Pontiac · 1933–1951

Pontiac Streamliner

The Pontiac Streamliner is a full-size car produced by the Pontiac Division of General Motors from 1942 until 1952. It was a popular mid-priced vehicle on Pontiac’s high end during the recovery from the Great Depression and immediately after World War II.

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Predecessor: Pontiac Deluxe · Successor: Pontiac Star Chief|Pontiac Chieftain

All Pontiac Streamliner data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Pontiac Straight 8

=== Series 601 === For model year 1933, Pontiac introduced the all-new Economy Eight Series 601 with the 223.4 cu in (3.7 L) Silver Streak Straight-8 using a Carter one-barrel carburetor and shared the slanting vee-type grille that concealed the radiator used on all GM products, and was built on the GM A platform shared with the Chevrolet Master. The front fenders now fully covered the front wheels and adopted aircraft-inspired appearance as a result of Art Deco influences. 1933 was also the first year all GM vehicles were installed with optional vent windows which were initially called “No Draft Individually Controlled Ventilation” later renamed "Ventiplanes" which the patent application was filed on Nov. 28, 1932. It was assigned to the Ternstedt Manufacturing Company, a GM subsidiary that manufactured components for Fisher Body. The feature redirected airflow into the passenger compartment along with side windows that would retract into the front doors. The engine abandoned the flathead V8 offered in 1932 and reverted to the straight-eight architecture which was engineered internally by Pontiac, while the 3-speed synchromesh manual transmission was supplied by the new transmission factory at Muncie, Indiana. 1933 was also the first year that branch assembly plants were built while knock down kits originated from Pontiac Assembly in Pontiac, Michigan, adopting a similar practice used by Chevrolet since 1917. Six different body styles with a 115 in (2,921 mm) wheelbase were offered in 2-door configuration while only one 4-door configuration was offered with prices remaining under US$695 ($17,286 in 2025 dollars ) The wheel diameter was 17" and the overall curb weight was between 2,675–3,020 lb (1,213–1,370 kg). Series 603. The Pontiac Series 603 was the new designation

Post-Depression evolution of Pontiac

As the economy began to recover from the Great Depression, Pontiac in 1938 began to offer more choices in body styles while keeping the overall retail price of their eight-cylinder products under US$1,500 ($34,309 in 2025 dollars ). Five 2-door choices were offered, including the Sport Coupe with rumble seat, Business Coupe, Touring Sedan and Convertibles; and three 4-door choices, including a 4-door Convertible Sedan seating five. The options list continued to grow with such items as a tenite shift lever ball for US$0.50 ($11 in 2025 dollars ), two passenger compartment heater choices for either the Master or Deluxe trim package, fog lights, license plate frames, seat covers, floor mats, cigar lighters and the rear view mirror was still an extra cost item at US$2.95 ($67 in 2025 dollars ). Calendar year production was recorded at 95,128. A new Factory Delivery Program was introduced where custom ordered vehicles would be delivered to the customers address once the car arrived at the selling dealership. 1939. 1939 offered appearance changes as usual, such as different types of Indian hood ornaments for the Deluxe Eight and the entry-level Quality Six. The heater and windshield defroster was now called "Weather Chief", two types of radios were offered and continued to install the radio antenna in both running boards, an retractable metal sunroof called "Sunshine Roof" was available, and the gearshift was now permanently relocated to the steering column instead of being floor mounted, called "Safety Gearshift", allowing a third passenger on the front bench seat. Total Pontiac calendar-year production was documented at 170,726. 1940. For 1940, Oldsmobile and Pontiac had the distinction of having all three of General Motors' mainstream platforms. In 1940 Pontiac continued o

1942-1948

The Pontiac Streamliner is a full-sized car produced by Pontiac from the 1942 to the 1951 model years. Streamliners used the larger B-body and, except for the station wagons, used fastback styling. The 1941 Super Streamliner models with folding center armrest were known as Chieftains in 1942. All Pontiacs looked lower, heavier, and wider. Extension caps on the front doors lengthened the forward fender lines. The hood extended back to the front doors, eliminating the cowl. The grille, bumper, and hood were widened, and headlamps were further apart. Long horizontal parking lamps sat just above the vertical side grilles. The horseshoe-shaped center grille had horizontal bars and a circular emblem in the middle of the upper main surround molding. The word Pontiac appeared on the hood side molding of six-cylinder models, while the moldings of the eight-cylinder cars said Pontiac Eight. After December 15, 1941, wartime "blackout" trim was used. All parts previously chrome plated were finished in Duco Gun Metal Grey. With the end of the C-body Pontiac Custom Torpedo, station wagon production was transferred to the new Streamliner line. The final body work continued to be done at either the Hercules Body Company or at Ionia Manufacturing. The Streamliner station wagon ranged from $1,265 for a base Six to $1,340 for a Chieftain Eight, making it Pontiac's most expensive model. At 215.8 in (5,481 mm) in overall length the 1942 Pontiac Streamliner station wagon also set a record for the longest Pontiac, this would not be exceeded until the 1959 Pontiac Star Chief and Bonneville. The first postwar Pontiac available (September 13, 1945) was the Streamliner coupe, which remained the sole product for a time. The Chieftain trim level of 1942 was renamed the Deluxe trim level in 1946. P

1949-1951

The 1949 Pontiacs featured low sleek envelope bodies. Streamliner coupes and sedans used the fastback B-body shell. Station wagons continued to be part of the Streamliner line. All of these cars came as standards or Deluxes. All station wagons and other standard models had small hubcaps. Standard coupes, sedans, and wagons were characterized by an absence of beltline trim along with use of rubber gravel guards and painted headlight rims. Deluxes had beltline moldings, chrome gravel guards and bright plated headlight doors. Silver Streak styling was seen again. Silver Streak lettering was placed above front fender spears on Deluxes and high on the fenders of standards. Eights had the number "8" between the two words. Most standard models had gray striped pattern cloth upholstery. Most Deluxes used dark gray broadcloth trims. Wagons were trimmed as before except imitation leather was only used on standard wagons. 1949 was the last year for wood-bodied station wagons, as production shifted to all-metal station wagons with woodgrain trim during the model year. Streamliner station wagons continued to be the most expensive Pontiac model, ranging in price from $2,543 for a standard Six to $2,690 for a Deluxe Eight. By the beginning of the new decade, the fastback body design, dating back to pre-war era, was no longer seen as futuristic, but rather dated. Most buyers were now preferring the new notchback-designed Chieftain. The 1950 Pontiacs used the popular 1949 envelope bodies with revisions to trim and appointments. The horizontal center grille bar now wrapped around the corners of the body. Deluxes had a chrome body strip, chrome wheel rings, chrome headlight rings and stainless steel gravel guards. Eights had an "8" between the words. Streamliners (except for station wagon

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Specifications

name: Pontiac Eight/Pontiac Streamliner
Production: 1933–1940, 1941–1951
Manufacturer: Pontiac (General Motors)
Class: Full-size
Platform: B-body
Layout: FR layout
Assembly: (main plant), Pontiac, Michigan, (branch assembly), South Gate, California, Wilmington, Delaware, Atlanta, Georgia, Kansas City, Kansas, Framingham, Massachusetts, Linden, New Jersey
Body style: 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, 4-door station wagon
Designer: Harley Earl
Successor: Pontiac Star Chief