My 51 Pontiac Cheiftan... Shall I go Mild Custom?

I would do this... First rechrome bumpers, grille, and tailight bezels.. then replace the 'arrow head' on the front fender with a standard spear, remove handles, the little chief medallion, the pontiac script, the antenna, and the visor ( dont have the skills to remove that on Picasa).

I would then replace the bulky Chieftain trunk handle/emblem with a more sleek Streamliner piece.



Thats my $0.02

 

I would also paint the bottom half of your dashboard white, it will break it up better and give an awesome two tone.

But at the same time, it looks great just stock and lowered.

 

Not trying to hijack, but heres what I did to my 51 fastback to give you some ideas of a mild custom Poncho..
I have since put the belt line trim back on.

 

Man I need to get me a Poncho.

 

hey 51 streamliner, are those whites 6.7s? I had them on my poncho but they looked too small to me, may have been a height thing though, mine is a little higher


By null at 2011-08-09

 

Yeah they're Firestone 6.70's. I see what you mean on yours, if it was lower they wouldn't look so small. That's a clean Pontiac you got there! Do you haul a trailer with it? Is that what the fender mirrors are for?

 

I thought I recognized that building. I work downtown. Bring yoru car down this weekend for the bike races. They are a blast if you haven't seen them before. Car looks great!

 

Thats clean!! I want a fastback!

Yeah I love watching Tulsa Tough. Specially the street party in hippieville on Sunday, I think? The Riverside day.

 

The tow mirrors are optional wibrocs that were on the car when i got it, if it had the 8 i'd tow but it is a poverty pack six, I've gone out to L78s now with a four inch whitewall, fill out the guards nicely now, but lower would be nice, got to look at it again. Flaking out a visor now and maybe do the roof in the next few weeks. got a thing for the lowrider bomba style so movin in that direction slightly

 

Lowering it and rechroming stuff and maybe add a few bolt ons.nothing crazy.. Im looking at a 54 pontiac now and that is the plan I have if I get it.

 

As of now I am going to lower it, fix the paint spots and get a headliner for it. And carpet. Then drive it.

 

I need some recommendations for a headliner kit. I don't have the bows. I basically need everything. I swear I saw a kit somewhere but can't find it now. I have never done any interior. I was also told I needed some sort of cloth door seals that go all the way to floor, for the headliner to work?

I also need a carpet kit.
I've heard 51 chevy headliner and carpet kit will work.

 

Nice Pontiac bro, more brite work would be great as money allows, chrome powder coating is o.k. for undercarriges and not good for main pieces like bumpers etc. Take your time and scout around and you may pick up some previously owned chrome trim stuff. Headliners are rough to install for a rookie, get some pro help on this one.The car is *** kickin as it sets so you should have a blast cruzin it. Please what ever you do, don't remove the fab hood and trunk ribbed trim. Enjoy the great ride! ~sololobo~

 

I am going to find someone local for headliner.

Whats a good carpet kit out there? Im sure its the same as 50-54 Chevy, there are lots out there. I am looking for an 80/20 I believe, just something simple that will fit the quality of the rest of the car... a good driver.

Also, who carries gl*** teardrop shifter knobs and ****ons?

 

custom, start with lowering it.

 

I think for starters I am going to remove the door Pontiac Eight emblems, fix a few minor rust issues.

I am also thinking of reworking the front end, doing a custom single horizontal grill bar. I like the grill on it, but I want something more simple. Other than that, I am thinking of doing some custom frenched rear tail lights. I think the stock ones would look good or maybe another style. Thoughts? I ideas?

 

I think for starters I am going to remove the door Pontiac Eight emblems, fix a few minor rust issues.

I am also thinking of reworking the front end, doing a custom single horizontal grill bar. I like the grill on it, but I want something more simple. Other than that, I am thinking of doing some custom frenched rear tail lights. I think the stock ones would look good or maybe another style. Thoughts? I ideas?

 

Triple Post.... EDIT

 

I like sharing ideas...they're free! I'm totally into the mild custom idea.

Frenched tail lights would cool. I would look at '53 Chevy lenses (available from NightProwlers), which are slightly more pointed. I would also move the license plate (and light) to the bumper, using a '53 Pontiac or '49 Chevy guard. Swap out the 2" blocks for some 3". Extend the skirts downward to the fender bottom line. Swap the front fender side molding side for side, to visual lower it and better conform to the wheel opening. (No cost.) You can also see if you like the front bumper inverted. Dropped spindles would be nice, but a cut coil is cheap and easy.

If any of this appeals, I'll start thinking about the grille.

 

I've seen some of the powder coated chrome and it looks pretty darn good...guess it depends on your pocket book and the quality you want. Nice car.

 

Mo'-

Those are good ideas, I too thought about lenghening fender skirts. I like to swapping trim from side to side, some have said replace with sword style end, but I like this spear style.

 

The "fabric" that goes around the doors with the headliner is called windlace. They can make it out of whatever material they make the headliner out of. Nice Poncho, you outta roll out to Dallas fot The Invasion carshow this saturday so I can check it out in person !

 

Yeah I have the windlace already, got it when I did the headliner.

That would be a good show, but already have plans. I need to replace front TRE's and bushings before I take that long of a trip.

 

https://plus.google.com/photos/117971812576117024899/albums/5789322327192015713?authkey=CI2S3Yqn-_HRpAEHere is my 53 I just lowered, 4 inch blocks in the back, heated the springs in the front.

 

Cut 3 coils out. Started with two but it needed more. Keep in mind it has a 350 which weighs a few hundred less than straight 8.

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Reworking the grill and removing the door emblems will make it look like a Chevy. Nothing wrong with that at all, but if you're going to do that, you shoulda bought a Chevy. Don't lose the Pontiac trim.

The headliner hangs from the wire bows, which you need to find. They are indeed the same as Chevy and small Olds.

Neat old car.

Brian

 

Dropped it down. Took 3 coils out. Since the 350 weighs soo much less than the straight eight it needed more drop. I think the rear needs to come down about an inch or so more. Drives just fine.

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Also I did the headliner and carpet last month. Here is how it turned out.

Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app

 

Added some new sill plates to finish it off.

Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app

 

Looks great! Does the new headliner and carpet make you want to to redo the seats?

Brian