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

Hi Christopher,
There were 2 series in 1950, the Streamliner and the Chieftain; with either a six or eight cylinder engine. The Streamliner models are easily identified by the sloping rear body, the Chieftain has a conventional trunk. Your car will have a data plate under the hood that shows the Style No. such as 50-2507. The 50 obviously denotes the model year; while 2507 is a Streamliner 2 door sedan in standard trim. A 50-2507D would be equipped with deluxe trim. This was the only 2 door Streamliner.
The Chieftain series is more complete. The Business Coupe is a 50-2527B, the "B" denotes Business and this model is only available in standard trim. The Sedan Coupe is a 2527 and the 2 door sedan is a 2511; if either style number is followed by the letter "D", it has the deluxe trim. The Catalina 2 door hardtop coupe is a 2537SD, this model is only available in Super Deluxe trim. The convertible is a 2567DTX and again, is only available in deluxe trim. The Siler Streak designation was never used to denote a series or model line.

In my opinion there is no need to change your car to a 12 volt system. The 6 volt system will work fine if properly serviced; clean, tight connections are essential due to the lower voltage. It is also essential to use the proper gauge of wire/cable, especially the main battery cables. It is normal to show a "discharge" at idle on these systems, the generator isn't turning fast enough to charge at idle.

There is a club dedicated to '26 through '54 Pontiacs, check www.earlytimeschapter.org

Regards,
Pete

Thanks so much Pete. This is the most information I have received concerning this car. I have spent a lot of time on line researching with little success. I may have been looking for the wrong thing in the wrong place but it seems that there is not too much out there on these Pontiacs.

I will look for the style number to get some answers.

1)Can you explain the difference between the business coupe and sedan coupe, standadrd and deluxe trim packages?

2)Concerning replacement parts and chrome trim pieces; are these interchangeable between styles,trim packages, and chieftain/streamliner?(excluding the difference in rear design, could you swap trim for the front of the car, etc.)

3)Are 49 and 50 the same models in respect to parts and accessories?

I just turned 30 this year but cars have been a passion since I was old enough to drive. There is so much style in in this generation of cars that is missing in todays cars. My first car was a 72 Olds cutlass I got in 1992 with 32,000 miles that was my great grandparents. This was stolen when I went off to college.
Now I have returned to own an era of cars I have always loved, though I am learning that there is a lot to having a sixty year old car. I have a 2-door chieftain, front and back seat, am radio, cig lighter, vents, under seat heater, defroster. This sounds like maybe the sedan coupe?

Thanks,

Christopher, all cars with generators do tend to go slightly negative or at least to zero at idle if you have a large electrical load on (i.e., lights, fan, radio,etc). With a no load situation, there should be a slight charge at idle. If you have a lot of electrical components, then it may be necessary to adjust the voltage regulator. If the engine idle is too low it will cause a negative idle with a no-load situation. There are aftermarket 6 volt alternators that will really cure the nuisance, but they sacrifice originality.
Regards,
Mike Militello