1951 Pontiac Chieftain

[PhilA]

Yeah, they added the dumpy fins at the back and those remained until '56 where they rather flattened out. '57 saw the first of the sharp fins on the back, 58 they vanished and '59 they were back with a vengeance.

I still prefer the smooth lines of mine. Either all or nothing, the '59 has a nice American over-the-top style that says "Do it big or go home".. not everbody's cup of tea but still it was a phase cars went through here.

--Phil

[PhilA]

Just ordered a tube of grease for the steering. I now need to finish cleaning the steering box out, cut a new gasket and then that can go back together and be painted.

Phil

[Hooli]

It's great to see this thread here, it's one of the few I missed on AS since I was asked* to leave.

[brandersnatch]

It's great to see this thread here, it's one of the few I missed on AS since I was asked* to leave.

Asked* to leave? I must have missed that. Was there some controversy?


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[John F]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh, I have to do it!

Every time I see this thread in the list I think of the OTHER sort of Chieftain - the proper, but slightly dodgy, Leyland version.

So here's one.



I feel better now. Carry on.

[PhilA]

Mine came first. Therefore the tank needs an illuminated mascot on the front. They're doing it wrong.

Phil

[LynehamHerc]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh, I have to do it!

Every time I see this thread in the list I think of the OTHER sort of Chieftain - the proper, but slightly dodgy, Leyland version.

So here's one.



I feel better now. Carry on.

Quite a few of my schoolmates went to work at the ROF at Barnbow making these, it was only a couple of miles or so from our school and was within its catchment area, the housing around it not the factory itself needless to say..

[John F]

Yep, I remember seeing them out in the proving ground if I ever had to get the York train (iirc) out of Leeds.

I had a go in one once... after about 20 mins I came to the conclusion that there was simply no way of getting a smooth gearchange out of it.

[Hooli]

Mine came first. Therefore the tank needs an illuminated mascot on the front. They're doing it wrong.

Phil

The end of the barrel can flash on demand, does that count?

[PhilA]

Yep, I remember seeing them out in the proving ground if I ever had to get the York train (iirc) out of Leeds.

I had a go in one once... after about 20 mins I came to the conclusion that there was simply no way of getting a smooth gearchange out of it.

That's why they developed the automatic gearbox that's in my Pontiac- for light tanks, two engines, two gearboxes, each driving a track.

It's not smooth-smooth, but better than getting moving, putting the clutch in, attempting to change gear, failing, almost stopping then lurching forwards giving all whiplash as you finally get it into gear and try to relinquish the gear change...

Phil