This was last months score. I was looking hard for a new 50's car to get ready for next summer. I found this 53 Pontiac Cheiftain deluxe convertible. I could not resist, and a deal was struck. Not was I was looking for, but how often do you find a 50's convertible. It was parked in 76 with 48,000 miles on it. I picked it up from the second owner. He parked it because the gas tank leaked, and then never touched it again. Heres some pics after i towed it out of its resting spot. Looks nicer than it is. The floors were gone, and its a repaint the owner did in 1974. After i got it home, a little work, some parts and the straight 8 flathead fired right up and purred like a kitten. (running on a water bottle full of gas at a time) I fixed the floors, rebuilt all the brakes, and got the interior ready for some new skins. I looked high and low for info on the production numbers of this car. No luck. The grille is rusted through, and im not a big fan of it anyway. I got a game plan, and it involved a new stance, black and white interior, white top, 53 chevy grille, and some shaving, and frenching. Follow this by a coat of a copper gold paint, new chrome, and its already built in my head. A good friend, and talented guy to say the least was kind enough to put my plans on paper. He framed it up, and I picked it up yesterday. I was impressed to say the least. Today I found this one for sale on ebay....... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pont...789QQitemZ380091980789QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks I called him, and picked his brain. 1 of 3??????? You have to be kidding me. He claims that its true according to his research. This made me think twice before cutting it up, and making it my own. This is the first time I have ever falterted before sinking in the cutoff wheels, and firing up the welders. What do you think??? I know I'll get plenty of dont cut it up from restorers, but is it really rare, or is this guy out in left field? On a side note...... Any good source for parts?? Repop parts catalogs?
I don't know where the eBay guy got his information but there were 13,500 convertibles built that year. Certainly, only a fraction of that number are still around today but I would guess there area lot more than three of them. Personally I like the Pontiac grille better but that's just me. I do like the copper color.
the 1 of 3 is the typical restore making his car more rare. sure there was 13,500 made, then figure his is an auto, cut number in half, body color, top color, interior color, take 1/20 of number and so on till you come up with your car being the only one ever produced like it.
neat ride! if it was 1 of 3 the price would be triple what their asking. i would have a really hard time cutting this car up. sell it and fund the project you really want.
If they made 13,500, you can figure there's at least 550 of them left (4%), including every possible example in the US from restored cars, to those forgotten in barns or garages, to those still sitting in junkyards. 1 of 3 sounds like that might be how many are registered and insured - in one state -
Hmmm 1 of 3? I smell a little BS....it is a rare car though. I'd think the regular Chieftain Convert would be more rare than the Cheiftain Deluxe Convert. Kinda like the Chevy II SS cars with the 6 cylinder and bench seats. Most people that would pop for the convertible would also upgrade to the Deluxe trim group. I dig the Chevy Grille with the Poncho hood strip. I'm a little partial to these old slugs. I own a '54 and a '55. I think I found all 3+ a couple more in less than 0.29 seconds! #1 He has a maroon one #2 Here is a black one http://www.velocityjournal.com/journal/1953/pontiac/6977/index.html #3 Here is a green one http://www.carsclassic.com/stock/1953 PONTIAC CHIEFTAIN CONVERTIBLE.html #4 and here is another green one http://www.seriouswheels.com/1950-1959/1953-Pontiac-Convertible-Green-FA.htm #5 is a red one that is in this guys collection http://www.jwstephensclassiccars.com/ oops that makes his 1 of 6 now that you found yours
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