SIA Flashback – 1952 Pontiac Eight vs. Six: Worth the Difference?

Most comparison reports pit cars of two different makes and, at least most of the time, of two different car companies against each other. After all, that’s the way they competed in the marketplace, so it’s only natural to compare and contrast such a pairing. For SIA #155, September 1996, however, Arch Brown and Bud Juneau took a look at a pair of 1952 Pontiac Chieftain Deluxes, both four-doors and both painted Shell Gray. All their similarities end underneath the skin, however: A straight-eight and automatic transmission power one, while a six-cylinder and three-speed manual power the other. Which of the two comes out on top? Brown carefully considered both and returned this report.