[Schoust]

Hey Guy's I have some questions about a car that me and my son's are toying with turning into a Rat Rod. The Boy's were at my Sisters playing in the woods and stumbled on what appears to be a 53 Chieftain Delivery with a straight eight. The thing about this car that is so appealing is the darn thing is in remarkable condition and has very little rust! It's almost errie the way it sits amongst the tree's that have grown around it! Anyway I'm kicking it around dropping a modern drive train in it and getting back on the road.
I'm not sure if there are any of you that have any info on these cars worth or how hard parts are to get? Just wondering and looking for opinions....
Thanks

[Charlie Jones]

This is such a rare car that I would encourage you to keep it original. Engine parts are available from sources such as Egge Machine . Drivetrain and chassis parts are available from sources such as Kanter Auto Products. Other items are also available from California Pontiac Restoration. Our host, Performance Years may also offer a few items.
If the original straight eight still turns over it can probably be made to run and it's definately worth a try before deciding to pitch it. Those old straight eights were very rugged and reliable and will keep up with modern traffic if they are in good condition.
as for info try 1952Pontiac.com he has a complete master parts catalog on line there as well as a parts interchange manual which is also searchable online.
Good luck on your project (if you decide to go for it) and getting your boys involved is definately a good idea, keeps 'em out of trouble!

[Bill Eveland]

Please we don't need anymore ratrods, keep it original as possible. Although dropping it to the ground with some WWW tires would look pretty good. Just no satin black with red wheels to look like every other car at the show.

[stevep]

If you need a rebuildable 1954 Straight 8, I have one.

[Schoust]

You know I had the Rat rod idea in my mind only momentaraly and decided that if I do drag it out of the woods it will remain the way Pontiac built it. Does anyone have any info on the numbers that were built?

[Stuart]

They only built 1,324 of them, so it's pretty rare.

[53texponcho]

check out Pontiac Safari web site http://www.pontiacsafari.com/index.html They have a parts catalog with illustrations and will give you all the part # you every needed. Now as for availibility the grille is darn near impossible so if the one on your is good and not damaged, I'd find a good rechromer in your area. Also the correct taillights are very rare, so you would also want to get those rechromed as well. Good luck on a very rare vehicle! I wish I had you back yard area.

[hobbygto65]

Does it look like this one? found this on ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/53-Po...=p4506.c0.m245

[cruzn52]

As cool as the straight 8 is I say if you want to go ahead and do a modern drivetrain, go for it. I have a 1952 pontiac chieftain and have installed a 455 with a turbo 350 and a 10 bolt 8.5" auburn posi out of a 79 trans am. I have used everything from geo prism parts to s-10 parts to make the swap work so it is possible. A 455 will drop in easily with some custom made engine mounts and I am using headers from the same 79 trans am. driveshaft from a 72 impala was a direct fit and the rear end out of the firebird was a direct fit with some weld on pads. Radiator is out of a 72 bonneville with a 79 firebird fan shroud. I know yours is a wagon and I do not know how different they are.
The straight 8 is cool but if you have the itchin to throw something else in it, I say go for it.
here are some pics of my car, when I first got it and now during paint. I do not have any of the engine swap on my PC. A 255/70/15 rear tire will fit also.

[Schoust]

Hey 53 Tex that's what it looks like with some differences I am still debating on whether I want to do a project this big? I bet after I start to dig there will be plenty of rust!!