The Canadian Side Of Pontiac:
A glimpse into the first generation of Canadian Built Pontiac Fleetleader vs the American Pontiac Chieftain (1949-1954)
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The Canadian Side Of Pontiac: A glimpse into the first generation of Canadian Built Pontiac Fleetleader vs the American Pontiac Chieftain (1949-1954)
The widely popular Pontiac Chieftain - 1st Gen (1949 to 1954) The first generation of the Pontiac Chieftain was introduced in 1949.
The Chieftain was available in a variety of body styles, including two or four door sedan, coupe, convertible, and station wagon. The first generation Chieftain was offered with inline six or inline eight engines, and was in production until 1954, when it was replaced by the Second Generation Pontiac Chieftain.
The Canadian entry-level Canadian Pontiac models, from 1946 through 1953, used the shorter Chevrolet wheelbase. The 1953 Pontiac Pathfinder De Luxe features all of the chrome bumpers and trim as the US built Pontiac Chieftain, with the exception of rear fender covers.
From 1946 through 1952 these "Cheviacs" were sold as the Pontiac Fleetleader.
Starting in 1954 these low-end Canadian Pontiac models (called Pontiac Pathfinders since 1953) used Chevrolet body shells, but with Pontiac features at both ends. These variants of U.S. Chevrolets are only recognized when compared to their U.S. Chevrolet or Pontiac equivalents, since body details often differ slightly between the U.S. versions of the two makes.
Model year 1958 was the last for the Canada only Pathfinder models. The Pontiac Pathfinders (as well as some other Canadian models) usually had Chevrolet engines and drive trains, so that one can find Canadian Pontiacs with OHV sixes or 283 V8 engines built by Chevrolet.
1958 Pontiac Pathfinder Although Canada-specific models of U.S. makes were gradually phased out after Canada's "Auto Pact" treaty with the U.S. made them no longer necessary, Pontiacs manufactured and sold in Canada maintained their unique model names for many years even after the "Auto Pact" treaty took effect.
