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Canadian Poncho Homepage -> Canadian Poncho -> Pre 1958 Canadian Pontiac Power Train Tech Forum -> New guy Newbie question
Post Info TOPIC: New guy Newbie question
Rick65Cat


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New guy Newbie question
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Hi, I just joined this forum to ask a question on a car I'm interested in buying.
Theres not many forums out there that dedicate themselves to pre 60s pontiacs.

Its a `54 Pontiac, 32,000 original miles. But I'm unsure if its a Canadian or American model. All I know is thats its a "straight 8" engine.
I am not new to Pontiac as I've owned a `65 Catalina 389 cu inch 2 dr hrdtp "sport coupe" since `97. 
I'm going to look at this car this coming sunday. 

Anything to look for that will give me a clue to its origin?



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4SPEED427


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From what I know, straight 8 models are US only. I think the Canadian cars were all 6 cyl.

Now someone here will likely prove me wrong!

Welcome here.

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
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67Poncho


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 The trim plate would be a great place to start......... See if it says Made in Canada or else wise...

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Vincent Jr.
73SC


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Carl, I agree with you however certain US models were sold in Canada in the early 50's so technically it might be "Canadian" but not built here.

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Ray White, Toronto ON

Formerly - The one and only 1973 LeMans 454 "Astro-Jet"

Built March 9, 1973 - Oshawa ON

1993 Corvette Convertible LT 1

Built January 10, 1993 - Bowling Green Kentucky 

 
Rick65Cat


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Trim plate eh?....who'da thought?

The tag on the firewall of my `65 doesn't mention country of origin I believe. Just a bunch of code numbers and letters.

To be honest...this car is a frikken boat. A special purpose vehicle. Maybe it was built knowing it would need an 8 cyl engine.

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73SC


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-- Edited by 68sd on Sunday 29th of January 2012 03:36:20 AM

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Ray White, Toronto ON

Formerly - The one and only 1973 LeMans 454 "Astro-Jet"

Built March 9, 1973 - Oshawa ON

1993 Corvette Convertible LT 1

Built January 10, 1993 - Bowling Green Kentucky 

 
Rick65Cat


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 My Catalina is a PHS documented "California built" car 2nd week july of `65.



-- Edited by 68sd on Sunday 29th of January 2012 03:36:35 AM

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Rick65Cat


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Thanks guys for the speedy replies...I guess the only thing now is to look at the cowl tag to see what it says.
I'm pretty positive I'm going to buy it. I'll post more details later if this goes through. wink

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73SC


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Rick65Cat wrote:

 

68sd wrote:

would you like  to add your car to our list

http://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/index.spark?aBID=118110&p=3&topicID=27752744


Thanks, but I thought this was a Canadian Pontiac forum?

My Catalina is a PHS documented "California built" car 2nd week july of `65.

 


I think he meant the 1954. 

 



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Ray White, Toronto ON

Formerly - The one and only 1973 LeMans 454 "Astro-Jet"

Built March 9, 1973 - Oshawa ON

1993 Corvette Convertible LT 1

Built January 10, 1993 - Bowling Green Kentucky 

 
73SC


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Rick65Cat wrote:

Thanks guys for the speedy replies...I guess the only thing now is to look at the cowl tag to see what it says.
I'm pretty positive I'm going to buy it. I'll post more details later if this goes through. wink


In all likelihood the car will be a Chieftan or if its a higher level model a Starchief. ook for a  lighted hood ornament on US built cars generally avoidable on higher level models like the Starchief or Chieftan Convertible.. Both were sold in Canada in '54. The Pathfinder is the Chevrolet based Canadian built car.

Here is what a Pathfinder Deluxe looks like, it is one Rodger Lilke's car a member on here:

1954_pathfiner_.JPG

Here is what a Chieftan (earlier model yr. but close) will look like, this is a Canadian sold car:
IMG_4774.JPG

IMG_4772.JPG

Here is what the lighted hood ornament looks like:
IMG_6017.JPG

It might have this fender script:
IMG_6024.JPG




-- Edited by 73SC on Saturday 6th of November 2010 01:28:06 AM

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Ray White, Toronto ON

Formerly - The one and only 1973 LeMans 454 "Astro-Jet"

Built March 9, 1973 - Oshawa ON

1993 Corvette Convertible LT 1

Built January 10, 1993 - Bowling Green Kentucky 

 
Rick65Cat


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I was looking at the car in my "75 years of Pontiac" and all it says is, "There was 207 -------- designs were constructed on Pontiac running gear in 1954"

And as for the fender script.... it says "Superior" Hehehehe.

Yes, its a hearse that I'm going to look at.

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73SC


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Well I got a bag of photos so you can't catch me, you are right it is a big old boat:

IMG_6532.JPG




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Ray White, Toronto ON

Formerly - The one and only 1973 LeMans 454 "Astro-Jet"

Built March 9, 1973 - Oshawa ON

1993 Corvette Convertible LT 1

Built January 10, 1993 - Bowling Green Kentucky 

 
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Rick65Cat


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73SC wrote:

Well I got a bag of photos so you can't catch me, you are right it is a big old boat:


IMG_6532.JPG



Verrrry nice....can't make out the curtains tho

 



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Rick65Cat


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Ok, I bought it. And the fender tag says,

Superior Coach Corporation
Southern Division
KOSC,USKO Mississippi, USA

Guess its American.




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Pontiacanada


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"Last Ride Body Shop" biggrin

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Prince Edward Island

'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.

Rick65Cat


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Well he threw in a couple of extras too. A "luminated" hood ornament from a `54...and a fancy horn button that after digging around the internet turns out to be for a '53 "Deluxe"
He also gave me a mint set of skirts that he had extras of. 
The rear fenderwell openings are weak with rust but I found a guy on Ebay selling the patch panels, so I might get a pair. Also on Ebay found another guy selling the toeboard panels for the floor rust holes this car has. 
WooHoo...its like I was meant to finally buy a hearse smile

 



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Rolilk


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Is it just me or does this look all wrong for a 54? the rounded rear fender looks wrong the side trim wrong, even the crease down the fender not there. It almost looks like a 55 in a way.. for being a 54 then its got alot of custom work done..which would make it a pretty rare vehicle.

-- Edited by Rolilk on Monday 8th of November 2010 04:52:34 PM

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73SC


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Sure looks like a lot of 55 in that from the rear view, I agree Rodger. Front end looks like 54 though.

-- Edited by 73SC on Monday 8th of November 2010 05:52:00 PM

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Ray White, Toronto ON

Formerly - The one and only 1973 LeMans 454 "Astro-Jet"

Built March 9, 1973 - Oshawa ON

1993 Corvette Convertible LT 1

Built January 10, 1993 - Bowling Green Kentucky 

 
Rick65Cat


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75 Years of Pontiac says there was 207 models made in `54 on a Pontiac chassis...this one is 206. Is there a chance some new `55 parts could have made it in the assembly line? Manufacture date says `54



-- Edited by Rick65Cat on Monday 8th of November 2010 11:06:24 PM

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Rick65Cat


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Rick65Cat


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So heres an update....

All new brakes A to Z, ..master cyl, all new lines, new hoses, new wheel cyls, new spring kits, new shoes, new drums.

All new fuel system,.. new fuel tank, all new line from tank to rebuilt carb, (converting to 12V) new 12V inline fuel pump.

Sandblasted and repainted the rims black and added 4 brand new Coker wide whites.

4 new shocks, all the light bulbs have been changed to 12V. Full ignition replacement,..points, condenser, rotor, cap, wires, plugs. Removed the factory fuel pump and blocked off the mount hole in the side of the block. This neccesitated replacing the factory wiper motor with a "direct bolt in" replacement 2 speed 12V wiper motor.

The car starts and runs...a carb tuning is in the works but I need to get it to a muffler shop first. I have a replica 1954 muffler in a box in the back of the car. I just need the pipe from the manifold back fabbed and bent for me.

Still a few items on the list...actually quite a few. But the next big item is to get the steering checked and whatever needs replacing gets replaced. My buddy from the old car club I'm in will weld in the new floor panels for the drivers and front passenger compartment......then.....get it officially safetied, licensed and on the road.

 https://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t269/Rick65Cat/1954%20Pontiac%20Hearse/mybaby.jpg

https://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t269/Rick65Cat/1954%20Pontiac%20Hearse/mybaby2.jpg



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Beaumont4008


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Very cool project.smile.gif  I like it its a lot shorter than the one pictured above.

 

mybaby.jpg



-- Edited by Beaumont4008 on Thursday 21st of April 2011 10:28:25 AM

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Rick65Cat


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Don't be fooled by the picture angle...this puppy has a 150" wheelbase

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Bjanuszewski


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A straight 8 is definitly a US model.  The Canadian models of tha vintage where rebadged Chevies with 56 cylinder engines.  Bill



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pontorquer


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Welcome ! Nice cars !



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