Pontiac Silver Streak Evolution

Pontiac (background here) was for decades General Motors' second rung in its price/prestige hierarchy ladder, nested between entry-level Chevrolet and mid-range Oldsmobile.  For many years Pontiacs carried a strong visual identifier in the form of Silver Streaks -- bands of parallel chromed ridges running down the hood, sometimes over the grille, and for a while even along the center of the trunk.  I wrote about the initial Silver Streaks here.

Silver Streaks were found on Pontiacs for model years 1935-1956 inclusive, aside from 1943-45 when no cars were made due to World War 2.

One task Pontiac stylists faced was keeping the motif fresh-looking model year after model year.  What they produced is pictured below.

Gallery

1935
The theme started with a broad band containing many little streaks.

1936
No real difference for 1936.  Note that headlights are now attached to the main body rather than the catwalks.

1937
The streak band has been narrowed and emerges on the trunk.

1938
Minor streak changes for '38.

1939
For 1939 the motif is echoed by grille bars.

1940
Another new body, but the streaks retain their familiar form.

1941
The band widens for 1941.  The five streaks are now noticeably separated.  An echo of the previous streak design is seen below the headlights.

1942
Not much change for '42.

1946
The post-war grille had minor changes, but the streaks are as they were.  This is an interesting advertisement because it shows all the previous streak-bearing Pontiac front ends.

1947
Sales photo.  The grille is changed, but not the streaks.

1948
These Pontiacs have only three streaks, two narrow ones plus a larger central one.

1949
The redesigned '49s return to five streaks, but the larger central streak is retained.

1950

1951

1952
1950-52 Pontiac streaks are essentially the same.

1953
For the first time, we find split sreaks.

1954
Back to five streaks, but they are all the same size -- narrow.

1955
Another redesigned body.  There are two widely spaced streak sets.  Not visible are streak bands on the small rear fender fins.

1956
Barrett-Jackson auction photo.  The final model year for streaks.  They are essentially the same as the 1955 version.