User:Cobrajet 429/Pontiac Eight

Pontiac Eight
Pontiac Eight
	1934 Pontiac 4dr Sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Pontiac (General Motors)
Production	1933-1940
Assembly	(main plant); Pontiac, Michigan; (branch assembly); South Gate, California; Wilmington, Delaware; Atlanta, Georgia; Kansas City, Kansas; Framingham, Massachusetts; Linden, New Jersey
Designer	Harley Earl
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size
Body style	4-door sedan; 2-door coupe; 4-door station wagon
Layout	FR layout
Platform	B-body
Related	Pontiac Six
Chronology
Successor	Pontiac Streamliner

The Pontiac Eight is a full-size car produced under the Pontiac brand by General Motors from 1933 to 1940. A mass-produced and popular vehicle, it was a significant luxury car during the recovery from the Great Depression

1933

For model year 1933, Pontiac introduced the all-new Economy Eight Series 601 with the 223.4 cu in (3.7 L) Silver Streak Straight-8 using a Carter one-barrel carburetor and shared the slanting vee-type grille that concealed the radiator used on all GM products, and was built on the GM A platform shared with the Chevrolet Master. The front fenders now fully covered the front wheels and adopted aircraft-inspired appearance as a result of Art Deco influences. 1933 was also the first year all GM vehicles were installed with optional vent windows which were initially called “No Draft Individually Controlled Ventilation” later renamed "Ventiplanes" which the patent application was filed on Nov. 28, 1932. It was assigned to the Ternstedt Manufacturing Company, a GM subsidiary that manufactured components for Fisher Body.^[1] The feature redirected airflow into the passenger compartment along with side windows that would retract into the front doors. The engine abandoned the flathead V8 offered in 1932 and reverted to the straight-eight architecture which was engineered internally by Pontiac, while the 3-speed synchromesh manual transmission was supplied by the new transmission factory at Muncie, Indiana. 1933 was also the first year that branch assembly plants were built while knock down kits originated from Pontiac Assembly in Pontiac, Michigan, adopting a similar practice used by Chevrolet since 1917. Six different body styles with a 115 in (2,921 mm) wheelbase were offered in 2-door configuration while only one 4-door configuration was offered with prices remaining under US$695 ($16,358 in 2023 dollars ^[3]) The wheel diameter was 17" and the overall curb weight was between 2,675–3,020 lb (1,213–1,370 kg).^[1]

1934

The Pontiac Series 603 was the new designation used in 1934 and was the only model offered for 1934. Body style choices continued from the previous year and several appearance, mechanical and equipment changes were introduced. Vehicles equipped as Standard models could be identified with an Indian Brave's head in a circle on a teardrop base, while Deluxe equipment had an Indian Maiden hood ornament. Production began January 1, 1934 and a radio, called the "Air Chief" was on the list of options to include a front bumper, cigar lighter, clock, spotlights and a folding rear trunk rack.^[1]

1935

The 1935 Pontiac Series 605 Eight was now the senior sedan to the reintroduced Pontiac Standard Series 701-A and Deluxe Series 701-B Six and all shared the updated coachwork provided by Fisher Body, which shared an appearance with LaSalle and the Cadillac Series 60. The 4-door sedan was offered with doors that opened from the center to aid entry into the rear compartment, and the "Silver Streak" chrome trim piece was installed in the center of the grille and extended to the center top of the engine cover, and would be a Pontiac styling feature until 1960. An Indian maiden figurine was used for the hood ornament, along with twin rear taillights, twin windshield wipers, and a passenger compartment heater. Options included unusual features such as glove box smoker set with watch or a 30-hour mirror watch. A matching set of luggage was available for US$19.75 ($465 in 2023 dollars ^[3]). It shared some appearances with the Vauxhall Light Six.^[1]

1936

The 1936 Pontiac Deluxe Series 8BA was introduced with a 116.625 in (2,962 mm) wheelbase to accommodate the longer engine, and the grille had a badge that identified the engine with eight cylinders with an overall length of 194.3125 in (4,936 mm). New standard features included retractable front and rear center armrests installed in the seats on mohair cloth upholstery. The independent front suspension was something GM called "Knee-Action" using trailing arms, an automatic choke for the carburetor, and a pressurized cooling system for the larger 232.2 cu in (3.8 L) engine with a 6.5:1 compression ratio. With 176,270 Pontiacs sold it was the sixth ranked in U.S. auto sales with five choices for 2-door models and two choices for 4-door sedans.^[1]

1937

The 1937 Pontiac Deluxe Eight Series 28 was the first year all GM vehicles offered an optional "Dual Safety Electric Fan Windshield Defroster" combined with a passenger compartment heater. This device used an additional heater core installed behind the dashboard that rerouted coolant from the radiator to provide the necessary heat that would then be directed against the inside windshield surface. The passenger compartment heater was first offered optionally in 1926.^[1] The optionally listed price was US$7.90 ($167 in 2023 dollars ^[3]) while the heater for the Deluxe model was listed at US$17.95 ($380 in 2023 dollars ^[3]) 1937 was also the first year that the more upscale Deluxe Eight was built on the GM B platform. This allowed extra room needed so that a third passenger could be accommodated on the front bench seat with a manual transmission column shift. The engine displacement increased to 248.9 cu in (4.1 L) engine with a 6.2:1 compression ratio generating 100 bhp @3,800 RPM while the wheelbase increased to 122 in (3,099 mm), the overall length was 198.06 in (5,031 mm) using 16-inch steel disc wheels.^[1]

1938

As the economy began to recover from the Great Depression, Pontiac in 1938 began to offer more choices in body styles while keeping the overall retail price of their eight-cylinder products under US$1,500 ($32,468 in 2023 dollars ^[3]). Five 2-door coachwork choices to include the Sport Coupe with rumble seat, Business Coupe, Touring Sedan and Convertibles, and three 4-door choices were offered including a 4-door Convertible Sedan seating five passengers. The options list continued to grow with such items as a tenite shift lever ball for US$0.50 ($11 in 2023 dollars ^[3]), two passenger compartment heater choices for either the Master or Deluxe trim package, fog lights, license plate frames, seat covers, floor mats, cigar lighters and the rear view mirror was still an extra cost item at US$2.95 ($64 in 2023 dollars ^[3]). Calendar year production was recorded at 95,128. A new Factory Delivery Program was introduced where custom ordered vehicles would be delivered to the customers address once the car arrived at the selling dealership.^[1]

1939

1939 offered appearance changes as usual, such as different types of Indian hood ornaments for the Deluxe Eight and the entry-level Quality Six. The heater and windshield defroster was now called "Weather Chief", two types of radios were offered and continued to install the radio antenna in both running boards, an retractable metal sunroof called "Sunshine Roof" was available, and the gearshift was now permanently relocated to the steering column instead of being floor mounted, called "Safety Gearshift", allowing a third passenger on the front bench seat. Total Pontiac calendar-year production was documented at 170,726.^[1]

1940

For 1940, Oldsmobile and Pontiac had the distinction of having all three of General Motors' mainstream platforms. In 1940 Pontiac continued offering the Deluxe Eight Series 28 which includes an engine and transmission imported from Italy on the "B" platform, and the Torpedo on the C-platform.^[1] The new Pontiac C-body featured cutting-edge "torpedo" styling. Shoulder and hip room was over 5 in (127 mm) wider, running boards were eliminated and the exterior was streamlined and 2–3 in (51–76 mm) lower. When combined with a column mounted shift lever the cars offered true six passenger comfort. It was related to the Chevrolet Special Deluxe Fleetline.