Ok, so i am new to the forum, and im 19, i have a 66 catalina 2 door, hdtp, it is an american model, so i hope that doesn't displace me too much here. i was just wondering, i am wanting to begin restoring it (yes im aware of what this involves, both monetarily, and time wise, and labor of course, ) the farthest i have ventured into a project was to make a nice daily driver out of my mercury (not my first choice in car of course) so im not a complete idiot when it comes to cars, but my pontiac is my baby and i kinda have it up on a pedestal, lol,i want it perfect (within reason) basically what i want to know, is...where do i start? i know that seems like a dumb question, but, i want to cover all my bases before i start, and i just want to know if there is a logical order for which to begin. the car runs and drives, and stops (again) has sadly been in an accident and will need a drivers rear qtr panel, and maybe inner whell hous assmbly, and pass rear qtr. (full of bondo), and bottom of fenders need work, and it needs frame work, badly, but im not willing to give it up, so its time to start doing something with it. and lastly i hope i havent broken any forum rules, if so im terribly sorry-andrei
Thank you for your kind welcomes, I actually just found this site a few days ago, and i kinda hung around to see if itd be of good use, and it seems so. Its nice to finally see a forum, filled with something other than Trans Ams, or GTOs (though nice) that you actually get responses at lol, See im glad i asked, i was going to wait for the frame, till it came to that time, but it makes alot more sense to search now, the simple things you can over look... would you happen to know if my thinking that a 65 frame would work is correct? and would it be model specific, ie: catalina to catalina, or would a grandprix, or bonneville fit as well? I will throw some pics up here tomorrow morning, thanks
I know you have a heartfelt attachment to your 66. But to tell you the truth, you will be better off buying a clean rolling 66, and transferring the best from your car to the one in better shape. I've seen decent 2 door 66 project Cats in the past. They're out there, PMD probably made at least thirty thousand of that model.
Dismantling pretty much the entire car and to bring it back will be a task of epic porportion for a young guy. Unless of course you have good cash, access to a decent shop with good knowledge around to help.
Not at all meaning to burst your bubble Andrei, but this is good advice based on my own experiance.
Cheers Mark.
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
I do agree with you, and it would most likely be the smart thing to do, but idk, i just cant seem to let it go, i have had offers for cash, and trades, but its still here, im willing to at least try to let it live on, the problem i would have with buying another, is id want to restore it to, result of my young ignorant stubbornness no doubt, but it is what it is, i love this car, and i would like to keep it. Im actually surprised to see you estimate 30000 of them, ive had a hard time finding many of them, ( at decent prices) though i was looking for parts cars, because thats what i really want, because with any car, i want the body to come off i want to do a full resto, i think i need that experience, and to be that familiar with every nut and bolt of my vehicle, even if that means 10, 15 20 years. i will not lie, i am by no means wealthy, but as for the shop, i already have someone that will let me use his, as well as 2 other people who do nothing but GM cars for help, (they've already been wonderful exploits of knowledge in past repairs to the car) but i do agree this would be a monumental task for someone my age, but i embrace the challenge. and it is perfectly all right, bubbles were meant to be burst, or they wouldn't be so fragile, and besides you're most likely right, but my stubbornness makes me at least try something one time ya know? but i do thank you for your opinion
Welcome to the site Andrei, looking forward to pics. I like what you said about 10,15 20 years. I have had my car apart since the 80's and is still apart. But willl never get rid of it. At the rate I am going you will still have yours built before mine LoL.
Welcome! Here is my The first thing I would do is determine whether your car actually needs a frame off and is it going to be driven or shown and numbers matching etc. Depending on that, you can 'ball park' the $ you will need to complete it. I had to do mine within my budget (poor mans) still doing a frame off and built to be driven and am quite happy with the results. It aint no award wining show car,.... but gets me where I want to go
Do you mind saying what part of Kansas you are in? The reason I ask is that the western part of Kansas has some wonderfully solid cars and you certainly should be able to locate an excellent frame in west Kansas or Colorado. Same goes for sheet metal too. I have friends in Kansas and Nebraska and had a friend who lived in Denver for many years as well, so I have toured many wrecking yards there. If you wish I can attempt to help you locate a frame and sheet metal.
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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
Frame 1st. No point fixing everything else and then having to take it all apart again. Welcome aboard Andrei. Listen to these guys, and you project will go pretty smooth.
To Beaumont4008: hey as long as it takes lol, and nah, you got a good 20 years about on me, not to mention countless man hours, and extensive knowledge
To 1965CS: i think it does, the frame has some rust where the front frame horns, meet the side rails, its pretty bad, and will need some trunk help, has a few small holes, not really looking for top quality every nut and bolt must have correct markings, im good with a budget resto, but would like to make as much correct as possible with my funds. but i feel the frame must come off, the engine and trans are already both rebuilt, and installed in the car, so thats that much less work i must do, they only have a few thousand miles on them, (under 3000), and the car will be driven.
To Carl Stevenson: i am in the east of kansas, ( junction city area) my car spent most of its life in western kansas (goodland ks) and came to my area in the early nineties. you dont have to go out of your way for me, but if you happen to come across one, you can send me info if you like. Are colorado cars usually rust free, low rust? i passed one up for a good price, because i thought they used alot of salt on their roads similar to kansas. there is a yard in texas that has a 66 ventura 2 door hdtp, same car basically right? not sure how much he wants for it though. looks to be relatively decent.
To 66CatfromBuffalo: thank you thank you thank you, that link is awesome, i have been trying to find something similar for forever. i didnt know such a site existed all brought together!.
To 87 player bird: true on the frame first part, but do you think it would be easier to fix what i can before removing the body so it has as much strength as possible? or just get it off there then fix it all at once?
unless i break something (lol) pics should follow some before it was wrecked, some after
oh and i know engine is wrong colors ( i know someone will eat me alive for it, but i couldnt find correct blue at that time, got it now though) and if more pics are wanted ask, its only outside lol, oh and what would be the best course of action for that quarter, cut nd weld, or is it pullable?
-- Edited by Andrei on Saturday 10th of April 2010 12:31:03 PM
Since it should be pulled as good as possible first, even if it is being replace (to make the best shape you can to install the new one) do the pulling.
Nice, an air car to boot.
Colorado has nice stuff Andrei. There is a little bit of rust but not at all like eastern Kansas.
I am not sure how far you want to drive for parts but straight north of you just into Nebraska at Wymore there is two good wrecking yards as far as old cars go. Good chance one of them has a frame as they both have lots of 60's stuff.
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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
Welcome to the site Andrei. Believe me i know about hanging onto a car you want. I had always wanted a Trans Am, specifically an 82, kid of the early 80's and all. I probably should have waited to find a better condition car when i bought my Trans Am but it had everything i wanted and i figured i'll learn and get it fixed up. Had it about 3 years now, haven't got a lot done but not giving up yet on it. Just takes time...and money. At least i have it. Anyway looks like you'll have yourself an amazing car when you get it the way you want it. I like the body colour. Listen to the suggestions and comments on here because these guys know their stuff!
Welcome Andrie, I'm one of the few here with an American Poncho, as well as a Canadian one!!! If you are "dead" set on doing this car, just "double" whatever estimate you have & you should be close!!!! You can GOOGLE "Pontiac Heaven" for web site, he has TONS of parts [found it www.pontiacheaven.org] Steve Barcak 480 899 7873 Ammes Performance is also good for "REPO" Parts & also POCI club has lots of "stuff" for sale in their Smoke Signals or on line!!! Hope this helps ???
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Some times I wake up GRUMPY, but today I let her sleep in !!!!!!!!BLACKSTOCK Ont.
love those american pontiacs smooth power and they dont rust in the frames as much as the chevys do. i would carfully get the portapower out and rough in that big dent real beauty otherwise have fun with it
Carl Stevenson : makes sense to make the best shape first, so i guess ill be pulling that out, the ac in the car actually worked nicely till i took the engine out to rebuild it, havent had a chance to recharge it, might as well wait now though. nebraska isnt too far off i might get over there on a weekend and see what theyve got.
blacktransam: i like the shape of the trans am bodies, my mom had a 79 years ago, bright blue, t tops, beautiful cars.
427Carl: thanks, its kinda nice to hear that, that red paint is tractor paint lol, previous owner was an antique tractor enthusiast, i guess its what he had on hand, looked sharp before it started chipping, are those trims the same (pardon my ignorance) as catalinas? how much would you let them go for? also curious on shipping from canada to middle of u.s. lol.
66CatfromBuffalo: thanks, and no but i might have to do that, speaking of youtube, is that the same cream (beige) colored 656 thats on youtube? if so, beautiful car
dualquadpete: good advice lol, im sure being over is better than under. pontiac heaven, would that be the one in texas per chance?
65wagon: one question that prolly sounds silly, but whats a porta power?
I always thought the catalina and Parisienne were the "same shape" wheel well, the exception the Catalina having a longer space in front fenders.. hence the longer wheelbase.. Much the same as the 70-72 monte Carlo versus the Chevelle... I have a set of 4 off a 66 Parisenne They would be free (much future sucking up (from Pretty Woman movie) required .. shipping would be probably 25-30 Canada post they are not heavy.. they require some old clips taken off and polished.....
-- Edited by 427carl on Saturday 17th of April 2010 12:07:24 PM
sorry Andre, a porto power is a farely inexpensive hydrolic ram which consists of a hand pump with a hydrolic line running to what ever attachment you need to pull push or open thing up. for big dents i use a duckbill end and mutiple expandible posts with steel bars to gently pop the dent into place. this method dosent stretch and fatigue the metal like the old shcool drill and slid hammer. if you do get one i recomend the highest tonage available. when i get time ill post pics
The first thing I would do is determine whether your car actually needs a frame off and is it going to be driven or shown and numbers matching etc. Depending on that, you can 'ball park' the $ you will need to complete it. I had to do mine within my budget (poor mans) still doing a frame off and built to be driven and am quite happy with the results. It aint no award wining show car,.... but gets me where I want to go
thank you thank you thank you, that link is awesome, i have been trying to find something similar for forever. i didnt know such a site existed all brought together!.
