I think most of us got into these cars based on fond memories of years ago. My Pontiac memories go as far back as I remember. In fact there must have been a little bit of Pontiac placed in my genes. Dads first Pontiac was this stunning turquoise and white 58 Laurentian seen here parked behind my grandparents at Ipperwash beach back when you could park on the sand:


The Pontiac was traded for a 62 Impala bubble top that served my parents well until early '69. That was when Sinclair Pontiac Buick in London advertised a 69 Strato Chief demonstrator in the London Free Press. Dad went for a look and ended up signing on the dotted line for the 350 V8/Automatic, power steering, power brake, and AM radio equipped Limelight Sport Coupe with medium green interior. He also had clear plastic seat covers installed- a wise move when you have a 3 year old daughter and a 1 year old son! I still remember how hot those seat covers were in the summer! Dad said that the 69 was the best car he ever owned. It took us on many vacations along two lane highways to places like Ottawa, Michigan and up to cottage country. The ol' Strato Chief never let us down. Remember staying in MOTELS instead of hotels? Here's me with my sister in a rare well-behaved moment. I get a kick out of how dad always managed to get a portion of the car in photos he took!:


Despite the lack of undercoating, the Pontiac held up quite well, likely due to being washed often and parked in a carport. As I mentioned in my introduction post, dad splurged on a set of appliance chrome wheels. I was only too happy to pose in front of the car with the new wheels! This was taken around 1975:


Here is one of the last shots taken of the car. It was 1979 and this is my dad (aged 39-my current age) :

By now the car was starting to show it's age. I remember the rear 1/4's being rotted and the interior was getting pretty rough. The clear seat covers were long gone and the cloth upholstery was shredding. A set of fuzzy seat covers hid the truth. In 1980 Dad and I took a trip back to Sinclair Pontiac and found a mint 1977 Lemans Sport Coupe in the used car row. A deal was struck and the Lemans now held the coveted parking spot under the car port. The Strato Chief was sold the next year and never seen again. Sadly, dad was struck with a brain anurism in 1984 which left him paralysed on his left side. No longer would be be able to drive. I was 16 and just got my beginners license. Mom wasn't much on driving so I learned to drive REAL quick! Dad passed away in 2000 from lung cancer, mom 2 years later from the same. I have to say the best years growing up were the 70's and many of those fond memories revolve around that Strato Chief. It took this many years to find a solid/affordable 69 Pontiac. Although it's not a Strato Chief, it's close enough! The 30 year old paint will have to be redone in the next couple of years. Although I really like the Mayfair Maize, I've pondered the idea of having it resprayed in Limelight. It already has the medium green interior. Swap the Laurentian emblems for Strato Chief, add a set of slotted wheels and I'd have a clone! Tough decision..So, to be quite honest, we have my dad to thank for this board. Without him signing on the dotted line in 1969, this forum wouldn't exist.
Todd









-- Edited by 69Laurentian at 23:05, 2008-01-29