Vehicle Description
1953 Pontiac Chieftain
With styling right out of a Hollywood Movie set, this chrome laden
car with some of the more interesting optional items available for
the first generation Chieftain included a radio with seven vacuum
tubes, tissue dispenser, under seat heaters, and a Remington
Auto-Home shaver. Because the Pontiac division was named after the
Michigan city where it was established, which in turn was named
after a famous 18th century Odawa, (Ottawa), leader, an Indian-head
hood ornament had been a Pontiac staple since 1926. It was only
natural for the division to further embrace its Native American
associations by calling its entry level line "Chieftain". The
luxury connotations of the Santa Fe Chief and Super Chief passenger
trains certainly did not hurt the car's image either.
For consignment, a 2 owner original two tone patinaed paint car
with chrome trimmings aplenty. This car is all original, has a
newly rebuilt carburetor, new starter and a new exhaust system. It
is a flat 8 cylinder inline engine, and run by a 6 volt electrical
system. The interior is all good and looking the early 50's
part.
Exterior
Up front envelope designs prevailed, which GM called
"flow-through-fender" styling, though the rear quarters retained
the suggestion of the old pontoon fenders. Model year 1953 marked
the best-selling year for the Chieftain Eight. The 1949 chassis,
suitably refined after four years in production, was stretched 2
inches for a 122-inch wheelbase. Styling was squared up with
one-piece windshields and wraparound rear glass. Emblematic of the
kind of fine detail that distinguished Pontiac in this time period.
A large grille with several horizontal bars stretching across it to
protect it, leads the way. Fog lights are attached to said bumper
and the fenders have a single chrome bezel headlight on each corner
framing the grille. A big bulbous hood rises from the grille and
has the iconic lighted Pontiac Chief hood ornament. Two curved bars
frame the ornament and run the gamut of the car even showing up on
the trunk to finish framing the trunk lid opener. All the side
slabs of the car are some nifty chromed storm spears and these run
the length of the car's sides. Some chrome trimmings also for the
lower glass surrounds, pontoon rear quarter protectors and framing
the gas tank door. The lowers of the car make use of the light
Linden Green paint which is optional to the car. There are some
chip off and dulling but it is original paint. The roofline which
features a two tone dark Spruce Green and a wrap around rear glass
is in good condition with no rust. The glass is all clear and as we
bring up the rear, small rounded over fins frame the trunk lid and
have a single round tail light on their lowers and a Chief badge on
either side near the top fins. Another large chrome bumper brings
up the rear and it has an extra horizontal bar to frame the license
plate and protect the lid and its large latch operation. Wide
yellowed white walls are riding on red wheels with a chromed hubcap
on all corners featuring more chieftain badging in the centers.
Interior
As we swing the door to enter, we are greeted with original
interior door panels which present in excellent condition. They
have metal green sills, a chrome trim piece delineating the lighter
green vinyl uppers, then more chrome trimmings this time curved
which frames a square stitched broadcloth dark green panel to hold
the armrest. Lowers are a mild blue green vinyl to finish off the
wonderful panels. Slipping inside,we freeze with a front split back
bench that has cream and light green striped broadcloth uppers and
darker green lowers all delineated by green piping. These chairs
are nicely overstuffed and sit in a chrome edged tub. The driver's
side has a hole in it. In back another matching bench is in
featuring more striped cream uppers, buttoned dark green mids, and
checked striped seats. A bit soiled but all good as to the
condition. A full metal jacket dash features lots of chrome bezeled
instruments, sliders and pulls and a round jet engine styled
central clock and even a working radio. Spruce Green is the actual
dash amidst all this chrome and all excellent. An original bakelite
wheel is in with a central Chieftain hub front this early 50's
design and green carpeting floods the floors and is good, as is the
beautiful clean headliner floating tightly above.
Drivetrain
Under the hood sitting in an unrestored and original engine bay
which is pretty clean, we have the now famous for its power 268.4ci
I8 which produces 118hp. It has a single 2-barrel carburetor, with
a 4 speed Hydramatic automatic transmissions on back. Power goes to
the rear wheels via a 3.90 rear pumpkin. Some patina on the actual
engine but hoses and wiring are all supple.
Undercarriage
Appearing at one point to probably have been recoated with
rustproofing and some rattle can touch up, we see a solid frame,
slight surface rust on the edges of the inner bodywork, and an X
frame. The suspension is independent coil springs in front, and on
back we note leaf springs. Drum brakes are on all 4 corners. Pretty
solid and mostly rust free under here.
Drive-Ability
The car is a quick starter and smooth idler. It has good
acceleration and handling but braking pulls hard to the right when
pressed. All functions save for the clock are in working order.
A nice original 2 owner example with original paint and interior
which could use a good cleaning but it's all there in its original
glory. Go ahead live large in Chieftain Style!
L8XH17348
L-Linden, NJ Assy Plant
8-8 Cylinder
X-1953
H-Hydramatic
17348-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE 53 2511WO-1953 Chieftain Deluxe 2 Door Sedan
BODY BL3398-Linden Body #
TRIM 61-Light Green Striped & Dark Green Broadcloth
PAINT 5317-Linden Green & Spruce Green Metallic
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.
