe. Chieftain's body styles added a 2-door Sedan Coupe, 2-Door Business Coupe, and a Deluxe Convertible.

This particular example was given a frame-off restoration approximately 15 years ago and has traveled just 3,800 miles since completion. It has a Hydra-Matic transmission and is painted in Wellington Green paint with a two-tone gray cloth interior.

by Dan Vaughan

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