Pontiac Chieftain 1950–1954 car dimensions: 5144 mm long, 1922 mm wide and 1651 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,535 kg. Boot space with the seats up is 496 litres.
Full-width cloth seats come standard with armrests, ashtrays, dual sun visors and automatic interior lighting. The dash holds a semicircular speedometer plus fuel, ammeter, oil pressure and temperature gauges. A seven-tube radio and underseat Venti-heater with defroster are optional. air conditioning arrives as an option in 1954. No electronic driver aids appear.
The coupe trunk measures 17.5 cubic feet and holds the spare tire plus luggage with room to spare.
The cabin offers wide full-cushion bench seats in wool cloth as standard, with wool-nylon blends on Deluxe grades and nylon-leather or full leather options on Catalina hardtops. Front seats adjust manually forward and back via a side lever. a fully adjustable multi-position power Comfort-Control seat became available in 1954. Armrests with ashtrays are fitted front and rear on most models. An optional underseat Venti-heater provides cabin warmth. Floors use rubber mats up front and carpet in rear on many cars, with full carpet on hardtops. The dash features chrome accents, a semicircular speedometer, and grouped heater-radio controls for a bright, period interior feel with solid headroom and legroom for its size.
Engines run on regular fuel at standard compression. premium required for optional high-compression heads or most Hydra-Matic cars.
Fuel tank holds 17.5 gallons early in the run, rising to 20 gallons by 1953.
Four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes standard. power brakes optional from 1954.
Engines noted for reliability with full-pressure lubrication.
Shop manuals cover lubrication, brakes, suspension, and engine service for the generation.
Fuel needs match the compression setup. Standard-ratio cars use regular gasoline. Higher-compression engines paired with Hydra-Matic or ordered as options call for premium fuel to avoid knock. Tank size starts at 17.5 gallons and grows to 20 gallons later in the generation.
Servicing centers on the durable L-head six or eight. Full-pressure oiling including rifle-drilled rods supports long life when oil is kept clean and at the recommended viscosity. Factory shop manuals detail lubrication points, brake work, suspension geometry updates, and engine procedures. Annual oil changes suit seasonal use.
Safety equipment is basic for the period. Standard four-wheel hydraulic drums measure 11 inches. A parking-brake warning light arrives in 1952. Power brakes and front power windows join the option list in 1954. No formal crash-test ratings appear in period records. The perimeter frame with X-member adds structural stiffness.
Keeping the car means following the shop-manual schedule for grease, fluids, and adjustments. The flathead engines reward regular care with smooth operation and longevity. Parts and reproduction manuals remain available for restoration and maintenance.
Length 5144 mm, Width 1922 mm, Height 1651 mm, Wheelbase 3048 mm (Chieftain 1950–1954)
Sources: manufacturer data, Wikipedia/Hemmings/classiccardatabase.