As you may recall, back in April we featured a slightly modified 1952 Fleetleader Deluxe. This month we are featuring a gorgeous stock 52 Fleetleader Deluxe which belongs to Al Zander. His Pontiac has to be one of the nicest Fleetlleaders in existance. Al resides in Rosholt, Wisconsin and I think it's safe to say that Al probably doesn't encounter any other Fleetleaders at local car shows! Take it away Al.
"My fascination with early 50s Pontiacs started at an early age one of the first cars I can remember was my Grandmothers 1953 Pontiac Chieftain it was white with a light blue top, and I remember sitting on the edge of the front seat pretending I was driving using the speaker grill as a steering wheel. That car was parked in the garage in the mid 60s due to some electrical problems and my Grandmother sold it in the early 70s but during the time it was parked my brother and I took many trips around the state using our imaginations.
Over the past few years I have kicked around the idea of getting an old car and my interest was always high around the middle of July when it was time for the Iola Old Car Show, I would always try to spot the Pontiacs cruising down the highway near my home.
This past February I had my 50th birthday and decided it was time to start looking for real, and my search was very narrow, "1953 Pontiac Chieftain" I spent most of March and April getting nowhere but disappointed, either the car was too expensive, too run down or had just been sold. Sometime early May I expanded my search to "1950 to 1955 Pontiac" and that is how I found my 1952 Pontiac Fleetleader Deluxe in Waupaca WI not more than 25 mile from my home.
A little about the car
It is a 1952 Pontiac Fleetleader Deluxe, Model 20-69 the Trim code is 493 the Paint code is 254 I am told it is Moss Green, the engine # is W216530 and the body # is 14308, I have been doing some searching but if anyone can tell me what all the numbers mean please let me know.
I have the original users manual along with the 1952 Pontiac brochure with a dealer stamp that reads,
DICKSON MOTORS LTD.
Portage at Furby Phone 722 541
Winnipeg - Manitoba
I dont have much history on the car other than the gentleman I bought it from bought it from the son of the original owner who had it painted, stainless polished some parts re chromed and new glass and carpet put in for his father as a surprise, overall the car was very well kept, the upholstery and headliner are excellent and the original AM radio works great and the clock works sometimes .
When I picked up the car it ran but seemed a little sluggish and was impossible to restart once it was hot , I took it to my friend who is very well versed in old iron as in the tractor variety, we gave it a thorough tune up new plugs, points, condenser, rotor, wires, coil and discovered the accelerator pump was not working and some parts were missing on the carb, after searching Ebay I came up with a rebuild kit and and an extra "parts" carb and now she just hums along. I am currently working on a problem with the turn signals, they were flashing very slowly and I discovered they had a 12volt flasher and when I replaced it with a 6volt they quit altogether and when I put the 12volt back in they still don't work.
I thoroughly enjoy the Canadian Poncho site and have gotten many good tips, if anyone has any more info on this car please let me know."
Super nice car Al! Great choice for the month of August!
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Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
Thanks for all the great comments, and Thanks Todd for asking me to show off my car, it has been allot of fun seeing her picture on the front page every time I log on!
Driving a big 'ol piece of iron with manual steering, brakes, a flathead six & a 3-in-the-tree is a completely different rhythm. I'll bet it is fun to drive. It looks great by the way.
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67 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe, Oshawa-built 250 PG never disturbed.
In garage, 296 cid inline six & TH350...
Cam, Toronto.
I don't judge a man by how far he's fallen, but by how far back he bounces - Patton
It is a blast to drive, I have to laugh everytime someone gets in for a ride and reaches for the shoulder belt, my nephew wanted to know how come I keep moving the shift lever up and down.