Canadian cousin

Domestic version of '54 Pathfinder a great find

Published: August 6, 2010 | Email: larry.dargis@freepress.mb.ca

For 1954, the Pontiac sported a new grille with a floating oval centrepiece, a new hood ornament and thinner chrome trim on the hood. Nameplates and badges were also moderately restyled and interior materials were upgraded over the previous model.

Aside from those few changes, the Pontiac was basically a carryover from 1953, at least for buyers south of the border in the United States.

The Canadian demographic differed from the U.S. in several areas in the early 1950s and one was wages. Canadian workers earned about 15 per cent less than U.S. workers and in order to help bridge the cost of a mid-priced Pontiac, a much different car than its American cousin was needed. Utilizing many of the same styling cues, the car had the look of the larger American version, yet it was smaller and cost about 30 per cent less. This gave General Motors Canada the ability to offer their products in the Chevrolet Oldsmobile and Pontiac Buick Cadillac dealerships.

The Canadian Pontiac gave the illusion of being a mid-priced car but cost just slightly more than the Chevrolet. Thanks to borrowing the frame and basic body structure of the Chevrolet, General Motors Canada only had to tool up new front sheet metal, trim and badging to keep costs down and make the Pontiac into a separate car line.

In the fall of 2007, Rodger Lilke of La Broquerie thought it was time to get a restoration project of his own and the Canadian Pontiac was at the top of his list for a collectible car.

"I originally bought a 1954 Pontiac sedan from Jack Smith in Lena, Man. and had planned to restore it, says Lilke. "It was originally a donor car for another Pontiac Smith had restored and when I found out that one was available, I bought it, too."

Previously restored over a period of 15 years, Smith had put the 1954 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan in storage in 1994. Lilke's first order of business was to get the car in roadworthy condition and that meant going through the brakes and fuel system. The gas tank was replaced as well as the fuel line, and a rebuilt fuel pump and carburetor ensured trouble-free engine operation.

Bringing the brakes back required the installation of new brake lines, rebuilt wheel cylinders and a master brake cylinder. The cooling system also received a new heater-control valve and Logan Radiator in Winnipeg rebuilt the radiator.

Refinished in base coat-clear coat, the Guard blue metallic and Fiesta white was and still is a very popular colour combination. The bumpers and chrome trim have all been re-chromed and the stainless-steel trim pieces have either been re-polished or are new old-stock items.

Other options include added hood spears, front bumper crossbar, gas filler door trim, rear bumper guards, stainless-steel window Venti-shades visors, rocker panel trim moulding and a pair of Unity fog lamps mounted on the front splash panel. Getting it down the road in true '50s style is a set of 15-inch, wide whitewall radial tires on factory steel wheels with Pontiac's optional full wheel-covers.

Looking under the hood, we find the Pontiac L-Head, in-line, six-cylinder engine. Measuring in at 239.2 cubic inches it produces 115 horsepower at 3,800 r.p.m. and is attached to a three-speed synchro-mesh gearbox with column-mounted gearshift. The low-end torque from the six along with a low gear ratio make the car easy to drive around town yet it still cruises effortlessly at highway speeds.

Inside the Pontiac there are two-tone blue vinyl and grey fabric upholstery. Factory-supplied interior options include E-Z-Eye tinted glass and Deluxe seven-tube signal-seeking radio.

While Lilke admits he's still got some work to do on the Pontiac, he's put an additional 3,000 miles on the car since he's owned it, taking in local car shows, and wouldn't part with it. "The car's really grown on me," says Lilke.

Today, the all-Canadian Pontiac is a far rarer car than its U.S. counterpart and can present restorers with a bittersweet challenge finding or refurbishing the rare trim items for a restoration. It also allows for easy access of the chassis components and several body panels that are readily available making it a simpler car to restore than an American model. Only in Canada, eh!

A member of the Manitoba Pontiac Association since 2008, Lilke and his club are looking forward to taking in many more shows this summer and this weekend is no exception. This Saturday it's the 11th Annual Cruz-in-Downtown, sponsored by Piston Ring Auto Service. Come out and see new and old cars from Manitoba and the northern States as the show takes over seven city blocks in the heart of downtown Winnipeg. Open to all there are dash plaques for participants and registration is $10 in advance and $20 on event day, Aug.7.