Hi!

I just acquired a 1973 Pontiac Astre Panel Express. I travelled to Barrie, ON to go get it and fetch it home.

I have always liked the H-Body cars and getting this one is special. It is one of 421 Astre Panels built that year at the Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec GM manufacturing facility. It is the first year for the car in Canada. The styling, while mostly cosmetic changes from the Vega, is definately Pontiac.

I stumbled across this site while trying to find a way to decipher the VIN #... Speaking of which, the look on the lady's face at DMV when she saw the VIN # was priceless... So, if anyone could direct me to somewhere to decipher the VIN# (7VO5B 323 084 63) it would be much appreciated.

I am a sign painter, pinstriper, and designer by trade. I specialize in hand lettering, pinstriping, and gold leaf. I also run a sign design service specifically doing design for the trade.

I grew up in Western New York and and have long had an appreciation for things Canadian... HNIC, beer, Tim's, Coffee Crisps, beer, and ballet... Did I mention I like Canadian beer?

Belly up to the table, boys, and pass me a Blue, will ya?

i remember that ,i think we discused it as well?


heres the brochure

http://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=118110&p=3&topicID=37609765

Welcome, Bert Strauss raced a Pro Stock Astre back in the 70's. Blue is good, Crystal is better!

Welcome! I'm a striper as well, and have had 2 Vega panels in the past. Great little cars! Wish I'd kept the last one! It's now a race car.

Like this little panel!
How's the rust (if any)?
Are you going to letter the rear panels?

Too bad you didn't know about us sooner, as you could have stopped in to watch a game and down at least a couple before you went home. Welcome.

I have some plans for this panel... I have a 1971 Vega Panel Express now that I was working on but this car came along and it just captured my fancy. It is so different from a regular Vega that I just had to have it. I could not get my Vega to the point that this car is for the money I paid for it. I an going to do an S10 spindle swap with tubular A arms as well as a rear axle swap complete with tubular arms for the four link suspension. I am going to make this car a stick shift again using a T-5 five speed and hydraulic clutch setup. I am going to replace the oddfire V-6 with a Series II 3800 from a Firebird. I want to replace the airdam with one that is a bit rounder to compliment the lines of the car and use early 70's Firebird or Lemans turn signals. I want to redo the hood with 1976 Formula style hood scoops. I want to smooth out the panel section. I would also like to replace the Vega style marker lights with the Pontiac style split lights. I likr the interior pretty much the way it is but would like to make a custom gauge panel and center console to house the stereo. I would like to go with an updated cooling and heating system but I haven't figured out what I want to go with. The car has a couple of bubbles in the paint but the undercarriage is pretty much rust free and needs little attention.

Nice car!!!   I have a friend in Minnesota  His name is Ryan   do you know him?  

I know several Ryans... One is good guy anf the other two I wish I didn't know at all. Which one is he? LOL!

We are 75 miles from Port Huron Mi.    We shop there a lot (forty years)  
We went in to a KFC...   The lady says, your from Canada?  We say yes..  She says I have a Aunt Mary in Canada  Do you know her?  lol 
Most Amerians know nothing of Canada  
I was brought up in East Coast   We would have people in our home town in July, with ski's on their roof, looking for SNOW...   

Welcome to Canadian Poncho. That's a cool Astre you have there.

Hi Bruce. Welcome here. I wish I had known a few weeks ago. I was in St Cloud visiting someone there! He's a guy I know from another forum (Nova) I usually get to your area about once a year so I will try to keep you in mind. You are in good hands here for Canadian Pontiac help!

I probably know more about Canada than most Americans. I really like going to Canada. I am anxiously awaiting the delivery of my car. We trailered it down to Buffalo and I am having it shipped via auto transport. I am hoping to get it here before the snow flies so i can get a couple romps around town with it. I would love to drive to the next club meeting. I have really enjoyed looking around this site. Amazing parts of history.

Right on! Good choice.  A friend of mine stuffed a 350 in a 73 Astre back in the 70's and left it really stock looking.  I'll have to post a picture or two of it.  Great little mover but kind of tough on rear ends.

 

This really is the greatest car site on the planet earth because you get to read great stuff like this. First of all Bruce, welcome to our excellent great adventure in all things Pontiac. I hope you enjoy the ride brother. I love your Pontiac, even though i can not help but feel a little sad that we lost one of our own. I am sure you will treat it well. Bruce back in the years from 1977 to 1979, i had a 1974 Vega hatchback with the high output 4 cylinder and four speed stick. I loved that little car so much. It moved well and it handled really well. My only complaint of course was the extreme oil burning, even though my car only had 49,000 miles when i sold it in 1979. The car was rust free and very, very solid when i sold it and that is why i had no trouble selling it. The ad went in and this guy was the first guy to call me as soon as the ad got out. Gave me what i wanted, about $1,400, if i remember right. The guy pro streeted the car with a built up 350 and all the usual stuff. He did a great job with my little Vega. Never mind any possible detractors, those were great cars. All they needed was cylinder sleeves to make it right. Is there any way possible that i can convince you to resto the Astra, ORIGINAL.  A piece of Canadian automotive history. All the best of luck to you Bruce, with your Pontiac Astra. Cheers. George.

Well, George, it is already got the V-6 in it already. I just want to upgrade it. I want a stick because they are fun to drive. To restore the car to original would mean a new dashboard, replace the roof, and find a 140 cu in engine. I like the dashboard (that was one of the changes I was going to make on my Vega) and the sunroof is just so 70's-80's... :) I am just absolutely thrilled to have found this car. It's a freaking PONTIAC! Woohoo!