Hudsy Wudsy Posted February 6, 2020 Share Posted February 6, 2020 I just came across this '40 Pontiac for sale in Tulsa, OK on C/L: https://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/d/sapulpa-1940-pontiac/7066106460.html I can't believe that it doesn't have a squirrels tail on the antennae or mud flaps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrbartlett Posted February 6, 2020 Share Posted February 6, 2020 When they no longer add usefulness or appeal or both. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnseeker Posted February 6, 2020 Share Posted February 6, 2020 It would look alot better with just hte dumb , dummy spots headlight visors and extra mirror removed. Most the rest was catalog order stuff you could get at the dealer from GM. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hudsy Wudsy Posted February 6, 2020 Author Share Posted February 6, 2020 I've never seen such conspicuous headlight "awnings" before. They're gigantic. I wonder what a view of the rear would show? I'll bet it surely has a ground strap and some sort of correct pre-war trailer hitch clamped onto the rear bumper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3macboys Posted February 6, 2020 Share Posted February 6, 2020 2 minutes ago, Hudsy Wudsy said: I've never seen such conspicuous headlight "awnings" before. They're gigantic. I wonder what a view of the rear would show? I'll bet it surely has a ground strap and some sort of correct pre-war trailer hitch clamped onto the rear bumper. I was wondering the same thing, looks like some kind of grille across the back window. Does kind of remind you of the people you see walking down the street and you think to yourself - I wonder if they looked in the mirror before they left and thought that they looked good as they headed out the door 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted February 6, 2020 Share Posted February 6, 2020 (edited) My buddy has everything from the Chevrolet accessory list on his 1937 Chevrolet....even a pipe rest on the dashboard.... Edited February 6, 2020 by keiser31 (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted February 6, 2020 Share Posted February 6, 2020 (edited) I see cars like that and assume that it's a guy who likes doing projects but he's already done everything that can be done. I get it--I enjoy the tinkering as much as the driving and would be bummed if I had a car that was "all done" (not like that'll ever happen, but I understand). FYI, this is what's in the back window: The good news is that you can take all that stuff off except maybe the windshield visor and the spots, which probably required drilling. Then it will look like this: Whenever a car shows up with non-stock fender skirts or those headlight covers or visors, my guys know to remove all that stuff before it's even in the door. And windshield visors, IMHO, should be a crime. Edited February 6, 2020 by Matt Harwood (see edit history) 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hudsy Wudsy Posted February 6, 2020 Author Share Posted February 6, 2020 (edited) 31 minutes ago, 3macboys said: I was wondering the same thing, looks like some kind of grille across the back window. Does kind of remind you of the people you see walking down the street and you think to yourself - I wonder if they looked in the mirror before they left and thought that they looked good as they headed out the door The rear window has a venetian blind in it. They were somewhat more popular after the war. You raise a good point about people looking in the mirror before they leave home. I think that for many of us, we loose our objectivity over time and can no longer judge. I'm having a little good natured fun with this Pontiac, but I think that we've all seen beautiful classic cars with so many road lights, fog lights and club badges, etc. on the front that the beauty of the car is lost and muddled. The trouble is who can we trust for objectivity? And will we ever speak to them again after they've been they're honest with us? Edited February 6, 2020 by Hudsy Wudsy (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfeil Posted February 6, 2020 Share Posted February 6, 2020 Weren't skirts a dealer sanctioned option in 1940?? I know for sure they were a option from 1941. I know from at least 1948-54 the sunshade visor was a dealer installed option and the skirts were either dealer or factory installed option. another 40, this car is owned by the AACA - Oakland Pontiac chapters club historian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Luddy Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 (edited) I prefer no add on stuff, but as long as it can be removed with out damage no big deal. I was able to purchase (for a car dealer I was working for at the time) a near mint condition 1981 Dodge pick up because it was slathered in after market junk. The original owner was one of those guys that loved it, babied it and like Matt said had to fuss and fiddle with it, because nothing ever needed restoring. Always kept inside and undercoated yearly it was a "Real Peach". The salesman at the Dodge Ram dealer had no idea, and lowballed the owner on a new one because the original muffler was finally making noise and owners wife wanted new with air conditioning. It was festooned with every piece o' crap available at low price auto parts stores. Hard to tell it was really nice due to the real truck obscured by junk and noisy exhaust. Spent a day removing the junk, degreasing the exterior where the oil undercoat was and it just sparkled. I was working for a used car dealer that bought it wholesale and said I would take it for myself since my Lil Red Express project was stalled. He said if it doesn't sell within 2 days it was mine. It sold to the 1st guy who seen it even before the ad came out. My huge mistake. Should have just paid full retail! Edited February 7, 2020 by Ed Luddy clarity (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 All those things were popular in the late '40s- '50s. You know, like bell bottoms and beehive hairdos. Different times. Ben 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfeil Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 What I'm getting at is: are skirts and sunshade OK on a AACA show field? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 I'm into early-fifties Plymouths and when I see a low-line car (like a business coupe) loaded with every possible accessory it just looks bogus. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Luddy Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 5 minutes ago, Harold said: I'm into early-fifties Plymouths and when I see a low-line car (like a business coupe) loaded with every possible accessory it just looks bogus. I agree. The base model cars really look bad with add on's. Tri 5 Chevy 150 Del Rays seem to be the worst victims 5 minutes ago, Harold said: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfeil Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 8 minutes ago, Ed Luddy said: I agree. The base model cars really look bad with add on's. Tri 5 Chevy 150 Del Rays seem to be the worst victims Would love to see this car in profile. Because of the angle of the picture I can't tell if it's a A or B body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Smolinski Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 They are called bombs & they are done up with all the doodads by our friends from south of the border, complete with sirens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHuDWah Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 29 minutes ago, Harold said: I'm into early-fifties Plymouths and when I see a low-line car (like a business coupe) loaded with every possible accessory it just looks bogus. Early-50s Plymouth business coupes may be low-line but not all are - just sayin'. But I agree about over-accessorizing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 (edited) 23 minutes ago, CHuDWah said: Imperials in the late 1930's were not luxury cars, were rather in the middle of the line. But I get your point--- Since our focus is on correctly preserving history, I think it's appropriate to keep on the car only the options which that particular example had. Edited February 7, 2020 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfeil Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 Many People don't realize in 1940 and 41 Pontiac's were built on "A" body ( with Chevrolet ) "B" body with Buick and Olds, and "C" body Series 62 Cadillac, 90 series Buick and Olds 98. here is a "C" body 41 Pontiac and notice, that skirt is supposed to be there; Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46 woodie Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 It's a matter of taste. Some people think that more is better and strive for every accessory made for their car. If you plan on having your car judged, don't expect to gain extra points by having accessories, as many clubs judge the vehicle as it came off the assembly line. Some will deduct points by having non-authorized accessories. I think an abundance of accessories makes the car look too "California Low Rider", less is more, in most cases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 The car looks fine. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Wetherbee Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 My 1926 Model T has every factory Ford, but dealer installed accessory that was available in that year plus a header clock and bud vases... makes it look more Model A-ish than anything. Wire wheels and bumpers were big sellers at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 Didn't know that Pontiac had an automagic in '40. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfeil Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 (edited) 21 minutes ago, padgett said: Didn't know that Pontiac had an automagic in '40. It didn't. Pontiac received HydraMatic in 1948, the same year Buick introduced Dynaflow. Chevrolet received Powerglide in 1950. Oldsmobile gets HydraMatic 1940 Cadillac gets Hydramatic in 1941 Edited February 7, 2020 by Pfeil (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryankazmer Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 I think it's a matter of taste if you put on the optional skirts or visor made by the OEM to fit it as an option, but aftermarket skirts and visors don't fit the same. The sunvisor on the original cars looks aftermarket to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve9 Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 (edited) I went small time and put on fog lights and an exhaust deflector....then pulled them off. I’ll go with the “just off the assembly line” look. Edited February 8, 2020 by Steve9 (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHuDWah Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 2 hours ago, John_S_in_Penna said: Imperials in the late 1930's were not luxury cars, were rather in the middle of the line. But I get your point--- Since our focus is on correctly preserving history, I think it's appropriate to keep on the car only the options which that particular example had. The point is business coupes are not necessarily stripped down low-end makes. Some makes produced them in top-of-the-line trim and some higher-end makes also produced the body style. If by "particular example" you mean a specific car, it's likely impossible to know what has or hasn't been on it over the past 100 years or so. Taking that to the absurd, the car should have the factory-installed coolant in the radiator, gas in the tank, oil in the crankcase, and air in the tires. So I have no problem with a couple OEM accessories regardless whether they were factory, dealer, or owner installed. I also have no problem with a period-appropriate aftermarket accessory or two. I do have a problem when the sheer number of accessories makes the car look like a circus wagon. But it's the owner's to accessorize as he/she pleases. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hudsy Wudsy Posted February 7, 2020 Author Share Posted February 7, 2020 A number of you have correctly noted the difference between factory authorized options and after market items. That's a valid distinction for those who value authenticity and I hadn't given that much thought when I started this topic. I just know that sometimes too much is too much. What good is it all if it makes the car look silly? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m-mman Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 I took these from an eBay auction many years ago. Typically you only see over accessorized cars presented as restored at shows and you wonder IF they were ever really that loaded up when they were new. This was obviously some man's dream boat. Likely he had a status in the community and wanted to display his tail feathers. He must have really felt proud and flashy driving it around. When it was finally not usable for transportation he obviously couldn't bear to part with it (some dreams never die) so it got parked next to the driveway and finally upon his death it was going away. More than any car I have seen this one really seemed to reflect the personality of its owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 I put this out there at the risk of being open to some criticism but.... I bought it to save from heading to the scrapper due to a divorce pretty much as you see it. I added the visor, tonneau cover, door glass rain shields, headlight eyebrows and chromed the hood nose trim all of which could be taken off if wanting too. It has it's original flat head (albeit smoking) V8 (NOT a SBC!) with a three speed on the column transmission, rebuilt standard brake system and it's original 6 V "positive ground" wiring. It's a fun driver, not a street rod, good to 55 mph with it's original gearing in the rear end. Like it or hate it... it's paid for. 🙂 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 You guys may not care for these people's accessory add-ons but on a global level, they're strictly amateurs. The Filipinos have taken accessorizing bling to DEFCON 2 level. 😄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 Well, that era isn't really my cup of tea. However, I have closely examined, studied would be a better word perhaps, literally tens of thousands by now original era photographs. Mostly I study 1930 and earlier, although I have probably examined a couple thousand from 1930 to '60 as well. My opinion. I like my cars to look like they were cut out of an era photograph. If the cars really, in considerable numbers, had certain accessories? I don't mind them on cars. I have had a few cars, mostly model Ts, and mostly a couple speedsters, that had quite a few accessories. But I also had what I referred to as my "well accessorized coupe"! I never counted, but between after-market headlamp lenses, the fatman wheel, a Ruckstell (one of the few accessories that Henry Ford actually approved! An original era overdrive transmission and brakes, it must have had well over a dozen accessories. But nothing gaudy. Most of my non-Fords have had an item or two. Many cars had added radiator caps, most with Motometers. A spotlight here, original era rear-view mirror there. The '25 Studebaker I had had a very nice after-marked BiFlex front bumper. My series 80 Pierce Arrow had a very nice original era trunk on the back, a perfect fit, not too small, yet understated. My intention for the '15 T runabout is that it will have one visible non-factory item. An original brass era rear-view mirror (Califunny actually requires two, but I don't plan to put on a second one). When one studies era photos? One does see a fair number of after-market accessories on cars. And, occasionally, even a gaudy over-the-top car. But gaudy cars were not common, not in the '10s and '20s, not in the '40s and '50s. And certainly NOT in the '30s! Personally, I like cars that look like most any car in a traffic picture. I do think that some small amount of accessorizing should be allowed in car shows. That is the way cars were used when they were nearly new! But that is me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Perkins / Mn Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 The most accessorized (or “excessorized”) Model T I have ever see was one I unearthed in 2015 after an almost 50 year slumber. If I recall there were over 20 accessories. First picture is after I cleaned it up, second picture is Louis Secon, builder of the car. This b/w picture was taken at a car show celebrating 25 years of the AACA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Perkins / Mn Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 Some pics of interesting accessories one seldom sees on a Model T..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfeil Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 12 hours ago, m-mman said: I took these from an eBay auction many years ago. Typically you only see over accessorized cars presented as restored at shows and you wonder IF they were ever really that loaded up when they were new. This was obviously some man's dream boat. Likely he had a status in the community and wanted to display his tail feathers. He must have really felt proud and flashy driving it around. When it was finally not usable for transportation he obviously couldn't bear to part with it (some dreams never die) so it got parked next to the driveway and finally upon his death it was going away. More than any car I have seen this one really seemed to reflect the personality of its owner. Look at the side profile of this 57 StarChief 4 dr. hardtop. Although I don't like it at all and I prefer to see a Chieftain Catalina 2 dr hardtop or a Chieftain 2 dr sedan like the one that won the 1957 Grand national Race at Daytona that ushered in Pontiac's announcement to the world that "We are going racing and build some excitement" I totally get what this guy was trying to do. He probably saw a 1958 Cadillac 60 Special; Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m-mman Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 Add enough accessories to you new Model T and for the cost, you could have been driving a Buick . . . . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfeil Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 So to answer the question " How do you know when to stop" If I was judging a car it would be simple. Most judges will not know or have a build sheet on the vehicle and that means anything that was a factory option or a factory authorized dealer installed option is OK. If it's a street car going down the street?, Well for now we live in a country that will allow you to do almost anything (with the exception of safety concerns and emissions tampering) you want to do and I like it that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 Despite my distaste for many accessories (and too many accessories), I still think you should stop only when you're happy with the car. What I like is limited to me and mine. What you like is your business. I can respect that and as long as you're having fun, it's all good! Nevertheless, this one still bothered me a lot. A sun visor on a convertible?!? WTF? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 (edited) This guy could not bring himself to stop adding non-factory accessories.... Edited February 7, 2020 by keiser31 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hudsy Wudsy Posted February 7, 2020 Author Share Posted February 7, 2020 3 minutes ago, keiser31 said: This guy could not bring himself to stop adding non-factory accessories.... This fella could have used an intervention a long, long time ago. However, is there something sort of "photoshopy" about this pic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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