'77-up "downsized" full-size Pontiacs (aka old man's car) - anybody into them?
MC said
Jun 17, 2013
I rarely ever read a post about these cars here (except calling them "old man's" cars... lol), as understandably most people are into sixties cars on this forum. Just wondering if anybody is into these later cars as it occurs to me the "newer" ones are up to 36 years of age now! Hard to imagine it, but these cars are now considered antiques!
I learned to drive on an '81 Parisienne Brougham and remember it to be a really nice driving car - very comfortable and handled well for a big car of its time. I know that these and their Chevy brethren typically did a lot of taxi and police duty (mostly the Chevys, of course) in their day and were preferred by many over other brands for their toughness and easy repair.
So... anybody into them? Are parts easy to come by? Any thoughts one way or another?
They typically go pretty cheap these days so they could be an economical hobby alternative to the older ones...
-- Edited by MC on Monday 17th of June 2013 11:38:48 AM
-- Edited by MC on Monday 17th of June 2013 11:39:19 AM
Greaser said
Jun 17, 2013
I have a 1979 "box" Chevy with 80,000 miles under a tarp that belonged to my father...and I'm retired now.
My 25 year old son wants me to save it for him to restore.
I always felt it had potential since it was a 2 door Caprice.
Unique because of the 2 doors and the bubble glass rear window.
Fully loaded with a 305 under the hood, it actually was a comforable car to drive.
1979 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Landau 2 Door Coupe (not mine)
There is one group that love these cars and that's a generation of "Donkers"
Box : 1977 1990 Chevrolet Caprice and Impala
A 1988 Chevrolet Caprice box Donked.
When General Motors full-size models were redesigned and downsized across the board for 1977,
styling of the Caprice and Impala models took on more angular, square-shaped proportions.
Because of its radical styling departure from the 1976 look, any
full-size Chevrolet of this generation (1977-1990) given the big wheel treatment is known as a Box.
Not exactly something I would do, but like anything
the next generation want a cheap car to work on, and as the older ones get expensive,these "box" cars seem to fill the void.
I hope once my son can afford to take charge of his Grandfather's car he doesn't become a dork and donks it.
-- Edited by Greaser on Monday 17th of June 2013 01:16:37 PM
RDubya said
Jun 17, 2013
My first car was a grey 81 Parisienne 2dr. Fun car and cheap to keep on the road. I had it for a year or two then sold it. It was a bit rusted when i got it. My dad and i sanded down below the landau roof and over the rear wheel openings and just hand painted it. Wasn't pretty but did the trick. That car even had a block heater. About ten years earlier a neighbour had a brand new 80 or 81 4dr diesel version.
-- Edited by RDubya on Monday 17th of June 2013 01:29:20 PM
76GLM said
Jun 17, 2013
I had a '77 Parisienne 2dr. Ran great and drove well. Had a 350, ac, rally II's and fender skirt's. Drove to Vegas with no issue's. White with a light blue interior.
MC said
Jun 17, 2013
Oh no... anything but donks!!
MorePower said
Jun 18, 2013
My very first car 77 Impala aerocoupe. Loved it, wish I could find a rust free one now. They were even rotten in 1986 wen I bought mine. LOL
I also owned 87 Caprice which I cloned into ghost car
an 85 Poncho
and now my 95 whale car....
You cant beat comfort,ride, size, that seats 5 with luggage vs an ecno box Bic Lighter that is disposable. I enjoy big cars,always have. A little off topic but have owned a coupel Crown Vics(another topic). I get many thumbs up to all the big rwd v8s I have owned.
hello i like them too i really what a pontiac but found a mint 77 caprice classic 2dr so i am happy with it willy
Pontiacanada said
Jun 18, 2013
MC wrote:
For me, the nostalgia of learning to drive in one and remembering my Dad has made them attractive to me. A lot of this hobby is formed around nostalgia and this is what does it for me.
That is a great reason for liking them.
I owned a '77 Cutlass Supreme Brougham, it's not the worse looking car of that year, but I must have had a temporary lapse of reason anyway, and I'm a huge Olds fan.
-- Edited by Pontiacanada on Tuesday 18th of June 2013 11:29:59 AM
Pontiacanada said
Jun 18, 2013
MC wrote:
I rarely ever read a post about these cars here (except calling them "old man's" cars... lol), as understandably most people are into sixties cars on this forum.
So... anybody into them? Are parts easy to come by? Any thoughts one way or another?
I call them "old mans cars". (but you know that Mark)
For me, it has nothing to do with liking '60s cars ... I just like "cool" cars, period, and in my opinion these cars just aren't "cool"!
MC said
Jun 18, 2013
Pontiacanada wrote:
MC wrote:
I rarely ever read a post about these cars here (except calling them "old man's" cars... lol), as understandably most people are into sixties cars on this forum.
So... anybody into them? Are parts easy to come by? Any thoughts one way or another?
I call them "old mans cars". (but you know that Mark)
For me, it has nothing to do with liking '60s cars ... I just like "cool" cars, period, and in my opinion these cars just aren't "cool"!
LOL! What took you so long, Darryl?
I know what you mean. To tell you the truth, when these cars were new I hated the sharp-edged squared-off styling. But now that they've aged and the automotive industry has taken a different direction in styling they don't look bad to me anymore. For me, the nostalgia of learning to drive in one and remembering my Dad has made them attractive to me. A lot of this hobby is formed around nostalgia and this is what does it for me.
I think my tastes are a little more eclectic than the mainstream anyways, as I'd be happy to cruise down the street in that neat old '67 Laurentian in BC that StriperSS posted about whereas a lot of people would think that it's an old person's car. I remember the first time my wife's friend saw my old '71 New Yorker (440... woo hoo!) in the driveway - she said "did somebody give this to you?". lol
I do wonder sometimes what will happen with the cars from the mid seventies to late eighties as there seems to be little enthusiasm out there for all but some Mustangs and Camaros of that vintage, as well as a few "tuner" style cars (and yes, Donks ). It seems like there has been a lot of nostalgia for 20s thru early 70s cars and then it dies off until you get into the 5.0 Mustangs and other more performance oriented stuff into the nineties. I imagine that someday things like Chevettes and the like, which at one time you couldn't throw a rock without hitting one, will be the scarcities out there.
MC said
Jun 20, 2013
Pontiacanada wrote:
MC wrote:
For me, the nostalgia of learning to drive in one and remembering my Dad has made them attractive to me. A lot of this hobby is formed around nostalgia and this is what does it for me.
That is a great reason for liking them.
I owned a '77 Cutlass Supreme Brougham, it's not the worse looking car of that year, but I must have had a temporary lapse of reason anyway, and I'm a huge Olds fan.
-- Edited by Pontiacanada on Tuesday 18th of June 2013 11:29:59 AM
Omigosh... you owned that and you admit to it?? The shame!
Just kiddin' Darryl, believe me I've owned worse (but won't admit it )...
MC said
Jun 20, 2013
MorePower wrote:
My very first car 77 Impala aerocoupe. Loved it, wish I could find a rust free one now. They were even rotten in 1986 wen I bought mine. LOL
I also owned 87 Caprice which I cloned into ghost car
an 85 Poncho
and now my 95 whale car....
You cant beat comfort,ride, size, that seats 5 with luggage vs an ecno box Bic Lighter that is disposable. I enjoy big cars,always have. A little off topic but have owned a coupel Crown Vics(another topic). I get many thumbs up to all the big rwd v8s I have owned.
Here was my cars
I think those are really sharp looking! Thanks for sharing the pics!
Pontiacanada said
Jun 20, 2013
MC wrote:
I owned a '77 Cutlass Supreme Brougham, it's not the worse looking car of that year, but I must have had a temporary lapse of reason anyway, and I'm a huge Olds fan.
Omigosh... you owned that and you admit to it?? The shame!
Just kiddin' Darryl, believe me I've owned worse (but won't admit it )...
Ya, I also LOVED the corduroy, pillow-back seats!
What was I thinking!
MC said
Jun 20, 2013
Pontiacanada wrote:
MC wrote:
I owned a '77 Cutlass Supreme Brougham, it's not the worse looking car of that year, but I must have had a temporary lapse of reason anyway, and I'm a huge Olds fan.
Omigosh... you owned that and you admit to it?? The shame!
Just kiddin' Darryl, believe me I've owned worse (but won't admit it )...
Ya, I also LOVED the corduroy, pillow-back seats!
What was I thinking!
I remember the first time I picked up my buddy driving the aforementioned Parisienne (the one that I learned to drive in). At first glance of the red velour interior, he said something to the effect of it looking like a brothel inside...
My very first car 77 Impala aerocoupe. Loved it, wish I could find a rust free one now. They were even rotten in 1986 wen I bought mine. LOL
I also owned 87 Caprice which I cloned into ghost car
an 85 Poncho
and now my 95 whale car....
You cant beat comfort,ride, size, that seats 5 with luggage vs an ecno box Bic Lighter that is disposable. I enjoy big cars,always have. A little off topic but have owned a coupel Crown Vics(another topic). I get many thumbs up to all the big rwd v8s I have owned.
Here was my cars
I think those are really sharp looking! Thanks for sharing the pics!
thanks....someone has good taste !
Muddawg said
Jun 22, 2013
I LOVED my 84 Parisienne! Best car i ever owned! Had it for 4 years till i got my 66! So amazed it lasted as many winters as it did, and with those tires..THE HORROR! Heres a picture in all its beater glory
I agree though. These cars def need more of a following, i mean come on there SOOOOO easy to work on, and still easy to find parts for at your local yard
paris63 said
Jun 22, 2013
Always had a thing for the 77-79 2 door parisiennes. I've had the pleasure of owning 2. Best $400 and $700 cars I have ever bought. Cheap, reliable and super comfy. Windows down, 8 track up!
CDN2PLS2 said
Jun 22, 2013
Here is my '77 Bonneville from N.C and my'85 coming back from Quebec in the Salt.
I have posted about my ultra base model Chevrolet Bel Air and being 27 years old I love these cars in almost any flavor.
It would be sweet if we could start a section about the 77-90 B body cars on this site. As other members mentioned these cars are a great alternitive to the more pricey and rare 60's cars.
I posted a pic of my rather clean 78 on another post.
eeluddy said
Feb 16, 2014
I had a strange one for you guys; 1981 Parisienne Brougham Dove Grey,burgundy top & interior Diesel power.
An Olds 350 oil burner under the hood. It sure didn't like to run when cold and wouldn't start if you left it unplugged in the winter overnight. Super nice interior and great car to drive until the Diesel went south!
72 luxo said
Feb 16, 2014
I have heard that those Olds 350 diesel engines were a lousy choice and did not live a long life. Being based off the gasoline counterpart I think had something to do with this. I'm wondering how long my 250 straight six will go for in my 78 B body.
I rarely ever read a post about these cars here (except calling them "old man's" cars... lol), as understandably most people are into sixties cars on this forum. Just wondering if anybody is into these later cars as it occurs to me the "newer" ones are up to 36 years of age now! Hard to imagine it, but these cars are now considered antiques!
I learned to drive on an '81 Parisienne Brougham and remember it to be a really nice driving car - very comfortable and handled well for a big car of its time. I know that these and their Chevy brethren typically did a lot of taxi and police duty (mostly the Chevys, of course) in their day and were preferred by many over other brands for their toughness and easy repair.
So... anybody into them? Are parts easy to come by? Any thoughts one way or another?
They typically go pretty cheap these days so they could be an economical hobby alternative to the older ones...
-- Edited by MC on Monday 17th of June 2013 11:38:48 AM
-- Edited by MC on Monday 17th of June 2013 11:39:19 AM
I have a 1979 "box" Chevy with 80,000 miles under a tarp that belonged to my father...and I'm retired now.
My 25 year old son wants me to save it for him to restore.
I always felt it had potential since it was a 2 door Caprice.
Unique because of the 2 doors and the bubble glass rear window.
Fully loaded with a 305 under the hood, it actually was a comforable car to drive.
1979 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Landau 2 Door Coupe (not mine)
There is one group that love these cars and that's a generation of "Donkers"
Box : 1977 1990 Chevrolet Caprice and Impala
A 1988 Chevrolet Caprice box Donked.
When General Motors full-size models were redesigned and downsized across the board for 1977,
styling of the Caprice and Impala models took on more angular, square-shaped proportions.
Because of its radical styling departure from the 1976 look, any
full-size Chevrolet of this generation (1977-1990) given the big wheel treatment is known as a Box.
Not exactly something I would do, but like anything
the next generation want a cheap car to work on, and as the older ones get expensive,these "box" cars seem to fill the void.
I hope once my son can afford to take charge of his Grandfather's car he doesn't become a dork and donks it.
-- Edited by Greaser on Monday 17th of June 2013 01:16:37 PM
My first car was a grey 81 Parisienne 2dr. Fun car and cheap to keep on the road. I had it for a year or two then sold it. It was a bit rusted when i got it. My dad and i sanded down below the landau roof and over the rear wheel openings and just hand painted it. Wasn't pretty but did the trick. That car even had a block heater. About ten years earlier a neighbour had a brand new 80 or 81 4dr diesel version.
-- Edited by RDubya on Monday 17th of June 2013 01:29:20 PM
Oh no... anything but donks!!
My very first car 77 Impala aerocoupe. Loved it, wish I could find a rust free one now. They were even rotten in 1986 wen I bought mine. LOL
I also owned 87 Caprice which I cloned into ghost car
an 85 Poncho
and now my 95 whale car....
You cant beat comfort,ride, size, that seats 5 with luggage vs an ecno box Bic Lighter that is disposable. I enjoy big cars,always have. A little off topic but have owned a coupel Crown Vics(another topic). I get many thumbs up to all the big rwd v8s I have owned.
Here was my cars
That is a great reason for liking them.
I owned a '77 Cutlass Supreme Brougham, it's not the worse looking car of that year, but I must have had a temporary lapse of reason anyway, and I'm a huge Olds fan.
-- Edited by Pontiacanada on Tuesday 18th of June 2013 11:29:59 AM
I call them "old mans cars". (but you know that Mark
)
For me, it has nothing to do with liking '60s cars ... I just like "cool" cars, period, and in my opinion these cars just aren't "cool"!
LOL! What took you so long, Darryl?
I know what you mean. To tell you the truth, when these cars were new I hated the sharp-edged squared-off styling. But now that they've aged and the automotive industry has taken a different direction in styling they don't look bad to me anymore. For me, the nostalgia of learning to drive in one and remembering my Dad has made them attractive to me. A lot of this hobby is formed around nostalgia and this is what does it for me.
I think my tastes are a little more eclectic than the mainstream anyways, as I'd be happy to cruise down the street in that neat old '67 Laurentian in BC that StriperSS posted about whereas a lot of people would think that it's an old person's car. I remember the first time my wife's friend saw my old '71 New Yorker (440... woo hoo!) in the driveway - she said "did somebody give this to you?". lol
I do wonder sometimes what will happen with the cars from the mid seventies to late eighties as there seems to be little enthusiasm out there for all but some Mustangs and Camaros of that vintage, as well as a few "tuner" style cars (and yes, Donks
). It seems like there has been a lot of nostalgia for 20s thru early 70s cars and then it dies off until you get into the 5.0 Mustangs and other more performance oriented stuff into the nineties. I imagine that someday things like Chevettes and the like, which at one time you couldn't throw a rock without hitting one, will be the scarcities out there. 
Omigosh... you owned that and you admit to it?? The shame!
Just kiddin' Darryl, believe me I've owned worse (but won't admit it
)...
I think those are really sharp looking!
Thanks for sharing the pics!
Ya, I also LOVED the corduroy, pillow-back seats!
What was I thinking!
I remember the first time I picked up my buddy driving the aforementioned Parisienne (the one that I learned to drive in). At first glance of the red velour interior, he said something to the effect of it looking like a brothel inside...
Soon .... soon
thanks....someone has good taste !
I LOVED my 84 Parisienne! Best car i ever owned! Had it for 4 years till i got my 66! So amazed it lasted as many winters as it did, and with those tires..THE HORROR! Heres a picture in all its beater glory
Here is my '77 Bonneville from N.C and my'85 coming back from Quebec in the Salt.
The great thing about these cars, as of most older GMs, parts were a dime a dozen and interchangeable.
Here is a 85 Parisienne for sale with Caprice clip and Olds wheels
http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1985-Pontiac-Parisienne-W0QQAdIdZ496097692
An Olds 350 oil burner under the hood. It sure didn't like to run when cold and wouldn't start if you left it unplugged in the winter overnight. Super nice interior and great car to drive until the Diesel went south!