Pontiac Pathfinder

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Pontiac Pathfinder
1955 Pontiac Pathfinder Sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	1954–1958
Assembly	Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	283 cu in (4.6 L) Pontiac V8 engine
Chronology
Predecessor	Pontiac Fleetleader

Unique to Canada, the Pontiac Pathfinder was an entry-level full sized car^[1] or station wagon^[2] that was based on the Chevrolet marque, another General Motors brand. The Chevy chassis, engine, and body panels were used, but most of the distinctive Pontiac styling parts for each model year were incorporated. This resulted in shorter front and rear fenders than on U.S. built Pontiacs and Canadian specific wheels and hubcaps. Interior trim was often unique to the Pathfinder. The last Pathfinders were built in 1958 as Pontiac's (Canada) base model. Body styles included a sedan delivery which was Pontiac's last full-size sedan delivery, two-door coupes, four-door sedans, and a station wagon model. The Canadian built Pontiac sedan delivery was available only during the 1954 through 1958 model years since the sedan delivery was not sold in the U.S. after 1953.

1957 Pontiac Pathfinder

The entry-level Canadian Pontiac models, from 1946 through 1953, used only the front section of Pontiac sheet metal, with the shorter Chevrolet wheelbase. The 1953 Pontiac Pathfinder De Luxe features all of the chrome bumpers and trim as the US built Pontiac Chieftain, with the exception of rear fender covers.^[3] This resulted in these cars appearing to be a Chevrolet with Pontiac Silver Streaks added on the trunk lid. From 1946 through 1952 these "Cheviacs" were sold as the Pontiac Fleetleader. Starting in 1954 these low-end Canadian Pontiac models (called Pontiac Pathfinders since 1953) used Chevrolet body shells, but with Pontiac features at both ends. These variants of U.S. Chevys are only recognized when compared to their U.S. Chevrolet or Pontiac equivalents, since body details often differ slightly between the U.S. versions of the two makes. Model year 1958 was the last for the Canada only Pathfinder models. The Pontiac Pathfinders (as well as some other Canadian models) usually had Chevrolet engines and drive trains, so that one can find Canadian Pontiacs with OHV sixes or 283 V8 engines built by Chevy.

1958 Pontiac Pathfinder

Although Canada-specific models of U.S. makes were gradually phased out after Canada's "Auto Pact" treaty with the U.S. made them no longer necessary, Pontiacs manufactured and sold in Canada maintained their unique model names for many years even after the "Auto Pact" treaty took effect.

See also[]

• Panel van

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pontiac Pathfinder.

Notes[]

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