From what I have seen on other videos the straight 8 cylinder engine that this Pontiac station had was very smooth running and quiet running engine. The main drawback of this engine was its long length that required a long engine compartment.
Awesome information I did not know that I thought that Indianhead was an option Regardless of engine size but upon research not a lot of people got the Pontiac straight six in 1953 I couldn’t find any pictures of it except that one in the ad that’s why there wasn’t a picture with the six cylinder specs
We had a lot of these in both Pontiac & Chevy form way up into the 1970's in the small rural town I grew up in northeast Colorado. Great for farm families who had 5-6 kids.
I loved the 50's-60's Pontiac's. My Uncle lovvved Pontiac's. That headliner was very unique. Lovely chrome package, steering wheel & lightened hood ornament. Jay, If you are a Cary Grant fan. Room for One More (Cary says the word Deluxe) but, ONLY like Cary Grant can say it. It elevates it to something very GRAND and elegant. Yep! I do like that "speedo # font" Also love the "revolving ones. A side note my digital one on '85 Caviler when you get it to 85mph. Would simply flash 85. Dunno If that was the "top out" That little coupe would vibrate when you got her going that fast. Around 70, it was okay.
Great story =) I raced my Lincoln town car (1988 signature series) speedo went to 85 as well it, verses ford exploder I mean explorer. It was great I was 19 anyway I had the speed wrapped around it was saying 20 mph and it was so smooth it didn’t feel like it was on the road anymore but hovering above it.. that car is in the top five best cars I’ve ever owned.. it got better gas mileage than people give credit for 25 mpg Hwy I could get and it was still to this day the best riding car I’ve ever owned.. talking about it makes me want one but... not in the cards at the moment... back to the race I beat the Explorer.. I raced a camaro 1983 not an I rock automatic and he didn’t pass me until we was above 100 mph the was the American 1980s everything was pretty equal.. that Lincoln made 160 HP and the camaro made about the same..
Chubby Checkers The Twist. How could you not have the Chevrolet Nomad wagon as one if not your favorite wagon of the 50's? Beautiful unique roof line and a tailgate exclusive to this model.
Buick straight eight was a whole different animal though they used it overhead cam straight eight.. very unique edging indeed I can’t wait to do one it’s been on the list for almost a year
@@What.its.like. The Special was Buicks no frills model for a number of years. So it was about a year behind their upscale models (the Super and the Roadmaster) which both got V8 engines for the 1953 model year.
@@craigcardwell4143 I remember that Buick had overhead valves on their 8 cylinder engines in the 50s . Overhead cams didn’t come along until many years later. I think the 1980s or 1990s possibly.
@@glennso47 - The 1932 Duesenberg had OHC. The Crossly "Cobra" appeared in 1946. My brother owned a 1966 Pontiac Tempest with the 230 cubic inch, overhead cam engine.
I thought about doing episodes on people behind the cars honestly one of the best episodes I ever did was John DeLorean Preston Tucker Elon Musk nobody watched it... i’ll have to look back and see if more people viewed it sent but it was a lot of research went into that it’s about 30 minutes long it’s definitely worth watching.. how many automotive visionary’s Virgil exner should be one that list too
Grew up taking beach vacations in a 1959 Rambler Cross Country. As a teen I blew out a rear spline trying to get it to burn rubber-which wasn’t happening. In fact it immobilized the car.
What engine was in the Rambler cross country that’s a wagon that I really want to own 1959 is the best year in my opinion.. The 60 looks good as well it’s just not as flamboyant as the 59.
On the Hydra-Matic through model year 1955 the parking procedure was to place the selector in N, turn the engine off, then place selector in R. With the engine off, the R position was the same as being in P (Park). To start engine it was necessary to move the selector back to N. Of course the handbrake could also be used.
My dad used to say that the straight eights were the smoothest running engines. Would love folks who drive them to comment on this statement. Jay, I really enjoy your videos and you channel. I wish you success. Let me know if there is something else we need to do to support you besides click "like".
Thank you so much it means the world I just watched an episode I put together 3 months ago because I like to see how the channel is evolving what I did back then vs what I’m doing now and where to make improvements. I really want to drive a straight 8 car hopefully this year thank you so much for all the support I really appreciate it if you have a lot of time check this episode out I honestly think it’s the best episode I’ve done for the channel =) th-cam.com/video/-k_NjsvP9tw/w-d-xo.html
With the first and second generation(like this one) HydraMatic, a cone clutch was applied for neutral and with the engine not running, the transmission was engaged in a forward gear. Reverse was a sliding idler gear, just like a manual transmission. When shutting off the engine, a person would shift into "R", which would be like the having the transmission stuck in two gears at the same time, locking the output shaft. The handbrake should have also been set first, making it easier to shift out of "R" and moving the selector to "N" to start. A foot should also have been on the brake so the car didn't lurch before the neutral clutch could release.
That means the world to me I watched both of the shows and I love both of them I’ve been watching Jay Leno‘s garage since 2005.. that’s a bucket list thing for me to go to the garage.. maybe one day =) I watch Doug DeMuro and Doug did a review of his McLaren F1 if I got the opportunity to go and review a car I have no idea what car out of his collection that I would wanna review would probably be a Bugatti type 35.. hyper cars just don’t do it for me like a McLaren cool car and everything but $16 million cool idk about all that. Loves Ed’s car reviews as well I’m a huge fan
That’s exactly what I thought when I saw it I can’t thank the owner enough to let me do it.. I have always wanted one of these I saw one for sale a couple years ago for $8500 it was more of a patina look with the interior was perfect
@@What.its.like. - Looks like a loaf of bread. But for what it's worth, I once owned a 1954 Chevy sedan delivery. Got a good deal. Dropped in a 350 small block and Pontiac diff. If you have a December, 1975 issue of Hot Rod, there's a black and white picture on "Reader's Page."
Interesting info on the engine. Engine block and cylinder heads were cast at Saginaw Metal Casting Operations then assembled at Tonawanda Engine before delivery to Pontiac Assembly for installation. In 1952, compression ratios were bifurcated based on transmission choice, with Hydra-Matic-equipped cars getting 7.7:1, while standard-shift cars received an engine with 6.8:1. The higher-compression head was an extra-cost option with the manual transmission. By the end of its run in 1954, the straight-eight was producing 127 hp. Although Pontiac’s new V-8 was ready to debut for 1955, under the hood of the Bonneville Specials was the old straight-eight in one final outing.Wearing a quartet of Carter YH side-draft carburetors (the same type found on the 1953-’54 Corvette’s six-cylinder) and utilizing a hotter camshaft, the Bonneville Special straight-eight was rated at 230 hp. Also, sometimes the specs that are on the screen don't match what you are saying. Hey, know how that works, just a minor mispeak - - - -Good one as always.
Thank you so much for that insight and corrected the compression figure I’m dyslexic I try sometimes things get by without correction notice in the beginning screen goes white the what it’s like face book group was supposed to be there I must have forgot to put it in there.. lol
Can I suggest another wagon from the 50's. The first car I drove (well sitting on my dad's lap steering) was a '57 Ford Country Squire Wagon. Trips from the Washington DC area to Denver Colorado to visit my grandmothers every summer from '58 to '63 were memorable.
Yeah I’ll look for one we are huge wagon fans on this channel.. there are so many that I want to hit it’s just finding then in good shape and original =) 57 country squire added to the list =)
Jay, for informational purposes, GM held up the V8 for Pontiac. Pontiac was to have had a V8 in 1954 BUT since Buick was introducing there V8 in "ALL" models in 1954, GM put the screws to allowing Pontiac to do there V8 till 1955. Cadillac, and Olds had V8's long before the other GM cars. Just as it was with Chevy only having a 6 cylinder till 1955. GM did some stupid things along the way. GM considered Pontiac as the "poor man's" Chevy or whatever. While Chevy was getting a better face lift in the start of the 50's Pontiac had to keep their look till 1955 before you see a more modern look. If you ask me, it was GM's way of saying "If you drive a Pontiac, you are just poor trash". They took the old look and added some chrome and stainless to make it look good. Thanks for your channel.
I honestly think that Pontiac was classier than Chevy I love the fact that they kept the straight eight for longer because then people could cross shop Packards even though they were in totally different categories.. Thank you for enjoying the channel it really means a lot =) That’s my favorite era of Pontiac is 1948 to 1954 chrome everywhere straight eight power.. Can’t forget the Indian head lighting up one of the best features
@@What.its.like. Like you, I too have my favorites as well. Olds & Buick from 47 to 58. One set of grandparents had a 52 Plymouth, then a 57 Chevy and the other set had a 53 Nash Ambassador, 57 Rambler wagon and a 58 Ambassador. That grandfather worked for the Nash/Rambler dealership and sold cars for a living both new & used. I would spend 2 or 3 weeks in the summer and would often go to work with my grandpa. I was all of 7 and learned to go out and start each used car every morning. He would drive a used car home so my grandmother had the car they owned. I think I rode in at least one model of car made for a number of years.
You "could" get the high-compression head on either engine with the manual transmission, but you had to order it, and it wasn't really worth the trouble. Plus, you had to run premium fuel with those heads.
Trust me I know what that’s like I had a 67 mustang that I own since I was 21 I gave it up at 25 to get married and wiped out all my debt clean slate miss that car
Search Facebook marketplace it’s honestly the new craigslist you can find just about anything that you’d like to find on there for cheap. Just make sure the Vin number matches the title.
This was when Pontiac was building very boring cars. 1955 was an improvement with a V8 engine and more modern styling. But it took John DeLorean to put real excitement in the mark.
Eh depends on what one calls boring I agree John delorean changed what Pontiac was as a brand but after him it struggled to fine the market and was always over shadowed by chevy which was a lesser car.. just like mercury in the ford line up my favorite era of Pontiac is 1940-1954 not saying they are junk after that just saying it wasn’t the same some changes where for the better some not so much.. like whose bright idea was it to use a nylon timing gear in the 389 I get why made things quieter but if unchecked they disintegrated and the pieces would clog oil pumps and engine would just lock up going down the road
@@What.its.like. - DeLorean left Pontiac where he was chief engineer to become the president of Chevrolet. At Pontiac, his GTO and Gran Prix were great cars. The "rope drive" swing axle Tempest and 4 cylinder, half of a 389 V8 weren't all that great. But until 1955, the Pontiac was developing a reputation as an old man's car. I am not disputing the quality. "In 1956, when 42-year-old Semon "Bunkie" Knudsen became general manager of Pontiac, alongside new heads of engineering, E. M. Estes and John DeLorean, Knudsen immediately began reworking the brand's image. One of the first steps involved the removal of the famous trademark "silver streaks" from the hood and deck lid of the 1957 models just weeks before they were introduced, which were a traditional styling feature beginning in 1933." wiki
Thank you so much for all that information John DeLorean is a character for sure I did it episode on him Preston tucker and Elon musk and how they are cut from the same cloth.. it’s a really good episode of one watched it’s alittle long but worth it th-cam.com/video/-k_NjsvP9tw/w-d-xo.html
I just got the car I don’t remember which one off the top of my head were willing to full detail with a Hydro Matic I didn’t do it every single episode but I should’ve mentioned that it was a four-speed.. first gear is super short 5 mph
@@What.its.like. .... Straight Eight Ponton by Bob… …….. here we go again up “old ninety-nine” on a trip to Valley Joe to see relatives, old friends somewhere up past Bakersfield in that Ponton from fifty-three a gigantic green monster with seats broad and sweet Earl, Vaughn and me out behind my rear seat a noise began to rumble wheel bearing let loose as tire broadly moved, thundered in and out to the fender then back inside again we weren’t going to make it to Vallejo again back in those simple times “99” a simple road couple of lanes drawn to northern town abodes past the signals of the Baker’s Field he somehow found his mark a junk yard right there right in front of us Earl and Vaughn went in the drive disappeared for maybe an hour came back dragging, kicking dirt a Pontiac truck like back axle let us know when you’re done Earl matter-of-factly stated as they disappeared inside a beer bar lord had to them delivered ‘couple of hours later went in to retrieve the drunks who had many beers imbibed while I that monster mended actually, after all this work worked quite well for me for when we made it to Vallejo was allowed to be free there in the city park a dance hall had been built a sock hop scheduled for Friday night for 16 year old teens like me had a date arranged a pretty looking blonde needed a car to impress her and maybe move a little on Earl couldn’t refuse my request for the car that night after all I saved us all from a 300 mile long walk no, I didn’t make a move wouldn’t have known how to act met her mother over coffee when home I took her back
I think I saw somewhere that GMC trucks were introduced so that Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac dealerships could compete with Chevrolet dealerships . Chevy had the Chevy trucks but the other GM cars didn’t have a truck to sell their customers. Anyone?
@@glennso47 1911 General Motors formed the "General Motors Truck Company" GMC was it's own division. GMC dealerships were partnered with Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Buick dealerships. You had to meet very different criteria for Medium and Heavy Duty trucks for sales and service. Most dealers did not go that route. I may be mistaken but I believe it was 1955, partially because they used other division engines. From 1955 -1959 GMC gasoline trucks were equipped with Pontiac V8s, and Oldsmobile V8s. Platform sharing actually begin in 1920 for pickup trucks. I worked at a dealership that sold Pontiac-GMC and wow! Honda in 1973, till 1979 they did light, medium and heavy duty GMC truck service and sales.
If moderns SUVs looked like this, then I'd have some respect for their tasteful style and unique design, but no, they are all bloated oversized pieces of crap that will roll over at the drop of a hat.
I totally agree this was one of the most attractive looking wagons in the early 50s in my opinion I believe every brand offered one except for Cadillac but I’ve seen Buick, olds, Pontiac, Chevy There is a Buick one running around that is the same color as this one roughly around the same time. I would love to review it
You don’t agree?? Seriously, dude, WTF?!? I could make 100 rebuttals to such a ridiculous statement. I’ll only state 1. You base your statement on 2020 conditions…during the pandemic…when because of next to 0 demand, prices dropped significantly…really?? The word is context, look it up.
My point is nobody complained about gas being $.20 a gallon in the 50s and is equivalent to $2.22 today’s money I remember when people were complaining when gas was $2.22 in 2007.. that’s all I’m saying is I don’t think that that number is 100% correct.. but it could be inflation can’t calculate everything to the point of being relevant.. that’s all I was getting at that’s why I don’t generally put that information in these videos because it’s too borderline political..
I personally appreciate that Jay makes his presentations in a humble and civilized manner. We should try to bring the same quality of class to his comments section.
Let's Twist Again - Chubby Checker
You got it =)
@@What.its.like. Did you know that Chubby Checkers real name is Ernest Evans?
I didn’t know that thank you so much for sharing that =)
@@What.its.like. you can look him up in Wikipedia for more information about him.
From what I have seen on other videos the straight 8 cylinder engine that this Pontiac station had was very smooth running and quiet running engine. The main drawback of this engine was its long length that required a long engine compartment.
I’m interested to see what it’s like to drive a straight 8
@@What.its.like. I had a 1954 Chieftain with the straight 8. I'd say 0-60 was measured with a calendar!
I love this channel! I really like all the original ads and photos you dig up.
I’m all about the period correct ads.. I love showing the dash board in detail as well two favorites plus all the specs
I remember when Pontiac had the illuminated hood ornament.
My Mother had a 54 Pontiac with a straight 8. Only the 8's had the illuminated hood ornament. The 6's did not.
Awesome information I did not know that I thought that Indianhead was an option Regardless of engine size but upon research not a lot of people got the Pontiac straight six in 1953 I couldn’t find any pictures of it except that one in the ad that’s why there wasn’t a picture with the six cylinder specs
@@Radiowild I wonder if it was standard with the eights but optional on others?
What a dream wagon! 🤩😎 Every inch is just amazing! Love the color, and the colors, and variety of materials used on the interior are incredible!
It was absolutely gorgeous
Excellent presentation. Interesting, informative and entertaining. Enjoyed the video very much.
Thank you so much it means a lot =)
Thanks Jay...
=)
I restored a 1954 Belair wagon and drove it for years before it was stolen this Pontiac reminded me of it so much good episode sir!🤠
That’s awesome this is one of my favorite tin woods.. this car was epic glad you dig this episode =)
We had a lot of these in both Pontiac & Chevy form way up into the 1970's in the small rural town I grew up in northeast Colorado. Great for farm families who had 5-6 kids.
Great story/memory thank you so much for sharing
A fantastically "deep" wagon. Such great style inside too.
I love these this is my favorite year 53 has side molding that the 52 and 54 don’t have I’m not a fan of the 55 it’s ok but it’s not the 53
I loved the 50's-60's Pontiac's. My Uncle lovvved Pontiac's. That headliner was very unique. Lovely chrome package, steering wheel & lightened hood ornament. Jay, If you are a Cary Grant fan. Room for One More (Cary says the word Deluxe) but, ONLY like Cary Grant can say it. It elevates it to something very GRAND and elegant. Yep! I do like that "speedo # font" Also love the "revolving ones. A side note my digital one on '85 Caviler when you get it to 85mph. Would simply flash 85. Dunno If that was the "top out" That little coupe would vibrate when you got her going that fast. Around 70, it was okay.
Great story =) I raced my Lincoln town car (1988 signature series) speedo went to 85 as well it, verses ford exploder I mean explorer. It was great I was 19 anyway I had the speed wrapped around it was saying 20 mph and it was so smooth it didn’t feel like it was on the road anymore but hovering above it.. that car is in the top five best cars I’ve ever owned.. it got better gas mileage than people give credit for 25 mpg Hwy I could get and it was still to this day the best riding car I’ve ever owned.. talking about it makes me want one but... not in the cards at the moment... back to the race I beat the Explorer.. I raced a camaro 1983 not an I rock automatic and he didn’t pass me until we was above 100 mph the was the American 1980s everything was pretty equal.. that Lincoln made 160 HP and the camaro made about the same..
I do appreciate the response ive received from you my wheels are now on a chair lol i enjoy reminiscing the cars ive owned all my best
I’m glad you dig this channel, I’m happy that you can relive and reminisce through it =)
Chubby Checkers The Twist. How could you not have the Chevrolet Nomad wagon as one if not your favorite wagon of the 50's? Beautiful unique roof line and a tailgate exclusive to this model.
They are cool I need to make a list of my top 10 50s wagons
My parents had a '53 Club Coupe. It was painted cream. It had lowering blocks, a visor, and a bermuda bell. Pretty cool for my rather staid dad.
Car sounds like it was a cool car
1953 Buick Special was the last time Buick offered a straight 8 engine. They went to V-8 engines exclusively beginning in 1954.
Buick straight eight was a whole different animal though they used it overhead cam straight eight.. very unique edging indeed I can’t wait to do one it’s been on the list for almost a year
@@What.its.like. The Special was Buicks no frills model for a number of years. So it was about a year behind their upscale models (the Super and the Roadmaster) which both got V8 engines for the 1953 model year.
@@What.its.like. I think you meant overhead valves on the Buick. Buick to the best of my knowledge did not have any overhead cams during the 50's.
@@craigcardwell4143 I remember that Buick had overhead valves on their 8 cylinder engines in the 50s . Overhead cams didn’t come along until many years later. I think the 1980s or 1990s possibly.
@@glennso47 - The 1932 Duesenberg had OHC. The Crossly "Cobra" appeared in 1946. My brother owned a 1966 Pontiac Tempest with the 230 cubic inch, overhead cam engine.
William S Durant is a person worth researching. So is Harley Earl of course. Dont forget Mitchel.
I thought about doing episodes on people behind the cars honestly one of the best episodes I ever did was John DeLorean Preston Tucker Elon Musk nobody watched it... i’ll have to look back and see if more people viewed it sent but it was a lot of research went into that it’s about 30 minutes long it’s definitely worth watching..
how many automotive visionary’s Virgil exner should be one that list too
Like alot of people i have my favorite eras. But i like them all. Gm was at their best wgen each division did its own thing.
$2.22 is correct, it is that in the 50s people didn't complain as they do today, life was a lot different back then.
Ok awesome thank you so much for that =) I wondered if it was relatable some things aren’t possible to convert
Grew up taking beach vacations in a 1959 Rambler Cross Country. As a teen I blew out a rear spline trying to get it to burn rubber-which wasn’t happening. In fact it immobilized the car.
What engine was in the Rambler cross country that’s a wagon that I really want to own 1959 is the best year in my opinion.. The 60 looks good as well it’s just not as flamboyant as the 59.
On the Hydra-Matic through model year 1955 the parking procedure was to place the selector in N, turn the engine off, then place selector in R. With the engine off, the R position was the same as being in P (Park). To start engine it was necessary to move the selector back to N. Of course the handbrake could also be used.
=)
This car looks solid with virtually no plastic used. Today's cars are going to bemuch harder to restore due to all the plastic used.
Totally agree and would they even work/ be compatible the classic stuff will run without satellite feedback
My dad used to say that the straight eights were the smoothest running engines. Would love folks who drive them to comment on this statement. Jay, I really enjoy your videos and you channel. I wish you success. Let me know if there is something else we need to do to support you besides click "like".
Thank you so much it means the world I just watched an episode I put together 3 months ago because I like to see how the channel is evolving what I did back then vs what I’m doing now and where to make improvements.
I really want to drive a straight 8 car hopefully this year thank you so much for all the support I really appreciate it if you have a lot of time check this episode out I honestly think it’s the best episode I’ve done for the channel =)
th-cam.com/video/-k_NjsvP9tw/w-d-xo.html
With the first and second generation(like this one) HydraMatic, a cone clutch was applied for neutral and with the engine not running, the transmission was engaged in a forward gear. Reverse was a sliding idler gear, just like a manual transmission. When shutting off the engine, a person would shift into "R", which would be like the having the transmission stuck in two gears at the same time, locking the output shaft. The handbrake should have also been set first, making it easier to shift out of "R" and moving the selector to "N" to start. A foot should also have been on the brake so the car didn't lurch before the neutral clutch could release.
Awesome information thank you so much for sharing as always =)
Up there with Ed's Auto Reviews and Jay Leno's Garage as one of my favorite car channels.
That means the world to me I watched both of the shows and I love both of them I’ve been watching Jay Leno‘s garage since 2005.. that’s a bucket list thing for me to go to the garage.. maybe one day =) I watch Doug DeMuro and Doug did a review of his McLaren F1 if I got the opportunity to go and review a car I have no idea what car out of his collection that I would wanna review would probably be a Bugatti type 35.. hyper cars just don’t do it for me like a McLaren cool car and everything but $16 million cool idk
about all that. Loves Ed’s car reviews as well I’m a huge fan
I rode in the back of that car when I was 5.
This Pontiac is in amazing condition.
That’s exactly what I thought when I saw it I can’t thank the owner enough to let me do it.. I have always wanted one of these I saw one for sale a couple years ago for $8500 it was more of a patina look with the interior was perfect
@@What.its.like. someday you will score one!
@@What.its.like. - Looks like a loaf of bread. But for what it's worth, I once owned a 1954 Chevy sedan delivery. Got a good deal. Dropped in a 350 small block and Pontiac diff. If you have a December, 1975 issue of Hot Rod, there's a black and white picture on "Reader's Page."
Interesting info on the engine. Engine block and cylinder heads were cast at Saginaw Metal Casting Operations then assembled at Tonawanda Engine before delivery to Pontiac Assembly for installation. In 1952, compression ratios were bifurcated based on transmission choice, with Hydra-Matic-equipped cars getting 7.7:1, while standard-shift cars received an engine with 6.8:1. The higher-compression head was an extra-cost option with the manual transmission. By the end of its run in 1954, the straight-eight was producing 127 hp. Although Pontiac’s new V-8 was ready to debut for 1955, under the hood of the Bonneville Specials was the old straight-eight in one final outing.Wearing a quartet of Carter YH side-draft carburetors (the same type found on the 1953-’54 Corvette’s six-cylinder) and utilizing a hotter camshaft, the Bonneville Special straight-eight was rated at 230 hp. Also, sometimes the specs that are on the screen don't match what you are saying. Hey, know how that works, just a minor mispeak - - - -Good one as always.
Thank you so much for that insight and corrected the compression figure I’m dyslexic I try sometimes things get by without correction notice in the beginning screen goes white the what it’s like face book group was supposed to be there I must have forgot to put it in there.. lol
@@What.its.like. I appreciate the details you put in that others don't bother with, subscribed .
Can I suggest another wagon from the 50's. The first car I drove (well sitting on my dad's lap steering) was a '57 Ford Country Squire Wagon. Trips from the Washington DC area to Denver Colorado to visit my grandmothers every summer from '58 to '63 were memorable.
Yeah I’ll look for one we are huge wagon fans on this channel.. there are so many that I want to hit it’s just finding then in good shape and original =) 57 country squire added to the list =)
Sweet Ride Jay
No, I am Sweet Ride
Yeah this Pontiac wagon was in stellar shape it almost look like it he bought it brand new yesterday
Let's twist again. Chubby Checker. 1959
You got it I’m not entirely sure what year is there is a whole backstory to that song that I might tell on this channel
Your from PA so am I therefore I will subscribe! Good luck
Thank you so much welcome to the channel
Let’s twist again.Chubby Checker!
Yep funny story about that song I’ll tell the story End-of-the-year special
Jay, for informational purposes, GM held up the V8 for Pontiac. Pontiac was to have had a V8 in 1954 BUT since Buick was introducing there V8 in "ALL" models in 1954, GM put the screws to allowing Pontiac to do there V8 till 1955. Cadillac, and Olds had V8's long before the other GM cars. Just as it was with Chevy only having a 6 cylinder till 1955. GM did some stupid things along the way. GM considered Pontiac as the "poor man's" Chevy or whatever. While Chevy was getting a better face lift in the start of the 50's Pontiac had to keep their look till 1955 before you see a more modern look. If you ask me, it was GM's way of saying "If you drive a Pontiac, you are just poor trash". They took the old look and added some chrome and stainless to make it look good.
Thanks for your channel.
I honestly think that Pontiac was classier than Chevy I love the fact that they kept the straight eight for longer because then people could cross shop Packards even though they were in totally different categories..
Thank you for enjoying the channel it really means a lot =)
That’s my favorite era of Pontiac is 1948 to 1954 chrome everywhere straight eight power.. Can’t forget the Indian head lighting up one of the best features
@@What.its.like. Like you, I too have my favorites as well. Olds & Buick from 47 to 58. One set of grandparents had a 52 Plymouth, then a 57 Chevy and the other set had a 53 Nash Ambassador, 57 Rambler wagon and a 58 Ambassador. That grandfather worked for the Nash/Rambler dealership and sold cars for a living both new & used. I would spend 2 or 3 weeks in the summer and would often go to work with my grandpa. I was all of 7 and learned to go out and start each used car every morning. He would drive a used car home so my grandmother had the car they owned. I think I rode in at least one model of car made for a number of years.
=)
It's The Twist by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters.
Let’s twist again chubby checker
Complete beauty, unbelievable
=)
SUPER!
You "could" get the high-compression head on either engine with the manual transmission, but you had to order it, and it wasn't really worth the trouble. Plus, you had to run premium fuel with those heads.
Awesome information thank you so much for sharing =)
My fav was my 1964 Buick Skylark tudir hardtop. Much to the dismay of purists i put a 430 in it with a turbo400 trans. But that was my ultamit car.
Your 64 wagon sounds awesome do you still have it?
@@What.its.like. unfortunatly kids and bills forced a sale.
Trust me I know what that’s like I had a 67 mustang that I own since I was 21 I gave it up at 25 to get married and wiped out all my debt clean slate miss that car
👀...🔥👍😎👍🔥
Looking for a late 50's, early 60's cheaper GM 2dr. You know any fer sell?
Search Facebook marketplace it’s honestly the new craigslist you can find just about anything that you’d like to find on there for cheap. Just make sure the Vin number matches the title.
This was when Pontiac was building very boring cars. 1955 was an improvement with a V8 engine and more modern styling. But it took John DeLorean to put real excitement in the mark.
Eh depends on what one calls boring I agree John delorean changed what Pontiac was as a brand but after him it struggled to fine the market and was always over shadowed by chevy which was a lesser car.. just like mercury in the ford line up my favorite era of Pontiac is 1940-1954 not saying they are junk after that just saying it wasn’t the same some changes where for the better some not so much.. like whose bright idea was it to use a nylon timing gear in the 389 I get why made things quieter but if unchecked they disintegrated and the pieces would clog oil pumps and engine would just lock up going down the road
@@What.its.like. - DeLorean left Pontiac where he was chief engineer to become the president of Chevrolet. At Pontiac, his GTO and Gran Prix were great cars. The "rope drive" swing axle Tempest and 4 cylinder, half of a 389 V8 weren't all that great.
But until 1955, the Pontiac was developing a reputation as an old man's car. I am not disputing the quality. "In 1956, when 42-year-old Semon "Bunkie" Knudsen became general manager of Pontiac, alongside new heads of engineering, E. M. Estes and John DeLorean, Knudsen immediately began reworking the brand's image. One of the first steps involved the removal of the famous trademark "silver streaks" from the hood and deck lid of the 1957 models just weeks before they were introduced, which were a traditional styling feature beginning in 1933." wiki
Thank you so much for all that information John DeLorean is a character for sure I did it episode on him Preston tucker and Elon musk and how they are cut from the same cloth.. it’s a really good episode of one watched it’s alittle long but worth it
th-cam.com/video/-k_NjsvP9tw/w-d-xo.html
You didn't say how many speeds the automatic(hydra-matic) transmission had.
I just got the car I don’t remember which one off the top of my head were willing to full detail with a Hydro Matic I didn’t do it every single episode but I should’ve mentioned that it was a four-speed.. first gear is super short 5 mph
@@What.its.like. We called first gear,"Leap=o-matic".
is it posible to do a 1965 dodge monico convertable
I’ll look for one great request =)
Had one. Weak rear axle bearings.
Great to know
@@What.its.like. .... Straight Eight Ponton
by Bob…
……..
here we go again
up “old ninety-nine”
on a trip to Valley Joe
to see relatives, old friends
somewhere up past Bakersfield
in that Ponton from fifty-three
a gigantic green monster
with seats broad and sweet
Earl, Vaughn and me
out behind my rear seat
a noise began to rumble
wheel bearing let loose
as tire broadly moved, thundered
in and out to the fender
then back inside again
we weren’t going to make it
to Vallejo again
back in those simple times
“99” a simple road
couple of lanes drawn
to northern town abodes
past the signals of the Baker’s Field
he somehow found his mark
a junk yard right there
right in front of us
Earl and Vaughn went in the drive
disappeared for maybe an hour
came back dragging, kicking dirt
a Pontiac truck like back axle
let us know when you’re done
Earl matter-of-factly stated
as they disappeared inside a beer bar
lord had to them delivered
‘couple of hours later
went in to retrieve the drunks
who had many beers imbibed
while I that monster mended
actually, after all this work
worked quite well for me
for when we made it to Vallejo
was allowed to be free
there in the city park
a dance hall had been built
a sock hop scheduled for Friday night
for 16 year old teens like me
had a date arranged
a pretty looking blonde
needed a car to impress her
and maybe move a little on
Earl couldn’t refuse my request
for the car that night
after all I saved us all
from a 300 mile long walk
no, I didn’t make a move
wouldn’t have known how to act
met her mother over coffee
when home I took her back
I've restored a couple of those 6 volt radios - can be seen here - th-cam.com/video/p6o9pJasGGU/w-d-xo.html
Does anyone know when Pontiac changed its logo from the Indian to the arrow head?
@@glennso47 1959, although, the high beam indicater light remained an indian head into the 60's.
@@danielulz1640 thanks. I know that they had dropped the Indian head logo sometime after the late 50s but wasn’t sure exactly when.
I think I saw somewhere that GMC trucks were introduced so that Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac dealerships could compete with Chevrolet dealerships . Chevy had the Chevy trucks but the other GM cars didn’t have a truck to sell their customers. Anyone?
@@glennso47 1911 General Motors formed the "General Motors Truck Company" GMC was it's own division. GMC dealerships were partnered with Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Buick dealerships. You had to meet very different criteria for Medium and Heavy Duty trucks for sales and service. Most dealers did not go that route. I may be mistaken but I believe it was 1955, partially because they used other division engines. From 1955 -1959 GMC gasoline trucks were equipped with Pontiac V8s, and Oldsmobile V8s. Platform sharing actually begin in 1920 for pickup trucks. I worked at a dealership that sold Pontiac-GMC and wow! Honda in 1973, till 1979 they did light, medium and heavy duty GMC truck service and sales.
If moderns SUVs looked like this, then I'd have some respect for their tasteful style and unique design, but no, they are all bloated oversized pieces of crap that will roll over at the drop of a hat.
I totally agree this was one of the most attractive looking wagons in the early 50s in my opinion I believe every brand offered one except for Cadillac but I’ve seen Buick, olds, Pontiac, Chevy
There is a Buick one running around that is the same color as this one roughly around the same time. I would love to review it
You don’t agree?? Seriously, dude, WTF?!? I could make 100 rebuttals to such a ridiculous statement. I’ll only state 1. You base your statement on 2020 conditions…during the pandemic…when because of next to 0 demand, prices dropped significantly…really?? The word is context, look it up.
My point is nobody complained about gas being $.20 a gallon in the 50s and is equivalent to $2.22 today’s money I remember when people were complaining when gas was $2.22 in 2007.. that’s all I’m saying is I don’t think that that number is 100% correct.. but it could be inflation can’t calculate everything to the point of being relevant.. that’s all I was getting at that’s why I don’t generally put that information in these videos because it’s too borderline political..
No need for the WTF? John. And if you listened he stated he wasn't quite sure on the pricing.
Thank you =)
I personally appreciate that Jay makes his presentations in a humble and civilized manner. We should try to bring the same quality of class to his comments section.