As the United States was coming out of the economic desolation of the Great Depression , carbuyers were seeking much more utility and economic value for theirmoneythan ever before , and find it in the 1935 - 1936Pontiac . A more conservative , more practical outlook was now the order of the day . shut cars were far more often order than clear physical structure styles , as wereenginesof smaller displacement , normally sixes .
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With the market focal point on these specific qualities , Pontiac found itself in a remarkably good position when the new 1935 mannequin appeared in showrooms in late 1934.As they were in the low end of the medium - toll field , Pontiacs generally cost more than the typicalFord , Chevrolet , Plymouth , or Willys . Still , they were low-priced for many people and represented an excellent value .
Seen in the setting of the time , the 1935 - 1936 Pontiacs were in an interesting " in - between " full point in the evolution of the marque . Before them had come a line of eight - piston chamber - only cars with a European - shape exterior plan , cloth inserts for the tops of closed bodies , and a Dubonnet independent front - suspension system . After them would amount a more modern physical body and all - steel body construction .
This interim contemporaries had several unique feature article that ramify it from the cars that came before . Most obvious was the exterior design . Like its precursor , the newfangled design was the inspiration of Franklin Q. Hershey , a Californian who was a designer for coachbuilder Walter Murphy , and more of late had do over from Hudson .
To watch about the styling of the 1935 - 1936 Pontiac , see the next page .
1935-1936 Pontiac Styling
The 1935 - 1936Pontiacstyling , while not at all similar in appearance to the 1934 Pontiac , had the same design missionary station : to institute Pontiac as a gamey - trend but fairly cheap marque , a footstep up from the ledger entry - grade landing field .
The fresh 1935 Pontiac was a more flowing , Art Deco car that ushered in a conception clew destined to be a trademark for the section for more than 20 years , the famed " Silver Streak . "
Up front , the Silver Streak treatment began as a bright dance orchestra of multiple rib running from the base of the windscreen and across the top of the lens hood , forming a somewhat streamlined waterfall grille . completing touches admit deco - animate trimness on the hood side of meat and somewhat teardrop - shaped parking lamps atop the buffer .
Legend has it that the Silver Streak plan theme was inspired by a photo of a Napier racecar , its oil colour cooler protruding through the toughie , that Hershey saw in a French magazine . seemingly Pontiac General Manager Harry J. Klingler and General Motors Executive Vice President William S. Knudsen were impressed by this innovative look , which gave the integral 1935 Pontiac strain a " bigger " big - machine show .
The streak would become an enduring Pontiac trademark that would last through 1956 . Ironically , it was the Word of " Big Bill , " Semon E. " Bunkie " Knudsen , who ordered the Silver Streaks withdraw from the 1957s when he became naval division oecumenical manager in June 1956 .
For more on the 1935 Pontiac , see the next page .
1935 Pontiac
The 1935Pontiacfeatured buffer that were big and more rounded than before . As in 1933 - 1934 , though , they were stamped with horizontal " speedlines " just behind thewheelopenings .
Full function of"suicide " doorson every manikin was a new – and somewhat retrograde – lineament ; fundament - hinged doors were go down out of favour and Pontiac had antecedently used them only at the rear of four - door sedans .
Split windscreen were also used for the first fourth dimension in 1935 to make a vee effect , and they would rest through 1952 .
The physical structure itself was a more modern and streamlined design than before . Dimensions would depart by body style and chassis , but there was a basic continuity in terms of general shape , running boards , rearward buffer , and bumper . All Pontiacs were based on the General Motors " A " Body , which was shared with Chevrolet .
While the 1935 Pontiac ’s smell was all young , its construction details still had much in common with its herald . Fisher Body ’s all - blade " turret top " for coupes and sedans was a definite advancement over the old fabric ceiling panels , but bodies still derived much of their structure from wooden inner framing , as was the average in those day .
Though lightweight and initially quite stout , wood was prone to waste over metre , which reduced inflexibility . This situation would cause such maladies as sagging threshold and weather - sealing problem , to say nothing of diminished crash safety .
Like the exteriors , the interiors of six- and eight - piston chamber exemplar share the same basic layouts . Differences include fabrics , control knobs , and the choice of bench or bucket seats .
There were significant difference on the mechanically skillful side as well . A Modern lambert - head six - cylinderenginewas released to help Pontiac vie in the lower - price brackets . It was designed by principal technologist Benjamin H. Anibal and portion out nothing with Pontiac ’s previous sixes , which were produced from 1926 - 1932 .
The new six was similar to the Pontiac square eight in a smorgasbord of item and was a related to excogitation , though it was not just an eight with two cylinders chop off . It was thoroughly conventional in aim , though well - built and very durable , due in no modest part to its four primary bearing and fully counterweighted crankshaft .
The six ’s piston chamber were larger than the eight ’s , with a aegir of 3.38 inches and a stroke of 3.88 inch . This compare to the eight ’s 3.19 - inch bore and 3.50 - inch stroke . As a result , the deracination of the six was not much smaller than that of the eight : 208 three-dimensional inches versus 223 for the eight .
With a single - barrel Carter carburetor and a 6.2:1 compression ratio , the novel six made 80 bhp at 3600 rev . This was unmistakably close to the eight ’s 84 bhp at 3800 rpm , also developed with 6.2:1 compressing and a single - barrel Carter carburetor .
The inline eight was only in its third class of output , but had already received upgrades . A revised intake manifold and a new version of the " GMR " piston chamber head ( developed by General Motors Research , hence the name ) was take in 1934 , adding seven horsepower to the railway locomotive ’s original output . For 1935 , novel micropolished rod and independent bearings provided extra strength to an engine already noted for its toughness .
For more on the 1935 Pontiac ’s mechanics , continue on to the next pageboy .
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1935 Pontiac Mechanics
The 1935Pontiacmechanics were an update and improved version of the basic " double - drop " chassis design that was used in the two previous model years . This chassis was available in two different wheelbases and with two different frontsuspensionsystems , depending on model .
The DeLuxe Six and Improved Eights preserve to use an independent front suspension carried over from the 1934 Pontiacs , design by French racing car and discoverer , Andrà © Dubonnet . It was market as the " Knee - Action " front intermission .
Chevrolet and Pontiac used this system , while Oldsmobile , Cadillac , LaSalle , andBuickused a better system plan by Cadillac . InterestÂingly , both blueprint used the Knee - Action moniker .
Perhaps the most substantial change from the yesteryear came in the brake department . Gone was the former mechanical braking scheme and in its space was a better - performing and more reliable hydraulic system sport tympan at all four corners . This new design was part of an manufacture - spacious shift to the safer hyÂdraulics , though it would be a while before all manufacturers would make the conversion .
Two wheelbases were used for the 1935 Pontiac . Six - cylinder models used a 112 - in wheelbase , while eights were rest on a 116.6 - inch physical body . Eights used longer front sheetmetal and running board to make up the difference of opinion . Overall length checked in at 189 inch and 193.6 inches , severally .
When the 1935 Pontiacs were introduced on December 29 , 1934 , there were two series , the said DeLuxe Six and Improved Eight . Body styles include a pair of coupes , a two - seater and a " sport coupe " with rumble seat ; two- and four - room access sedan ; and two- and four - door Touring sedans .
The Touring sedans had cover establish - in trunk , while the saloon had flat back with a hatching that gave access to the supernumerary tyre hive away within . A cab convertible with a rumble seat was also offered in each serial publication .
There were also a couple of interesting variations on the coupe body , admit the " Doctor ’s Special " and an " Opera Coupe . " The Doctor ’s Special used a peculiarly design front seat with a compartment in the back that house a matching aesculapian suitcase .
The Opera Coupe featured a individual jump hind end that folded out of the rear bulkhead on the number one wood ’s side . It was really a preproduction experimentation , of which approximately 50 were built . A handful survive today , include one original - status ImÂproved Eight model .
The only available transmission system was a in full synchronize flooring - shift three - speed manual unit . It transferred power through a torsion thermionic tube to the semifloating rearward axle . Six - piston chamber auto came with a 4.44:1 differential proportion , while eights received a 4.55:1 proportion . Six - cylinder models came with 16×6.00 balloon - type tire mounted on wire - spoke wheel . Eights used 16×6.50 balloon tires affixed to steel artillery - utter wheels .
Optional equipment for DeLuxe Six and Improved Eight models was not extensive by New standards , but was on equation with other shuffling in the medium - price field in that era . One could choose such useable equipment as antifreeze , wheel disk , trim ring , dual sidemount spares , bumper guards , a couple of sort of bullet , " Air Mate " and " Air Chief " radio set , a vanity mirror , luggage set , dash - mounted sentry , and a glovebox smoker solidifying .
In February 1935 , a new terms - loss leader Standard Six serial was precede in all physical structure styles except the cab and rumble - fanny coupe . price were $ 50-$60 cheaper than their DeLuxe Six counterparts . While $ 60 does n’t seem like much , it was about nine pct of the cost of a Deluxe Six concern coupe . Knock nine per centum off the price of a unexampled car today and one can get an musical theme of what $ 60 meant to a elevator car shopper 72 years ago .
The differences between the Standard and DeLuxe were mostly mechanically skillful . The most significant variety were locate in the front suspension . The Dubonnet design was not used on the Standard . In its lieu was a simpler and , as it would turn out , a more honest satisfying I - balance beam front axle supported by semi - ovoid leaf springs .
Other changes in the interest of toll economy let in a three - fastness manual transmittal with a nonsynchronized first gear , a want of fender - top parking lamps , and a individual taillamp . The rear - quarter windows of four - room access Standards lack the crank - heart-to-heart vents of their costlier siblings .
dim fenders and running boards were used in this serial publication no matter of consistence color . The threefold sidemounts available as optional equipment on the DeLuxe Six and Improved Eight models could not be ordered on the Standard Six .
The new model lineup and the addition of the six - piston chamber engine prove to be a very profitable move for Pontiac . Like most other manufacturers during the Great Depression , Pontiac had mislay ground in sales . While many other manufacturer were not able-bodied to survive the grave economical office , Klingler and his management squad had hit upon just the right mix of attractive product and affordable pricing .
Production number were up dramatically from the former model year and in reality firm up Pontiac ’s perspective in the lowly mid - price field of study . Pontiac turned out 129,468 of the 1935s , an gain of 50,609 car from the 1934 model year . Though gross revenue of eight - piston chamber Pontiacs dropped considerably , the output total of the new sixes alone outmatch 1934 ’s output tally . Clearly , the six - cylinder simulation were the right auto for the clock time .
1936 Pontiac
The 1936Pontiacunderwent some evolutionary change from the previous year , but product planners did not lose hatful of the fact they had a winning card on their hands . The changes made conserve the note value for which Pontiacs were becoming known , and more than made up for the minimum increase in Mary Leontyne Price for some models , most of which were not more than a few dollar . ( In fact , the base of operations price of eight - piston chamber sedans were even reduced slightly . )
In term of styling , the 1936 Pontiacs looked much like their harbinger as the changes made were quite subtle . Unlike many second - yr human face - lifts made to existing bodies , Pontiac ’s new spirit luckily did not take away from the unity of the basic design .
A narrow waterfall grille shell was implemented . The silver medal streaks on the hood still extend to form the center section of the grille , as in 1935.The difference this year was that there were few streak and the outer grille element were now painted body colour , lending even more visual " slimness " to the front final stage . The headlamp pail were also narrower and longer than before , and they were newly mount on the sides of the grille shell .
There were more subtle visual changes made as well . Hood - ornament designs ( which were different for six- and eight - cylinder models ) were changed , and the chrome moldings on the hood sides were redesigned , now come to a peak at the leading edge .
The speedlines stamped into the fenders were eliminated , and front - hinged door render throughout the batting order , though the rear doors of four - doorcarscontinued to be attached at the rear . Steel - spokewheelsbecame standard throughout the Pontiac family .
During the year , the Standard was rename the Master Six . The first appearance - level serial publication expanded via a pair of new torso styles , the cab and sport coupe . Both variations of the Master two - door sedan could now be ordered with front bench seat ( added mid - year ) , and sideÂmounts became an option in this serial .
There were mechanically skillful variety , too . The eight was enlarged from 223.4 Criminal Investigation Command to 232.3 by path of a .06 - inch overbore . The increase in displacement and a compression wage hike to 6.5:1 nudgedhorsepowerfrom 84 to 87 at the same 3,800 rev . The eight also benefit from an improvedcooling system , now pressurise to five pound per square inch .
Eight - piston chamber example , now known as DeLuxe Eights , also gain from an improved clutch , which was a ventilated dry - record excogitation . Additionally , the infection used in Master Sixes was now the same in full contemporize three - stop number manual gearbox used in the DeLuxe Six .
Interestingly , some of the rescript made during the model yr come as running change , phase in during the course of the production run . Examples of this include relatively minor modification , such as a switch on some models from the 1935 - expressive style flush - mount taillamps to bullet - shaped units .
However , the most substantial running change was the discontinuance of the Dubonnet autonomous front suspension system system used on the DeLuxe Six and DeLuxe Eight . In its place was the " other " Knee - legal action front hiatus that was in the beginning design for Cadillac by Maurice Olley . It was adapted for usage in the Pontiac by chassis applied scientist Robert K. Hutchinson .
The truth was , the Dubonnet organisation , while advanced in a technological sense , was not particularly long-lived and take more attention than most motorists were used to providing . Its most interesting attribute were its encased coil give and jar absorber , as well as its steering wheel hub , which was attached to a individual control arm .
The problems arose when the grade of the oil in which the springs rest dropped below the full degree , which resulted in erratic handling and speed vesture . The Dubonnet system also had a report of being unmanageable to serve and repair .
Conversely , the newfangled Pontiac front suspension , adopted from its higher - priced General Motors cousins , was a thoroughly conventional pattern , featuring unequal - duration upper and lower mastery arms , with Billie Jean Moffitt King pins that floated in bronze heraldic bearing . It was comparatively trouble - free , require petty maintenance , and was middling unsubdivided to resort . It would continue to be used in subsequent model years .
As it did the year before , the combination of product and pricing continued to be a winning combination in the marketplace . Production number were up dramatically from 1935 .
All told , Pontiac production had more than double in just two simulation years . This would be a remarkable feat in any era , but for that level of growth to occur in the same ten as the Great Depression , when so many carmaker were falling by the roadside , was truly telling .
Though it was n’t obvious to observers at the time , the 1935 and 1936 model twelvemonth at Pontiac were a constantly evolving conversion time period in the division ’s history . The popular raw six - cylinder locomotive , plus the flowing good looks of Silver Streak styling on turret - top bodies overshadowed such antediluvian features as wood eubstance frame and unbent - axle front break .
But 1937 would see enlarged railway locomotive , the full adoption of sovereign front suspension , and all - steel B - physical structure shared with the the like of Oldsmobile , Buick , and LaSalle . A new era of modernisation was on the view at Pontiac .
1935-1936 Pontiac Specifications
The 1935 - 1936Pontiacsseemed to be just what buyers needed in terms of power , comfort , and style at the ending of the Great Depression . Here are the specifications of the 1935 - 1936 Pontiac :
1935 Pontiac Standard Six Vehicle Specifications
1935 Pontiac Standard SixModels , Prices , and Production
1935 Pontiac DeLuxe Six Vehicle Specifications
1935 Pontiac DeLuxe SixModels , Prices , and Production
1935 Pontiac Improved Eight Vehicle Specifications
1935 Pontiac Improved EightModels , Prices , and Production
1936 Pontiac Master Six Vehicle Specifications
1936 Pontiac DeLuxe Six Vehicle Specifications
