Pontiac Identification, 1951 model

[4breezes]

We are planning to sell my mother's 1951 Pontiac, and suddenly find that we aren't sure what model it is. I believe it's one model, my sister thinks it's another. I won't give model names so as not to prejudice the opinions. I want to advertise it properly in Hemmings, but have only pictures to id it with. There is no paperwork. My mother never registered it further than paying road tax, but thats another story. So, I need your help to identify this beast.

Pictures can be seen at:

1951 Pontiac

All help will be appreciated.

A buyer would be really appreciated. If anyone is interested in buying, I can give more details.

[maxwedge]

Silly question here, no model logo anywhere, Star Chief or Chieftan?

[xeroinfinity]

Nice Car !
Whats is say on the doors ?

it does resemble a Chieftan, though wouldnt it hav the chief on the hood ?

[4breezes]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

Nice Car !
Whats is say on the doors ?

it does resemble a Chieftan, though wouldnt it hav the chief on the hood ?

On the door it says "Pontiac Eight", but I'm unsure whether that refers to the model, the trim level, or just the engine. My mother had the car repainted in the early '90s, along with an unknown amount of engine/mechanical work. I'm not convinced that all the chrome was put back on after the painting was finished.

The chief is there on the hood. He is not the amber chief as seen in '49 and '50, but he is there. I'll try to get a blow-up of the chief and the door logo up with the other pictures.

[xeroinfinity]

So is the cheif colored or metal chrome?
Also the front emblem(round) isnt it red, does it hav any thing on it like an Indian ?

I pretty sure the "8" was like the "88" thing they used on thier 60's+. Just the model, mostly V8 I'm sure.

Either way its in really good shape

Be a nice car to chop up
This is a 1951 Pontiac Chieftain Deluxe


This is a 1951 Pontiac Chieftain Delux eight


Look about the same to me

[4breezes]

[quote=xeroinfinity]So is the cheif colored or metal chrome?
Also the front emblem(round) isnt it red, does it hav any thing on it like an Indian ?/quote]

I've got the two additional pictures up. Had to go to work earlier and ran out of time.

The chief is metal, not the prettier amber color. The front emblem is red, and does seem to have an indian, now that I blow it up. Keep in mind, please, that the car is in Maine, and I'm in California. I'm working off of pictures only.

[xeroinfinity]

Ya I seen your profile said you were from Cali,
and the plate on the car said Main.
Thats a long drive !

So you just going to sell it from Main or are you taking it to Cali ?

Btw Its in real good shape for being in Main.
From what I've seen in the photos,
I think the car could bring you a nice amount of ca$h?

Its worth restoring thats for sure.

[4breezes]

We can trace the car back to about 1960. We know where it's been and we know who has owned it. Since that time it's been on an island in Maine, an island with only 20 miles of road. The odometer reads 02765.3. I don't know whether that's 2765.3 or 102765.3. In all that time it's been owned by a succession of three little old ladies, honest to God. I knew them all---my mother was the last. All of them had it at their summer home. It was always garaged in the winter, driven only in the summer.

We'll be selling it from Maine. I certainly don't want to either drive it or haul it to California. That is, unless I can get a significantly greater amount of money here. That brings up the ultimate question, of course. What is it worth? I've seen prices all over the map, so I really have no idea what to ask. Any thoughts?

[xeroinfinity]

Might try Kelly Blue Book, but I'd think around $8-10K if its a good running car with no rust on the frame.

Good Luck !