vin # S24245:
• One of 3,433 Super Deluxe examples made in 1951
• Original car has been in storage since 1983
• Amber-colored, lighted Indian head hood ornament
• 268 CID inline eight-cylinder engine
• Synchro-mesh three-speed manual transmission and 4.10 gearing
• Sapphire Blue Iridescent over Malibu Ivory exterior (code 15) with appreciable patina
• Original Blue Bedford Cord with Ivory Leather Bolster (code 73)
• New brakes, six-volt electric system and Venti-Seat underseat heater
• Safety spotlight with mirror, windshield sun visor and traffic light reflector on dashboard
• Original rear fender skirts and No-Rol bumper guards
Pontiac celebrated 25 years on the market in 1951 and to that end, it made Silver Anniversary Chieftains available. While the regular versions were not much different than previous models, the Catalina Hardtop opened in the Chieftain DeLuxe series. Beyond that, there was the Super DeLuxe Catalina back for another go, again with six cylinders or eight.
Super DeLuxe Catalinas had horizontally grooved trim plates on their C-pillars and offered the benefits of a droptop without the negatives. Some people referred to them as hardtop convertibles. Dressed in Sapphire Blue Iridescent over Malibu Ivory (code 15), this model retains its amber-colored, lighted Indian head hood ornament that made these Chieftains a popular model at the time. This car also retains its lovely patina, acquired after being in storage since 1983. The rest of the exterior is in satisfactory order, the engine bay is average and the chrome bumpers with No-Rol bumper guards fit tightly to the body.
This car rolls on wide whitewall tires, size 7.60-15. Each one is mounted to a steel wheel with factory wheel covers. The wheels and tires are in overall good order. This example has been fitted with new brakes.
Under the hood is Pontiac’s 268 CID straight eight-cylinder engine. It is married to a synchro-mesh three-speed manual transmission and backed by a 4.10:1 rear end. This example has a lot of optional extras – Venti-Seat underseat heater, safety spotlight with mirror, windshield sun visor and traffic light reflector on the dashboard. It also includes original rear fender skirts.
The car retains its original Blue Bedford Cord with Ivory Leather Bolster (code 73) interior, which like the outside, has a patina all its own. The front and rear bench seats are in decent shape, as is the metal dash with its features and accessories, including a factory AM radio.
Nineteen fifty-one marked Pontiac Division’s 25th Anniversary. The “Silver Anniversary” Chieftains weren’t much changed from previous years. The Catalina hardtop became available in the Chieftain De Luxe series. The Super De Luxe Catalina returned, still with either a six- or eight-cylinder. This year they were distinguished by special trim on the C-pillars and a blue-and-ivory interior, upholstered either in a leather/cloth combination or all-leather. The interior of the De Luxe Catalina was similar to other Chieftain De Luxe bodies.
Competition to this Catalina Super Deluxe in 1951 included Buick’s Series 50 Super Riviera, Chevrolet’s Bel-Air Coupe, Hudson’s Custom Commodore Eight Hollywood, Kaiser’s Deluxe Club Coupe, Mercury’s Eight Sport Coupe, Nash’s Ambassador Super Club Coupe and Oldsmobile’s Super 88 Deluxe Holiday Coupe and Packard’s Mayfair.
If you’re looking for an early 50s Pontiac that could use some TLC or just to keep it as is and drive it, this one might be for you! Stop by Mission Classics today or call us to find out more.
vin # P8UH65403:
• Amber-colored, lighted Indian head hood ornament
• 268 CID inline eight-cylinder engine and 3.63 gearing
• Hydramatic four-speed automatic transmission
• Tan over green exterior
• Windshield sun visor
If you’re looking for a great ratrod project or you need an early 50s Pontiac parts car, we have a candidate for you here at Mission Classics.
Made in Pontiac, Michigan, th