I just recently purchased a 1951 Pontiac Fleetleader Deluxe (seen in the profile picture). After searching for details about the car I came upon this forum and noticed it was a wealth of information for Canadian Pontiacs. There doesn't seem to be too much online about these Canadian cars.
I was wondering if you fine folks wouldn't mind giving me some tips on a few things...
Firstly, I'm having a hard time decoding the information on the VIN plate under the hood. The model number is 20-69, Trim is 441, Paint is 159, Engine is W168051, and the Body Serial is 5537. I'm hoping someone can give me a hand deciphering these codes or point me in the right direction.
Secondly, I'm looking for some brake parts for the car and was wondering what parts would be interchangeable between other Pontiac/GM models of the era (Chieftain, Chevy Deluxe, Chevy trucks, etc.)? Are the spindles, wheel cylinders, combination kits, the same between some of these models? Also, I'm wondering if it would be worth converting the car to disk breaks and, if so, if anyone has any suggestions for conversion kits.
Here's what I've been able to put together.
model 20-69 doesn't show in my book, might it be 20-19 which is a Fleetleader Deluxe 4dr sedan 6 pass?
trim 441 is the interior colour and cloth pattern but I don't have a breakout
paint 159 = Glider Green
engine W168051, engine numbers for all 6 cylinder cars regardless of style started at W135001 and went up
body serial 5537 is a production line number
the 20-19 models list price was $2452 with a weight of 3243 lbs.
Hi Piker211 - very nice car. I've got a 51 Fleetleader Deluxe as well - they are a lot of fun to drive and wrench on.
As far a brake components go, I had no issues getting replacement parts - wheel cylinders/shoes/etc. are readily available - American Chevy of the same year shares a lot of parts with our Ponchos. Body parts and trim pieces are a bit more elusive though.
I recently did do a disk conversion on the front with dual powered m/c under the floor. I got all my components from Horton Hotrods in Milton ON. They are a great bunch of guys and willing to help you out.
It's a 4dr sedan, but I'm not so sure it's a 6 pass. I wouldn't have guessed the car was glider green orignallycouldn't find anything on the body panels. I did find some bright orange paint on parts of the doors and under the hood though, which seems odd. Maybe one day I'll paint the car it's original colour.
Beautiful car Turdmagnetit has a great profile to it. Thanks for the heads up on replacement parts. I'm assuming cylinders/shoes/etc. are interchangeable between Chevy sedans of the same error? And thanks for the heads-up on Horton Hotrods, I'll look them up.