Torpedo. A model name designated to the “A-Bodied” Pontiac passenger cars of early 1940.
Taking over from the Pontiac Six, the Torpedo boasted greatly revised styling, with sweeping body lines and gorgeous adornments of chrome trim. The car we see here, presenting in excellent mechanical and aesthetic order, is a wonderful example of the highly collectible model.
The market for American automobiles is one that’s ever increasing, cars like this 1942 Torpedo with its art deco styling and rounded lines, are a great buy and one that's certain to turn a few heads, courtesy of its Military green paint scheme and decals.
For the avid military enthusiast or lover of truly excellent pieces from the golden era of American automotive design and engineering, the mighty Pontiac is an excellent shout.
Easily preserved in its current military attire, this is an example that equally lends itself to a restoration back to “civilian” specification if the next owner chooses to do so.
When thinking of American car interiors, three main words come to mind: comfort, style and quality.
Opening the doors and glancing inside the cabin, we find that the Torpedo is no exception to this notion. One is presented with an excellent blend of brown and beige fabrics and excellently crafted wood trim in a truly remarkable package.
Front and rear are a set of voluptuous fabric bench seats. Providing incredible comfort, the brown upholstery is of a wonderful standard and presents in excellent order, with good quality stitching and a distinct lack of wear to be seen.
Up top sits a smart beige roof liner that towers over the seating area, much like the seating and matching plush carpet the roof liner is in exemplary condition.
At the sides sit four well trimmed door panels with exquisite wooden cappings and window surrounds. Neatly finished off with adornments of chrome trim and window mechanisms, all four panels present in excellent condition.
Arguably the centrepiece of the cabin is the exquisite dash panel, with high quality art deco chrome gauge clusters and a neat selection of switchgear, the dash is something of a work of art, in absolutely excellent shape with a wonderful patina to it.
Attached in the centre, we find a period correct in car telephone. A piece of history in itself, the phone is in good order and thoroughly sets off the car’s interior.
Hailing from the golden era of US automotive design, the Torpedo is certainly an exquisite car from an aesthetic perspective.
Finished in a fitting shade of military standard matte green, the car presents in excellent condition. The paintwork itself is of a good standard and is notably lacking in wear, blemishing and age related marks.
Finishing off the paint schemMASOyLCt2ELZ3ecYK4ObtxV8iCuOb3yqfn2EdLkr.jpeg538.68 KBe neatly are a series of military decals and markings. Up front is the lettering “HQ NAS” detailing the car as a Naval Air Station staff car.
The extensive collection of chrome trim placed around nearly all angles and panels of the car have naturally been coated in a matching matte green paint scheme but the trim itself does appear to be in good shape as does the iconic horizontal bar front grille, a trademark of the Pontiac Torpedo.
At the front end, we find the car adorned with a searchlight, operated by a handle within the passenger compartment and the military issue wing mounted blackout lights.
The car sits on four great steel wheels, also finished in matte green and completed off with colour matched pontiac hubcaps.
All four are in great shape, with a fifth spare wheel residing in the smart rear storage compartment.
A car couldn't of course be utilised by the US military unless it was backed up by a solid and robust engine and drivetrain, and that's exactly what one finds with the Pontiac Torpedo.
Buyers were offered the choice of either an eight or six cylinder engine when specifying their car, and this example was equipped with the latter.
Labelled as the 239, the 3900cc motor was hailed for its robustness and reliability, and that notion very much goes for the example we have here. Presenting in excellent clean order, the engine fires into life almost immediately, and with ease, settling into a comfortable idle.
Whilst the car has not amassed great mileage under its current ownership, the owner reports a great comfortable drive from the mighty Pontiac.
Summary
To find something such as this in the UK is very much an oddity, a US military specification car, fully UK registered and in excellent mechanical and aesthetic order, this Pontiac will bring the next owner miles and miles of enjoyment.
There really is nothing to find unappealing about this car, it truly is a characterful machine that will be at home on the road or on display at a classic car or military show.
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As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
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1942 Pontiac Torpedo military staff car
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