Spring is in the air! With each passing day it get's a little bit warmer. Many of you have already brought your Poncho's out from winter hibernation. Some of you are lucky enough to have convertibles and before you know it top down weather will be here. One lucky convertible owner is CP Member 1965CS (Steve) who owns this beautiful 1965 Pontiac Parisienne Custom Sport. This Custom Sport wasn't always this nice (the "before" shot of the trunk will make you cringe!). Steve had a frame off restoration performed on this desirable car and the results are stunning. Steve gives us a rundown on what he did to bring this Poncho up to better than new condition:

"My fascination with this car began about half a century ago when my dad brought home my grandfather’s 65 Custom Sport. He had bought it new in 1965, but just a few years later, decided he didn’t need it anymore. It then became our family car and on my 16th birthday, I got my license with it. A couple years later, I bought a 65 Custom Sport convertible for the shocking price of $300 - about 2 week’s pay at the time. I loved that car, having the 300HP 327, tilt, pwr windows and reverb. But sadly only a few months later it was ‘T’ boned and destroyed. I vowed that one day I would replace it and about 25 yrs later I found the one I now have. 

The grills, bumpers and fenders were quite bent, along with the rear quarters full of bondo. Most of electrical was molested so windows, roof, gauges and charging system weren’t working. Surprisingly, all the stainless and chrome was intact.

Ripped seats, door panels, cracked dash, ripped carpet, and overall filthy interior.

Inside trunk, not sure what this was about.

Even so, still felt it had potential, so off it went for a frame off resto in late 2006.

More resto pics @ cosmiccolor.ca

After five previous layers of paint was removed and extensive rusted metal replaced, it was then painted with Cadillac’s white diamond pearl. By the end of 2008, the re-chromed bumpers and trim were installed and the Interior was re-done in original parchment and black dash. All electrical was replaced and upgraded with the addition of several relays for the pwr locks, trunk, halogen lights and theft security. Final touches were LED lighting for interior, taillights and DTL along with the original white roof replaced in black.

Main mechanical upgrades replaced the 283-glide with a mild cam 350-700R4 and a 3:42-12 bolt replaced the 3:08-10 bolt. This combination works well for both power and MPG and I drive it everywhere, clocking over 30,000 miles so far.

Not my favorite wheel; looking for an alternate.

Taken at Vulcan, Ab.

 Thank you.

   Steve (65CS)"