1961 Parisienne sport coupe restore begins(bubble top)

pontiax · Poncho Master!

RE: 1961 Parisienne sport coupe restore begins(bubble top)

57poncho · Uber Guru

After fighting with the first one I now know how to do it. I did the next one in about five minutes. I heated it with the touch put a chisel in the center and clasped it then it popped right out.

57poncho · Uber Guru

Here is some biger pics.

-- Edited by 57poncho on Tuesday 3rd of January 2012 09:58:00 PM

59stratochiefwagon · Veteran Member

Nice build story. I used black iron pipe and couplings to fab the support on the A arms. On some I have knocked the center sleeve out and used a hacksaw to cut slots to release the tension on the bushing. Freezing the bushings is a good trick, I have left steel bushings out on the window ledge(winter only) when I was a machinist, also used dry ice.

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

You can't get any more Canadian than a photo of a 61 Parisienne frame and tipped over Timmies cup! biggrin

bodyguy55 · Member

how supplied the floor pans and braces? did they fit ok? I have a couple of 61 pontiacs

57poncho · Uber Guru

Not sure who they were made by I bought them off a guy who had had them for 15 years. But they did fit nice.

Bart · Member

Just wondering where you got your lower quater panels?

57poncho · Uber Guru

No one makes them I got lucky and found a 30 year old pair on kijiji.

Bart · Member

Cool

57poncho · Uber Guru

Well got the frame and other parts blasted and coated so here are some pics. Once I can get my parts from the border I will start putting things back together.

67SD396 · Poncho Master!

Excellent looking powder coating job! That will look so nice all put back together. You are making great progress Vern. Can't wait to see the finished car.

unburt · Guru

I just showed the wife these pics and she asked what is all that stuff, i said its the start of a very rewarding jigsaw puzzle.I then scrolled up to the body and her reply then was, can we get one.
This may be a win win down the road got to find the right car first. Nice job it will be awesome.

Bart · Member

Very nice work.
Did you do any chassis modifications to strengthen it by any chance, in case of more torque out of the engine??

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

Man, Vern that is looking really great! Love the car!

57poncho · Uber Guru

Bart wrote:
Very nice work.
Did you do any chassis modifications to strengthen it by any chance, in case of more torque out of the engine??

No did not do any mods. The 348 is stock and this is the wifes car so I don't think it needs it.

jim_ss409 · Guru

Frame looks great!
That car's going to be nice!

Gregory · Addicted!

looking good vern ,I guess a 4spd. behind the 348 for the wife too.

57poncho · Uber Guru

Gregory wrote:
looking good vern ,I guess a 4spd. behind the 348 for the wife too.

No such luck she wants a auto. I have a turbo 350 but am looking for a 200r4.

pontiax · Poncho Master!

I have a fresh 200-4R ,dual pattern Chev,BOP from an 87 caprice non-computer car. I had it rebuilt but never had a chance to install it. see picture for explanation. P.M. me, I'm in the giving mood and need room in my garage.

57poncho · Uber Guru

Well it kooks like Pete (pontiax) has solved my trans problem for me. And it a price you can't beat for the trans I must buy a round of coffee next time we Manitoba guy s get together how is that for a deal. Thanks again Pete

-- Edited by 57poncho on Monday 20th of February 2012 09:12:22 PM

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

I'll give him twice that much!

57poncho · Uber Guru

Well guys I'm sorry to say this story has come to an end for me. Traded the car for a bike just no time to work on it and the wife had voiced that she really didn't want the car. So why put another 15 grand in it when she does not what it.The guy wanted 10 for his bike and I kept the 348, tri power and the trans. I think I got the better of the deal as the guy was not sure what he had. It's a 2000 Dyna wide glide bored and stroked to 107 he bought iit as a right off and fixed it but never opened it up. Turns out the motor alone would cost almost as much to build as he was asking for the bike.

61 pontiac.jpg

2000 dyna.JPG

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Sad day in Poncho land when one leaves for a Harley!!!

57poncho · Uber Guru

Yes it was a sad day but if I tried to sell the car in parts I would never get what I can get for the bike. I had offered it to members on here that had asked to buy it for 6500 and got the response I can get one for a lot less. But those ones had no work done to them good luck buy them and try and find good sheet metal to fix them. All I asked for was what I had in it not a dime for my hours and there were many.