Pontiac Pathfinder

Pontiac Pathfinder
Overview
Manufacturer	Pontiac (General Motors)
Production	1953–1958
Assembly	Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	283 cu in (4.6 L) V8

Unique to Canada, the Pontiac Pathfinder is an entry-level station wagon^[1] or full sized car,^[2] that was based on a Chevrolet chassis but used most of the distinctive Pontiac styling parts. Engines were also by Chevrolet, another General Motors brand. The use of Chevrolet-based bodies resulted in shorter front and rear fenders and Canadian specific wheels and hubcaps. Interior trim often was also unique to Canada. The last Pathfinders were built in 1958 as Pontiac's (Canada) base model. Body styles included a sedan delivery. This car was Pontiac's last full-size sedan delivery. Also there was the station wagon model.

1957 Pontiac Pathfinder

From some point in the forties through 1953, these Canadian Pontiac models used only the front section of Pontiac sheet metal, so that from the rear they appeared to be Chevrolets with Pontiac "stripes" added on the trunk lid. Thereafter, through at least 1958, these low-end Canadian Pontiac models, often nicknamed "Cheviacs", used Chevrolet body shells, but with Pontiac features at both ends. This variant is only readily recognized when compared to the U.S. Pontiac or Chevrolet equivalents, since body details often differ slightly between the U.S. versions of the two makes.

Another item worth noting is that the Pontiac Pathfinders (as well as some other Canadian models) usually used Chevrolet engines and drive trains, so that one can find Canadian Pontiacs with OHV sixes or 283 V8 engines.

1958 Pontiac Pathfinder

The Canadian Pontiac Sedan Deliveries noted above were "only in Canada" models from 1954 through 1958, since that model was only sold in the U.S. through 1953.

It is also worth noting that, 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 thereafter...so one can still see Pontiac "Parisiennes" of fairly recent manufacture on Canadian streets.

Finally, Canadian-built Dodges were, for a number of years, similarly built; so that Canadian Dodges of the same period are only visibly "Dodges" from the dashboard forward, with Plymouth rear body sections. Such cars were often dubbed "Plodges". The same was done with Canadian Dodge Darts during the sixties...which were indeed Valiants from the rear.

Notes

1. Dusan Ristic-Petrovic. "File: 1958 Pontiac Brochure/1958 Cdn Pontiac-05". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
2. Dusan Ristic-Petrovic. "File: 1958 Pontiac Brochure/1958 Cdn Pontiac-06". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.