Pontiac Chieftain
| Pontiac Chieftain | |
|---|---|
1952 Pontiac Chieftain Four-Door Sedan
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Pontiac (General Motors) |
| Production | 1949–1958 |
| Assembly |
Pontiac, Michigan, United States South Gate, California, United States Arlington, Texas, United States Wilmington, Delaware, United States Atlanta, Georgia, United States Kansas City, Kansas, United States Framingham, Massachusetts, United States Linden, New Jersey, United States |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | A-body |
| Powertrain | |
| Transmission | 3-speed synchromesh manual 4-speed Hydramatic automatic |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Pontiac Torpedo |
| Successor | Pontiac Catalina |
| First Generation | |
|---|---|
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1950 Pontiac Chieftain De Luxe Sedan Coupe
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| Overview | |
| Model years | 1949–1954 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door sedan 4-door sedan 2-door coupe 2-door hardtop 2-door convertible 4-door station wagon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | GM A platform |
| Related | Chevrolet Deluxe |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 1949-51: 120.0 in (3,050 mm) 1952-54: 122.0 in (3,100 mm) |
| Length | 1949-51: 5,143.5 mm (202.50 in) 1952: 5,143.5 mm (202.50 in) 1953–1954: 5,149.85 mm (202.750 in) |
| Width | 75.8 in (1,925 mm)(1949–1952) 76.6 in (1,946 mm)"(1953–1954) |
| Height | 63.3 in (1,608 mm) |
| Curb weight | 1949-51: 1,535.41 to 1,557.18 kg (3,385.0 to 3,433.0 lb) 1952-54: 1,691 to 1,563.99 kg (3,728.0 to 3,448.0 lb) |
| Second Generation | |
|---|---|
1955 Pontiac Chieftain 870 Catalina
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| Overview | |
| Also called |
Pontiac Pathfinder (Canada) Pontiac Super Chief (Australia) |
| Model years | 1955–1957 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door sedan 4-door sedan 2-door hardtop 4-door hardtop 2-door station wagon 4-door station wagon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | GM A platform |
| Related |
Chevrolet 210 Chevrolet Bel Air |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1955: 287.2 cu in (4.7 L) V8 1956: 316.6 cu in (5.2 L) 2(192-205hp) or 4(216-227hp) bbl. V8 1957: 346 cu in (5.7 L) V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual Dual-Range Hydra-Matic Strato-Flight Hydra-Matic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 3,098.80 mm (122.000 in) |
| Length | 1955: 5,161.28 mm (203.200 in) 1956: 5,222.24 mm (205.600 in) 1957: 5,252.72 mm (206.800 in) |
| Width | 75.1 in (1,908 mm) |
| Height | 60.5 in (1,537 mm) |
| Curb weight | 1,442.46 to 1,798.49 kg (3,180.1 to 3,965.0 lb) |
| Third Generation | |
|---|---|
1958 Pontiac Chieftain Safari
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| Overview | |
| Model years | 1958 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door sedan 4-door sedan 2-door hardtop 4-door hardtop 2-door station wagon 4-door station wagon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | GM B platform |
| Related |
Chevrolet Biscayne Oldsmobile 88 Buick Special |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 370 cu in (6.1 L) V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual Super Hydra-Matic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 3,098.80 mm (122.000 in) |
| Length | 5,346.70 mm (210.500 in) |
| Width | 77.4 in (1,966 mm) |
| Height | 55.7 in (1,415 mm) |
The Pontiac Chieftain is an automobile which was produced by Pontiac from 1949 to 1958. The 1949 Chieftain and Streamliner models were the first all new car designs to come from Pontiac in the post World War II years. Previous cars had been 1942 models with minor revisions.
In 1949 the A-body Chieftain replaced the Pontiac Torpedo as Pontiac's smaller and lower priced model. However, the newly redesigned B-bodied Pontiac Streamliner was now very similar (if not exact) in dimensions, engines, trim levels and options. This was the first time since 1934 that all Pontiacs had the same wheelbase. They had standard automatic interior lighting.
The Chieftain was initially introduced with four models: Sedan, Sedan Coupe, Business Coupe and Deluxe Convertible Coupe. In 1950, a Catalina Coupe was added to the range while a station wagon was added in 1952, with the demise of the top of the line Streamliner wagon.
1949 Chieftains came with a choice of four engines:
The horsepower differences between each of the 6- and 8-cylinder engines were due to changes in compression ratios.
Some of the more interesting optional items available for the first generation Chieftain included a radio with seven vacuum tubes, tissue dispenser, under seat heaters, and a Remington Auto-Home shaver. In 1951, the horsepower on the 8-cylinder rose to 116. The Chieftain came with a gas gauge, ammeter, oil pressure gauge, and a temperature gauge which had marks for 160, 180, and 220 degrees Fahrenheit.
For the 1952 model year, Pontiac discontinued the Streamliner leaving the Chieftain as their only offering. The Chieftain moved to the new 122 wheelbase. Engine offerings were basically the same except for the 8-cylinder which got a .2 cubic inch enlargement. Horsepower did increase by 10 on the 6-cylinder and by 15 on the 8-cylinder. Also, a red light to remind the driver that the parking brake was on was new. In May 1952 issue of Popular Mechanics, the Chieftain was rated 14.9 seconds for a 0-60 mph time. Front head room was 36 inches, while rear head room was 35.75 inches.
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Wikipedia