Hello everyone, I am a newbie here and have some questions about a car I looked at this past weekend. The car is a 1955 Pontiac 4 door. I cannot locate a VIN tag on drivers door post where it is supposed to be. This is what the body tag reads.
General Motors of Canada Limited
Made in GM Canada
Model 20-19D
serial 52019627912
engine W20588 Trim 632
Body Serial 4099 Paint S55H
What I have found out so far is that it is a Laurentian 4 door sedan with the 261 cid 6 cyl engine with the 3 speed on the column. From my understanding the Laurentian is the equivalent to the American made Star Chief. The Canadian made Pathfinder is the equivalent to the American built Chieftan. I also understand that the 55 Canadian Pontiac is based on a 55 chevy body and the 55 American made Pontiac is not, whereas it is slightly longer in the front and between front wheelwell and door. Canadian Pontiacs also had either a 261 6 cyl chevy or a 265 v8 chevy engine. American made units had only the 287 inch Pontiac V8.
The reason this car caught my eye is that when I was a youngin we had a 55 Pontiac 4 door with the V8 and auto trans. Kind of a sentimental thing. Dads was a blue and white color and IIRC it was a Chieftan, American built.
I would appreciate any information anyone could give me on the decoding of the tag. I have some pictures but don't know how to post so if someone would do that for me send me your email.
Unique to Canada, the Pontiac Pathfinder was an entry-level full sized car, that was based on a Chevrolet chassis but used most of the distinctivePontiac styling parts. Engines were also by Chevrolet, another General Motors brand. The use of Chevrolet-based bodies resulted in shorter front and rear fenders and Canadian specific wheels and hubcaps. Interior trim often was also unique to Canada. The last Pathfinders were built in 1958 as Pontiac's (Canada) base model. Body styles included a sedan delivery.This car was Pontiac's last full-size sedan delivery. Also there was the station wagon model.
1957 Pontiac Pathfinder
From some point in the forties through 1953, these Canadian Pontiac models used only the front section of Pontiac sheet metal, so that from the rear they appeared to be Chevrolets with Pontiac "stripes" added on the trunk lid. Thereafter, through at least 1958, these low-end Canadian Pontiac models, often nicknamed "Cheviacs", used Chevrolet body shells, but with Pontiac features at both ends. This variant is only readily recognized when compared to the U.S. Pontiac or Chevrolet equivalents, since body details often differ slightly between the U.S. versions of the two makes.
Another item worth noting is that the Pontiac Pathfinders (as well as some other Canadian models) usually used Chevrolet engines and drive trains, so that one can find Canadian Pontiacs with OHV sixes or 283 V8 engines.
1958 Pontiac Pathfinder
The Canadian Pontiac Sedan Deliveries noted above were "only in Canada" models from 1954 through 1958, since that model was only sold in the U.S. through 1953.
It is also worth noting that, 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 thereafter...so one can still see Pontiac "Parisiennes" of fairly recent manufacture on Canadian streets.
the body tag on the firewall is also the vin tag. canadian cars split to 2 tags in 56 but both still in the engine bay. not sure but i think the chassis serial tag went onto the left hand hinge pillar above the lower hinge in 58.
the body tag on the firewall is also the vin tag. canadian cars split to 2 tags in 56 but both still in the engine bay. not sure but i think the chassis serial tag went onto the left hand hinge pillar above the lower hinge in 58.
I thought that may be the case but wasn't sure. Thanks for the reply.
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