Pontiac Chieftain

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Pontiac Chieftain
Production period: 1949-1958
Class : upper middle class
Body versions : Sedan , station wagon , coupé , convertible
Previous model: Pontiac Streamliner
Successor: Pontiac Catalina

The Pontiac Chieftain was an upper mid -range model built by the US automobile manufacturer Pontiac and offered from 1949 to 1958.

Year by year

1949-1954

Chieftain Six Series 25 / Eight Series 27 (1949–1952)
Chieftain Deluxe Six Series 25 / Deluxe Eight Series 27 (1951–1954)
Chieftain Super Deluxe Six Series 25 / Super Deluxe Eight Series 27 (1951–1952)
Chieftain Special Six Series 25 / Special Eight Series 27 (1953–1954)
Chieftain Custom Six Series 25 / Custom Eight Series 27 (1953–1954)
Pontiac Chieftain sedan (1954)

Pontiac Chieftain sedan (1954)
Production period: 1949-1954
Body versions : Sedan , station wagon , coupé , convertible
Engines:
Petrol engines : 3.9–4.4 liters
(66–93 kW)
Length: 5093-5215 mm
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase : 3048-3099 mm
Empty weight : 1378-1683 kg

From the completely new 1949 model year, the Chieftain replaced the previous Pontiac Streamliner and was the brand's top model until the Star Chief was introduced in autumn 1953. In 1949 there were sedans with two or four doors, a two-door coupe and a two-door convertible. The pontoon bodies featured a shark-mouth style grille and sculpted rear fenders.

In addition to a six-cylinder in-line engine having 3,920 cc displacement, the at 3,400 min -1 bhp 90-93 (66-68 kW) made, there was an eight-cylinder in-line engine with 4,079 cm³, the bhp a power output of 103-106 (76-78 kW) at 3,800 min -1 gave. All engines had side valves.

In 1950 there were few stylistic changes, only the teeth in the shark's mouth were slightly larger. In addition to the aforementioned body shapes, there was now a 2-door hardtop coupé. The eight-cylinder models received a new engine having 4,395 cc displacement, the at 3,600 min -1 gave 108-113 bhp (79.5 to 83 kW).

In 1951 the engine output rose again: the six-cylinder had 96–100 bhp (70.5–74 kW), the eight-cylinder 116–120 bhp (85–88 kW). In addition to the standard models, there were now deluxe versions (only hardtop coupé and convertible) and super deluxe versions (only hardtop coupé).

In 1952, when the Streamliner was discontinued, all Pontiac models were called Chieftain. The sedan coupé was no longer available, but there was now a 5-door station wagon with 6 or 8 seats. Again the engine power increased; the six-cylinder delivered 100-102 bhp (74-75 kW), the eight-cylinder 118-122 bhp (87-90 kW).

In 1953, the engine output of the six-cylinder was increased to 115-118 bhp (84.5-87 kW), that of the eight-cylinder remained the same. The wheelbase of the cars grew by 2 "and the standard models were now called Special . Deluxe versions were available in all body styles; the hardtop coupé was also available as a particularly luxurious custom version.

From 1954 Pontiac offered models on two different wheelbases; the Chieftain was henceforth the cheaper Pontiac model on the shorter wheelbase. The convertible, however, was no longer available. The eight-cylinder engine increased its output to 122–127 bhp (90–93 kW), while the six-cylinder last offered this year remained unchanged.

1955-1957

Chieftain 860 Special Series 27 (1955–1956)
Chieftain 870 Deluxe Series 27 (1955–1956)
Chieftain Series 27 (1957)
Pontiac Chieftain sedan (1957)

Pontiac Chieftain sedan (1957)
Production period: 1955-1957
Body versions : Sedan , station wagon , coupé
Engines:
Petrol engines : 4.7-5.7 liters
(127-185 kW)
Length: 5154-5276 mm
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase : 3099 mm
Empty weight : 1611-1787 kg

In 1955 a completely redesigned Chieftain was presented. The cars were much slimmer and lower; the molded rear fenders were gone, as were the pointed alligator shape of the bonnet. The shark's mouth remained and the car grew small tail fins . The panorama windshields were also new . In addition to the body shapes known from the previous year, there was a 3-door station wagon. The special versions were called Chieftain 860 , the deluxe versions Chieftain 870 . The biggest change, however, concerned the drive: the old, side-controlled in-line engines were no longer available and were replaced by a new V8 engine with OHV valve control. The 4,706 cc large engine delivered 173 bhp (127 kW) at 4400 min -1 or 180 hp (132 kW) at 4600 min -1 .

In 1956 the cars got rocket-shaped inserts on the front bumpers and there was a 4-door hardtop sedan as an additional body shape. All vehicles got a larger V8 engine, which delivered an output of 192–205 bhp (141–151 kW) with a displacement of 5,188 cm³.

In 1957 the design was slightly revised again: the cars were given larger tail fins and a side stripe in a contrasting color, which was widened in the area of ​​the tail fins. Pontiac called this design "Star Flight". A larger engine was also installed. The V8 now made 227–252 bhp (167–185 kW) and had a displacement of 5,686 cm³.

1958

Chieftain Series 27 (1958)
Chieftain Cabriolet Series 25 (1958)
Pontiac Chieftain Safari Station Wagon (1958)

Pontiac Chieftain Safari Station Wagon (1958)
Production period: 1958
Body versions : Sedan , station wagon , coupé , convertible
Engines: Petrol engines :
6.1 liters
(176–199 kW)
Length: 5347-5377 mm
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase : 3099 mm
Empty weight : 1701-1896 kg

In 1958 there was a completely new styling. The cars received double headlights, panoramic windows at the rear and even wider side strips in the area of ​​the tail fins. The V8 engine was also enlarged again and now developed 240–270 bhp (176–199 kW) with a displacement of 6,063 cm³.

There was another convertible that was run as a separate Series 25.

In the fall of 1958, the Chieftain was replaced by the 1959 model year Catalina .

Web links

Commons : Pontiac Chieftain  - collection of images, videos and audio files

source

Gunnell, John: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Krause Publication, Iola (2002), ISBN 0-87349-461-X .