I feel like I am the luckiest man on the planet right now. I sold my old F100 couple months ago to find a car I could squeeze my Kids in (everytime I was leaving with the truck my kids would fight to know who would jump in with me) and drive around beautiful Ontario and Quebec Province (I am in the military and posted every now and then). I had the following criterias: Needs to be old, Needs to have 2 bench seats (I have 4 Kids), No Bondo, and no modifications as I have to safety the car every 2 years...ho yeah and under 10K...As my dad is heavily involved in the local car scene and knows every car enthusiast around Quebec City he helped out with my research and after couple phone calls we ended up in an old man's basement (yes basement) to find a rare beauty: An untouched 1952 2 doors FleetLeader Sedan....Original Paint, Original interior, Original engine, Original everything....The car is now paid for and hopefully will be in my driveway next week!!!! My intent with this car is to leave it as it is...no paint touch up no polishing no nothing, just enjoy a real survivor....Wide White wall tires and maybe lowering it a bit but that is it. Any thoughts??
Let me know if you want to get some more pics when we go get the car
long stroke said
Aug 20, 2017
WOW !!! Major league find. That 52 is stunning and i am green with envy. More photos are due and please speak to Todd, our C.P. leader about featuring your sweet 52 on C.P. as a cover car. That 52 is B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. Cheers. George
52basementsurvivor said
Aug 20, 2017
Tks! I will get you guys more pics, the 1st owner of the car put seat cover on the day he bought it....the covers are worn but the seat fabrics are like new!!! There is so much to say about that car! can't wait to show you more
Taylor55 said
Aug 20, 2017
Glad to hear you are going to keep it all original and what a great score. Before you try and start it remove the gas line from the fuel pump to the gas tank and run a hose to a containor with fresh shell super gas. If the car has been sitting a long time the gas tank should be removed and cleaned to get all the rust and dirt out of it. This is really important as you do not want to contaminate the the carburator which will be a Rochester B type as Canadian Pontiacs changed from a Carter to Rochester in 1951.
I would not be afraid to compound and polish it with a one step polish as the original enamal paint is thick and will polish up very nice. It is great to see the double pin strip on the wheels as in 1955 GM went to a single stripe when dog dish hubcaps were used.
Congratulations on a great score. Al
52basementsurvivor said
Aug 20, 2017
Thanks Al for the advice car hasn't move in 5 years, yes this was in our plan, the gas tank seems to be leaking a bit by the gas line fitting, we will take it out clean it all up and put fresh gas, new spark plugs and see if it fires up.
Canadian Poncho said
Aug 20, 2017
Very nice! Wecome to the website. I sent you a private message
hawkeye5766 said
Aug 20, 2017
Welcome to the site. She is a beaut,congrats!!
timbuk said
Aug 20, 2017
wow!
hwscowboy said
Aug 20, 2017
very nice find,go through the fuel system and brakes,then drive that beauty as she is!!!
73SC said
Aug 21, 2017
It still has the original factory crayon markings on the firewall !!
Taylor55 said
Aug 21, 2017
If the tank is leaking I suspect you will find it pinholed after you clean it up. You will be further ahead to just buy a new reproduced gas tank for a 1949 -1952 chevrolet which will be the correct for the Canadian Pontiacs of that era. The tank has a drain plug on the bottom and once the tank is drained removal is fairly easy. two straps the fuel line and the sending unit wire. It is quite possible you can reuse the sending unit but most of the time the metal strap connection will be broken or the float has a hole in it. New units are readily available and resonably priced. Once the car is running only use Shell super gas as it is the only gas with no ethanol. When you change the oil add a half a can of GM eos to the oil.
Good luck with the car. You will be pleasantly surprised at how well the 239 flathead will run. If the car has bias ply tires it will be all over the road and you would think it needs a front end work or an alignment but a set of radial tires will correct this problem.
Al
Pontiacanada said
Aug 21, 2017
Nice ride! Welcome from Canada's east coast!
52basementsurvivor said
Aug 21, 2017
Thanks guys for all the good comments and advice! Al thanks for mentioning about ethanol, it led me to read about its side effects on fuel systems, I will definetely avoid for this car. Again thanks for your help
MC said
Aug 21, 2017
Wow! That is a truly special find! As much as the word 'survivor' is tossed around in the hobby, this one truly is a survivor!
That one deserves to be kept totally stock, in fact I would avoid lowering it as that would take away from its spectacular originality.
Thanks for posting, and yes, more pics please!
CdnGMfan said
Aug 21, 2017
MC wrote:
Wow! That is a truly special find! As much as the word 'survivor' is tossed around in the hobby, this one truly is a survivor!
That one deserves to be kept totally stock, in fact I would avoid lowering it as that would take away from its spectacular originality.
Thanks for posting, and yes, more pics please!
Agreed! I think a thorough detailing, followed by wax would be the order of the day (or weeks since there is a lot of area to cover and you don't want to kill yourself doing it all at once).
As a survivor (really is one) you should take pains to not be careless with things like the original upholstery. Seat covers should stay on for general use and removed when you display the car. Go for non-destructive cleaners and retain all the crayon marks you can. What you don't want to do is spray bomb the underside! There are products like Cosmoline that can be applied to non painted surfaces to maintain them and keep them looking fresh. Also perform some maintenance like applying heat riser lube to the exhaust heat riser valve, a solid tune up with the points being dressed, set, lightly lubed on the rubbing blocks. You also want to check the flex lines for the brakes. They can swell, crack, leak, or appear fine but still cause a total brake failure.
There is no crime in replacing the tires, in fact it is a serious safety consideration. Since tires & wheels really project the image of the car, and being a survivor, my recommendation would be to go either with a set of reproduction bias plies, or if you are going to drive it much, vintage replica tires based on modern radials as sold by Coker, Diamondback and others.
Sure it has survived all these years in original condition, but casual use and the ensuing degradation would be senseless and all the more tragic. I have seen showroom condition old cars end up looking like just another beater within 2 - 5 years of indifferent usage.
52basementsurvivor said
Aug 21, 2017
I am not 100% sure if I will be lowering it but one thing I am sure is that this car will not be a trailer / garage queen and will be driven. I spotted the Coker classic nostalgia's and will be ordering them as soon as I am sure what width the wheel are (assuming 6 inch wide but better be safe than sorry). Tks for your advice this car will be thoroughly looked after and will go where it has been designed to be: on the road!
OURWAGON said
Aug 21, 2017
WOW ANOTHER SURVIVOR , THEY KEEP SHOWING UP .
1952pontiac said
Aug 21, 2017
welcome from another fleetleader owner
52basementsurvivor said
Aug 22, 2017
Merci! un 1952 aussi! as tu plus de photos?
Taylor55 said
Aug 22, 2017
Lately there have been a lot of complaints with Coker tires. My friend just took a set off his 56 nomad as the white wall was literally peeling from the tire. He purchased BF Goodrich tires, wide whites and we will see how they hold out. These tires are not cheap as 4 tires with shipping was over $1500. I know wide whites will really bring the look of the car out but that model of car when new had black wall tires. You can probably get a new set of black wall tires for under $100 each installed and balanced. You original wheels are only 5" wide and a P 205/75 15 tires will work on that wheel and is enough tire for the fleetliner. I did work on a 52 Pontiac and a 54 Belair and both owners installed P205/75 15 tires and are quite happy with them. Both sets are Coker and I will be keeping a close eye on them and constantly checking for any defects.
The double pinstripe on the wheels will look really good with the blackwall tires and dog dish hubcaps. If you are on a tight budget this would be the way to go and use the difference in money for other maintenance items such as brake hoses ,wheel cylinders and gasoline for trips and treats with your 4 kids.
Al
MC said
Aug 22, 2017
52basementsurvivor wrote:
I am not 100% sure if I will be lowering it but one thing I am sure is that this car will not be a trailer / garage queen and will be driven. I spotted the Coker classic nostalgia's and will be ordering them as soon as I am sure what width the wheel are (assuming 6 inch wide but better be safe than sorry). Tks for your advice this car will be thoroughly looked after and will go where it has been designed to be: on the road!
My comment about lowering was just that original cars like that look best (to me) at stock height.
For me it goes back to the fact that these cars were originally designed to handle roads that were far worse than we've come to expect today. Funding for the Trans-Canada highway was approved in 1949 but the highway was not completed until 1962. From relatives who made the journey from the maritimes to BC in the mid-1960s, I understand that there were still parts of the journey that were gravel roads at that time. In fact, before 1942 it wasn't possible to drive completely across the country on Canadian roads, until a final 246-km stretch of gravel highway was constructed in northern Ontario, so the road system was crude at best. Cars of that era were built to be tough and with sufficient ground clearance to traverse even the worst roads.
My point being that with a car as original as yours, it is a relic of its era and lowering it just makes it look like another custom or street rod. Of course it's your car, so I would expect you to enjoy it in any way that you wish, I just wanted to explain where I was coming from.
FWIW, I think that driving it is the best possible outcome - enjoy the car in the way that it was meant to be enjoyed!
-- Edited by MC on Tuesday 22nd of August 2017 08:39:02 AM
52basementsurvivor said
Aug 22, 2017
AMEN
1952pontiac said
Aug 22, 2017
oui j'ai d'autre photo
MoboMac said
Aug 23, 2017
Taylor55 wrote:
Lately there have been a lot of complaints with Coker tires. My friend just took a set off his 56 nomad as the white wall was literally peeling from the tire. He purchased BF Goodrich tires, wide whites and we will see how they hold out. These tires are not cheap as 4 tires with shipping was over $1500. I know wide whites will really bring the look of the car out but that model of car when new had black wall tires. You can probably get a new set of black wall tires for under $100 each installed and balanced. You original wheels are only 5" wide and a P 205/75 15 tires will work on that wheel and is enough tire for the fleetliner. I did work on a 52 Pontiac and a 54 Belair and both owners installed P205/75 15 tires and are quite happy with them. Both sets are Coker and I will be keeping a close eye on them and constantly checking for any defects.
The double pinstripe on the wheels will look really good with the blackwall tires and dog dish hubcaps. If you are on a tight budget this would be the way to go and use the difference in money for other maintenance items such as brake hoses ,wheel cylinders and gasoline for trips and treats with your 4 kids.
Al
I think Al.....has the wheels and tires nailed down......Wide whites and lowered ....will look kinda "pimpy"....on a survivor car.....
This car deserves to be kept original....
Us Canadians....were a thrifty lot.......and wide whites on a sedan......were not a common thing....
Black walls......and or skinnier white walls....from the 60's....would be more in the spirit/character.....of this car....as seen on the roads back in the day...in Canada.
You can prolly find a decent set of 15" (205x 75) take-offs somewhere for a very reasonable price....JMO
Awesome car....wish it was in MY garage...
-- Edited by MoboMac on Wednesday 23rd of August 2017 04:00:01 PM
I feel like I am the luckiest man on the planet right now. I sold my old F100 couple months ago to find a car I could squeeze my Kids in (everytime I was leaving with the truck my kids would fight to know who would jump in with me) and drive around beautiful Ontario and Quebec Province (I am in the military and posted every now and then). I had the following criterias: Needs to be old, Needs to have 2 bench seats (I have 4 Kids), No Bondo, and no modifications as I have to safety the car every 2 years...ho yeah and under 10K...As my dad is heavily involved in the local car scene and knows every car enthusiast around Quebec City he helped out with my research and after couple phone calls we ended up in an old man's basement (yes basement) to find a rare beauty: An untouched 1952 2 doors FleetLeader Sedan....Original Paint, Original interior, Original engine, Original everything....The car is now paid for and hopefully will be in my driveway next week!!!! My intent with this car is to leave it as it is...no paint touch up no polishing no nothing, just enjoy a real survivor....Wide White wall tires and maybe lowering it a bit but that is it. Any thoughts??
WOW !!! Major league find. That 52 is stunning and i am green with envy. More photos are due and please speak to Todd, our C.P. leader about featuring your sweet 52 on C.P. as a cover car. That 52 is B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. Cheers. George
Glad to hear you are going to keep it all original and what a great score. Before you try and start it remove the gas line from the fuel pump to the gas tank and run a hose to a containor with fresh shell super gas. If the car has been sitting a long time the gas tank should be removed and cleaned to get all the rust and dirt out of it. This is really important as you do not want to contaminate the the carburator which will be a Rochester B type as Canadian Pontiacs changed from a Carter to Rochester in 1951.
I would not be afraid to compound and polish it with a one step polish as the original enamal paint is thick and will polish up very nice. It is great to see the double pin strip on the wheels as in 1955 GM went to a single stripe when dog dish hubcaps were used.
Congratulations on a great score. Al
Good luck with the car. You will be pleasantly surprised at how well the 239 flathead will run. If the car has bias ply tires it will be all over the road and you would think it needs a front end work or an alignment but a set of radial tires will correct this problem.
Al
Nice ride! Welcome from Canada's east coast!
Wow! That is a truly special find! As much as the word 'survivor' is tossed around in the hobby, this one truly is a survivor!
That one deserves to be kept totally stock, in fact I would avoid lowering it as that would take away from its spectacular originality.
Thanks for posting, and yes, more pics please!
Agreed! I think a thorough detailing, followed by wax would be the order of the day (or weeks since there is a lot of area to cover and you don't want to kill yourself doing it all at once).
As a survivor (really is one) you should take pains to not be careless with things like the original upholstery. Seat covers should stay on for general use and removed when you display the car. Go for non-destructive cleaners and retain all the crayon marks you can. What you don't want to do is spray bomb the underside! There are products like Cosmoline that can be applied to non painted surfaces to maintain them and keep them looking fresh. Also perform some maintenance like applying heat riser lube to the exhaust heat riser valve, a solid tune up with the points being dressed, set, lightly lubed on the rubbing blocks. You also want to check the flex lines for the brakes. They can swell, crack, leak, or appear fine but still cause a total brake failure.
There is no crime in replacing the tires, in fact it is a serious safety consideration. Since tires & wheels really project the image of the car, and being a survivor, my recommendation would be to go either with a set of reproduction bias plies, or if you are going to drive it much, vintage replica tires based on modern radials as sold by Coker, Diamondback and others.
Sure it has survived all these years in original condition, but casual use and the ensuing degradation would be senseless and all the more tragic. I have seen showroom condition old cars end up looking like just another beater within 2 - 5 years of indifferent usage.
I am not 100% sure if I will be lowering it but one thing I am sure is that this car will not be a trailer / garage queen and will be driven. I spotted the Coker classic nostalgia's and will be ordering them as soon as I am sure what width the wheel are (assuming 6 inch wide but better be safe than sorry). Tks for your advice this car will be thoroughly looked after and will go where it has been designed to be: on the road!
WOW ANOTHER SURVIVOR , THEY KEEP SHOWING UP .
welcome from another fleetleader owner
Merci! un 1952 aussi! as tu plus de photos?
The double pinstripe on the wheels will look really good with the blackwall tires and dog dish hubcaps. If you are on a tight budget this would be the way to go and use the difference in money for other maintenance items such as brake hoses ,wheel cylinders and gasoline for trips and treats with your 4 kids.
Al
My comment about lowering was just that original cars like that look best (to me) at stock height.
For me it goes back to the fact that these cars were originally designed to handle roads that were far worse than we've come to expect today. Funding for the Trans-Canada highway was approved in 1949 but the highway was not completed until 1962. From relatives who made the journey from the maritimes to BC in the mid-1960s, I understand that there were still parts of the journey that were gravel roads at that time. In fact, before 1942 it wasn't possible to drive completely across the country on Canadian roads, until a final 246-km stretch of gravel highway was constructed in northern Ontario, so the road system was crude at best. Cars of that era were built to be tough and with sufficient ground clearance to traverse even the worst roads.
My point being that with a car as original as yours, it is a relic of its era and lowering it just makes it look like another custom or street rod. Of course it's your car, so I would expect you to enjoy it in any way that you wish, I just wanted to explain where I was coming from.
FWIW, I think that driving it is the best possible outcome - enjoy the car in the way that it was meant to be enjoyed!
-- Edited by MC on Tuesday 22nd of August 2017 08:39:02 AM
AMEN
oui j'ai d'autre photo
I think Al.....has the wheels and tires nailed down......Wide whites and lowered ....will look kinda "pimpy"....on a survivor car.....
This car deserves to be kept original....
Us Canadians....were a thrifty lot.......and wide whites on a sedan......were not a common thing....
Black walls......and or skinnier white walls....from the 60's....would be more in the spirit/character.....of this car....as seen on the roads back in the day...in Canada.
You can prolly find a decent set of 15" (205x 75) take-offs somewhere for a very reasonable price....JMO
Awesome car....wish it was in MY garage...
-- Edited by MoboMac on Wednesday 23rd of August 2017 04:00:01 PM