I’ve been saving this one for a while but it seems to be a perfect fit for patina week. The hot rod crowd would likely kill for a finely aged but rust free finish like this. In my opinion it would be a crime to repaint it. The American readers are probably thinking something is a bit off in the proportions of this classic Pontiac. And they’d be correct from the American market perspective but not from the Canadian one.
Most of the Canadian Pontiacs of this era used Chevrolet frames so they are dimensionally smaller than their US cousins. The bigger American sized Pontiacs were generally available at the top end of the market but sold in much smaller numbers than the Canadian-ized ones. The proportions look just right to me but it might be a case of being more familiar with this style.
I spotted this one a few years ago the next alley down from our house at the time. The husband was working on a possible fuel delivery or ignition problem. It would idle nicely when cold but stall when the engine warmed up. However he was merely the maintenance man as the car itself belonged to the wife. I got the impression she loved it but the rest of the family was somewhat less enamored with it.
The engine is a 239cid flat head inline six hooked to a column shifted three speed manual. This was a Pontiac engine but later Canadian Pontiacs used Chevrolet engines.
The interior looks rather nice with a little bit of patina and some vintage seat covers.
With the stalling issue fixed I’d call this one perfect as is.
Surprised that’s a pontiac engine. I thought the canadian pontiacs were chevys with a pontiac front clip. I know that’s how they made the pontiac sedan deliveries in the mid fifties.
Live and learn.
Well, it is a Chevy with a Pontiac front clip, but also a Pontiac motor. The Chevy motors started a few years later.
A delightful find. I remember those huge round grilles in the middle of Pontiac dashes. My mother ended up with an ancient Pontiac loaner when our 61 F-85 was getting serviced. I don’t remember much about the car other than the pedals that went down into the floor and the big round chrome grille in the dash.
I would suspect that the old Pontiac six was a bit more durable than the Stovebolt 6, which was prone to valve burning (or so I have been told by those older and wiser than me).
What was that center grille’s purpose? Just decoration? It looks as if it’s for a massive fan, which surely isn’t the case.
The more I look at the 1st pic, the more I like this car’s exterior lines.
Is the grille for the radio speaker (and there would likely have been just one)?
If so it’s a woofer that would do a “rapmobile” proud.
Nice car Ive seen some of these Cheviacs we have them here in RHD, that car is mint.
I like it, especially the fact that it seems to not have any true rust but minus the straight 8 I see little reason to own a Pontiac of this vintage over a Chevrolet.
Primo patina! A fitting end to Patina Week.
David I have to agree with you: that car is just divine. Cars in this condition appeal to me the most actually.
Speaking personally, I HATE patina, and I’m getting tired of seeing all these cars that, in my opinion, aren’t cared for by their owners.
I would never drive something that looks like that IF I HAD A CHOICE.
Perhaps all these vehicle owners have their reasons for driving such contraptions, but I’m not one of them.
Next…
Thank you. I was starting to think I was the only one.
This one is past the point at which I would paint it, either with a rattle can or lay out the green for a decent paint job.
I’m all for originality and SOME patina, but when its mostly primer and just a hint of the original color, its time for a respray.
I was always so OCD that I thought I had to restore every car I owned. Dumping more money into it than it would ever be worth. I have come to appreciate patina cars. Noting they are only original once. They are a car should rain be in the forecast, you still would drive it to a car show or cruise-in. And, honesty, I would rather see them enjoy than scraped and crushed. Plus, would any of you honestly take the time and money and honestly restore / re-paint a 4-door, like the one shown? I love the fact the “lady” owner loves her car. I would take pride in ownership if it was mine also…. Just the way it is.
My dad from Newfoundland, Canada had this four-door 1950 Silver Streak but it detonated from oxidation being so near the Atlantic Ocean and is no more. I remember when he brought it home that it had two lighted aerial-type indicators set vertically on each fender and of 18-20 inch in length with an Indian-head shaped lighted-lamp at the top part for each. It was impressive but not very practical as vandals had their way with them, in no time.
I want to pursue the journey to find another as the one you have shown (1950 Silver Streak, Four door) and for the only purpose of having a memory of my dad. I am not interested in the show-room variety but something characteristic of this car’s former self. Can you suggest a step I can take next?
Clar
Please notify me via email
testing email address
I have 50 silverstreak for sale very solid partially restored if your still looking
New to blogging. I presume I have to wait for someone to email me rather that see the post here. Thanks
What is it you are wanting? We write about cars we find but we don’t sell cars and I don’t know how to help you find another car like this. You’ll have to hunt for it, which won’t be easy. Try Hemmings, or other sites that carry ads for old cars. Good luck.
Clar Matchim, Was the 4 door a torpedo back or like the one in the photo?
I do own both, but I am doing a full frame off ont he torpedo back.
Let me know if you might be interested.
I live in Alberta.
Lucas
hosehund@shaw.ca