Can you believe it? It's already December! We've had a great bunch of feature cars this year and I can think of no better way to complete the 2016 than to feature Tom Allen's stunning 1966 Pontiac Grande Parisienne. This black on red poncho really stands out head and shoulders above the crowd. What's not to love? Here's Tom to tell us all about this GRANDE Parisienne:
For me, the love for the big Canadian Pontiacs started in 1985 while in high school in North Battleford Saskatchewan. I purchased a '66 Parisienne from my Dads co-worker for $700. He had bought it new as a wedding gift for his daughter in BC. She ended up giving it back to him after 12 years. It was a nightwatch blue, 2 door hard top, with a 283, and a powerglide. It was a good survivor with 60K miles, very little rust and a few minor dings. The original paint had a whitish layer on it, but I was able to bring the shine back with cut-wax. I scavenged the local wreaking yards and was able to find everything the car was missing, some emblems, 2 hub caps, chrome lighter, etc. Me and my buddies loved cruising in that car, and taking it out to bush parties, it floated down the road, and was a blast to drive. But what I really wanted was the '66 Grande Parisenne, with its signal lights in the grill and sportier roof line, I really loved the look of that car, and wanted one ever since.
Unfortunately I had to sell my car in 1988 to move out to BC for work.
Fast forward to 2014, and I was finally in a position to try and find a '66 Grande. I found the Canadian Poncho site, and realized I was not alone in my love for these cars.
A long story short, in May 2016, it was an honor to purchase a black '66 Grande Parisienne, from Poncho Legend Carl Stevenson. It came with a 350 4-speed,12 bolt, and F40 suspension. I trailered it from near Winnipeg to Sherwood Park. 12 hours of that big grill smiling at me in my rear view mirror was a great site.
Carl put an amazing amount of options into the car: Muncie 4-speed M20 (originally a powerglide), strato-bench seat & rear seat with arm rest, tilt, am/fm radio, tach, US rally gauge cluster, rear defog, reverb, halogen lights with relays, reel out trunk and hood lights. Along with the following power options: power windows (vents too), seats, locks, antenna, and trunk.
Over the summer, with a lot of help from Poncho member John (JC2+2), I was able to get the following work done, and passed the out of province inspection: New ball joints, idler arm, seals, bearings, brakes (complete), front shocks, left axle, hush mat & rug, intake, a quadrajet from Randy (GLHS60), 15" Pontiac rally one rims (6 slot), 225 radials all around, and dual exhaust with Magnaflows. I still have some emblems that came with the car, and few other things to put on over the winter.
The paint is not show quality, but that's exactly how I want it right now. I have two young boys who love being around, and riding in the car, so I don't have to care if they accidentally scratch it. I bought the car to drive it and enjoy it with family. Some day I hope to put in a big block, and have the paint done, but its perfect right now, and we have been having a blast with it!
Tom, I don't know whether to jump up and down with joy, or call you and cry my eyes out begging to buy my old car back!!! (I'm kidding of course, I am thrilled that you did such a magnificent job on the final assembly of that car.)
I'm glad you gave John credit for helping because when I talked to you, you were always quick to tell me what a great help it was having him there.
WHAT A SPECTACULAR LOOKING CAR!!!
This is going to be a great month...
__________________
1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Thanks Todd for selecting the car as a feature car, its an honour to see it up there.
Its been a blast cruising around in it. I had it out yesterday at -2 as the roads are still clear here, but I think that will be it until spring, its getting cold here next week. John (JC2+2) did a great job tuning it up, its running great.
Tom, I don't know whether to jump up and down with joy, or call you and cry my eyes out begging to buy my old car back!!! (I'm kidding of course, I am thrilled that you did such a magnificent job on the final assembly of that car.)
I'm glad you gave John credit for helping because when I talked to you, you were always quick to tell me what a great help it was having him there.
WHAT A SPECTACULAR LOOKING CAR!!!
This is going to be a great month...
Thanks carl,
Your right John deserves the credit for the mechanical work, I was the guy holding the light and passing the wrenches. John is an amazing mechanic.
Thanks again for selling the car to me, a real dream come true, pass me a tissue dam it!
Right on Tom! You sure have gone up from a 2 door sedan with no back window!
That doggone Carl sure had optionitus didn't he?
Thanks Ken. lol I still need a back window for the sedan, unfortunately its definitely on the back burner, now if I have any spare time it goes to the Grande.
Can't wait to get our cars together and go for a rip!
Tom, your Grande looks great up there on the top of the page. Congrats on car of the month. Thanks for talking me up but I really enjoyed working on your car. It was nice to work on something without an ECM for a change. And good to hear you're putting the miles on. Again congrats, great looking car you've got there Tom.
__________________
'68 Parisienne 2+2 Convertible Matador Red (Resale Red but not for sale).
In my opinion the 66 Grande Parisienne has to stand as one of the very best looking classy cars to come out of the GM styling studios ever. This month's feature car has a great colour combo and some tasteful & desirable options. It will be yet another month of an easy-on-the-eyes page header at Canadianponcho.
__________________
67 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe, Oshawa-built 250 PG never touched.
In garage, 296 cid inline six & TH350...
Cam, Toronto.
I don't judge a man by how far he's fallen, but by how far back he bounces - Patton
One thing I want to ad, and of course it's all opinion, but I think the stance on that car is just perfect. It sits exactly the right height front/back.
__________________
1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Carl had bought the car in 2011 from the estate of the original owner. The owner had purchased it new from Winnipeg Motors for $4,416.50. The car rolled off the Oshawa GM assembly line on January 5th 1966. The original owner was a parts manager for many years at a Chev dealership in Winnipeg. Though Carl was doing the same job, at roughly the same time, in the same area, he had never come across him. The original owner had passed away somewhere around 2010. Carl went to look at it on a farm a bit north of Winnipeg at the original owner's nephew's place, but the owner's brother was the one who handled the paperwork.
The nephew had repainted the car for his uncle somewhere around 2000, but was not aware that the 283 had been replaced with a 350.
Right on Tom! You sure have gone up from a 2 door sedan with no back window!
That doggone Carl sure had optionitus didn't he?
Thanks Ken. lol I still need a back window for the sedan, unfortunately its definitely on the back burner, now if I have any spare time it goes to the Grande.
Can't wait to get our cars together and go for a rip!
Yeah that will be a blast just blowing everybody's minds with all this style!
Right on Tom! You sure have gone up from a 2 door sedan
And what's wrong with a 2 door sedan???!!!
Nothing at all! Yikes! His just didn't have a back window. Boy, you used to love the Grandes. Talk about fickle!
Hahaha, and I still love the 66 Grande Parisiennes They will always be my favourite car. I have my Strato Chief because I could NOT turn down such an original unique car. If a 66 Grande Parisienne 4 speed big block original documented car came along in the shape my Strato Chief is, the Chief would be for sale. I would give it up ONLY for that imaginary car that I mentioned.
Signed A fickle 66 Pontiac guy with optionitus......
__________________
1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
