If you've been a member of Canadian Poncho for a while you'd surely know there is one member who has to be the world's largest fan of 1970 Canadian Pontiac's. This member is Clint Scherger (a.k.a "seventy2plus2"). Clint is a walking encyclopedia on these cars and is always more than happy to share his knowledge with other owners of these cars. Currently Clint has four 1970 Canadian Pontiac's in his stable including this month's feature car. This Parisienne is a one-of-none recreation built by Clint featuring a very healthy 454 built to LS6 specs backed by a strong M20 4 speed transmission. Here's the scoop on this incredible car. Take it away Clint:

I'd been kind of looking for a new project for a while, and another member sent me a kijiji link to this car in 2011.  I went to look at the car and while it'd been sitting in the alley for some time, it seemed interesting.  The car was originally purchased at McKay Pontiac in Calgary, and was now with the original owner's son, who himself was a retiree.  The body seemed ok, the interior and glass were very nice, and the 350 2bbl seemed to run ok.  However, his asking price was unrealistic.

I'd drive by the car on occasion, and while I could see it would occasionally move, the alley seemed to be it's final resting place.  After thinking about it for over a year, I decided to call and see if we could make a deal.  Upon calling I learned the owner had recently passed, and I was able to make a deal with his widow.   I'd been collecting parts for a potential project car, so had Ralley II rims and tires which could replace the expired bias-ply tires for the trip home.

Once home, the intent was to build one of my 70 454's to be a 70 450 hp LS6, backed by an M20 4 speed, but knew that project would be a little later.  I wanted to make the car road worthy and proceeded to clean it up, and change the fluids, belts & hoses.  But once I slid underneath to change the oil, I could see how bad the frame was and it'd certainly never survive the planned engine/tranny combination.

So the hunt was on for a donor chassis, and like everything else, they're never around when you need one.   The trek was made to Saskatchewan for a 69 2+2 hardtop parts car, and while its body was poor, its chassis was in very good condition.  Originally I was going to use the chassis as is, but the decision was made to replace all the bushings, brakes, lines, steering & suspension, and sandblast the chassis.  While it added a lot of time and cost, the results were well worth it. 

Now that the chassis was complete, it was time to take the body off the bad chassis.  First thing to do was to remove the front clip, and in doing so I found the rear portions of the front fenders required significant repairs.  As these panels are not reproduced, the fenders were taken to a fabricator (along with some spare fenders I had) who was able to make the necessary repairs. 

While the fenders were in for repair, the body was moved from the original chassis to the refurbished one.  The body was lightened for lifting by removing the front seat and doors.  A beam of three 2x6's was made to slide through the car, chained to the seat belt retractor holes.  An engine hoist was used to lift the rear of the car.  It lifted quite easily, the old chassis rolled out, and the new chassis rolled in. 

With the doors reattached, I cleaned up the firewall and installed the heater delete plates.  I'd acquired these a few years ago, they originally came on a Hawaiian car.  The front clip with the repaired fenders was installed, it was at that time that I realized how hard it is to align body panels.  Fortunately I know a retired body guy who was able to line everything up.  A hole was cut in the floor for the previously acquired shifter hump, and the brake / clutch pedals installed as well as a new carpet. 

Then came time for the big expense, the rebuild of the motor.  I had a nice mid-year 1970 model year 3963512 casting 454 that would make a perfect LS6.  4 bolt main caps and dimple rods had been sourced somewhat earlier, as well as the rectangular port closed chamber heads.  During machining, the block was drilled for an oil cooler as all other 4 bolt blocks.   A reproduction intake manifold and proper Holley carb were also attained.  The build took a good chunk of the winter, and finally installed and running in early June.

The end result was what I was looking for, a recreation of the car I would have special ordered.  LS6 454, M20 4 speed, power steering, disc brakes, heater delete, radio delete, clock delete.  The car drives very nice as it has new brakes, steering & suspension, and the engine pulls hard.  I'm leaving the body as is, I'm going for the sleeper look of a high school kid who sunk everything he had into the drivetrain. 

I would not have been able to complete this car without the help of many people, including a number of Canadian Poncho members.  Past articles of 4 speed and disc brake conversions were immense help.  Plus, I've acquired many of the necessary parts through this site.

Thank-you all.