36 vin & trim #

[brif]

I just bought a 36 pontiac silver streak sty# 36-2611AB , trim#31. What does the AB stand for? What is trim color #31?

[Larry]

Congratulations on the '36 purchase. That is one of few around anymore.

Things get confusing in early Pontiacs when you look at Models vs. Series. There were three Series for 1936: the Master Six (6BB), the Deluxe Six (6BA), and the Deluxe Eight (8BA). These Series indicators were used in the Serial Number designations.

However, going by Model, your 2611AB indicates a Master Six Two-Door Touring Sedan. Strangely, a 2611A also indicates a Two-Door Touring Sedan.

I find in John Gunnell's book "Standard Catalog of Pontiac" a note in the "I.D. Data" section that states: "Bench seat cars had a 'AB' prefix instead of 'BB'". This is the only other reference to "AB" I find, and it is in reference to Serial Numbers (or so it seems).... I told you it gets confusing!

As concerns the trim #31, I can't find that number in my data, but I can tel lthat under the "Stripe" information it shows the following colors: Argent (silver), Carteret Red, Tacoma Cream, Flame Capucine, Black, Aurora red, and Cheruit Vermilion. The use of these colors was contingent on what the body color is. Check with our oaint Technical Advisor shown in the "Members" section as he probably can nail it down for you.

As an additional note. We are very happy to announce that Pontiacregistry.com had gainded license from General Motors to reproduce all 1926-1980 Pontiac service Manuals On-Line for our members use. The first one we have completed scanning to post (very soon) is the 1935-36 Service Manual. Watch for it. It will really be a help to you withyour "new" Pontiac.

[brif]

Thank's for the info. The car does have a bench seat. I have a DuPont color chart revised 4/28/36. but it referes to the color combos. starting with 21(ex. 2116, 2117,2117d,2118 ect.) i'm assumeing the 21 is the trim #. The chart does say that the instrument panel color is beaver brown metallic (202-51975). Is this trim # 21? My tag read trim #31 body paint #16. There's no 21.