1939 Pontiac Deluxe 120 'Silver Streak' Convertible
Coachwork by Fisher
Registration no. FYO 541
Chassis no. EB18262
Engine no. 6-502086

The Pontiac companion marque originated within another member of the General Motors family: Oakland. Located in Pontiac, Michigan, Oakland had grown out of the Pontiac Buggy Company and thus the name of the eponymous Indian Chief seemed a natural choice for its new model. The latter had been conceived as a quality six-cylinder car for the price of a four and was a runaway success, setting what was then a record for debut-year sales of almost 77,000 units, which was more than its Oakland parent achieved that year. Contributing to the Pontiac Six's success was the fact that it boasted up-to-the-minute styling yet was mechanically entirely conventional. By the early 1930s there was an eight-cylinder car in the range alongside Standard and Deluxe six-cylinder models, all of which gained a new styling device for 1935 in the form of multiple chromed hood strips. This styling device soon gained the sobriquet 'Silver Streak', though that name would not actually appear on a Pontiac until the 1948 range was announced. The Pontiac 'Silver Streak' offered here is an example of the larger, better equipped and more expensive of the two six-cylinder ranges, the Deluxe, which for 1939 was built on a 120" wheelbase chassis and powered by a 222.7ci (3.6-litre) sidevalve engine producing 85bhp. This rare, right-hand drive example was supplied new via H R Owen in London, though its first owner did not take delivery of the car until March 1943. During WW2, the market for large, expensive motor cars had all but vanished and buyers had to be well connected in order to acquire such vehicles, which were in any case in very short supply. We are advised that 'FYO 541' has been used for shows and rallies, featuring in a motoring magazine in 1994 (copy on file). For the last 13 years it has been with the current (lady) vendor, who has enjoyed driving it on a regular basis. As well as the aforementioned magazine, the accompanying history file contains instruction manuals; lubrication charts; installation manual for the convertible top; Swansea V5; and a substantial quantity of maintenance bills and other documents. A wonderful opportunity to acquire a stylish, soft-top example of classic 1930s Americana, rarely seen in right-hand drive configuration.