Введение
В 1949 году Chieftain с кузовом A-body заменил Pontiac Torpedo в качестве более компактной и доступной модели Pontiac. Однако, недавно переработанный Pontiac Streamliner с кузовом B-body теперь был очень похож (если не идентичен) по размерам, двигателям, комплектациям и опциям. Впервые с 1934 года все автомобили Pontiac имели одинаковую колесную базу. Стандартным оборудованием было автоматическое внутреннее освещение. В 1949 году для Chieftain предлагалось четыре двигателя: 6-цилиндровый двигатель объемом 239,2 куб. дюйма с L-образной головкой блока цилиндров, развивающий мощность при 3400 об/мин; 6-цилиндровый двигатель объемом 239,2 куб. дюйма с L-образной головкой блока цилиндров, развивающий мощность при 3400 об/мин; 8-цилиндровый двигатель объемом 248,9 куб. дюйма с L-образной головкой блока цилиндров, развивающий мощность при 3800 об/мин; и 8-цилиндровый двигатель объемом 248,9 куб. дюйма с L-образной головкой блока цилиндров, развивающий мощность при 3800 об/мин. Различия в мощности между 6- и 8-цилиндровыми двигателями были обусловлены изменениями в степени сжатия. Среди интересных опций для первого поколения Chieftain было радио с семью вакуумными лампами.
a 239.2 cu in L head 6 cylinder engine making at 3400 rpm
a 239.2 cu in L head 6 cylinder engine making at 3400 rpm
a 248.9 cu in L head 8 cylinder making at 3800 rpm
a 248.9 cu in L head 8 cylinder making at 3800 rpm
The horsepower differences between each of the 6 and 8 cylinder engines were due to changes in compression ratios. Some of the more interesting optional items available for the first generation Chieftain included a radio with seven vacuum tubes,
For the 1952 model year, Pontiac discontinued the Streamliner leaving the Chieftain as their only offering. The Chieftain continued with the 120 inch wheelbase. Engine offerings were basically the same except for the 8 cylinder which got a .2 cubic inch enlargement. Horsepower did increase by 10 on the six cylinder and by 15 on the eight cylinder. Also, a red light to remind the driver that the parking brake was on was new. In the May 1952 issue of Popular Mechanics, the Chieftain was rated 14.9 seconds for a 0 60 mph time. Front head room was 36 inches, while rear head room was 35.75 inches. In 1953, Pontiac came with a new body style, offering a wheelbase, and sleeker lines. The windshield was now one piece, and a panoramic rear window was standard. Pontiacs sported accentuated bubbled up fins in the rear for the first time in 1953. The six cylinder engine was standard. There was a lower equipped Chieftain Special and a better equipped Chieftain Deluxe line, as well as the Custom Catalina two door hardtop coupe. A light up plastic Chief Pontiac hood ornament that illuminated with the headlights adorned the front end. The Star Chief was added to the Pontiac line in 1954 and the Chieftain was moved down to entry level status. Both cars were built on the A body shell, but the new Star Chief had an extension added to its frame. Also in 1954, output of the eight cylinder engines increased by about nine horsepower due to carburetor changes, up to for the manual and for the Hydra Matic. The six cylinder engines remained unchanged. The 1954 Pontiacs have the distinction of the first production car in the US to have an air conditioning system in the modern sense with in dash controls. In addition, a far more responsive and fully adjustable front seat was added. | length = 1955: 1956: 1957:
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New "Star Flight" styling graced the 1957 Chieftains. This new theme included missile shaped side trim, extended rear fenders with V shaped tips, lower hoods and massive bumpers. A new Super Chief sub series debuted within the Chieftain line. These were the meant to be the top of the line Chieftain models. Sales were 58.02% of all Pontiacs in 1957. The first "Tri Power" Pontiac engines were offered. with horsepower increasing to 290 for the Chieftain models. This generation didn't experience the popularity as much as the Chevrolet Tri Five during the same years, even though the models were very similar.
В 1952 году Pontiac прекратил выпуск Streamliner, оставив Chieftain единственной предлагаемой моделью. Chieftain сохранил колесную базу в 120 дюймов. Линейка двигателей осталась практически прежней, за исключением 8-цилиндрового двигателя, объем которого был увеличен на 0,2 кубических дюйма. Мощность 6-цилиндрового двигателя увеличилась на 10 л.с., а 8-цилиндрового – на 15 л.с. Также появилась новая функция – красный индикатор, напоминающий водителю о включенном стояночном тормозе. В майском выпуске журнала Popular Mechanics за 1952 год разгон Chieftain от 0 до 60 миль/ч был оценен в 14,9 секунды. Пространство для головы спереди составляло 36 дюймов, а сзади – 35,75 дюймов. В 1953 году Pontiac представил новый стиль кузова с увеличенной колесной базой и более обтекаемыми линиями. Переднее стекло стало цельным, а панорамное заднее окно – стандартным. В 1953 году Pontiac впервые оснастили выраженными "плавниками" на задней части кузова. Шестицилиндровый двигатель оставался стандартным. Предлагались более простая версия Chieftain Special и более роскошная Chieftain Deluxe, а также двухдверное купе Custom Catalina с жесткой крышей. Переднюю часть автомобиля украшал подсвечивающийся пластиковый орнамент Chief Pontiac, загорающийся вместе с фарами. В 1954 году в линейку Pontiac был добавлен Star Chief, а Chieftain был перемещен в сегмент начального уровня. Оба автомобиля строились на платформе A-body, но новая модель Star Chief получила удлиненную раму. Также в 1954 году мощность 8-цилиндровых двигателей увеличилась примерно на девять лошадиных сил благодаря изменениям в карбюраторе, достигнув для механической коробки передач и для автоматической Hydra Matic. Шестицилиндровые двигатели остались без изменений. Pontiacs 1954 года стали первыми серийными автомобилями в США, оснащенными системой кондиционирования воздуха в современном понимании с управлением на приборной панели. Кроме того, было добавлено более отзывчивое и полностью регулируемое переднее сиденье.
a 239.2 cu in L head 6 cylinder engine making at 3400 rpm
a 239.2 cu in L head 6 cylinder engine making at 3400 rpm
a 248.9 cu in L head 8 cylinder making at 3800 rpm
a 248.9 cu in L head 8 cylinder making at 3800 rpm
The horsepower differences between each of the 6 and 8 cylinder engines were due to changes in compression ratios. Some of the more interesting optional items available for the first generation Chieftain included a radio with seven vacuum tubes,
For the 1952 model year, Pontiac discontinued the Streamliner leaving the Chieftain as their only offering. The Chieftain continued with the 120 inch wheelbase. Engine offerings were basically the same except for the 8 cylinder which got a .2 cubic inch enlargement. Horsepower did increase by 10 on the six cylinder and by 15 on the eight cylinder. Also, a red light to remind the driver that the parking brake was on was new. In the May 1952 issue of Popular Mechanics, the Chieftain was rated 14.9 seconds for a 0 60 mph time. Front head room was 36 inches, while rear head room was 35.75 inches. In 1953, Pontiac came with a new body style, offering a wheelbase, and sleeker lines. The windshield was now one piece, and a panoramic rear window was standard. Pontiacs sported accentuated bubbled up fins in the rear for the first time in 1953. The six cylinder engine was standard. There was a lower equipped Chieftain Special and a better equipped Chieftain Deluxe line, as well as the Custom Catalina two door hardtop coupe. A light up plastic Chief Pontiac hood ornament that illuminated with the headlights adorned the front end. The Star Chief was added to the Pontiac line in 1954 and the Chieftain was moved down to entry level status. Both cars were built on the A body shell, but the new Star Chief had an extension added to its frame. Also in 1954, output of the eight cylinder engines increased by about nine horsepower due to carburetor changes, up to for the manual and for the Hydra Matic. The six cylinder engines remained unchanged. The 1954 Pontiacs have the distinction of the first production car in the US to have an air conditioning system in the modern sense with in dash controls. In addition, a far more responsive and fully adjustable front seat was added. | length = 1955: 1956: 1957:
| width =
New "Star Flight" styling graced the 1957 Chieftains. This new theme included missile shaped side trim, extended rear fenders with V shaped tips, lower hoods and massive bumpers. A new Super Chief sub series debuted within the Chieftain line. These were the meant to be the top of the line Chieftain models. Sales were 58.02% of all Pontiacs in 1957. The first "Tri Power" Pontiac engines were offered. with horsepower increasing to 290 for the Chieftain models. This generation didn't experience the popularity as much as the Chevrolet Tri Five during the same years, even though the models were very similar.
В 1957 году Chieftain получил новый стиль "Star Flight", включавший в себя боковые молдинги в форме ракет, удлиненные задние крылья с V-образными кончиками, заниженный капот и массивные бамперы. В линейке Chieftain дебютировала новая подсерия Super Chief, предназначенная для самых роскошных комплектаций. Доля продаж Chieftain составила 58,02% от общего объема продаж Pontiac в 1957 году. Впервые были предложены двигатели Pontiac "Tri Power" с увеличенной мощностью до 290 л.с. для моделей Chieftain. Это поколение не пользовалось такой популярностью, как Chevrolet Tri Five в те же годы, хотя модели были очень похожи.
a 239.2 cu in L head 6 cylinder engine making at 3400 rpm
a 239.2 cu in L head 6 cylinder engine making at 3400 rpm
a 248.9 cu in L head 8 cylinder making at 3800 rpm
a 248.9 cu in L head 8 cylinder making at 3800 rpm
The horsepower differences between each of the 6 and 8 cylinder engines were due to changes in compression ratios. Some of the more interesting optional items available for the first generation Chieftain included a radio with seven vacuum tubes,
For the 1952 model year, Pontiac discontinued the Streamliner leaving the Chieftain as their only offering. The Chieftain continued with the 120 inch wheelbase. Engine offerings were basically the same except for the 8 cylinder which got a .2 cubic inch enlargement. Horsepower did increase by 10 on the six cylinder and by 15 on the eight cylinder. Also, a red light to remind the driver that the parking brake was on was new. In the May 1952 issue of Popular Mechanics, the Chieftain was rated 14.9 seconds for a 0 60 mph time. Front head room was 36 inches, while rear head room was 35.75 inches. In 1953, Pontiac came with a new body style, offering a wheelbase, and sleeker lines. The windshield was now one piece, and a panoramic rear window was standard. Pontiacs sported accentuated bubbled up fins in the rear for the first time in 1953. The six cylinder engine was standard. There was a lower equipped Chieftain Special and a better equipped Chieftain Deluxe line, as well as the Custom Catalina two door hardtop coupe. A light up plastic Chief Pontiac hood ornament that illuminated with the headlights adorned the front end. The Star Chief was added to the Pontiac line in 1954 and the Chieftain was moved down to entry level status. Both cars were built on the A body shell, but the new Star Chief had an extension added to its frame. Also in 1954, output of the eight cylinder engines increased by about nine horsepower due to carburetor changes, up to for the manual and for the Hydra Matic. The six cylinder engines remained unchanged. The 1954 Pontiacs have the distinction of the first production car in the US to have an air conditioning system in the modern sense with in dash controls. In addition, a far more responsive and fully adjustable front seat was added. | length = 1955: 1956: 1957:
| width =
New "Star Flight" styling graced the 1957 Chieftains. This new theme included missile shaped side trim, extended rear fenders with V shaped tips, lower hoods and massive bumpers. A new Super Chief sub series debuted within the Chieftain line. These were the meant to be the top of the line Chieftain models. Sales were 58.02% of all Pontiacs in 1957. The first "Tri Power" Pontiac engines were offered. with horsepower increasing to 290 for the Chieftain models. This generation didn't experience the popularity as much as the Chevrolet Tri Five during the same years, even though the models were very similar.
Австралийское производство
Pontiac 1957 года, продававшийся под названием Pontiac Super Chief, также собирался в Австралии компанией General Motors Holden.