Make: | Pontiac |
Model: | Chieftain |
SubModel: | Deluxe Convertible |
Type: | Convertible |
Trim: | Deluxe Convertible |
Year: | 1950 |
Mileage: | 80000 |
VIN: | F8TS1249 |
Color: | Black |
Engine: | 268ci Straight 8 |
Cylinders: | 8 |
Transmission: | Manual |
Drive type: | 3 Speed |
Interior color: | Red |
Vehicle Title: | Clean |
Item location: | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States |
This car has a very interesting history. The seller purchased this fairly rare automobile from the late William H. Leland II in 2010. Bill was the Great-great Nephew of Henry Leland, who of course founded Cadillac in 1902, then went on to found Lincoln in 1928. Bill bought this car in 1952 with just 17,000 miles on the odometer. The original owner was the late Carl Carlson from Worcester, Mass. The car was sold new at the long-defunct Stockhaus Motors in Worcester. This car was originally "Skylark Blue", which was similar to a robin's egg blue. Wanting a black car, Bill hired a professional autobodyman to do a color change from the blue to black lacquer. He did a phenomenal job, as it's virtually impossible to tell that the color was changed. He repainted the firewall, door edges, and the inside of the trunk lid. All chrome was removed from the car to do the repaint.
Other than the repaint, the car is TOTALLY original....including the red leather seats, door panels, carpeting, and black canvas top. The top was redyed using a top quality product called "Renovo"-It now looks like new.
Bill stored the car up on blocks, covered, from 1970-2010. The original 1970 Massachusetts inspection sticker is still affixed to the windshield.
After the seller purchased this car in 2010 he completely rebuilt the entire brake system, and installed silicone brake fluid for maintenance-free performance. He also installed four new Diamondback radial tires. In 2017 he rebuilt the hydroelectric system that operates the top. The top cylinders are new, and the hydroelectric pump was professionally rebuilt. All new hydraulic hoses were installed, and the top works perfectly. This automobile is LOADED with over 30 original factory-installed accessories/options. It has deluxe bumper guards front & rear, door handle and gas door chrome guards, the optional 93" antenna, illuminated indian chief hood ornament, illuminated GM compass, deluxe steering wheel, full wheel discs, DUAL Guide spotlamps, Guide foglights, and much much more. In addition, the car has a very rare 3-speed standard "stick" shift....the majority were hydramatics in 1950. In 2017 he did a complete, authentic refurbishing of the engine bay. ALL the glass is original and date-stamped, and is in perfect condition. This car runs and drives as new, and now has about 80,000 original miles. It's a totally rust-free, "bondo"-free car which was never driven during the Winter, and knowing Bill, was most likely never driven in any inclement weather. It's a fairly "rare" automobile. The seller states he has been in the hobby for 52 years and have only seen ONE other 1950 Chieftain Deluxe Convertible, and that one has been "customized" with a modern Corvette engine, etc.
This is, without a doubt, probably the finest original 1950 Pontiac Chieftain Deluxe convertible to exist. Hemmings Classic Car magazine did an interesting story on this car in August of 2014.