Hi from newbie!

48 poncho · Addicted!

RE: Hi from newbie!

67custom · Guru

Welcome from Alberta formely Sakatchewan (some of us never leave). Nice car, hope all goes well

69-Tin Indian · Guru

Beautiful ride Craig! I also love the other old vehicles in the garage pictures above. Is it common
in Cape Town to see lots of old Canadian/American model cars and trucks there? I'm just curious
as your climate would probably keep them in pretty decent shape? Unless of course you get lots of salt blowing in off the ocean? One last thing, be sure to send your progress pics to Carl for posting to keep us updated. You'll find all the help ya need and then some on this website buddy!
And of course, a warped sense of humour goes a long was as well.

craigd · Veteran Member

Thx.. 69 Tin Indian

Here is a GM plant in Port Elizabeth..... and in the 60's & 70's every 2nd vehicle was either a Chevy or a Holden (also badged Chevy's for our market).. I'm too young to say..., but mostly base model big bodied chevy's for the type of consumer & economic viability of the then early SA market. Most vehicles are family saloons (hence 2dr coupe's are very rare in SA......) the 2dr's were either imported only for the top dogs of GM.., or some government official that ordered one...
As this is a RHD market.., I think they came from Ontario in CKD form & assembled locally. Mainly 283's & 327's (later 350's)... all bigger powerplants were by order only..

We also have a massive population of pick-ups (or harvesters).., as farming & mining is of the biggest industries..... most pretty dry vehicles as our coastal band is about 40-50km before the escarpment takes you up to drier (very dry) land (up to 1500km above sea level)..... so the only rust 'concerns" would be vehicles that spent most of their lives at the coast... But the majority are sourced inland & hence the metal is normally still in very good shape..

I have the 65 Parisienne (runner).., 57 GMC Pick-up (project).. & 2001 Chevy Blazer 4.3 V6 (daily driver)

Cheers

NOS · Poncho Master!

welcome from the guys at NOS. Always interesting to hear from faraway places, and ready to help. www.nosreproductions.com I recall seeing a picture in Old Autos paper of a 68 Grande Parisienne 427 car that was imported from South Africa to England. Anyway have a nice day
Dale @ NOS

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

48 poncho wrote:

welcome great car looking forward to seeing more pics

Heres 4 more! sorry it took so long disbelief

I was away at 2nd Annual CP BBQ biggrin

biggrin

DSCF0018 [640x480].jpg

DSCF0015 [640x480].jpg

DSCF0008 [640x480].jpg

DSC07607 [640x480].jpg

craigd · Veteran Member

Thanks for uploading them for me Carl!

These pics are basically depicting my work-in-progress.

"new engine" in & fits like a glove..
stripped & rebuilding complete front suspension,....including new shocks all round
doing my version of a "disc conversion".... El camino discs & calipers (spindles way too short)
New everything up front,..

Just still need to have a plate lasercut for the calipers to attach to...
My aim is to finish everything in the front (handling, braking, engine, cooling, etc)..and then move to the back of the car .. (not too much to do there.. replace shocks & brakes... diff ok).

Then I can enjoy her a bit as our summer approaches.....
Will have to tackle body early in the new year..., this car has been standing too long now, i want to enjoy her a bit.

I will keep you guys posted,

cheers

69-Tin Indian · Guru

Gee whiz Carl! You've got your nerve having a life and going to BBQ's instead of making sure Craig's pictures get posted for those of us who couldn't make said BBQ buddy! LOL!
Craig, great information about GM on your continent too! Given the description of how high above
sea level you are, I'll just bet there's many of these gems kicking about as you've described.
We'd appreciate if you're out and about, that you snap some photos of any that you see in your travels. Always great to see them alive in other places of the world.

Laurentian · Addicted!

Nice car! and welcome from Saskatoon Saskatchewan

JetFan · Veteran Member

She'll never rust in Cape Town.

Stephenzone · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

welcome from another GMC owner. i was in Cape Town in 97 while serving onboard HMCS Halifax.

since we were the first Canadian war ship to visit in over 40 years they went through all the old navy traditions. here we are firing off to show we are coming in unarmed.

here is a shot of table mountain. (think that is whats its called).

very nice port of call. i still have a Coke wallet i bought at a store in the harbour. we also visited Simon's town. don't remember the park but we went down to the point and i remember penguin playing in the surf. the water was friggin cold. straight off the antarctic.

65wagon · Poncho Master!

nice hardtop i once had the crazy idea of taking are old 4dr for a run to europe, judging by the size ofthe poni in comparison to the european import you must scare the pants off some drivers

craigd · Veteran Member

65wagon wrote:

nice hardtop i once had the crazy idea of taking are old 4dr for a run to europe, judging by the size ofthe poni in comparison to the european import you must scare the pants off some drivers

Yep....., indeed. I struggle to get parking when I'm in town..., and have to use the toll road entrances for trucks when I go inland smile
We are swarmed with a plague of minibus taxi's (as a means of public transport).., that think the roads belong to them..., but do they give way when they see that Ponti coming through!!

65wagon · Poncho Master!

trust me with almost two tonnes of steel they would be smart not to tangle can you say speed bump. i got rear ended once in my 65 wagon by a newer cavilier which is about the same size as a mid size opel. pushed my trailer hitch up to its stoppes and me about four feet forward, cavilier smash its whole nose, chalk one up for pontiac vs chev.

JetFan · Veteran Member

Craig, Just wondering if you caught any of the World Cup matches and if you did, can you still hear the vuvuzela's?

craigd · Veteran Member

JetFan wrote:

Craig, Just wondering if you caught any of the World Cup matches and if you did, can you still hear the vuvuzela's?

The Greenpoint Stadium in CTN..... about 20km from me..... I didn't attend, but went to fan parks in the City.... and oh! what a vibe... It was a Holland game, and CTN having been a Dutch colony was strewn in orange... everywhere!!.... there is a massive statue of Jan Van Riebeeck in the CBD & even he was decorated in Dutch regalia..
And, yes... I can still hear the Vuvuzela's as there is a local sports field close to my house & EVERY household now has at least one of them (i hid my little boy's away),

We had a real electric atmosphere in CTN since the start of the world cup.
Real great to meet & interact with such a diverse group of cultures.

Still struggling to upload pics, so I hope this link works..

http://www.google.co.za/images?hl=en&source=imghp&biw=1276&bih=606&q=cape+town+stadium&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

-- Edited by craigd on Friday 13th of August 2010 02:32:55 AM

Johnnee D · Guru

I can only compliment the South Africans for offering such a wonderful venue...most of Europe was riveted to their TV for the whole duration of the WC...lots of compliment on SA and its people...hope you guys destroy all the vuvuzelas left!!!! biggrin

JetFan · Guru

Thanks for the pix Craig. I know a lot of people got uptight over the VuVu's. I logged onto the Vuvuzela web site that played it 24-7 while the cup was on. Drove my manager insane.