Q: I have a 1947 Silver Streak Pontiac with only 24,000 miles showing on the speedometer, but it’s broken. My Pontiac has the Straight-8 with a 3-speed manual that runs great. You can see from the pictures I sent that all is in good shape. Could you please tell me what a fair price would be for this car? Any help you can give we be appreciated. Thanks very much, Gene Carothers.
A: Gene, from the pictures you have sent, it looks like you have a 1947 Pontiac that is in good condition considering its age. The paint, which is faded, looks original, as does the interior, which is protected by seat covers. Although the speedometer, which you admit is broken, says 24,000 miles, your brake and clutch pedals show 124,000 miles to me.
The originality of your car is a main selling point, as I didn’t see any major rust problems at all from your photos. The Staight-8 is known to last a long time, so mechanically you seem in good shape. For the first time in Pontiac history, 8-cylinder production exceeded 6-cylinder models in 1947. The Straight-8 came in a size of 248 cubic inches and delivered 103 horsepower.
In doing research on the 1947 Silver Streak 4-door sedan, I checked some prices in
Auto Round-Up,
Hemmings Motor News and the
NADA Classic Car Price Guide. There are a few models like yours with better paint selling for $9,500, while the NADA Classic Car guide lists your Pontiac at between $7,900 and $12,300, which is a low retail to an average retail. I'd say your Pontiac lies in between somewhere, but remember it will be the buyer-seller agreement that determines the final price. If you are selling, I'd start at $9,000 and go from there. The high retail, which is for excellent or restored 1947s, lists at $18,900.
Overall, you have a fine condition, 100-percent original Pontiac on your hands, and I'm sure there's a Pontiac collector out there who would love to see it. You also may want to contemplate a new paint job, as the monies invested might come back to you in a higher selling price, but remember there are no guarantees in this classic car hobby.
Let our readers know if you sell, and thanks for the photos.