Pontiac Torpedo

Pontiac Torpedo
Overview
Manufacturer	Pontiac (General Motors)
Production	1939-1948
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size
Layout	FR layout
Chronology
Predecessor	Pontiac Deluxe

First Generation
Overview
Model years	1940-1941
Assembly	Pontiac, Michigan South Gate, California Linden, New Jersey
Designer	Harley Earl
Body and chassis
Body style	Custom: 2-door sedan 4-door 4-window sedan 4-door station wagon Streamliner: 2-door fastback Sedan coupe 4-door fastback sedan Deluxe: 2-door Business coupe 2-door Club coupe 2-door sedan 4-door 6-window sedan 4-door 4-window Metropolitan sedan 2-door convertible
Platform	A-body B-body C-body
Related	Deluxe Torpedo: (A-body) Oldsmobile Series 60 Chevrolet Special Deluxe Chevrolet Fleetline Chevrolet Fleetmaster Chevrolet Stylemaster Chevrolet Master Deluxe Chevrolet Master 85 Streamliner Torpedo: (B-Body) Cadillac Series 61 Buick Century Buick Special Oldsmobile Series 70 Custom Torpedo: (C-Body) Cadillac Series 62 LaSalle Series 52 Buick Roadmaster Buick Super Oldsmobile 90/96/98
Powertrain
Engine	239 cu in (3.9 L) Flathead I6 249 cu in (4.1 L) Silver-Streak I8
Transmission	3-speed synchromesh manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	1940: 122 in (3,099 mm) 1941 Deluxe and Custom: 122 in (3,099 mm) 1941 Special: 119 in (3,023 mm)
Length	1940: 207.5 in (5,270 mm) 1941: Custom: 211.5 in (5,372 mm) Custom station wagon: 213.5 in (5,423 mm) Streamliner: 207.5 in (5,270 mm) Deluxe: 201.5 in (5,118 mm)
Width	1940: 74.5 in (1,892 mm)
Height	1940: 65 in (1,651 mm)
Curb weight	1940: 3,600–3,700 lb (1,600–1,700 kg) 1941: Custom: 3,500–3,900 lb (1,600–1,800 kg) Streamliner: 3,500–3,700 lb (1,600–1,700 kg) Deluxe: 3,300–3,500 lb (1,500–1,600 kg)

Second generation
Overview
Model years	1942-1948
Assembly	South Gate, California Wilmington, Delaware Atlanta, Georgia Kansas City, Kansas Framingham, Massachusetts Pontiac, Michigan Linden, New Jersey
Designer	Harley Earl
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door Business coupe 2-door Club coupe 2-door sedan 2-door fastback Sedan coupe 4-door 6-window sedan 4-door 4-window Metropolitan sedan 2-door convertible
Platform	A-body
Powertrain
Engine	239 cu in (3.9 L) Flathead I6 249 cu in (4.1 L) Silver-Streak I8
Transmission	3-speed synchromesh manual 4-speed Hydramatic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	119.0 in (3,023 mm)
Length	204.5 in (5,194 mm)
Width	75.8 in (1,925 mm)
Height	66 in (1,676 mm)
Curb weight	3,400–3,900 lb (1,500–1,800 kg)
Chronology
Successor	Pontiac Chieftain

The Pontiac Torpedo is a full-sized car produced by Pontiac from the 1940 through the 1948 model years.

In 1940, Pontiac introduced the Torpedo on the General Motors C-body. Along with Oldsmobile, Pontiac had the distinction of having all three of GM's mainstream platforms this year, but this would last only one more year. The new C-body that the 1940 Pontiac Torpedo shared with Cadillac Series 62, Buick Roadmaster and Super, and the Oldsmobile Series 90 featured cutting-edge "torpedo" styling. Shoulder and hip room was over 5 in (127 mm) wider, running boards were eliminated and the exterior was streamlined and 2–3 in (51–76 mm) lower. When combined with a column-mounted shift lever the cars offered true six passenger comfort. These changes had clearly been influenced by the Cadillac Sixty Special.

The 1940 Torpedo had larger windows and wider seats than other Pontiacs, front and rear "ventiplanes" on 4-door sedans and long gracefully streamlined rear decks. Concealed hinges were used on all doors. The doors were extra wide. The hood ornament had a plastic Indian head mounted in a metal base. Front end sheet metal looked like that on other Pontiacs. Eight-cylinder badges were used front and rear. The door locks had weather sealed keyholes. Gas filler tubes were enclosed under "flip-up" lids on the left rear fenders. The window openings were trimmed with bright metal moldings. It was only available with the Inline 8-cylinder engine and either as a 4-passenger 2-door Sedan or a 5-passenger 4-door Sedan. A heater, cigarette lighter, six-tube radios, an electric clock, and a trunk light were all optional.

In 1941 the A-body and B-body were similarly redesigned with lower, wider runningboard-less bodies (though running boards were offered as an extra-cost option) Consequently, Pontiac renamed its entire line-up "Torpedo", with models ranging from the low-end A-bodied Deluxe Torpedo (with a 119-inch wheelbase), the mid-level B-bodied Streamliner Torpedo (with a 122-inch wheelbase), and the high-end C-bodied Custom Torpedo (with the same 122-inch wheelbase as the previous year). All models came with either the six- or eight-cylinder engines.

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Wikipedia