General Motors called this model "streamliner" and the general public called this model a "fastback". Larry Simonutti, a fastidious builder of custom cars in New Jersey, spent four years plus close to $60,000, not counting his labor, to totally refurbish this1948 Pontiac. Despite its age, the car only had 43,000 miles on it when he acquired it in original condition. The car came from Colorado, an area of the country "out west" that is reknowned for rust free cars. Since the car was totally rebuilt, the owner put 15,000 miles on the car in its present condition.

To begin the rebuilding of the car the body was removed from the chassis and was stripped to the bare metal using modern media blasting techniques. All body work was done before it was prepared for paint. The rear fenders that were on the car we replaced with NOS fenders, original GM sheet metal that was NEVER put on a car, and has been in indoor storage since 1948. Essentially, they are new.

While the body was being totally restored, the front and rear sections of the 1948 frame were removed and replaced with the front and rear "clip" from a 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Disc brakes on the front are Monte Carlo. Chrome wire wheels have "wide whites", new wide whitewall radial tires that provide a smoother, safer ride than the original bias ply tires.

A two pump lowrider suspension has been fitted to the car by reknowned hydraulic expert Stanley Staton of Lexington, KY. By manipulating the switches on a control panel inside the car, the owner can make the front and rear of the car go up and down, as well as "side to side", adjusting the suspension to any height he desires while driving. The car is a member of the MANHATTAN LOWRIDERS car club and a chrome club plaque is mounted atop the four batteries and two hydraulic pumps in the trunk.

No expense was spared in rebuilding the car. All the stainless steel trim for the exterior of the car is new old stock. This is extremely expensive and virtually impossible to find. One NOS piece for the door, as an example, cost $450. Because of the exorbitant amount of money the man spent to rebuild the car, the theme of the car and license plate is "Greenback". The car was painted 2 tone green with modern paint. As a joke, and because of the large amount of money spent refurbishing the car, there is a real $100 bill laminated into the front fender, covered and protected with clear lacquer. There is spare green paint in cans in the trunk in case new owner has an accident and needs to touch up and match the paint. The door handles have been removed and can be remotely opened using the driver's keypad attached to the keys. There also are other secret ways to open the doors that only the new owner will know about. The grille is also rare NOS, but was sent out to be freshly chrome plated.

The engine is a brand new 300 horsepower 350 cubic inch Chevrolet V8 "crate motor" for 1984 and earlier (pre smog equipped) Chevrolets. The three speed automatic transmission is a Chevrolet 350 Turbohydro that has been completely rebuilt. The entire engine compartment has been stripped and repainted to match the body.

The interior was totally redone by Masters Upholstery in New Jersey, as shop owner Jerry Ambrosi is reknowned as one of the top custom upholstery shops in the United States. It is done in brown "bomber jacket" brown vinyl with cloth leopard skin inserts. The trunk upholstery matches the interior. The car is air conditioned. All of the window glass is brand new tempered bronze glass. All the window frames, dash, interior handles, bumpers, etc. have been stripped to bare metal and chromed. The front seat is a Cadillac electric power bench seat. The AM/FM tape sound system also has a speaker concealed behind the grille so people outside the car can hear the sound system when it is turned on.

This car has been totally rebuilt and painstakingly reconditioned from the frame up, It has been road tested and corrected so all leaks, squeaks and rattles have been removed. It is a reliable highly stylized Streamliner that you can drive anywhere in comfort.

Over $60,000 (not counting some labor) was spent to build this car.

On view and for sale at:
Auto Toy Store
526 North Route 73, West Berlin, NJ 08091
phone (856) 768-9005
contact Gary Wiesner
email gary@autotoystorenj.com