Customs Unfinished Business- '53 Pontiac 2-dr Project

Read for a minute. I promise lots of pictures to make up for the reading!

So almost three years to the day, I bought a 1953 Pontiac Chieftain 2-door Sedan. I still lived in Vegas at the time, had no place to keep it, and had a buddy with some extra space in his garage so thankfully, he provided some housing for it.

The car was purchased from a guy who knew absolutely nothing about it and had aquired it from a body shop that was going out of business. He told me it was a 1954 Chieftain, and from all the pictures I'd seen that seemed correct (based on what I could see). Here's the original thread on the car from 2007...

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=152347&highlight=poncho&showall=1

Not long after purchasing the car I actually ran the numbers and found it to be a 1953 Pontiac, not a '54. I had HUGE plans for that car! It sort of found me, I guess you could say. When I saw it I just had to have it and the wheels started turning for a sweet custom!

Well, unfortunately, hard times hit and since the project had low seniority to my Model A, it had to go! The car went to a Long Beach HAMBer and was happy to see it stay in the HAMB family.

Shortly after all this, I moved here to Huntington. I never stopped thinking how I was forced to sell it and never stopped thinking how cool it would have been to finish the car. The good thing was, I kept in touch with the owner and his friends and told him that if you ever sold it I want a shot at it in case I'm in the position. Well.... recently I got the message that the car "could be for sale".

I stretched my pennies and GOT IT BACK!!!!!

Here's how it looked before in 2007 when it left the garage...



I had no idea what to expect when I went to look at it. All I knew is that the original straight-8 had been yanked and the front clip removed.

Here's what I saw...




As sad as it may seem, the foundation was good for the project and when I looked at 'er it was like that puppy at the pound with it's sad eyes saying "take me home! Save me". So we struck a more than fair deal and I rounded up some good friends (and HAMBers) to lend me a hand picking 'er up.

D-day!



Straight eight, front clip, and hood, all loaded into Paul's (Roadsterpu) truck. Ton of work on everyone's part. Had the help of Crazydaddyo, Roadsterpu, Norton, Longbeachdave, his buddy, and my girlfriend Holly. It took all of us!








Got it back to the shop and strung out all the parts to see what's there and what it needs...









Front suspension is in SAD form! I don't know how many coils have been cut off those front springs, but it was almost on the bump stops!





Stock engine is frozen, but I'm going to soak it to see if it can be turned over.



The straight Eight will be replaced with a 389 and 4-speed Hydra-matic trans out of a 1960 Catalina. Engine and trans was provided thanks to my lovely little sis', Brandy! Thanks babe!





The whole thing needs a TON of work, obviously, but it's mostly complete, solid, and pretty damn straight too!









So what's the plan, you ask? Here's my thoughts...

* Stock trim and accessories
* Low stance, maybe even bagged (we'll see)
* rebuild on the 389 and add a 4bbl and headers for a little extra getup
* overall idea is to have a good road trip car that is dependable so we can get in it and go whenever we want to go somewhere. Maybe even daily driver material.

More than anything it will just be a great car to put together and a good project for the lady and I. She's just as excited about the car as I am and wants to be involved every step of the way! She might change her mind once we start stripping that nasty blue, white, and tan primer off! HAHA!

So that's it! That's what I have to work with! One thing is for sure though... can't invest money and too much time into this Pontiac until the Model A is done. I mostly wanted to get this thing back in my hands. I'm still super motivated to get the Murray done and on the road before anything!

Thanks for looking and thanks to everyone that helped get it back here! I appreciate all your help! And thanks to Dave (if you're reading) for keepin' in touch with me on the car!

Cheers!

 

It's got radials on it, you should probably hand that 389 over to me and I'll give you a 350 to put in there.

Loving it dude! We'll probably start on our cars at the same time so I definitely be checking in again and again to gain inspiration.

Oh why don't you take it to Ian Berky right now to whack the roof down a bit. I know if I was out there I would!

 

Cool story and car. Good luck on the build.

 

Tis good to be the much beloved brother of the Poncho Princess. I'm excited! I'll be down for the gnrs!

 

AHH a story with a happy ending warms the heart. Seriously very cool that you got the car back will be fun to watch the progress on this one. Haven't seen anything on the Murray lately whats up??

 

It's blown apart for final chassis prep and primer. Prep work is taking forever! I'm a little behind (duh! ), but soon to be back on track. Had a lot of unplanned things going on.

No chop brotha! The lid will be stock height.

Best sis EVER! We'll see you in a couple weeks!

Thanks everyone for the words! Looking forward to the build, when it's time!

 

Off the top of my head, here's the things I notice...

- The hood is a '54 hood, so the '53 trim will have to be mounted with new holes
- hood waterfall is earlier and NOT a '53/'54
- Chief head hood ornament is missing
- side door trim is missing and someone closed up some of the holes on the passenger side to mount it. (that's going to be fun to locate)
- the surface rust is substantial but not cancerous
- will have to make a few floor panels up front and a rear pan in the trunk
- no fuel tank
- body overall is very straight with a few dings and dents to pull and fix
- windows are all in good shape except the wing windows and the drivers side door glass
- front clip sub-frame (mounts the radiator, headlights, and connects the fenders) has some damage, but repairable
- front suspension is pretty well toast. Everything will have to be rebuilt and I would like to convert to discs. A front clip or MII may be in order for that venture
- brakes are completely toast on all four corners and even the parking brake cable is broken
- interior is all there with the exception of some dash items (radio, few knobs, etc.)
- interior will obviously have to be completely redone down to the seat springs
- front bumper is probably beyond repair and is missing the over-rider arrangement.
- Need an entire front '53 Pontiac grille assembly. The 54 grille stuff will be sold or traded, hopefully
- I know nothing about early 389's or Hydra-matic transmission, so going to need some help from HAMBers for sure, on that avenue! Lots to learn!

Here's some more pictures...

Front floor rot. Could be worse. No problem making a panel for that.



Got a lot of junk in my trunk...



Torn front clip sub-frame



Trunk rot



(old picture)



Back seat was recovered at some point...

 

This car belongs to a HAMBer, (buzz bomb) and is greatly inspirational for the build!

 

SO....I am guessing some spiderwebs and maltese crosses will be part of the build!!!! So by the time this is done and the model A, you will be able to cruise with George Jetson....you better just sell me that pontiac engine because my the time its done you won't able to buy gas!!!!

Anyways cool car!!!! hey next time you need a trailer hit me up! don't rent one! and no I am not offering it to every one!!! I am only offering it to him because he is Brandy's brother! and feel sorry for her!

 

389s are easy, my young grasshoppa!

 

Yeah, yeah! I know! I pretty much feel like that too. It really has been forever. I didn't realize until today that it has actually been MORE than 3 years since I started on the Model A! That makes me REALLY frustrated!!

I'm looking into flying car kits as we speak...

Thanks man!! Errr... wait! Uuu... Yeah! Thanks!

 

Hahaha and because he IS my brother, I gave him that engine and trans with very strong strings attached; it must ALWAYS stay in da family. =oP

 

After building Hemis, I'm guessing it should be a snap... Lots of good info out there. I need to start reading soon.

 

AND I get to make BOTH of us accessory brackets!!

 

look pretty good shape, get the drivetrain finish brake workin drive it for awhile than paint it

 

buzz bomb's ride is definitely cool and I normally do not like them hammered that far down. I might like to finish my '54 in a similar color as his roof....tasty.

 

I'm going to start a thread for the drive-line build at some point, but maybe someone can tell me in the mean time someone can help with some resources to look for information for some questions I have...

(yes I've seen Axle's pontiac motor thread)

What do I need to know about cam or other internal interchangability with these earlier 389's? Was Edelbrock the only one to make an aftermarket intake? Is anyone one making one NOW that will work? I would like to run a 4bbl.

Anyone floor shifting a 4-speed hyra-matic? Is it the same output shaft as the earlier hydra-matics (like the stock one that came behind the '53 Inline-8). Would be nice to use the same driveshaft if possible.

Am I going to pay an arm and a leg to have someone go through that Hydra-matic or is it a pretty straight-forward rebuild with readily available parts? Little worried about that.

Anyone know anything about the rear ends in these cars?? Are they strong or should I look for something else and do a rear brake upgrade at the same time?

 

Yeah! Thinkin' the same thing!

 

OH MAN. So much potential there.

 

Awesome car! Thanks for keeping it Poncho powered!
You have a great resource in San Pedro- Ace at Pacific Performance Racing (PPR)- he knows his Pontiacs and has some great parts at reasonable prices.
On the Hydramatic- I don't know if I'd invest big cash in it. They can be real expensive and some of the parts are getting hard to find. You are better off getting an expensive trans adapter that allows the use of modern transmissions (either BOP 350/400's or Chevy-- overdrive for a driver is nice!) try this one http://www.wilcap.com/pontiac.html#389350
BTW- Offenhauser made intakes for the early Pontiacs, there are a few on evilbay right now- I don't recall if they were singles or TriPower models, but there were at least two there this past weekend.
Later-
John

 

Nice car. Dont give up on her.

 

Any Pontiac cam will slide right in. I took the 292 Crane out of my '65 421 and bolted it right into the 347 in my '57 Safari. Straight bolt in, no modifications, no screwing around, ran like a scalded ape.

Any 55 to 60 intake should be a direct bolt on including the aftermarket ones. A little (or a lot) screwing around might adapt later ones. Case in point,by using a '65 water crossover and making up spacer plates, I fitted my stock '57 F I to the '65 up heads.

Hot street setup in the early years, 58 on, was the 425A trophy series. This used cam Pontiac 524886 with 283-293-402 duration. Was replaced by MacKeller #7 a year or two later. TriPower, 57 to 60 should bolt on, used small base 2Gs for all three carburetors in 57-58, large base ones on the ends 59-60. This package used streamlined exhaust manifolds, but they might be year specific. Probably not the easiest thing to find and you'd want to check clearances when adapting to your earlier chassis.

If you want to stay with a Pontiac rear end and be strong enough for a stout 389, the '57 is the last year of leaf springs and the first year of the rear ends noted for their strength (57 to 64). '57-58 are probably the only ones narrow enough for your body style.

These are strong motors. Just a cam change, free flowing exhaust, good valve job, and decent intake will really wake it up.

 

Great info! Thanks for taking the time to type all that! Good stuff! And YES! This is what I was thinking also. Wasn't planning on any crazy over-bores or wild cams, but something just to get this pile of iron moving good down the highway and make it dependable. I have no idea what's going on inside the motor, but if it's as nice inside as I suspect, then maybe I'll luck out with just a clean-up, hone, re-ring, freshen up the valve train, re-bearing, throw a decent manifold and carb on there and go.

That's what I was afraid someone would say. Uhg. I had thought about even running an overdrive auto trans like a 200r4 with the BOP pattern. Maybe I should be considering the later adaptation a little more seriously. I would like to use what I have, but if I'm destined for issues it has to go. This car HAS to be good on the highway! Going to see miles when it's done!

 

Well, I am sure since you have some other stuff to get to before this car gets underway you might come up with all the necessary stuff you get yourself a 700r or something. I hate to be the guy that sounds like a gold chainer but with a car like this, do it once and do it right. Working on a model a is one thing but getting under a car like this to build mounts and shit sucks and I would want to do it right the first time.

You've got time thought and if I know you at all you research the shit out of every option.

 

Looks like a nice solid car to start with.
Keep us updated with the progress.

I am still using the stock rear axle and brakes on mine and its running a SBC

 

EXACTLY, Jeffey!!! I couldn't agree more!!! Going to be a body-off type of deal as well! I'm considering even doing a 4-link rear and a kick-up or notch in the back, but we'll see how things go. I like the idea of keeping it simple-stupid, but at the same time I really want good handling and control for this car. The Model A will be my stripped down, "haul-ass and destroy people" car (thanks Jack for the quote) and I want a bunch of cushy crap for this car.

 

Cool!!! I have been going back and forth whether or not to take the body off my frame on my '54. Still not sure. Even though I would like to, I am afraid that it would turn into one of those 10 year projects to put back. My friend Del just notched his '54 and I'll tell you that it would be a ton easier to do it with the body off. I don't think I'll get my car down that low as to need a huge notch in the back. I might just need a "C" notch for what I am shooting for.

I am sticking with the stock front suspension with the exception 2" dropped uprights and lowered coils. I have all of that blasted apart and I would like to get everything painted before putting it back in again. For the back I have a '53 Olds rear, driveshaft, that'll hook up to the 365 Caddy motor backed by a rebuilt tranny. I am not sure I am going to need to rebuilt the engine as it looks very clean. I am just going to get it checked for cracks and see where it goes from there before going any further.

Like you I am trying to keep it simple since I really don't consider myself a custom guy. I just want something cool to drive the family around as a whole and keep Davina happy. It's really her car now and she has full reign on the colors and style. I am just putting it together.

As for "Hauling Ass and destroying people" I can't wait to see that come to life. I know I am going to miss my '26 when it leaves since it's the only car that'll handle the abuse. Everything else is banjo rears and '39 top loaders from here on out.

 

If any of you have inspirational Poncho chassis, drive train, or other pics and/or ideas, feel free to post them!

So the stock rear axle is not worthy of the 389 in this case?

If I decide to do something like a MII up front, maybe I'll switch all the wheels over to a 15" Chevy patterned wheel and go with a 12 bolt or maybe a late 50's posi rear, or something. Or, I guess I could just have everything redrilled to the whacky 5 on 5 wheel pattern. One thing is for sure... I gotta' get rid of the different lug styles. I want everything to be standard RH lug style. The RH-LH mixed lug style is a pain!

 

great start!!

 

Funny, I was thinking of switching everything over to the 5 on 5 style that Olds that I pirated the rear from had. I just love the look of the wheels but I am not exactly sure just yet.