Vehicle Description
Pontiac emerged as a survivor from the ashes of the Oakland Motor
Company in 1932, poised to take on the role of value-leader within
General Motors. Initially conceived as a junior companion brand to
the more expensive Oakland, Pontiacs first hit the roads in 1926.
Pontiac quickly showed itself to be more viable, and by 1932
Oakland was killed off to make room for Pontiac to become a
standalone division. Pontiac slotted neatly above the mass-market
Chevrolet and below the more expensive Oldsmobile and Buick. To
that point, Pontiacs relied upon six-cylinder engines for its
entire range. For their first year as a standalone manufacturer, a
V8 left over from Oakland was offered alongside the six-cylinder.
It was short-lived, however, as the costly V8 did not meld with
Pontiac's value-oriented ethos. In 1933, a freshly-designed 223
cubic-inch inline-eight cylinder became the standard power plant
for all Pontiacs. The new Economy Eight was a straightforward and
proven L-head design, delivering smooth, quiet power at a cost that
ensured Pontiac remained competitive. To suit the new engine, the
body was completely redesigned with the latest streamlined design
trends. Any doubts of Pontiac's viability as a standalone brand
were put to rest, as sales nearly tripled over the preceding year.
1934 welcomed another redesign of the Pontiac Eight. New, larger
Fisher bodies featured handsome Art-Deco influenced styling, with
bullet headlights, a waterfall-type grille, and flowing, fully
skirted fenders. Horizontal hood vents and subtly swept feature
lines on the fenders gave the impression of motion when standing
still. The handsome design mated with a revised version of the
eight-cylinder engine, now making 84 horsepower thanks to a bump in
compression. New 1934 models were the first Pontiacs to receive
GM's so-called Knee Action independent front suspension. Pontiac
lived into its role as the value leader, offering modern styling,
eight-cylinder power, and excellent performance at a starting price
of $675. Despite the myriad improvements, sales were down over
1933, with just over 78,000 cars built, no doubt caused by the
long-running economic depression. Rarely seen today, these
marvelous Art-Deco Pontiacs represent an outstanding value for
collectors and hobbyists alike. Pontiac offered seven body types in
1934, with Fisher's 2/4 passenger Cabriolet filling the unofficial
role of style-leader. Featured here is a charming example of this
rare Pontiac, presented with a pleasing patina on the older,
careworn restoration. This is a well-equipped deluxe model,
featuring dual side-mount spares, radio, dual wipers, and numerous
other options. Even the goddess mascot was unique to the Deluxe.
The tan body features dark brown beltlines, highlighted with orange
pinstripes and wire wheels. The paint is in fair condition, with a
consistent patina to the finish and generally straight panels. Some
areas display rub-through and cracking in the lacquer, however, the
overall presentation is good. Fitment of the body and panels is
fair, and the doors open and shut with ease. The brightwork is
quite well-preserved, with good-quality plating found on the
bumpers, grille, and "Pontiac 8" hubcaps. The two-place cockpit is
nicely appointed with Beige upholstery on the front seat, door
panels, and rumble seat. The seats are in generally good condition,
with the hard-wearing material appearing soft and clean. Pontiac
touted a new "aircraft-style" instrument panel for 1934, which
moved the instruments directly ahead of the driver and out of the
center of the dash. As a Deluxe model, this car is nicely equipped,
featuring both a heater and a very rare original "Air Chief" radio.
The dash and door caps are finished in simulated wood-grain that,
while peeling in places, does not detract from the overall quality
of the cabin. This is a car that could be driven and enjoyed,
wearing its patina as a badge of honor. Under the hood sits
Pontiac's venerable inline eight - an engine that served the
company well into the 1950s. It is presented in its signature
bright green, pleasingly well-detailed and consistent with the
overall presentation. Like the block, the paint finishes on the
manifolds and accessories is in excellent condition. Rebuilt in the
care of the most recent owner, the eight runs well, with the
smoothness and quiet operation expected of a typical American
L-Head inline eight. Power goes to a Muncie 3-speed gearbox with
synchromesh for smooth, effortless operation, while the four-wheel
mechanical brakes operate well. It should be noted that this car
has seen a period of disuse; therefore some additional attention
may be required before any serious drives. Pontiac packed abundant
value, style, and performance into the Series 603; an ethos that
would define the brand for decades to come. With its careworn
restoration, this rare Deluxe Cabriolet is an appealing example for
the enthusiast to use and enjoy as is, or to take to the next
level. For additional details please view this listing directly on
our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6407-1934-pontiac-eight-convertible-coupe/