For model years 1935-1956 Pontiacs were given Silver Streaks as a strong visual brand identifier. Those were sets of chromed parallel ridges on hoods and, from time to time, on trunks and on the car's prow. I provided examples from each year here.
Then for 1957 they were abolished as part of an effort to move beyond what many considered the brand's stoggy image in order to reposition Pontiacs as sporty, performance cars.
Chrome Silver Streaks as such never reappeared on Pontiac hoods for the remainder of the brand's existence. Yet from time to time Pontiac stylists applied parallel grooves or ridges on the sides of certain models. These can be regarded as echos of, or homage to, Pontiac's Silver Streak glory -- assuming this was intentional and not accidental. I think there was intent.
Below are a few examples of actual Silver Streaks along with post-1956 versions. Unless noted, images are factory sourced or are of cars for sale.
Early Silver Streaks were massive.
They soon were reduced to five (usually) streaks as on this '41 car. But note the streaks on the sides of the fenders. A harbinger of post-1956 streaks.
Ten years later.
And the final version. Now the streaks are ridges on chrome hood bands. Smaller sets are on the rear fender bumps.
The bands reappear briefly on '63 Bonnevilles.
There are a few parallel grooves below the bumper on this Sunbird.
Here they are around the car below the horizontal rub strip.
And they are along the sides of the Grand Am in the foreground. That's a Bonneville in the distance.
Same here in a Grand AM similar to one I once owned.
The final strong echo of Silver Streaks is found on this Bonneville.
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