Thanks for posting this. My dad bought one of these new in 1953 (same color) and I remember him bringing it home. The Hydramatic Plant in Willow Run,MI burned down that year and his 53 Chieftain straight 8 was delivered with a two-speed Powerglide automatic. Your car's interior was exactly like his and really brought back memories. Thanks again!
Oils and filters are light years ahead of what they were back then. Most cars of that time didn't even had oil filters. They were mostly an aftermarket add on. Packards had full flow oil filtration on their cars even in the 1930's.
Watched your video, that's a sharp looking 53 Pontiac. Those old straight eights are amazing engines. Good luck and happy motoring with your Pontiac. Jim
My grandfather owned a 1949 Pontiac Chieftain 4 door sedan with the 6 cyl engine and hydramatic transmission. He visited us in 1964 in Connecticut, all the way from Philadelphia, and he let me drive it out to Fairfield Univ., where I was going to college. The steering was perfect, the engine and transmission very smooth. It is the oldest car I've ever driven. When my grandfather died in 1969, my uncle kept this car until well into the 1970's. It had no rust, I wish I had bought it from him.
This is a great video. I bought the same car (1953 cheiftain) for my graduation gift to myself with my babysitting money when I was 18 (im now 21). My car is in the drive way now. Im now saving money to fix it up. Just need help finding parts. I love the car. I can't wait to be the only female in town driving an old car.
That is the exact same two-tone green paint job that my father's '53 Chieftain had. That car was built like a TANK! And it always started no matter how cold it got. It had the straight 8 with Hydramatic as well. My father sold it to a coworker when we left South Bend, IN 50 years ago. He admitted it was tough to part with it; it was like a member of the family. That dash looks just the way I remember it and my father knew about the parking pawl that was applied when you'd put it in reverse and shut off the engine. I was always fascinated by the gauges and the engine. My father always used alcohol for antifreeze. He said that with the cylinder bores so close to each other, he didn't want to risk using ethylene glycol.
My mother’s car, except for some of the chrome and hers was a 4 door. NOTE ... A giant six volt battery. Golf cart? That’s what my mom’s car needed in the day. The six volt system was always strained, especially in the Winter in Chicago in the 50s. ✌🏼Thanks. Nice post, nice comments.
@femtoman2357 You are right about the Powerglide. I just checked the "facts". A small number of 6's and 8's had the Powerglide installed after the fire. The fire was in August but by December 1, 1953 when the first 1954 Pontiacs were built, a new Hydra-Matic plant was in full operation. I would think running across a 1953 Pontiac with Powerglide would be rare, indeed. I thank you for your comments and interest.
Beautiful car! I wouldn't be at all surprised if the 64K is original--especially with Hydra-Matic instructions still in place. Beats a 100 point restoration any day!
Many parts came from Ebay (collector car parts). California Pontiac Restoration has many parts. A lot of the body parts are interchangeable with 53-54 Chevrolet and were ordered from National Chevy Parts. Car Shop in California has mail order parts for Chevys but many fit Pontiac. Kanter out of NJ has ALL mechanical parts. Join the Pontiac-Oakland Car Club International. Members are selling parts.
nice vid - thanks for sharing : car is tiptop. My boss had one in Swaziland in 58 - 'cept it had standard shift and the boss was a lousy driver : wouldn't change into second up steep hills and the poor car was very unhappy - sort of staggered to the brow of the hill. But was tough as nails and rumbled contemptuously over the rough roads : didn't leak much dust inside either. Well made, I guess.
@48censor No, it has not been changed to a paper element. However, I have changed the oil several times over the years, the only maintenance that is required. The car is not driven enough for the oil to accumulate much dirt.
According to all of the visual information on the Internet as well as my copy of the original dealer sales brochure, those hub caps on your car are for the 1954 model year. They were the same exact design as the 1953's but unlike the 54's the 53's have the recessed ring molding around the centers painted that same rich accent red you can observe which subtly embellishes various chromed elements on your car. All of the 54's always have white paint in the recessed ring molding exactly as those you have on your car in the video. I think your car would look even better with those rings repainted in that rich accent red like they are supposed be. My maternal grandmother had a 1953 Chieftian 4 door in the exact same livery as yours except that hers had a Milano white roof to compliment those wide whitewall tires, and all of the accent trim on the car was as it is supposed to be, which included the recess ring around the center of each hub cap. If you still have that car, and decide to correct that discrepancy, I'd love to see a video of it after you've done so!
@censor48 That's some great memories from your past. I like to hear these stories. And yes, I still have the Pontiac. Many thanks for your comments. Jim
i just bought a 53 chieftain myself, its got all the chrome except for the chief and a headlight bezel, i need a new starter though. i wanna get my straight 8 runnin too.......
I've heard that the straight eight was one hell of an engine. Is this true? I think it was possible to get more than 100k out of an engine, although it may have needed an overhaul beforehand.
I believe that there was a dealer option to install a bypass Fram oil filter system which would have undoubtedly slowed the rate of engine wear. Roads in those days often gave rise to dust clouds which were particularly bad for following traffic. The engine had limited high rpm power but tremendous torque down really low rpm,some of that got lost with the automatic transmissions.
Although it has some similarities the Pontiac looks superior to the Chevy. By this time, the Pontiac had a rear axle ratio of 3.90 which meant one could cruise the highway at 60 mph without the engine screaming. Love seeing the stock gauges work. Forget any thoughts of restoration. This car will look great as it for many years to come.
I drove one thru high school it was a good car had an awesome radio and speakers I was parked under a bridge at nite in the huge back seat with my girl friend and a drunk driver came around the corner left the road and hit my car , totaled it ! My gf and I were ok !
@btemplr4 It's hard to say about gas mileage...maybe 10-15 if everything is tuned right. It has a high compression head (for it's day) and runs much better on premium gas.
Hi I have a 1954 Pontiac Chieftain and want to help me telling me where I can buy parts to restore hola tengo un pontiac chieftain 1954 y quiero restaurarlo quiero saber donde puedo comprar piesas
Will not let me put a link here, but Google--- CALIFORNIA PONTIAC RESTORATION Contact them and they will send you a catalog. I also got parts on EBay. Also, many Chevy body parts are interchangeable such as all glass and body fittings. Good luck,let me know. Jim
my dad had 1 of these cars, it was so easy to work on that motor as my dad was also a mechanic, try working on one of thee new front well drive cars and you will lose your mind as you have to take half the motor apart to get at simple things like even spark plugs.
I bought one of these 2 weeks ago. I can't wait to get it running this smooth!
Thanks for posting this. My dad bought one of these new in 1953 (same color) and I remember him bringing it home. The Hydramatic Plant in Willow Run,MI burned down that year and his 53 Chieftain straight 8 was delivered with a two-speed Powerglide automatic. Your car's interior was exactly like his and really brought back memories. Thanks again!
Beautiful old beauty,nothing like those original color schemes.Nothing runs quite as smoothly as a flathead straight 8.
FLAT GITS TOO. SURPRISE SURPRISE.
Thanks for a look into a beautiful piece of American history.
Oils and filters are light years ahead of what they were back then. Most cars of that time didn't even had oil filters. They were mostly an aftermarket add on. Packards had full flow oil filtration on their cars even in the 1930's.
Watched your video, that's a sharp looking 53 Pontiac. Those old straight eights are amazing engines. Good luck and happy motoring with your Pontiac. Jim
I would bet the 53,000 is the original miles on this car. Very very nice!
If the engine has never been rebuilt or even overhauled, that's pretty damned good!
My grandfather owned a 1949 Pontiac Chieftain 4 door sedan with the 6 cyl engine and
hydramatic transmission. He visited us in 1964 in Connecticut, all the way from Philadelphia, and he let me drive it out to Fairfield Univ., where I was going to college.
The steering was perfect, the engine and transmission very smooth. It is the oldest
car I've ever driven. When my grandfather died in 1969, my uncle kept this car until
well into the 1970's. It had no rust, I wish I had bought it from him.
Nice looking car. I've always liked Pontiac and Chevrolets of 1949-54 model years.
This is a great video. I bought the same car
(1953 cheiftain) for my graduation gift to myself with my babysitting money when I was 18 (im now 21). My car is in the drive way now. Im now saving money to fix it up. Just need help finding parts. I love the car. I can't wait to be the only female in town driving an old car.
That is the exact same two-tone green paint job that my father's '53 Chieftain had. That car was built like a TANK! And it always started no matter how cold it got. It had the straight 8 with Hydramatic as well. My father sold it to a coworker when we left South Bend, IN 50 years ago. He admitted it was tough to part with it; it was like a member of the family. That dash looks just the way I remember it and my father knew about the parking pawl that was applied when you'd put it in reverse and shut off the engine. I was always fascinated by the gauges and the engine. My father always used alcohol for antifreeze. He said that with the cylinder bores so close to each other, he didn't want to risk using ethylene glycol.
my dad bought a 53 ponty in 1955 when we lived in los angeles,,made a trip to Arkansas, and then back to Oklahoma, straight out route 66, wow memories
this is the car from my childhood . . . I remember when my pop brought it home, brand new from the dealer ..
my father had a beigh 1953. i remember dad and mom driving this car. we towed an 8 by 40 anderson mobile home to florida from ny in the late 50's
My mother’s car, except for some of the chrome and hers was a 4 door. NOTE ... A giant six volt battery. Golf cart? That’s what my mom’s car needed in the day. The six volt system was always strained, especially in the Winter in Chicago in the 50s.
✌🏼Thanks. Nice post, nice comments.
@femtoman2357 You are right about the Powerglide. I just checked the "facts". A small number of 6's and 8's had the Powerglide installed after the fire. The fire was in August but by December 1, 1953 when the first 1954 Pontiacs were built, a new Hydra-Matic plant was in full operation. I would think running across a 1953 Pontiac with Powerglide would be rare, indeed. I thank you for your comments and interest.
My dad had a 1953 Ford in the same color combination - dark green top, light green bottom.
Beautiful car! I wouldn't be at all surprised if the 64K is original--especially with Hydra-Matic instructions still in place. Beats a 100 point restoration any day!
This is great because the 1953 Pontiac is my all time favorite car. Thanks!
Very nice. That's what Detroit was putting out 3 years before I was born. 👍
Thanks for your comment
Many parts came from Ebay (collector car parts). California Pontiac Restoration has many parts. A lot of the body parts are interchangeable with 53-54 Chevrolet and were ordered from National Chevy Parts. Car Shop in California has mail order parts for Chevys but many fit Pontiac. Kanter out of NJ has ALL mechanical parts. Join the Pontiac-Oakland Car Club International. Members are selling parts.
nice vid - thanks for sharing : car is tiptop. My boss had one in Swaziland in 58 - 'cept it had standard shift and the boss was a lousy driver : wouldn't change into second up steep hills and the poor car was very unhappy - sort of staggered to the brow of the hill. But was tough as nails and rumbled contemptuously over the rough roads : didn't leak much dust inside either. Well made, I guess.
@48censor No, it has not been changed to a paper element. However, I have changed the oil several times over the years, the only maintenance that is required. The car is not driven enough for the oil to accumulate much dirt.
I love this Video! Lucky Man!
There is probably another heater mounted under the driver's seat with air outlets directed towards the front and rear footwell areas. Recirc only.
love it love everything about it
nise art-deco ornaments!
According to all of the visual information on the Internet as well as my copy of the original dealer sales brochure, those hub caps on your car are for the 1954 model year. They were the same exact design as the 1953's but unlike the 54's the 53's have the recessed ring molding around the centers painted that same rich accent red you can observe which subtly embellishes various chromed elements on your car. All of the 54's always have white paint in the recessed ring molding exactly as those you have on your car in the video. I think your car would look even better with those rings repainted in that rich accent red like they are supposed be. My maternal grandmother had a 1953 Chieftian 4 door in the exact same livery as yours except that hers had a Milano white roof to compliment those wide whitewall tires, and all of the accent trim on the car was as it is supposed to be, which included the recess ring around the center of each hub cap. If you still have that car, and decide to correct that discrepancy, I'd love to see a video of it after you've done so!
@censor48 That's some great memories from your past. I like to hear these stories. And yes, I still have the Pontiac. Many thanks for your comments.
Jim
nice ride... im in the process of getting me one of these...
i just bought a 53 chieftain myself, its got all the chrome except for the chief and a headlight bezel, i need a new starter though. i wanna get my straight 8 runnin too.......
I've heard that the straight eight was one hell of an engine. Is this true?
I think it was possible to get more than 100k out of an engine, although it may have needed an overhaul beforehand.
I believe that there was a dealer option to install a bypass Fram oil filter system which would have undoubtedly slowed the rate of engine wear. Roads in those days often gave rise to dust clouds which were particularly bad for following traffic.
The engine had limited high rpm power but tremendous torque down really low rpm,some of that got lost with the automatic transmissions.
Good job love the battery. My Buick 1938 original battery.5/5
I remember my dad bought a 53 Pontiac in 1963 for $100.00, This car remind me of it.
Turns out someone before me had the 5 and 6 cylinder plug wires reversed. Runs like a brand new car now.
Although it has some similarities the Pontiac looks superior to the Chevy. By this time, the Pontiac had a rear axle ratio of 3.90 which meant one could cruise the highway at 60 mph without the engine screaming.
Love seeing the stock gauges work.
Forget any thoughts of restoration. This car will look great as it for many years to come.
I believe the car has heavier gauge sheet metal than the Chevy.
I drove one thru high school it was a good car had an awesome radio and speakers I was parked under a bridge at nite in the huge back seat with my girl friend and a drunk driver came around the corner left the road and hit my car , totaled it ! My gf and I were ok !
@btemplr4 It's hard to say about gas mileage...maybe 10-15 if everything is tuned right. It has a high compression head (for it's day) and runs much better on premium gas.
Excelente Video
Door shuts at 1:06 WHUMF!! cool :)
Nice!
Hey man can you put seat belts in a car this old?
If you wouldn't mind sharing where did you get your parts from. Im getting a chieftian next month and I need to do a lot of restoration.
@kenmtb Thanks, glad you like it.
@gene978 Thanks for your comments. It's a great car...I love it, too.
OMG i just realized this is BOOTS!
THE FUTURE IS NOW!!
what is that glass jar on the fire wall for?
The glass jar is for the windshield wiper fluid. That is the pump on top. I do not keep fluid in it.
Hi I have a 1954 Pontiac Chieftain and want to help me telling me where I can buy parts to restore
hola tengo un pontiac chieftain 1954 y quiero restaurarlo quiero saber donde puedo comprar piesas
THANK YOU
How are they on gas cause I saw one in my town for sale and I want it hardcore.
Will not let me put a link here, but Google---
CALIFORNIA PONTIAC RESTORATION
Contact them and they will send you a catalog. I also got parts on EBay. Also, many Chevy body parts are interchangeable such as all glass and body fittings. Good luck,let me know. Jim
Do you still have this car? If so, how is it looking and driving? Thanks.
my dad had 1 of these cars, it was so easy to work on that motor as my dad was also a mechanic, try working on one of thee new front well drive cars and you will lose your mind as you have to take half the motor apart to get at simple things like even spark plugs.
Change the exhaust manifold gaskets, and then see how easy you find it to work on. I remember it being a nasty job.
before i die, i will own one of theese
the air cleaner was an "OIL BATH" i assume you changed it over to paper element?
Kid... please...
MAFIA 2!!!