1948 was the final year of the basic design for the Pontiac Streamliner, a design that Pontiac had been selling since before World War II. The Streamliner was built in two-door, four-door, and wagon configurations, with a “woody” version of the wagons available. The 1948 model year carried over the Silver Streak styling, with emblems on both front fenders that included the “8” denoting the Straight Eight that powered them. The 1948 edition saw the introduction of General Motors’ new Hydramatic automatic transmission, which equipped about three-quarters of the Streamliners sold.
Our feature car is a 1948 Pontiac Streamliner Woody Station Wagon. Finished in Frances Ivory with a burgundy vinyl and wood interior, this wagon has its original numbers-matching drivetrain, and has been kept in very presentable condition. The paint presents well, having obviously received exacting care. Chrome and stainless both shine brilliantly, as do the polished hub caps. The wood looks to be in exceptional condition, and has either been exceptionally well preserved or masterfully restored (woody restorations can be particularly trying).
The interior of the Pontiac Streamliner Woody Wagon is lavished in wood surfaces, as it forms the door panels, roof, and cargo area within the metal framework. The door panels are beautifully finished, with just slight signs of use present. The front and rear bench seats are both covered with an attractive burgundy vinyl. The dash features a large speedometer centered in front of the steering column with gauges on either side. The center portion of the dash is dominated by the radio and speaker, while the passenger side has a large clock. The roof is formed by wooden slats that run most of the length of the roof, supported by wooden arches. The rear cargo area looks to have seen some use, but the finish there could be corrected if the new owner wished to do so.
Beneath the hood of the Pontiac Streamliner Woody Wagon resides the original Straight Eight engine in a tidy engine compartment. The engine is fitted with the original carburetor, air cleaner, and manifolds.
Included in the sale is the original spare with jack and tools, as well as service records. This Pontiac Streamliner Woody Wagon is available from Classic Cars of Sarasota for $67,900.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Pontiac Streamliner news, Pontiac news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Really Great looking car. To bad they don’t build like that anymore.
Is this the John Bailey that frequented Goodspeed airport? Ken Lund is!
The labor and material cost to build that today would be prohibitive! Alas, I do remember seeing them back in the day.
I can remember my Dad bought a brand new 1955 Belair sport coupe 2/dr w/the new 265/v8 and it had a standard shift. I asked him years later why he didn’t get an automatic and he said that they wanted $200.00 more for it. He said he could still shift those gears himself for 200/dollars. I was only 5 at that time.
Sorry Ken, i’m not your man.
About 1960 my uncle Earl, a carpenter, acquired a 1950 Ford woodie wagon for his work vehicle. It was very pretty and well kept. I marveled at the beautiful wood. He said later that he hadn’t paid much for that car and it paid for itself. By 1968 I was a teenager and that pretty wagon’s wood was rotting away from rugged winters and hot summers. He replaced it with a powder blue 1960 Ford wagon that he began to wear out over the next decade. Woodies didn’t get much respect back then.
Who, in 1948, would have believed that vehicles in 2021 would look very similar to this?
Seriously! What today looks like this?
LOL. I have such a funny story, but first this car is so nice! Love it.
So two weeks ago I was at work (Volvo store) and was walking from the service area back to the sales area. While walking past the service drive, there was a newer (20 or 21) Volvo V90 wagon WITH FAKE WOODY LOOK!! Now, I like the old woodys and love the Jeep Wagoneer’s with wood and the Buick Estate wagons from the 80’s. But this V90 looked hideous! Anyhow, there was a lady off to the side on her cell phone and as I was walking past, I couldn’t look away (kind of like a car accident). Even though I stopped for just a few seconds, the lady walked up behind me and asked “Do you like it?”. Stunned and caught off-guard, I just wanted to run away but couldn’t. So as she is looking straight at me, I just said “well, if you like it, that’s what matters”. I then walked away as quickly as I could. haha. The car was gray with what appeared to be cheap vinyl applique and the colors just looked terrible together.
Good comeback. It’s hard sometimes to not offend someone you don’t even know. Good job.
John B: I wish someone had a picture of my face when she asked me that question!! I’m sure the saying a deer in the headlights would come to mind. But honestly, that car was so hideous looking that I’m not sure how she hasn’t heard worse. But it was kind of like when someone with a new (ugly) baby pushes the baby into your face and then asks/says “isn’t he/she the most beautiful thing in the world?”
How do you answer that?