Dale Fisher's 1950 Pontiac Convertible

Originally an imported four-door car, Dale transformed the car in 1960 by removing the roof during Easter weekend, much to the surprise of his pregnant wife, Yvonne. The mild custom served as Dale’s daily driver and featured a yellow and black two-tone paint job, reflecting his refined and evolving style. The car was later sold to a new owner in Newcastle. Photo courtesy of Darryn Fisher.

Photo courtesy of Darryn Fisher.

Dale's Pontiac featured dual exhausts, fender skirts, and a molded-in Continental kit. Lacking access to Cadillac parts in Australia, Dale used 1960s Ford Zephyr taillights to complete the rear styling. Photo courtesy of Darryn Fisher.

Photo courtesy of Darryn Fisher.

Dale's Pontiac photographed around 1960–61, with Dale Fisher Jr. sitting proudly on the molded Continental kit. The photo captures the car’s Zephyr taillights, custom rear treatment, and family significance during the years it served as Dale’s daily driver. Photo courtesy of Darryn Fisher.

Dale's Pontiac seen here fitted with his handmade hubcaps featuring four-eared spinner centers engraved “Dale Fisher Customs.” The caps were produced to Dale’s design by Osbournes & Associates in Sydney, a firm known for spinning custom copper and aluminum pieces for caravans and one-off projects. Dale often swapped the unique hubcaps between his custom cars. Photo courtesy of Darryn Fisher.

The 1950 Pontiac owned by Dale Fisher of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia was one of several personal vehicles Fisher modified during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Built and restyled during a formative period in Australian custom-car history, the Pontiac reflected Fisher’s evolving approach to mild custom work and served as his daily transportation prior to one of his most audacious personal modifications.

Background

After completing his full custom 1956 FJ Holden, Fisher briefly owned and customized a 1950 Plymouth. Once that project was finished, the Plymouth was replaced by an imported 1950 Pontiac, which became Fisher’s next personal car. Compared to his earlier builds, the Pontiac was initially treated to a more restrained series of modifications, reflecting a shift toward subtle restyling rather than full transformation.

Customization

Fisher applied a number of custom touches to the Pontiac, focusing on improving flow and visual balance while retaining the car’s original character. These changes aligned with Fisher’s long-held philosophy that a well-executed custom should appear factory-designed rather than heavily altered.

The Pontiac was later finished in a striking two-tone yellow and black paint scheme, which enhanced its visual presence while remaining period-correct for the early 1960s. The combination of understated modifications and bold color treatment made the car stand out without straying into excess.

Convertible Conversion

In Easter 1960, Fisher made a decisive and unconventional move by removing the roof of the Pontiac, effectively converting it into a convertible. The decision was driven by Fisher’s ongoing fascination with open cars and convertible engineering, an area in which he had already established a strong reputation.

The timing, however, was far from ideal. Fisher’s wife Yvonne was pregnant, and the now roofless Pontiac was hardly suited to impending family responsibilities or hospital trips. Despite this, the conversion underscored Fisher’s willingness to prioritize craftsmanship and creative instinct over practicality.

Sale and Later History

Following its conversion and refinishing, the Pontiac was sold in 1961 to a new owner in Newcastle, New South Wales. While its subsequent history remains undocumented, the car represents an important transitional chapter in Fisher’s career—bridging his early full customs and his later mastery of convertible conversions.

Significance

Although less radical than some of Fisher’s better-known builds, the 1950 Pontiac illustrates his methodical approach to customization and his growing confidence as a builder. It also highlights the personal risks and sacrifices that often accompanied early custom-car experimentation in Australia, at a time when resources were limited and such work was rarely commercially viable.

The Pontiac stands as a reminder that Fisher’s legacy was shaped not only by landmark builds, but also by the everyday cars through which he refined his ideas, techniques, and vision.