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Post Info TOPIC: February 2023 Feature Car


A Poncho Legend!

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February 2023 Feature Car


It's a rare treat to feature Canadian Pontiac's from the 1950's and earlier as so few remain. It's my pleaure to feature this survivor 1954 Pontaic Laurentian Sport Coupe. You won't be surprised that you likely haven't seen one before as so few were built in the first place. John La Grange owns this wonderful example and has kept the car pretty much original save for some maintenance items and a minor lowering. John provides us with the details:

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The story of my 54',

It was an estate sale as the original collector had passed away. He had purchased it in '78 from auction in Edmonton.

 

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 eng rs.JPG

 high compression.jpg

 

I found the original owner that had auctioned it off and had a chat with him. He had purchased the car from the original owners and attempted to restore it. There's a letter from Pontiac of Canada mentioning the rarity of the car and their understanding of the difficulty he was having restoring it.

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Coming home,

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Interior view,

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dog.jpg

 

I had the radio restored.

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 radio dash close.jpg

 

Installed a rebuilt generator, rebuilding the carb this winter.

Wilson Auto Electric!

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'54 Pontiac Laurentian Sport Coupe. Alberta car since day 1. Newly certified in '22 after 40 years. All original aside from the battery and maintenance items. 

side eve.jpg

rear one quarter night.jpg

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I don't intend to modify anything that cannot be returned to stock, but I have lowered the car and prepared the roof for a new coat of paint. 

I've installed new radial Coker classic whitewalls on original 50's steel wheels. Also found a set of original quick-n-easy roof latches to "top it off"

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I Love the car and my daughter's love going for cruises with me...

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pontiac cnd 1954 laurentian-1_2.jpg



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A Poncho Legend!

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Cool car, cool story, and I LOVE the "HIGH COMPRESSION" along with the letter from General Motors!

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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



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This car is awesome. I even like the roof the way it is.

Regards, Scott (LandShark ...)



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Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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I'll have to admit, I've never paid much attention to the 50's Pontiacs, as you usually seem to focus on the cars from your youth.

But this one has sure caught my eye John! It's so nice to look at. Great to have it featured here.

 

I agree the roof looks perfect in that stripped patina. I'd clear it.

 



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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT. 
 


Addicted!

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I like your schnauzer in the back seat, we have something in common. Back to the thread ,  I agree, love the 2 dr Hard Top , very nice lines, nice to see the Flat Head in there.

 



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New Brunswick , 1950 Pontiac Silver Streak 2 Dr Sedan, 1967 Beaumont, 1985 Sierra 1500 One Owner



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Yeah the schnauzer is always excited for a cruise, and I don't mind as the seats are already pretty ratty. I didn't even know these cars were a thing either until I found this one on Kijiji while looking for a Belair of the same year 



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@jp_lagrange


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I'd consider the "patina" look but she needs a bit more shine. Also want to preserve this old girl.



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@jp_lagrange


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Congratulations ! Super rare car!



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NOS


Poncho Master!

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my school bus driver back in the day owned an orange one; same model.   but I think it had a white top

Dale



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Addicted!

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Such a cool car! Love the dash.

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Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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Such a cool car. The Laurentian hardtop style is rare. Congrats on a fine time capsule. I'll bet it runs quietly.

I have a 68-year-old 1954 Canadian Pontiac brochure that I would like to scan but don't want to wreck. It has both Canadian & American Pontiac models that were sold here. I'll post it when I get it done.

What is interesting is how much the Canadian Pontiac uses Chevrolet body panels & hardware like the tail lights. They also used the Pontiac flathead 239 six with syncro-mesh 3-speed or optional Powerglide. The American cars used the 239 flathead six or a 254 flathead straight eight, both in their final year. American cars used the dual range 4-speed Hydramatic instead of the Powerglide.

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67 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe, Oshawa-built 250 PG never disturbed.

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



Poncho Master!

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Beautiful car, congratulations.
Brian

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Veteran Member

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Nice car, Enjoy

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robert currie


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Noticed the radio says Chieftain. Wonder if the car was a radio delete when built or if American radios were used in Canadian built cars?



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Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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Really cool car, you thought a BelAir this year was rare, this car beats them hands down for rarity. Roof is cool as is or painted, nice that your girls like it too.

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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



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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Beautiful car, great story and the smiles of the car riders tell the story. This car has found a family for sure.

The side trim in that year was really gorgeous by the way!



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ken from northern Alberta

38 Willys pickup electric

39 Buick (327 with 700 r4)

66 Beaumont 4 door hardtop

69 Chevy CST pickup

1976 GMC 23'  motorhome

1994 Impala SS (temporary, according to my wife)



Addicted!

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Beautiful car! One that I always wished I had bought as 1954 was one of my favorite years! However owned some 52's & 58's instead! The dash on the 54's were a piece of art especially at night as the pix shows. Congratulations on finding a real "GEM". Bob.

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1965 Thunderbird Special Landau 10th Anniversary Limited Edition only 4500 built 34,800 miles

 

 



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CdnGMfan wrote:

Such a cool car. The Laurentian hardtop style is rare. Congrats on a fine time capsule. I'll bet it runs quietly.

I have a 68-year-old 1954 Canadian Pontiac brochure that I would like to scan but don't want to wreck. It has both Canadian & American Pontiac models that were sold here. I'll post it when I get it done.

What is interesting is how much the Canadian Pontiac uses Chevrolet body panels & hardware like the tail lights. They also used the Pontiac flathead 239 six with syncro-mesh 3-speed or optional Powerglide. The American cars used the 239 flathead six or a 254 flathead straight eight, both in their final year. American cars used the dual range 4-speed Hydramatic instead of the Powerglide.


 The Canadian '54 Laurentians didn't come with the inline 8 as there isn't enough room in the engine bay with the shorter Chevy body panels. 

 

The old literature is very cool to look back on. I'll watch to see when it's posted.



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@jp_lagrange


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LeeRoy wrote:

Noticed the radio says Chieftain. Wonder if the car was a radio delete when built or if American radios were used in Canadian built cars?


 The radio is stock. The only options for this radio were the American branded chieftain radios. I don't think Pontiac of Canada went to the effort to remanufacture a Canadian Laurentian branded alternative.



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@jp_lagrange


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Very nice car and very nice story. I hope when you teach your daughter how to drive you'll have her try for the first time on that car, like I did with both my  kids.

 

Enjoy!



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"Dad, which car are we taking?"                      "The Pontiac!"

"Which one?"                                                    "The red one!"

'67 Parisienne 2+2 - red

'01 Montana            - red

'06 Buick Allure

'12    Japanese minivan



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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love it! thats a rare car for sure happy to see it

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A Poncho Legend!

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Pretty darn cool car!



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Ray White, Toronto ON

1973 LeMans 454 "Astro-Jet"

Built March 9, 1973 - Oshawa ON

1993 Corvette Convertible LT 1

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Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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I took a quick scan of this Laurentian Sport Coupe image from the '54 brochure. Doesn't it look like the feature car?

 

54 Pontiac Laurentian Sport Coupe.jpg

 

I'll post the rest after I take the time to scan it.



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67 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe, Oshawa-built 250 PG never disturbed.

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



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CdnGMfan wrote:

I took a quick scan of this Laurentian Sport Coupe image from the '54 brochure. Doesn't it look like the feature car?

 

54 Pontiac Laurentian Sport Coupe.jpg

 

I'll post the rest after I take the time to scan it.


 Wow! That's awesome. That's spot on what this car looked like. Very cool. Thanks



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@jp_lagrange


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youtu.be/DX6LA7cMN1o

Please subscribe to my YouTube for additional videos of the Pontiac, my '51 Chevy truck, and eventually my '31 Ford model A build.

Have a look and please provide feedback. Thanks everyone!

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