1946.E2.80.931954 Pontiac

1948 pontiac silver streak convertible coupe

from 1946 1948, pontiac models 1942 models minor changes. hydra-matic automatic transmission introduced in 1948 , helped pontiac sales grow though cars, torpedoes , streamliners, becoming out of date.

the first all-new pontiac models appeared in 1949. incorporated styling cues such lower body lines , rear fenders integrated in rear-end styling of car.

along new styling came new model. continuing native american theme of pontiac, chieftain line introduced replace torpedo. these built on gm b-body platform , featured different styling more conservative streamliner. in 1950, catalina pillarless hardtop coupe introduced halo model, chevrolet bel air of same year.

in 1952, pontiac discontinued streamliner , replaced additional models in chieftain line built on gm a-body platform. single model line continued until 1954 when star chief added. star chief created adding 11-inch (280 mm) extension a-body platform creating 124-inch (3,100 mm) wheelbase.

the 1953 models first have one-piece windshields instead of normal two-piece units. while 1953 , 1954 models heavily re-worked versions of 1949-52 chieftain models, engineered v8 engine supposed introduced on 1953 models, buick division complained corporate introduction might take sales away because buick introducing new nailhead v-8 in 1953. corporation held pontiac until 1955.