Pontiac Deluxe, Red, for sale in Charlotte, North Carolina, for $15,995.

This sharp 1940 Pontiac Special Six four door sedan features the all-new A-body, which was shared with Chevrolet in 1940. Stylish, reliable, and practical, the Pontiac line had something for everyone in 1940, and the result was some of the most attractive cars of the era. Finished in what might be close to its original Parma Wine, this handsome sedan looks fantastic driving down the road or parked in your driveway. The restoration is now several years old and showing its age in some areas, but it certainly falls under the category of a fine ten-footer with great eye appeal. It retains all its original chrome and trim, including the trademark Pontiac streaks running down the center of the hood, and the front bumper is a triumph of pre-war design. This car is in ideal condition for club events, touring, and local shows, and it means you'll never have to fret about bugs, rain, or dirt while driving your vintage car.

The interior has obviously been restored using a matching red fabric for the seats that's both attractive and durable. The original pattern was used, which offers plain seating surfaces front and rear. The back seat is spacious and will be remarkable to those only familiar with today's cars. New carpets were installed at the same time and work well with the upholstery fabric. The dash is apparently original, as are the gauges, both of which could use some TLC, but do not adversely affect the vintage feel of the car and its driving demeanor. Remarkably, the plastic steering wheel is in excellent condition, and the 3-speed shifter slides easily through the gates using just your fingertips.

Making 87 horsepower from the 222.7 cubic inch flathead inline-six, performance is lively, thanks to a set of steep gears in back (remember that there were no highways in 1940 and most cars never saw more than 50 MPH). The engine bay is highly original, showing the factory-applied Parma Wine paint on the firewall, and many authentic components throughout. Wearing turquoise paint, which is perhaps a shade or two brighter than original, the engine runs beautifully with a wonderful mechanical sound that's sadly absent from our cars today. A big part of these cars' appeal lies in the way the machinery does its work, and enjoying one as it was built is a true pleasure. It's also surprisingly thrifty, and Pontiac advertisements of the day suggested that it was among the most economical new cars to operate. It fires up easily and idles with a nice six-cylinder grumble from the single tailpipe, and wears a recent set of BFGoodrich Silvertown whitewalls.

If your interests run to pre-war cars, this Pontiac makes a fantastic starter collectable. Parts are still easy to find, and there are enthusiasts everywhere. Performance will keep you from being a rolling roadblock, and its good looks will win you friends everywhere you go. This is a lot of car for not a lot of money.