I'm looking to buy my first project car. I have a very limited budget. I found a 51' Pontiac Chieftain 4-door and a 53' Belair 4-door. Both very stock, the belair is in a lot better shape, but more expensive. I like 4-doors so lets not rip on that. I would ***ume parts for the chevy are more readily available...? For the near future my plan would be to get it running and driving. lower it, wide white walls, flake the roof. which would you buy? or what do you suggest for me?
I have no beef with four doors (unless guys try to make them into wannabe two doors). I love early Pontiacs, but the Chevrolet is the more practical choice. There are increasingly more parts options for them, and there were tons of them produced, so they're well understood. And even way back when, Pontiac turned its back on the flathead models once the OHV V8 came along, so there's not much parts interchange, whereas Chevrolet produced the stovebolt alongside the V8 until 1963. Grab the Chevy and save yourself a headache. -Dave PS And that's what I'd buy too.
You are far better off getting the car in better shape with more readily available parts. You will be able to get the Chevy on the road faster. The Pontiac may be more "unique" , or cooler, but more difficult to source parts.
Based on the budget stipulation (which I understand, I'm doing another build with the same parameter), I would probably go for the Chevy. I went for a project car that was cheaper and needed more work, and while I learned a **** load, it did put a lot of bad pressure on me at times. I almost threw in the towel. But, then again, who hasn't? Start off with the best condition car you an afford. The Chevy will be easier to find parts for, especially if there's panel work needed. That being said, a number of 49-52 Chevy parts *are* usable on a 51 Chieftain. I personally like the looks of the Chieftain better. I probably mucked up the waters for you, but hopefully not. Final ***essment.....Chevy.
Hmmmm.. after reading this I may change my vote. I voted for the Pontiac, but that's because I'm already working on a '49 Chevy more-door. If it's your first, you may want to consider not only price, but ease of parts, online support, etc. I think for you, I'd start with the Chevy.. Maybe project #2 go with the Pontiac. But all things considered.. either would be a hoot!
I haven't seen the Poncho so I don't know how much is there. But just your standard which would I prefer to own a '51 Pontiac or a '53 Chebby I would jump on the Pontiac. In my mind it is a little more work to not make one hokey but when done properly they are just a lot nicer car and you have the opportunity of not having a belly ****on car. No offense to the Chebby guys intended here.
It's difficult to choose without knowing how much different the cars are, the price is, and the amount of work needed on each. One MIGHT be ascreaming sdeal when all the facts are known. Buying as nice a starting platform as you can afford is always good for first-timers so you don't get in over your head.
Pontiac, just think of the feeling of accomplishment when you hit the street's after finishing that project. If you want the easy way out, the new car dealers open at 9:00 A.M. BDM
Damn....Ok....this sways me differently. If the bodies are mostly solid, mechanics are in fairly good working order, I change my mind and recant my vote for the Chevy......Take the Pontiac. Pictures make all the difference. Can you tell us the weak spots for both?
Pontiac- runs but can't be driven, bad brakes and possible other issues. Its been sitting for years. Missing some trim. Solid body. Interior needs to be redone. Chevy- runs, drives, stops. Body in great shape. well taken care of. guy has all the paperwork down to every oil change. Has a bad paint job. The Chevy is a grand more than the pontiac
I vote chevy, but I am biased. Paperwork in good order makes life easier. Ask yourself, could you fix up, register and drive the poncho with that extra $1k? Paint can wait. Does that chevy have power steering? if so, its worth $$ to some.
You also need to consider which car appeals to you the most, 53-54 chevs are everywhere no so much with the Pontiac. If you want a quick driver take the Chev if you want something just a bit different the Pontiac is calling. Personally believe if either one doesn't excite you then its going to be hard to get out and work on it and someone else will be buying it from you after it sits for years .
I like the Pontiac also. A grand will buy brakes and trim and maybe get you started on the interior, and if the paintjob is bad on the Chevy it will be a lot more work and money to redo then a few small issues on the Pontiac.
it sounds like you'll easily spend that $1k getting the pontiac up to the mechanical level of the chevy. If you're not in love with either body style, I think you should buy the chevy & save yourself some headaches. good luck with either.
So it sounds to me like you really, deep down, and perhaps subconsciously are pining for the Pontiac. Perhaps it's just the condition of the Chevy that's pulling you, and not the car itself? Like others have indicated....be SURE this is what you want, as you need to have the desire to work on it because of *what* it is, not its condition.
The real question becomes which one do you like and what do you plan to do with it? Remember these are not the only cars out there. Tell you a story, back in '03 the wife decided that I needed a driver until I finished up the build I was on. She got no arguement from me. So she's looking in the want ads and up pops this '56 Windsor. Guy says its a little rough but its drivable. it was within the budget that we had set. We trekk across Kansas to look at this ******. It was OK I worked on it for about an hour and got it running and driving, actually could have driven it home. But it wasn't the car. We ultimately looked at a dozen or so cars that fit our criteria. Finally gave up on it for the time being and kept the cash in the budget. One day we stubled across a '65 Galaxie in a wrecking yard. It was the car, within buget, old Earl Schieb job and almost a driver. Guess I'm trying to say don't get in a hurry. The absolute right car is out there. maybe its one of these but if you have any doubts keep looking.
Tough choice! My initial pick, just reading the choices involved, was the Pontiac. Reading the well thought out and common sense posts submitted, I figured the Chevy would be the best bet. Saw your pics and thumbnail descriptions of the two cars and finally voted for the Pontiac. Good luck with whichever you choose, looks like you can't really go wrong!
Having purchased a car that would drive and stop etc (car in the avatar)--I probably didn't look close enough to the detail stuff that I should have. I decided to check the brakes and I found that all 85**x miles must have been on this set of brakes. I ended up replacing drums/wheel cylinders/master cylinder/lines/hoses and cleaned 60 years of grease and rust off of the backing plates. Found that the king pins hadn't been fitted when the dropped spindles had been installed (honed those out) and since it leaked a little I ended up replacing the rear wheel seals/pinion seal/****** seal and was planning on just replacing front and rear seals in the engine. I ended up putting rods and mains in because the bearings were toast. I'd be surprised if both of your cars will need lots of this kind or work and that levels the playing field a little. Then it boils down to the one that is the coolest to you. Good luck on whatever choice you make--I think that there are some parts of Chevrolets that fit on Pontiacs, if you really need that info before making the choice, PM me and I will ask my cousin who buys and sells old Ponchos to give an idea what interchanges.
My two sense: Cool looks, more headaches, work, scarce parts = Pontiac. Good looks, less work, less scarce parts = Chevy. The money & time factor will probaly balance unless it's mucho $$$$, I like the fact the owner had records of work, indicates well kept. Good luck either way.
The Chevy seems like a better starting point. Looks wise -I like the shorter nose, one piece windshield and the rear window on the Chevy over the Pontiac.
Ya, I'm with the other guys, it's gonna take more than a grand to get the Pontiac to the same level as the Chevy....but if you want to stand out in the crowd...go Pontiac
Well based on paint, yeah i'd pick the Pontiac. It's the lines of the car that I look at most. Im not sure if I like the rear fenders on the Pontiac, how they slant down and are more rounded. I do like the idea of being different... hard decision! maybe I should get both, haha
Both of those cars would be a nice ride. If your mechanical abilities are up to it, the Poncho would be my choice, First thing I would do is find a good running old Caprice with a small block in it, for about $500 and do an engine swap, now you have a dependable driver (be sure to fix the brakes while the car is down for the engine transplant) while you work on the rest of the car. I am a big fan of donor vehichles for projects like this. If you are looking for something to cruise tomorrow buy the Chevy. Either way your going to have fun.
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