1940 Pontiac Deluxe

Description

OK, admit it: you haven't seen many Pontiac hot rod before. That's okay, because there aren't a lot of them at the cruise-ins, but there certainly should be. This 1940 Pontiac Deluxe 2-door sedan makes it easy to love the Excitement Division and its slick pre-war shape. With reliable small block power, a family-friendly interior, and an awesome fat-fendered look, nobody will blame you for falling in love.

Although the GM intermediates shared bodies, they each had their own unique look, and many will argue that the 1940 Pontiacs were the best-looking of the bunch. The front end was quite distinctive with its faired-in headlights and horizontal grilles, and body details like the famous Pontiac "silver streak" chrome running down the center of the hood look downright awesome. Magnetic Red paint from a C5 Corvette is gorgeous and suits the big Poncho just fine, showing off its more interesting features without being overpowering. Finish quality is quite good, although it's been driven and enjoyed, so it's not really a show car today. The doors fit well and the long pointed hood snugs up tightly to the cowl, so no unsightly gaps there, more indications of careful workmanship. The original chrome and trim remains largely intact, including the strips of brightwork running along the flanks from nose to tail as well as the original hood ornament and grilles. The bumpers have been shaved which makes a remarkable difference in the sleek look, but that's about it for body mods. The sucker just looks right.

For a lot of folks, a full-sized hot rod makes a lot of sense, and this two-door sedan is a fantastic road trip machine. The original seats were reupholstered in durable, handsome tan fabric which retains the vintage look without being excessively customized. Simple door panels with original moldings and billet hardware help keep the link to the past alive and the color-matched dashboard is rather nicely done. Factory gauges are pure art-deco style and are augmented by additional gauges under the dash. Add in a handsome leather-wrapped steering wheel on a tilt column, an AM/FM/cassette stereo radio, and that huge back seat and you have a no-compromises Pontiac that's ready to rock. There's even a good-sized trunk out back making it ideal for long-range cruises.

A Chevrolet 350 cubic inch V8 replaces the Pontiac's original straight six flathead engine, and it's a neat fit in the pointed engine bay. You can see that the work was thoughtfully done, with nice service access and a clean, well-organized look that suggests a careful builder at work. There's an Edelbrock carburetor on a matching aluminum intake manifold, chrome valve covers, and an open-element air cleaner on top. Custom headers fit tight to the block for good clearance and a rumbling dual exhaust system reminds onlookers that this is no stock Pontiac. A TH400 3-speed automatic transmission spins a Ford 9-inch rear, while the front suspension was replaced by a late-model front clip. Leaf springs in back carry plenty of weight and the sturdy original frame doesn't seem to mind the extra horsepower flowing through it. Cool American Racing wheels look great and carry 195/60/15 front and 215/60/15 rear BFGoodrich T/A radials for a sporty look.

Attractive, practical, and fun to drive, this slick sedan will make you rethink everything you think you know about Pontiac. With restoration photos and a great look, it's ready to drive and enjoy any time. Call today!