The Pontiac Chieftain was a series of cars first introduced in 1949. The Chieftain was available in a variety of body styles, and over the course of its production was fitted with a variety of inlline 6, inline 8, and V8 engines. The Pontiac Chieftain was built in three generations: First Generation (1949-1954), Second Generation (1955-1957), and Third Generation (1958).