1948 Pontiac
Changes in the 1948 Pontiac were minor. Vertical shafts were added to the grille, the Silver Streak chrome trim on the hood was reduced to three bars. Gone were the three "speed-lines" adorning both the front and rear fenders. On the Deluxe models only, they were replaced with a single chrome spear. The Deluxe models also had bright metal gravel guards where on the standard model they were rubber.
The Hydra-Matic automatic transmission was introduced as a $185 option.
Six cylinder engines were rated at 90 brake horsepower @ 3400 rpm with an option for 93 brake horsepower @ 3400 rpm. This was achieved primarily through a "high-compression" cylinder head.
Eight cylinder engines were rated at 104 brake horsepower @ 3800 rpm with an option for 106 brake horsepower @ 3800 rpm, again through the use of a "high-compression" head
.