PONTIAC / USA

PONTIAC was a car brand that was made and sold by General Motors since 1926. The PONTIAC SIX was intended as a lower priced car. It had a conventional straight six engine.  The brand was named after the famous Indian leader Pontiac, born in 1720 and assassinated in 1769. It is said that he was the chief of six indian tribes. Therefore " Chief of the Sixes " has a double meaning.

Size	8.0 cm x 5.9 cm
Year	1926 - 1928
Estimate

At the end of 1928 the emblem became much smaller:

there was a small and a large version

two original emblems: one  with makers mark ( GUSTAVE FOX COMPANY ) one without

In 1929 and in 1930 you find no radiator emblem. In 1931 finally appeared a new enameled emblem in the form of a shield:

Size	4.6 cm x 3.8 cm
Year	1931
Estimate

two original emblems: one flat and one embossed: both with makers mark (FOX COMPANY)

In 1933 the shield became longer:

The six-cylinder engine car  was always a best seller

Size	3.9 cm x  12.2 cm
Year	1932
Estimate

PONTIAC sold only few eight-cylinder cars in 1932 so this emblem is a hard to find item:

Size	3.9 x  12.2 cm
Year	1932
Estimate

no makers mark

In 1933  PONTIAC converted their assembly line to all straight eight engines:

What a wonderful emblem

Size	15.5 x  4.8 cm
Year	1933
Estimate

no reproduction known;  but look at the makers mark: GRAMMES ALLENTOWN

For more information about car emblem makers please go to my post: manufacturers of enamel emblems

1935 side of hood emblem

Size	7.0 x 5.5 cm
Year	1935
Estimate

In 1937 you saw three different PONTIAC car emblems:

1937 Six cylinder emblem

Size	5.0 x  7.1 cm
Year	1937
Estimate

Second Pontiac car emblem in 1937:

Last no least there was a Canadian PONTIAC car emblem:

The Canadian PONTIAC had a smaller 224 cubic Chevrolet engine

The 1940 PONTIAC had two enameled emblems:

Size	6.5 x 10.6 cm
Year	1940
Estimate

no makers mark

Size	10.0 x 3.5 cm
Year	1940
Estimate

The Indian Pontiac was the inspiration for over forty different indian mascots, starting in 1926 with an indian head radiator cap and ending in 1955 with a plastic head inserted in front of an airplane.
PONTIAC is the only American carmaker to use the same symbol over such a long period. The chief was used on one of the Pontiac models every year for thirty years !

 my choice of PONTIAC mascots including two Indian maiden mascots

 

Part of my radiator collection. From left to right:  PONTIAC,  OM, VERMOREL, DKW, LICORNE ( please click on the respectiv company name for more information ! )

 

 

For more car emblems see older posts or top right  ( list of carmakers ).
When using a smartphone please use the button webview.