Vehicle Description
1948 Pontiac Streamliner 8 Silver Streak Woody Wagon
If you utter the words "Silver Streak," younger people may think
you are talking about the comparatively recent movie starring Gene
Wilder and Richard Pryor. Train buffs might think you are referring
to the original record-breaking fast passenger train by that name
that went from Denver to Chicago in just 16 hours in 1934. Car
buffs will most likely think you mean the Pontiacs built from 1935
into the 1950s, that had what the company called its Silver Streak
styling. These cars, as well the legendary train, were both
products of the streamlined design thinking made popular during the
Great Depression. While the styling may have lent a little
aerodynamic efficiency to both the cars and the trains, it mostly
gave them a fast, clean, shimmering new look.
Direct from Harley Earl's pen to the production floor, and
ultimately the showroom and your driveway, this consignment is a
1948 Pontiac Silver Streak 8 Streamliner. It is a Station Wagon,
and also a "Woody". The beneficiary of an earlier restoration this
car shows nicely with patina on the paint, and all original wood
bodywork. The interior is all original, and if the wood alone is
enough to lure you in, to take a closer look. We give you the not
oft seen Pontiac Silver Streak Streamliner Woody Station Wagon.
Exterior
With body work that is flowing and sensuous, we see rust free steel
in the pontoon styling for the fenders which appear to go on
forever. The protuberant hood, and 3 wide bar grille just below
adds just enough highlighting working with the bumper below and the
single round headlight on either side to make it look large but
still light and nimble. The front fenders extend into the doors,
and are all solid steel painted in Parma Wine Metallic which is
essentially maroon. This has taken on a wonderful patina over time
since the restoration, but holds its shine nicely. The rear fenders
are nicely rounded as well and round off at the back of the car.
These fenders frame wide whitewall tires with chromed trim rings
and chromed moon caps. From the driver's door rearward, the car is
framed with light ash and inset mahogany highly lacquered wood.
This is also lining the interior of the doors, giving them a
perfect thud, when closing and they weigh a ton! Overall the wood
is nicely preserved and believed to be mostly original. The top is
vinyl and is also maroon. On the back a wide tailgate and upper
flip up rear window allow easy access to the back storage area. 2
stalked tail lights hang off the door and a big shiny bumper with
vertical protectors is framing the bottom. A fantastic color combo
with the maroon and wood, a split front windshield and the flying
Chief hood ornament, this car is a real winner that drips 1940's
aerodynamic, (for what it's worth), design.
Interior
A swing of these wonderfully solid wood doors and we see more ash
framing and mahogany large insert panels. A saddle colored vinyl
small armrest is in the center, and some shiny actuators and cranks
with cream bakelite knobs on the ends are all within this field.
Near perfection for these doors and it applies for all 4 of them
and the tailgate inside. In front, an original saddle vinyl bench
seat is fronted by the factory dash. Here a big cream rimmed and
chromed central supporting cast with a round horn ring steering
wheel fronts a brown faux wood grained painted dash. This is all
pure art deco styling with its round central sweep speedometer and
horizontal panels for additional gauges emanating from either side
of the speedo. In the center is a jukebox-esque radio with more
ribbed chrome and nicely aged bakelite cream knobs and buttons.
Climate controls reside below the dash as does black rubber mats.
In front of the passenger is a round clock on the front of the
glove box door. Just aft of the front bench is another bench for
additional passengers, also covered in saddle vinyl. There is a
fold out footrest coming from the bottom of the front bench for
these passengers. This second bench is shorter and allows access to
the back row of yet another side to side stretching bench, and
looks good in its original saddle vinyl. Above, a full on ash lath
headliner has plenty of wood to cover the top and is also in
excellent condition. Opening the back gate and upper glass reveals
a black ribbed rubber lined storage bed if you will, and looking
very clean. Plenty of room for 8 and their bags when picking them
up from the train.
Drivetrain
Under the long high hood is an original patinaed engine bay within
which resides the green painted 248.9ci inline 8 cylinder flathead
mill. On top is an oil bath air cleaner which cleans air for the
side draft 2-barrel carburetor. On back, the car is propelled
forward with a 3-speed manual transmission. The rear axle weighs in
at 4.30. Still fairly clean and showing some wear throughout.
Undercarriage
Underneath, steel framing, stamped steel floor pans and wheel wells
show lots of patina and just a smattering of light surface rust. A
solid X frame is seen with the drive shaft going through the
center. For the front suspension we note independent coil springs,
and for the rear, leaf springs. Drum brakes are all around. A
slightly rusted exhaust is snaking its way through the framing and
to the rear of the car, and is a stock style replacement
exhaust.
Drive-Ability
I love it when these old woodies come in as they are always a nice
experience to drive. This first at CAM Pontiac, started right up
and ran like a wood champ. Smooth shifting, good solid panic
stopping, and even a touch of nimble handling for this car and it's
all good. The clock and heater were not in working condition during
my drive.
This big wood and steel Streamliner is a great example from a
bygone era where people really had to be invested to take care of
their cars. This has survived and is mostly original, runs nicely
and presents with a wonderful original interior. A few trees
sacrificed their lives for this beauty, but it's really timeless in
its look and design. I've got to go, I hear the whistle of the
Chattanooga Choo Choo, passengers need a ride. I believe one of my
passengers is the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B!
P8PB5 1563
P-Pontiac, MI Assy Plant
8-8 Cylinder
P-1948
B-Streamliner
51563-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
