Pontiac Chieftain
Pontiac Chieftain — 1949–1954, 2-door sedan 4-door sedan 2-door coupe 2-door hardtop 2-door convertible 4-door station wagon, 239.2 cuin L-head I6; 268.2 cuin L-head Silver-Streak I8 (1949–1951); 268.4 cuin L-head Silver-Streak I8 (1952–1954). Explore engine specifications, fuel economy, dimensions, tire sizes, seating, maintenance and tire-pressure guidance.
About the Pontiac Chieftain
Pontiac Chieftain is a 2-door sedan 4-door sedan 2-door coupe 2-door hardtop 2-door convertible 4-door station wagon in the full-size car class, with source data covering 1949–1954. The available vehicle data lists 239.2 cuin L-head I6; 268.2 cuin L-head Silver-Streak I8 (1949–1951); 268.4 cuin L-head Silver-Streak I8 (1952–1954) as an engine configuration, paired with 3-speed synchromesh manual4-speed Hydramatic automatic and a FR layout layout. Public source material describes the model in the context of its design, market positioning and vehicle history.
This Pontiac Chieftain guide focuses on the details drivers commonly want to know, including engine information for 239.2 cuin L-head I6; 268.2 cuin L-head Silver-Streak I8 (1949–1951); 268.4 cuin L-head Silver-Streak I8 (1952–1954) and 3-speed synchromesh manual4-speed Hydramatic automatic transmission information. Exact specifications should be matched to the relevant model year and market.
Pontiac Chieftain specifications at a glance
Use this table for the model-level essentials. Exact figures may vary by year, trim, engine and market.
| Make | Pontiac |
|---|---|
| Model | Chieftain |
| Model years | 1949–1954 |
| Body style | 2-door sedan 4-door sedan 2-door coupe 2-door hardtop 2-door convertible 4-door station wagon |
| Vehicle class | Full-size car |
| Manufacturer | Pontiac (General Motors) |
| Production | 1949–1958 |
| Market / country | FI, NL, NZ |
Engine, transmission and performance
Engine information for the Pontiac Chieftain includes 239.2 cuin L-head I6; 268.2 cuin L-head Silver-Streak I8 (1949–1951); 268.4 cuin L-head Silver-Streak I8 (1952–1954).. Transmission information includes 3-speed synchromesh manual4-speed Hydramatic automatic.. The listed drivetrain/layout is FR layout.
| Engine | 239.2 cuin L-head I6; 268.2 cuin L-head Silver-Streak I8 (1949–1951); 268.4 cuin L-head Silver-Streak I8 (1952–1954) |
|---|---|
| Transmission | 3-speed synchromesh manual4-speed Hydramatic automatic |
| Drivetrain / layout | FR layout |
Dimensions, weight and practicality
Dimensions and capacity figures are presented as published source data when available.
| Wheelbase | 1949-51: 120 in (3,048 mm)1952-54: 122 in (3,099 mm) |
|---|---|
| Length | 1949-51: 5143.5 mm (203 in) 1952: 5144 mm (203 in)1953–1954: 5150 mm (203 in) |
| Width | 75.8 in (1,925 mm)(1949–1952)76.6 in (1,946 mm) (1953–1954) |
| Height | 63.3 in (1,608 mm) |
| Kerb / curb weight | 1949-51: 1535 -1952-54: 1691 – |
Pontiac Chieftain other specifications
| Name | Pontiac Chieftain |
|---|---|
| Image | Flickr – Hugo90 – 1952 Pontiac (1).jpg |
| Caption | 1952 Pontiac Chieftain Deluxe two-door Sedan |
| Aka | Pontiac Pathfinder (Canada) Pontiac Super Chief (Australia) |
Pontiac Chieftain generations and model years
Where a source covers multiple generations, CarCareTool selects the generation(s) that best match this catalog model instead of mixing unrelated variants.
| Generation / scope | Years | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pontiac Chieftain | 1949–1958 | Not specified | 3-speed synchromesh manual4-speed Hydramatic automatic | FR layout |
| First generation | 1949–1954 | 239.2 cuin L-head I6; 268.2 cuin L-head Silver-Streak I8 (1949–1951); 268.4 cuin L-head Silver-Streak I8 (1952–1954) | Not specified | FR layout |
| Second generation | 1955–1957 | 1955: 287.2 cuin V81956: 316.6 cuin 2(192-205hp) or 4(216-227hp) bbl. V81957: 346 cuin V8 | 3-speed manualDual-Range Hydra-MaticStrato-Flight Hydra-Matic | FR layout |
| Third generation | 1958 | 370 cuin V8 | 3-speed manualSuper Hydra-Matic | FR layout |
Recommended tire pressure for Pontiac Chieftain
Check the vehicle placard or owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s cold inflation pressure. CarCareTool estimates are clearly labelled when an exact verified value is unavailable.
| Load condition | Front | Rear | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | 32 PSI | 30 PSI | Estimate |
| Fully loaded | 34 PSI | 33 PSI | Estimate |
Frequently asked questions about Pontiac Chieftain
These FAQs are generated automatically for this specific vehicle from the specifications, features and ownership data available in CarCareTool. Questions are selected by relevance so the page focuses on details that can actually be answered for this model.
What engine does the Pontiac Chieftain have?
What tire pressure should I use for the Pontiac Chieftain?
What is the best engine oil for the Pontiac Chieftain?
What body style is the Pontiac Chieftain?
What years was the Pontiac Chieftain produced?
What are the dimensions of the Pontiac Chieftain?
What transmission does the Pontiac Chieftain have?
Is the Pontiac Chieftain FWD, RWD or AWD?
Who makes the Pontiac Chieftain?
When was the Pontiac Chieftain produced?
How much does the Pontiac Chieftain weigh?
Where was the Pontiac Chieftain built?
What class of car is the Pontiac Chieftain?
What platform does the Pontiac Chieftain use?
Which markets or countries sold the Pontiac Chieftain?
What came after the Pontiac Chieftain?
What replaced the Pontiac Chieftain?
What cars are related to the Pontiac Chieftain?
How often should I check the tire pressure on the Pontiac Chieftain?
Should I use the tire sidewall pressure for the Pontiac Chieftain?
Data sources and verification are available in the page editor; exact specifications can vary by year, market, trim and engine.
Pontiac Chieftain images
Vehicle images are shown from the stored source image records when available.
