1932 Pontiac Series 402 Convertible Coupe

The economic depression that followed the stock market crash of 1929 “peaked” for the automobile industry with the 1932 model year; overall production was less than 30% of what it had been in the year of the crash. Pontiac, the first of the “companion” cars introduced by General Motors, became the only product line of the Oakland Motor Car Company. Oakland sales had been suffering and the decision was made to end production at the end of 1931. In June of '32, the Oakland Motor Car Company became the Pontiac Motor Company. Pontiac offered 2 distinct model lines for the first time ever in 1932, the Series 302 Eight and the Series 402 Six. In reality, the Series 302 Eight models were essentially restyled 1931 Oakland Series 301 automobiles bearing the Pontiac nameplate. The Series 402 Six featured the same models as they had the previous year, but the bodies and chassis were new. There were 6 models in either series; a 2 door, 2 passenger coupe; the sport coupe and convertible coupe, both of which offered a rumble seat for 2 extra passengers; the 3 remaining models were all 5 passenger sedans, a 2 door, a 4 door and a 4 door Custom Sedan.

For consignment a small prewar gem if you will in the form of a 1932 Pontiac Series 402 Convertible Coupe. This rarely seen model is one of only a mere 6 running examples in the 1932 Pontiac Registry, and this one maintains its original beauty. Our consignor states that this car is an early example with an estimated production date of January 1932 and now has 5 new tires and powder coated wheels. A well cared for example starting to show its age, and all original with a restoration done in the mid 1980's. Definitely worth a look for the serious Pontiac collector.

Exterior
While it wears an older respray in maroon it still maintains a fair shine, and shows faults overall in the form of scratches, chips and a pattern of dimpling all around. Cream pinstriping adds accent to the maroon and snakes its way around the upper door line and the windows. A nicely preserved Vee shaped chrome grille surround is filled with a chrome mesh and its impressive style is now fully shown off by the omission of the headlamp tie-bar. This grille is flanked by 2 large headlights and dual chrome trumpet style horns, and a chromed bumper swoops across the bottom. Overall, the chrome is in fair condition and would benefit from some polishing. Sitting atop the radiator surround is the familiar Indian chief head within a circle ornament, which denotes a 6-cylinder engine under the hood, meanwhile 8-cylinder cars got the graceful bird in flight emblem. The hood side panels with their 4 ventilating doors opposed to traditional louvers support the swooping hood top. Black deeply crowned fenders with parking lamps atop melt into running boards, complete with rubber step plates then swoop back up to create the flowing rear fenders. The new for 32 visorless and 10 degree raked back windshield, which also folds flat allowing for a total open air experience, leads to a stained and torn but complete cream convertible top with a glass rear window and chrome landau bars. Bringing up the rear is a rumble seat for those times when you need to haul extra passengers or a loud mouthed mother-in-law and below are the twin combination stop and tail lights and a simple shiny chrome bumper. Freshly powder coated cream 18" Kelsey Hayes wire wheels adorn the 4 corners are wrapped in like new period correct wide white wall rubber.

Interior
Black Spanish leather material covers a bench seat highlighted by simple black piping. This presents in very nice condition with no crazing or tears. A simple door black vinyl door panel graces the door with nice chrome handles and cranks. A stitched border breaks up the all smooth panel and on the passengers side is the obligatory ash receptacle and map pocket within the panel. Up front a maroon full metal stamped steel jacket fronts the original steering wheel and has centrally located chrome bezel round gauges and knob pulls for the choke, throttle and freewheeling mode. Ribbed rubber flooring in nice condition with only minor soiling covers the floor. The rumble seat was recovered in black vinyl during the restoration and is in good condition.

Drivetrain
The 200ci inline 6-cylinder engine is holding up well, and over time is presenting in traditional green within the patina riddled engine bay. A 1-barrel carburetor in the form of a Marvel carburetor sits aside the big 6, and a 3-speed manual transmission is in back. Turning the tires is a rear axle weighing in with a 4.55 ratio. We note a rebuilt water pump on the engine to keep things cool even in the heat of the summer.

Undercarriage
A drive to go up on our lift reveals plenty of rust-free surfaces, black straight steel, and some road dirt particularly on the rear of the chassis…however, no rust. Leaf spring suspension is seen front and rear, and mechanical drum brakes are all around. A single exhaust system is on for spent fossil removal.

Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and smooth shifter as we tooled around the massive Classic Auto Mall Lot. The car handled well, drove fairly smooth, and was overall a fun drive. If we had the time, we believe this car would cruise on the highway just swimmingly.

Overall a mostly original car with an older restoration, showing some age, but a hardly ever seen 1 of 6 left running according to the 1932 Pontiac Registry. With newly powder coated wheels and new tires, it runs as well as expected and looks just dandy. Throw your picnic basket in the rumble seat area and go for a cruise with the missus enjoying open air motoring Pontiac style.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.