If you utter the words "Silver Streak," younger people may think you are talking about the comparatively recent movie starring Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor. Train buffs might think you are referring to the original record-breaking fast passenger train by that name that went from Denver to Chicago in just 16 hours in 1934. Car buffs will most likely think you mean the Pontiacs built from 1935 into the 1950s, that had what the company called its Silver Streak styling. These cars, as well the legendary train, were both products of the streamlined design thinking made popular during the Great Depression. While the styling may have lent a little aerodynamic efficiency to both the cars and the trains, it mostly gave them a fast, clean, shimmering new look.
Direct from Harley Earl's pen to the production floor, and ultimately the showroom and your driveway, this consignment is a 1948 Pontiac Silver Streak 8 Streamliner. It is a Station Wagon, and also a "Woody". The beneficiary of an earlier restoration this car shows nicely with patina on the paint, and all original wood bodywork. The interior is all original, and if the wood alone is enough to lure you in, to take a closer look. We give you the not oft seen Pontiac Silver Streak Streamliner Woody Station Wagon.
Exterior With body work that is flowing and sensuous, we see rust free steel in the pontoon styling for the fenders which appear to go on forever. The protuberant hood, and 3 wide bar grille just below adds just enough highlighting working with the bumper below and the single round headlight on either side to make it look large but still light and nimble. The front fenders extend into the doors, and are all solid steel painted in Parma Wine Metallic which is essentially maroon. This has taken on a wonderful patina over time since the restoration, but holds its shine nicely. The rear fenders are nicely rounded as well and round off at the back of the car. These fenders frame wide whitewall tires with chromed trim rings and chromed moon caps. From the driver's door rearward, the car is framed with light ash and inset mahogany highly lacquered wood. This is also lining the interior of the doors, giving them a perfect thud, when closing and they weigh a ton! Overall the wood is nicely preserved and believed to be mostly original. The top is vinyl and is also maroon. On the back a wide tailgate and upper flip up rear window allow easy access to the back storage area. 2 stalked tail lights hang off the door and a big shiny bumper with vertical protectors is framing the bottom. A fantastic color combo with the maroon and wood, a split front windshield and the flying Chief hood ornament, this car is a real winner that drips 1940's aerodynamic, (for what it's worth), design.
Interior A swing of these wonderfully solid wood doors and we see more ash framing and mahogany large insert panels. A saddle colored vinyl small armrest is in the center, and some shiny actuators and cranks with cream bakelite knobs on the ends are all within this field. Near perfection for these doors and it applies for all 4 of them and the tailgate inside. In front, an original saddle vinyl bench seat is fronted by the factory dash. Here a big cream rimmed and chromed central supporting cast with a round horn ring steering wheel fronts a brown faux wood grained painted dash. This is all pure art deco styling with its round central sweep speedometer and horizontal panels for additional gauges emanating from either side of the speedo. In the center is a jukebox-esque radio with more ribbed chrome and nicely aged bakelite cream knobs and buttons. Climate controls reside below the dash as does black rubber mats. In front of the passenger is a round clock on the front of the glove box door. Just aft of the front bench is another bench for additional passengers, also covered in saddle vinyl. There is a fold out footrest coming from the bottom of the front bench for these passengers. This second bench is shorter and allows access to the back row of yet another side to side stretching bench, and looks good in its original saddle vinyl. Above, a full on ash lath headliner has plenty of wood to cover the top and is also in excellent condition. Opening the back gate and upper glass reveals a black ribbed rubber lined storage bed if you will, and looking very clean. Plenty of room for 8 and their bags when picking them up from the train.
Drivetrain Under the long high hood is an original patinaed engine bay within which resides the green painted 248.9ci inline 8 cylinder flathead mill. On top is an oil bath air cleaner which cleans air for the side draft 2-barrel carburetor. On back, the car is propelled forward with a 3-speed manual transmission. The rear axle weighs in at 4.30. Still fairly clean and showing some wear throughout.
Undercarriage Underneath, steel framing, stamped steel floor pans and wheel wells show lots of patina and just a smattering of light surface rust. A solid X frame is seen with the drive shaft going through the center. For the front suspension we note independent coil springs, and for the rear, leaf springs. Drum brakes are all around. A slightly rusted exhaust is snaking its way through the framing and to the rear of the car, and is a stock style replacement exhaust.
Drive-Ability I love it when these old woodies come in as they are always a nice experience to drive. This first at CAM Pontiac, started right up and ran like a wood champ. Smooth shifting, good solid panic stopping, and even a touch of nimble handling for this car and it's all good. The clock and heater were not in working condition during my drive.
This big wood and steel Streamliner is a great example from a bygone era where people really had to be invested to take care of their cars. This has survived and is mostly original, runs nicely and presents with a wonderful original interior. A few trees sacrificed their lives for this beauty, but it's really timeless in its look and design. I've got to go, I hear the whistle of the Chattanooga Choo Choo, passengers need a ride. I believe one of my passengers is the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B!
P8PB5 1563
P-Pontiac, MI Assy Plant 8-8 Cylinder P-1948 B-Streamliner 51563-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
