1950 Silverstreak

50silverstreak · June 26th, 2008

I am new to AACA and I have a 1950 2 door Pontiac Silverstreak 6 cylinder, which I bought about a year ago. It seems to be hard to find a lot of information on this car and I am unclear if "Silverstreak" is the Model name of the car or the trim package. My radio says chieftan. Can anyone explain the models of this year and where mine fits. Most part are listed under Chieftan and I rarely see anything about Silverstreak.

Also, I still have a 6 volt set-up. If I change to 12 volt do I have to change all the wiring in addition to the bulbs. The car is mostly oringinal so I don't know if I should spend the money to change to 12volt or keep it original??

When I have the headlights on and just idling at a light my "charge" is in the negative. Is this normal ??

Thanks,
Christopher

50silverstreak · June 26th, 2008

Chrisopher
1950 Pontiac Silverstreak
Jacskonville, FL

49 Streamliner · June 26th, 2008

Christopher,

"Silver Streak" referred to the chrome or stainless strips that ran the length of the hood and sometimes the trunk. They were a distinguishing design feature for Pontiacs starting in 1935. They had them in various widths through 1956. A member of another forum I belong to said that after 1951 they weren't referred to as Silver Streaks anymore even though the streaks were still there.

In 1950 the two body styles were Chieftain and Streamliner. The Streamliner was a "fastback", and the Chieftain was a "notchback". Both could be either 2-door or 4-door. The 1949 and '50 models had the label "Silver Streak" on the sides of the front fenders. If you had an 8 cylinder, it would read "Silver8Streak". I believe all the basic radios were labeled "Chieftain" even if they were in a Streamliner.

Someone with more expertise than me can probably help you with your electrical questions.

Can you post a picture of your car?

Bill

50silverstreak · June 27th, 2008

Bill,

Thanks for your info! I will try to post pictures ASAP. Mine is the notchback so I guess it is the Chieftain. It is painted silver and really looks like a silverstreak. Such a cool art deco period for automobiles.

Do you have your streamliner pictures posted? It is nice to have some other Pontiac owners to converse with about my car.
Thanks again!

49 Streamliner · June 27th, 2008

Christopher, Go to the subject "Post a Picture of your Car" in this forum. A photo of my car (and one that belonged to my parents) is in the 8th message down from the top.

Bill

Lukey · June 29th, 2008

Hi Christopher, my name is Lukey and I drive a 1950 Pontiac Chieftain. Glad to see you here. My car is a 4 door delux. What is the style number of your car (mine would be 50-2569D)? There should be a tag on the firewall. If you include the paint and trim codes I can tell you even more about your car. Sure, the car will discharge at idle with the headlights on. That is no big deal. I still have all the original 6 volt stuff in my car and I have no problems at all. I look forward to hearing more from you... Lukey

Tinindian · June 29th, 2008

GM never ever refered to "Silverstreak". Designers and reporters refered to the waterfall chrome mouldings on the hood and grills as "silverstreaks". Common usage or should I say mis-usage led to people refering to their Pontiac vehecles as silverstreak as if it were a model number. Just the same way as people refer to a pre 60's car as having a "VIN" rather than a serial number, or calling a four door sedan a four door post or a two door sedan (coach) a two door post. What they are trying to differentiate from is a four or two door hardtop. If you want a differential carrier for you car most back yard mechanics in north america will call it a "pumpkin". We both above and below the 49th have bastardized the English language.

50silverstreak · June 30th, 2008

It seems that Pontiac, atleast, refered to this car as the "Silverstreak" long enough to write it in chrome on each side of the car! This indicates something different than "never, ever." Not quite sure what you were trying o communicate with your response??? Maybe you could elaborate.

50silverstreak · June 30th, 2008

Luckey,
Nice to see another 1950. Look forward to chatting with you. Do you have a 6 or 8 cylinder?

I assume mine is a chieftain just didn't know if the streamliner could also have "silversreak" on the side as well.

Do you have any suggestions to get anymore power out of the engine? any other suggestions or advice? How fast are you able to go? I top out at 65-70mph but I don't know if I should push it that high. Driving awesome now that there is a rebuilt carb, new exhaust and radial tires.

Tinindian · June 30th, 2008

It was not used in any literature put out by GM. It does not appear in any parts or shop manual. It is not a model designation.
By the way I drive my Pontiac daily (about a thousand miles a month) and cruise in the 55 to 60 mph range and top out about 75.