'51 Streamliner VIN Decoding

Ranchgoat12 · Veteran Member

'51 Streamliner VIN Decoding

norontcan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Post the numbers off your data plate here and I'll have a go at it.

Ranchgoat12 · Veteran Member

Model: 20-07

Serial: 1200710638

Body Serial: 1060

Trim: 441

Paint: 156

I know there is a 51-1007 Chevy model. Could it be that the Pontiac version is 2007?

Doug

norontcan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

1 = year = 1951
2007 = Pontiac Fleetleader Deluxe 2 dr sedan FB 6passenger
10638 = sequential production number beginning with 00001
Paint = 156 = Caspian Grey
price = $2381
weight = 3176 lbs
engine numbers began at W135001 and went up.

Ranchgoat12 · Veteran Member

Thanks norontcan. Is there a reference site for this kind of info? By the way, I have not heard of Fleetleader before. I know the Chevy version of the "fastback" is called the Fleetline. All I have found under Pontiac is the name "Streamliner" Maybe that's american only?

BTW, the engine code on the tag is W151220

Thanks again!

silver steak · Addicted!

" By the way, I have not heard of Fleetleader before. I know the Chevy version of the "fastback" is called the Fleetline. All I have found under Pontiac is the name "Streamliner" Maybe that's american only?"

I have attached a sales promotional piece of literature for the Pontiac and although the Fast Back shown is called a Streamliner Delux Coupe, the rear tail lights appear to be round , not rectangular as the Canadian version has, and the belt line trim is not like our car. However, The second line clearly states The Distinguished Chieftains and the Beautiful Streamliners. Our car is designated has a Silver Streak on it's registration, the words Silver Streak are inscribed right into the instrument cluster. However, I have looked through my shop manual for series 2000 -2200 models , and I do not see the Words Stream Liner in any section. I am not an authority, just reporting what we have on our car.

Dale

-- Edited by silver steak on Monday 10th of February 2020 06:50:37 PM

-- Edited by silver steak on Monday 10th of February 2020 06:52:30 PM

Ranchgoat12 · Veteran Member

Thanks Dale. That's good info. (Very cool brochure!) For sure it looks like the term "Streamliner" is for the American made Pontiacs.
This is an excerpt fro wikipedia I found:

"The Pontiac Streamliner is a full-sized car that was produced by Pontiac from the 1942 to the 1951 model years.[1][2]"

I have since found articles revealing that the Fleet Leader is the Canadian made Pontiac of the era.

So decoding the VIN is difficult as I have not been able to find a "decoder" for Canadian made Pontiacs. Most of what I can find is from the US. Americans do not differentiate between the American made and Canadian made, As far as they are concerned, there is only American made.
Norontcan seems to have some reference to the Canadian info, hopefully he visits the site again soon and is able to share that info.

Thanks again Silver Streak.

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

I think Ted has the same book I use to decode Canadian VIN's. Cars & Parts published the "Catalog of Canadian Car I.D Numbers" about 10 years ago. I'm not sure if it's still available however.

norontcan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Yes, that's the book I have. It's been very helpful in decoding many requests on here.
Just a caveat that it is know to contain a few small errors or misprints. You only find them when a specific case comes up.

Believe it's out of print but copies do show up occasionally.

-- Edited by norontcan on Tuesday 11th of February 2020 11:11:53 AM

Ranchgoat12 · Veteran Member

Ok great. Thanks for the info guys!