The time has finally arrived for me to pick up my new car - 1962 Pontiac Strato Chief - to drive home from Edmonton to Toronto where I will begin all kinds of work on it so she can be my summer cruiser.
Details on the car: Car was on the road last year as a semi daily driver. The owner did plugs for me which was kind of him. Greased everything and did an oil change. Tires are new, spare is new. cap rotor and points in the trunk. I am kind of flying blind on this a bit but my plan is to go 80km/h, check everything over often and pray to the patron saint of General Motors.
Route: I am planning to stay in Canada and either run down though Marathon to Wawa then South. However this route is so damn steep, when I did this last year in a 64 Comet I scared myself half to death in the middle of the night barely making it up the hills that seemed to go on forever. So I might hook wide and go along the 11 through Timmins. I fly out Saturday May 14 and I will be leaving that afternoon.
I'm into meeting up with folks along the way, it would be great to chat and learn stuff about these cars, it is my first Pontiac and I am excited to dig in on the 261 when I get home. I hope it has the Rochester on it. I'm really hoping this goes smoothly, I do have 200kms a day of towing via Hagerty to bail me out if I get in a pinch. I'm open to all suggestions, comments, razzing etc. I appreciate all the info this forum has given me and all the words of encouragement I have gotten from members on my original post.
-- Edited by Morty on Friday 13th of May 2022 10:43:47 AM
Edmonton to Toronto Roadtrip https://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t68419458/reviving-a-1962-strato-chief-for-a-drive-home-edmonton-to-to/?page=last#lastPostAnchor
63 Parisienne sport coupe (The Big GTO), black, maroon interior, 409 4 speed; former owner of a 59 El Camino, 63 Corvette SWC, 62 Chev Bel Air SC. 1963- Pontiac top selling car in Canada
Mahone Bay, NS Still not old enough to need an automatic
Plan your fuel stops, as there will be long stretches with no opportunity to fill up. Typically fill up in Alberta before entering BC or SK as their prices are higher.
I will for sure keep you posted when Im headed through! Would love to meet up.
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Morty
-1962 Strato Chief 261CI 3 spd man
Edmonton to Toronto Roadtrip https://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t68419458/reviving-a-1962-strato-chief-for-a-drive-home-edmonton-to-to/?page=last#lastPostAnchor
Check the gas tank straps! A buddy had a 62 Biscayne that he used for going to the hunting camp to save his new at the time 1977 Impala. When he arrived at the camp everything was good until a couple of days later when the group at the camp needed some supplies the car wouldnt start. He noticed that the gas gauge showed way past full. Opened the gas door to put gas in anyway and the gas tank was gone. They found it a mile and a half down the road and put it in the trunk to be able to drive home.
Guys this is sage advice - honestly I've done this type of thing twice (68 F100 from BC and 64 Comet from Red Deer) and this time I am the least prepared. and the car is the oldest I've done it with. Send good thoughts, she's such a sweet car I really want her to get home so I can preserve her.
-- Edited by Morty on Monday 2nd of May 2022 07:51:30 PM
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Morty
-1962 Strato Chief 261CI 3 spd man
Edmonton to Toronto Roadtrip https://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t68419458/reviving-a-1962-strato-chief-for-a-drive-home-edmonton-to-to/?page=last#lastPostAnchor
Edmonton to Toronto Roadtrip https://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t68419458/reviving-a-1962-strato-chief-for-a-drive-home-edmonton-to-to/?page=last#lastPostAnchor
Thank you Greaser, and all the folks here. Much appreciated. Excited to learn about this car and the 261.
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Morty
-1962 Strato Chief 261CI 3 spd man
Edmonton to Toronto Roadtrip https://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t68419458/reviving-a-1962-strato-chief-for-a-drive-home-edmonton-to-to/?page=last#lastPostAnchor
You don't realize how big this country is until you drive across it. Maybe he's fallen in love with the wide open spaces of the prairie, and doesn't want to return to Ontariario.
Hey guys sorry for the delay - I am okay, didn't mean to worry you. I wasn't allowed to board my flight because I had just gotten my 2nd vaccine. SO I have rebooked it for the 19th. I got annoyed by the delay and didn't really want to think about my Strato Chief. I will update you guys as I go along. I am now considering going across to Winnipeg and then down through the states. Last time I went up and over it was stressful as hell because if you get into trouble there's no one to help you, you always end up driving at night and its terrifying frankly. Thanks again for looking out for me guys!
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Morty
-1962 Strato Chief 261CI 3 spd man
Edmonton to Toronto Roadtrip https://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t68419458/reviving-a-1962-strato-chief-for-a-drive-home-edmonton-to-to/?page=last#lastPostAnchor
Hey Cliff - thats a great idea, I can totally get that done. Sorry again for creating concern!
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Morty
-1962 Strato Chief 261CI 3 spd man
Edmonton to Toronto Roadtrip https://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t68419458/reviving-a-1962-strato-chief-for-a-drive-home-edmonton-to-to/?page=last#lastPostAnchor
Hey Cliff - thats a great idea, I can totally get that done. Sorry again for creating concern!
When my friend came from Oakville a few years ago to drive his 64 F**d home it got a new set of tires and 4 halogen headlights before it left here. Both offer good peace of mind for a trip like you are taking on. New belts as well, repacked wheel bearings etc.
When the time gets close I'll update you about your route. Currently the highway south from Winnipeg to the US has a small detour on it because of flooding.
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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
This great advice, thank you. So the bearings are greased, the tires are 1 season old, and a new cap,rotor and points are in the trunk. Haven't done headlights but I am also going to try to avoid night drives if possible. When I look at G maps it shows me a few ways to take that are all kind of the same distance. I'd like to stay in Canada to save me some $$ but Northern Ontario is just such a remote place. I plan to do an oil change at least once on the way home and get some sea foam into it.
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Morty
-1962 Strato Chief 261CI 3 spd man
Edmonton to Toronto Roadtrip https://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t68419458/reviving-a-1962-strato-chief-for-a-drive-home-edmonton-to-to/?page=last#lastPostAnchor
He said he installed them but upon further investigation he just tossed em in the trunk. Either way I might be able to manage that on the road, or I might not need them entirely.
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Morty
-1962 Strato Chief 261CI 3 spd man
Edmonton to Toronto Roadtrip https://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t68419458/reviving-a-1962-strato-chief-for-a-drive-home-edmonton-to-to/?page=last#lastPostAnchor
