The History of the 1939 Pontiac Sliver Streak own by Roanoke College

The Car was originally owned be the Greenbrier in the West Virginia. It was used to transport guest to and from the train station. Being a Car used in the mountains of W. VA, our ’39 was outfitted with oversized head lights (the headlight are most likely from a Ford Model-T) and a grill guard. The headlights ad grill guard were used to protect the car from the deer.  The car was then sold when the Greenbrier no longer had a need for it. It was then moved to Oliver’s Garage in Mt. Tabor and it reminded untouched until the fall semester 2010 Envi-400 class was looking for a project that would mean the most to them. they soon heard about the car from Dr. Cawley (who is a patron of Oliver’s) and the project begin. The proposed conversion of the car was originally planned to be a 5 year project. So in order to insure the work would be completed, the Fall 2010 Class established RC Electric, a student organization in the campus that is committed to greening the campus’ use of electric. Since July of 2011, the Car has been purchased and now a part of the campus motor pool. The car has also been sandblasted to remove all of the rust. Most recently the car received its first coat of primer. Currently students have been trying rebuilt the engine and full the minor imperfections in the body, in order to paint the car by December at the latest. 

What is RC Electric?

            RC Electric is a Student Organization that was started as a Student Group Project out of the Environmental Studies Program. The Group is currently made up of student from many different majors. We are currently working of the restoration of a 1939 Pontiac 4 door Silver Streak. The Silver Streak will be converted to use an electric motor. We hope that the Car will exemplify the College’s motto, “Classic for Tomorrow.” 

            The Pontiac was purchased from Oliver’s Garage in Mt. Tabor Va. The students, under the supervision of the Mechanic Jackie McCann, are doing most of the work including everything from the sanding of the body to the electric conversion. This project was intended to be a 5 year project.

            Originally, we were going to restore the body and immediately replace the gas engine with the electric motor. After consultation with a few GE Engineers, we have changed the plans for the car. Now we are restoring the original engine to enable us to troubleshoot the power train.

            The current goal of the organization is have the car restored by May 2012, so that the car can used in Graduation 2012.  At that time we will be in the troubleshoot stage for the power train so the car will not yet be electric. The Electrical conversion will take place in the fall of 2012, assuming the monies are available to purchase the electrical motor.

            Once the Current project is completed, we will be developing other innovative green electric ideas for the advancement of the Roanoke College Community