Pontiac Chieftain: the first all-new post-war Pontiac

The Pontiac Chieftain was built from 1949 to 1958. The 1949 Chieftain and Streamliner were the first completely new Pontiac designs after the war, and from 1952 the Chieftain was Pontiac’s only offering until the Star Chief arrived.

Pontiac Chieftain at a glance

Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Chieftain.

History of the Pontiac Chieftain

First generation (1949–1954)

In 1949 the A-body Chieftain replaced the Torpedo as Pontiac’s smaller and cheaper model, although the redesigned B-body Streamliner was now very close to it in size and equipment. It was the first time since 1934 that all Pontiacs shared one wheelbase. The range began with a sedan, a sedan coupe, a business coupe and a Deluxe convertible coupe; a Catalina coupe followed in 1950 and a station wagon in 1952, when the Streamliner was dropped and the Chieftain became Pontiac’s only car. Buyers chose between a 239.2 cu in six and a 248.9 cu in eight, both flathead units, with output set by compression ratio. Options included a seven-valve radio, a tissue dispenser, under-seat heaters and even a Remington shaver. For 1953 the wheelbase grew to 122 inches, the windscreen became one piece and the cars gained small rear fins and a light-up Chief Pontiac bonnet ornament; the range split into Chieftain Special, Chieftain Deluxe and the Custom Catalina hardtop. The Star Chief arrived in 1954 with an eleven-inch longer frame and the Chieftain moved down to entry level. That year Pontiac offered power brakes, power front windows and air conditioning with in-dash controls, the first such system in a US production car.

Second generation (1955–1957)

The 1955 Chieftain was new from chassis to engine. The big news was Pontiac’s first V8, the 287.2 cu in Strato Streak, rated at 173 or 180 hp and later joined by a 200 hp four-barrel version. The six-cylinder cars did not return and the 1955 line was V8-only. For 1956 the engine grew to 316.6 cu in with 192 or 205 hp and a padded dashboard became optional. The 1957 cars wore new “Star Flight” styling with missile-shaped side trim and extended rear fenders with V-shaped tips.

The end of the line

Pontiac was the last GM division to give up its pre-war straight-eight, and the 1953–54 cars had been intended for the new 287 V8 before Buick managers delayed its launch to 1955. Competition from Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Buick and the lack of a V8 pushed Pontiac sales down by 30 percent in 1954. The Chieftain name disappeared after 1958, when the Catalina took over the junior series.

Design and features

• First all-new post-war design: the 1949 body replaced lightly revised 1942 cars.
• Air conditioning: in 1954 the Chieftain was the first US production car with a modern in-dash system.
• Strato Streak V8: Pontiac’s first V8 since 1932, introduced in 1955.
• Brightwork: the traditional five-strip Silver Streak bonnet and boot decoration became a twin-stripe design in 1955.
• Comfort options: power brakes, power front windows and a fully adjustable front seat from 1954.

Pontiac Chieftain versions

• Sedan, coupe and convertible (1949–1954): the original body styles.
• Catalina coupe (1950): the pillarless hardtop added to the range.
• Station wagon (1952): added when the Streamliner wagon was dropped.
• Chieftain Special and Deluxe (1953): two trim levels below the Custom Catalina.
• Super Chief (1957): the plusher version of the Chieftain for its final years.

The Chieftain sat below the Star Chief and was replaced in the junior class by the Catalina. More Pontiacs are in the Pontiac collection.

Sources

• Pontiac Chieftain, English Wikipedia: generations, engines, equipment