[arbys]

Post WW II what determined which cars got straight 6's and which got straight 8"s

[Stuart]

I imagine it depended on what kinds of cars the dealers ordered, and what kind of cars people wanted to buy. Some people wanted a less expensive car, some wanted a car with a little more power. No different than how in later years some people bought cars with a 350 V8, and some bought cars with a 400 or 455.

[arbys]

I was wondering if certain models came with the 6 and others came with the 8's.

[Stuart]

As far as I know all models were available with either engine, the 8 cylinder engine was just an option.

[hurryinhoosier62]

Ross, my dad’s ‘52 Chief had a straight eight.

[Jack Gifford]

For 1954, last year of inline engines, the Chieftain models were all available with either six or eight cylinders; the StarChief models were all eight cylinders. I didn't look up earlier years.

[1965gp]

I want to say early on it was the Pontiac 6 and the Pontiac 8 (late 20’s and 30’s) but the later 40’s cars I would imagine the higher trim levels came with the straight 8

[Stuart]

I pulled out my copy of John Gunnell's Pontiac book and looked at 1950. It showed each model was available with either engine. I didn't take the time to look at other years but I assumed they were similar.