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General Pontiac Information The information on this page can be found in "The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975" - Krause Publications

1942 I have no info for 1942's. A great deal of the following info probably applies to the 42's but I don't want to make any assumptions. Please send any info you may have about the pre-war Pontiacs. 1946

Torpedo Series Series 25 - (Six) Series 27 - (Eight) Torpedos comprised Pontiac's short wheelbase line,
(GM's A-Body) Buyers could order any Torpedo on either the six or eight cylinder chassis ($27-30 extra for eights). There was no difference in Series 25 or Series 27 features, except for engine identifying trim. Styling highlights (all Pontiacs) were wraparound bumpers, massive 14-blade grille, new nameplates and concealed safe-light parking lamps. An Indianhead Mascot with upward curved feathers, short moldings atop front fenders, absence of belt moldings and painted pin stripes on the fender 'speed line' ribs distinguished Torpedos. Lettering on hood emblems and badges placed forward of the 'speed lines' identified Eights. Closed body Torpedos came with grey tan cloth trims and convertibles were done in cloth combined with black, tan, green, blue or red leather.

Streamliner Series Series 26 - (Six) Series 28 - (Eight) Streamliners represented Pontiac's long wheelbase line,
(GM's B-Body) The first postwar Pontiac available (Sept. 13,1945) was the sedan coupe, which remained the sole product for a time. Streamliners could be identified by straight-back Indianhead hood ornaments, chrome beltline moldings and bright moldings on the 'speedline' fender ribs. They also had longer front fender crown moldings and were generally larger in size. Interior trims on passenger cars were in grey striped cloth. Station wagons had three seats in standard trim: two in Deluxe and used imitation leather upholstery and passenger car style interior hardware.

1947

Torpedo Series Series 25 - (Six) Series 27 - (Eight) The Torpedos comprised the same line as 1946. A 'Silver Streak' styling theme was continued, now with five bands of chrome on hoods. All Pontiacs had new grilles with four broad, gently bowed horizontal bars. Hoods and fenders were protected by an inverted steerhorn shaped bar incorporating a die-cast plate with Indianhead relief. Torpedos carried no beltline or 'speedline' moldings and had short strips of chrome on front fender crowns. All 1947 Pontiacs had identical hood ornaments. Interiors were similar to 1946, but due to material shortages some convertibles were built with red, blue or black imitation leather upholstery in combination with tan Bedford cloth. Only the Torpedo sedan coupe had fastback styling with individual-loop side window moldings.

Streamliner Series Series 26 - (Six) Series 28 - (Eight) Streamliners also stayed basically the same as 1946, except for grille and trim variations. Interiors for coupes and sedans were redesigned with Berwick Beige panels for dashboard and windows. Windshield, door and garnish moldings were finished in Autumn Brown with Dado stripe border moldings. All coupes and sedans in this series were fastbacks with full-loop window moldings.

1948

Torpedo Series Series 25 - (Six) Series 27 - (Eight) There were no radical appearance changes in Torpedos except for adoption of new Pontiac styling including triple 'Silver Streaks', a horizontal grille theme with vertical shafts and round taillights. The word 'Silver Streak' was carried on the sides of the hood with Eights having an '8' placed between the two words. The model lineup was expanded by offering several body styles with DeLuxe trims. Characterizing standard models were plain fenders and rubber gravel guards. DeLuxes had fender moldings, bright metal gravel guards and chrome plated wheel discs. Grey tan cloth continued as trim on standard Torpedos, but DeLuxe types with closed bodies used tan and dark blue pattern cloth combinations. Convertibles came with genuine Colonial grain leather or imitation leather upholstery and had instrument boards lacquered in body color.

Streamliner Series Series 26 - (Six) Series 28 - (Eight) Streamliners were again larger and more expensive. All Streamliners, 2-door and 4-door fastbacks (B-body) and the station wagon, now came standard and DeLuxe. As on Torpedos, DeLuxe models were distinguished by spear moldings on front fenders, bright gravel guards and chrome plated wheel discs on all cars except wagons. DeLuxe interiors had two-tone trims with pillow-and-tuft seat backs, quarter-sawed mahoany dash and window trim, electric glove box door clocks, DeLuxe steering wheels and other rich appointments. Standard wagons had tan imitation leather seats and DeLuxe wagons had red upholstery of the same type.

Convenience Options

Rear window wiper. Windshield washer. White sidewall discs. Fog lights. Safety light. Weather Chief (dash type). Defroster (dash type). Venti-Heat underseat heater and defroster. Five-tube Master radio. Seven-tube Air Mate radio. Eight-tube Air King radio. Mast antenna. Rear fender panels (Torpedo). Rear fender panels with moldings (Streamliner). Sponge rubber cushions (per body style). Kool Kushin. Luggage compartment light. Lock package. Electric visor vanity mirror. E-Z-I non-glare rearview mirror. Non-electric visor vanity mirror. Hand brake lamp. Umbrella holder. Santoy seat covers (per body style). Bumper guards, wheel rim rings, electric clock, exhaust deflector and various lights available in standard accessory packages.

Notes on Model Nomenclature

1942: I have no different 1942 info for this topic.

1946: The 3-passenger coupe was called a Business coupe. The convertible was called a Convertible Sedan Coupe. Two-door fastsbacks were also referred to as "Sport Dynamic" coupes.

1947: Body styles 47-2567 and 47-2767 were now called convertible coupes. Body styles 47-2507, 47-2707, 47-2607 and 47-2807 were "Sport Dynamic" coupes and are commonly known as "fastsbacks" today. Body styles 47-2609 and 47-2809 were "Sport Dynamic " 4-dr sedans, also with fastback styling.

1948: When (D) appears after Body Style Number, car is believed to have come in both standard and DeLuxe sub-series'. Factory sources conflict on which Torpedos came both ways and some of these cars (i.e. standard convertible coupe) may never have been manufactured.

Data on the Powertrain Torpedos and Sreamliners could both be ordered with either a Six or an Eight Cylinder Engine. The L-head engine (flat-head) dated back to 1926 and was used through 1954. 1942 I am not aware of any changes made to the engines between 42 and 46. Send any info you may have on this subject. 1946

Six Cylinder: L-head. Cast iron block.
Displacement: 239.2 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3-9/16 x 4 inches
Compression ratio: (Standard) 6.5:1 (Optional) 7.5:1
Brake horsepower: 90 at 3200 R.P.M.
Four main bearings. Solid valve lifters.
Carburetor: Carter WAI-537-S, One-barrel.

Eight Cylinder: L-head. Cast iron block.
Displacement: 248.9 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3-1/4 x 3-3/4 inches
Compression ratio: (Standard) 6.5:1 (Optional) 7.5:1
Brake horsepower: 103 at 3500 R.P.M.
Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters.
Carburetor: Carter WDO-548-S, Two-barrel.

1947 Same as 1946 except the following:

Six Cylinder: Sixes now employed one-barrel Carter 537S carburetors.

Eight Cylinder: Eights now switched to Carter WCD types 630S or 630SB.

1948 Same as 1946 and 1947 except the following:

Six Cylinder: Brake horsepower: (Standard) 90 at 3400 R.P.M.
(Optional) 93 at 3400 R.P.M.

Eight Cylinder: Brake horsepower: (standard head) 104 at 3800 R.P.M.
(optional "high head") 106 at 3800 R.P.M.
Carburetor: Carter WDO-630-S, Two-barrel

Power Train Options All 1946 and 1947's and earlier Pontiacs had three-speed manual transmissions with column shifting. Performance options were limited to: 3.9:1 (Economy) and 4.55:1 (Mountain) rear axle gear ratios, a 7.5:1 "high compression" cylinder head and Automatic No-Rol device. (If anyone can explain a No-Rol device to me please do so. I have never heard of one until now.) Thanks to 48 owner Art Klug who found and sent in this description from his 48 accessory list:
"This is an automatic device which prevents a car from rolling backward on inclines during traffic waits. It retains the hydraulic pressure developed in the braking system until the clutch pedal is released. It eliminates the necessity for keeping the foot on the brake during stops on hills and reduces clutch wear." Wonder how it works. Ever seen or used one? 1948 A three-speed manual gear box with column mounted gearshift was standard on all lines. Hydra-Matic drive was a new option available on all lines at $185 extra. High-compression cylinder heads and economy and mountain axles remained available. An Automatic No-Rol device was offered.

Chassis Features (1946-48) I am not aware of any differences in 42 models.

Torpedos: Wheelbase: 119 inches.
Overall length: 204.5 inches.
Front tread: 58 inches.
Rear tread: 61 1/2 inches.
Tire size: 6.00 x 16. Tube type.

Streamliners: Wheelbase: 122 inches.
Overall length: (Passenger cars) 210 1/4 inches.
(Station Wagons) 215 5/8 inches.
Front tread: 58 inches.
Rear tread: 61 1/2 inches.
Tire size: 6.50 x 16. Tube type.

If you have any corrections or additional information please send it to me so I can add it to what I have. I am missing some info for 42's. If you can help complete these pages please do so.

Torpedo1@pcmagic.net For first time contacts: Please let me know where or how you found this site.