Hi there! My dad is restoring his beloved 1968 Pontiac Grande Parisienne, and it is missing the emblem from the rear passenger side window. I would love to surprise my dad with this missing part, as it would give him so much joy to complete his dream car. Please reach out if you happen to have one of these, or have ideas, I would love to talk.
Attached below are images of the missing emblem.
The back story is that he bought this dream car from an ICBC auction in 1969, as a young (20's) mechanic. It had been written off after only 6 months due to a bad accident so he bought it cheap from ICBC and fixed it back up to its original glory. Dad came from a poor family, so owning top-of-the-line, less than a year old car like this would have been a HUGE deal. I know he has such fond memories from it, such as an epic roadtrip with his twin brother Ed and best friend George across the U.S in it. George has since passed away :( I can only imagine what would feel like to drive such a fancy car at such a young age.
Then in the 70's he met my mom...and she crashed the car...so he fixed it up, and then had it repainted. Days later, she crashed it AGAIN, driving it through a barbed wire fence (not sure that happened, I swear, 40 years later, she's a GREAT driver!). He had to take it into the shop to get it repainted again and to replace the vinyl on the roof. It was during this time in the shop that the emblem disappeared, and he didn't notice until it was too late.
My parents are happily married, and no, mom does not drive the Parisienne! Haha. It mostly remains in dad's workshop, where he tinkers away at his prize. He has other project cars but the Parisienne is his baby :)
As a kid, I used to wonder what he saw in the old boat of a car...but now I think it's gorgeous, and imagine it must have felt amazing to have such a beauty at a young age. I know it bothers him that he will never be able to fully 'complete' this car that has been his prize all these years, due to the missing emblem, but I am hoping to change that. :)
Thanks so much for your help any leads would be appreciated!
Cyndi
-- Edited by Skidder on Friday 8th of November 2019 07:27:11 PM
-- Edited by Skidder on Friday 8th of November 2019 07:48:52 PM
-- Edited by Skidder on Friday 8th of November 2019 10:44:36 PM
Welcome Cyndi from Canada's east coast. Hopefully someone can help you out!
Canadian Poncho said
Oct 9, 2019
Welcome aboard! I'm sure there's one of those emblems out there. You came to the right place to find one!
Skidder said
Nov 8, 2019
Thanks so much for responding, Cliff! I don't have pictures of the rear emblem that remains on the car, but next time I'm visiting I'll snap some pics and share :) I did add two images of the missing emblem in my original post, in case someone recognizes it :)
Here are some photos of dad's car in the 80's, when he used to tow his fifth wheel with it! People would be shocked to see a car towing a trailer up the Coquihalla highway, haha. The car is a beast! :)
-- Edited by Skidder on Friday 8th of November 2019 08:08:26 PM
Thanks so much for responding, Cliff! I don't have pictures of the rear emblem that remains on the car, but next time I'm visiting I'll snap some pics and share :) I did add two images of the missing emblem in my original post, in case someone recognizes it :)
Here are some photos of dad's car in the 80's, when he used to tow his fifth wheel with it! People would be shocked to see a car towing a trailer up the Coquihalla highway, haha. The car is a beast! :)
Welcome aboard! Looks like cdnpont has a nice replacement for you to help you out.
Now, I thought my 68 was a beast but you are taking that comment to a new level with the 5th wheel tow behind. Can you tell us a bit more of the 68 and please share a picture of the 5th wheel dolly unit that is attached? I have never seen this before but I think you have peaked some interest. What engine is in the 68 to pull this unit?
cdnpont said
Nov 10, 2019
Never seen anything like it. But it does look manufactured, not homebuilt,
That blow-up gives much more detail. Looks like there is spring tower and a shock inside the spring. Heavy duty looking unit as that center peice that goes to the car hitch is a poured casting. Interesting unit, never heard or seen anything like it before.
cdnpont said
Nov 10, 2019
I cannot find anything on line resembling it on line. Could that center section be 1/2 or more of an old truck axle, mounted upside down with the kingpin end attaching it to the car?
Designed to tag and follow behind the car?
Looks like the assembly can adjust forward or backwards on that bar owing to the hitch pins visible.
The question is, how is that box section even mounted to the car?
Canadian Poncho said
Nov 10, 2019
Welcome aboard! I'm glad Mark found you an emblem. And yes, we need to know more about that fifth wheel hookup!
Skidder said
Nov 11, 2019
MARK IS MY HERO!
My dad's birthday is Dec 25th, and this will be THE MOST AMAZING surprise. I will take a video and share :) It will be hard to wait until Christmas, so if I cave early, I'll share what happens! I can't believe that an emblem has been located, I'm overwhelmed with joy about this.
About the trailer hitch, it's amazing, isn't it? My dad designed and built it himself, and used it a good deal in the 80's. He hasn't used that hitch for decades now, as it wouldn't be compliant, but back then he had no issues. Keep the questions coming though; when he gets the gift, I will have him join this group so that he can share how he did it.
Ahhhhh so excited!!!! Thank you again, everyone, and especially Mark! <2
-- Edited by Skidder on Monday 11th of November 2019 03:27:52 PM
cdnpont said
Nov 11, 2019
Happy to help Cindy,
Glad they are actually going to someone that would really appreciate them.
Stay in touch.
Canadian Poncho said
Nov 11, 2019
Skidder said
Jan 5, 2020
Thanks again to all, and especially to Mark for making this special surprise happen. My dad is thrilled with the emblem. He will be joining this group once his registration is accepted :)
A funny(?) thing I realised when he eagerly ran outside to place the emblem on the car (he is preparing the car to be repainted, hence it's stripped look), is that both emblems are missing, so I'll keep on the hunt for a second emblem, however this one is such a miracle that we are happy if that is all that is available. With that said, I am on South Africa this month, and surprisingly the Grande Parisienne was sold over here, so I will do some digging here as well and post if there are any successes :)
Thanks again for your wonderful support, this community is truly special.
Hi there! My dad is restoring his beloved 1968 Pontiac Grande Parisienne, and it is missing the emblem from the rear passenger side window. I would love to surprise my dad with this missing part, as it would give him so much joy to complete his dream car. Please reach out if you happen to have one of these, or have ideas, I would love to talk.
Attached below are images of the missing emblem.
The back story is that he bought this dream car from an ICBC auction in 1969, as a young (20's) mechanic. It had been written off after only 6 months due to a bad accident so he bought it cheap from ICBC and fixed it back up to its original glory. Dad came from a poor family, so owning top-of-the-line, less than a year old car like this would have been a HUGE deal. I know he has such fond memories from it, such as an epic roadtrip with his twin brother Ed and best friend George across the U.S in it. George has since passed away :( I can only imagine what would feel like to drive such a fancy car at such a young age.
Then in the 70's he met my mom...and she crashed the car...so he fixed it up, and then had it repainted. Days later, she crashed it AGAIN, driving it through a barbed wire fence (not sure that happened, I swear, 40 years later, she's a GREAT driver!). He had to take it into the shop to get it repainted again and to replace the vinyl on the roof. It was during this time in the shop that the emblem disappeared, and he didn't notice until it was too late.
My parents are happily married, and no, mom does not drive the Parisienne! Haha. It mostly remains in dad's workshop, where he tinkers away at his prize. He has other project cars but the Parisienne is his baby :)
As a kid, I used to wonder what he saw in the old boat of a car...but now I think it's gorgeous, and imagine it must have felt amazing to have such a beauty at a young age. I know it bothers him that he will never be able to fully 'complete' this car that has been his prize all these years, due to the missing emblem, but I am hoping to change that. :)
Thanks so much for your help any leads would be appreciated!
Cyndi
-- Edited by Skidder on Friday 8th of November 2019 07:27:11 PM
-- Edited by Skidder on Friday 8th of November 2019 07:48:52 PM
-- Edited by Skidder on Friday 8th of November 2019 10:44:36 PM
Welcome to the site.
We love stories.
Cliff
Welcome Cyndi from Canada's east coast. Hopefully someone can help you out!
Thanks so much for responding, Cliff! I don't have pictures of the rear emblem that remains on the car, but next time I'm visiting I'll snap some pics and share :) I did add two images of the missing emblem in my original post, in case someone recognizes it :)
Here are some photos of dad's car in the 80's, when he used to tow his fifth wheel with it! People would be shocked to see a car towing a trailer up the Coquihalla highway, haha. The car is a beast! :)
-- Edited by Skidder on Friday 8th of November 2019 08:08:26 PM
Aw, thanks so much for the warm welcome! <3
I think I have one,
I'll look and let you know asap.
Welcome aboard.
Me? Crying?
Thanks so much for checking, @CDNPont!
Found it,
Pretty sure it's correct for the 68 Roof.
3406131 "Grande"
3406130 "Parisienne"
PM Sent,
Welcome aboard! Looks like cdnpont has a nice replacement for you to help you out.
Now, I thought my 68 was a beast but you are taking that comment to a new level with the 5th wheel tow behind. Can you tell us a bit more of the 68 and please share a picture of the 5th wheel dolly unit that is attached? I have never seen this before but I think you have peaked some interest. What engine is in the 68 to pull this unit?
Never seen anything like it. But it does look manufactured, not homebuilt,
I cannot find anything on line resembling it on line. Could that center section be 1/2 or more of an old truck axle, mounted upside down with the kingpin end attaching it to the car?
Designed to tag and follow behind the car?
Looks like the assembly can adjust forward or backwards on that bar owing to the hitch pins visible.
The question is, how is that box section even mounted to the car?
MARK IS MY HERO!
My dad's birthday is Dec 25th, and this will be THE MOST AMAZING surprise. I will take a video and share :) It will be hard to wait until Christmas, so if I cave early, I'll share what happens! I can't believe that an emblem has been located, I'm overwhelmed with joy about this.
About the trailer hitch, it's amazing, isn't it? My dad designed and built it himself, and used it a good deal in the 80's. He hasn't used that hitch for decades now, as it wouldn't be compliant, but back then he had no issues. Keep the questions coming though; when he gets the gift, I will have him join this group so that he can share how he did it.
Ahhhhh so excited!!!! Thank you again, everyone, and especially Mark! <2
-- Edited by Skidder on Monday 11th of November 2019 03:27:52 PM
Happy to help Cindy,
Glad they are actually going to someone that would really appreciate them.
Stay in touch.
Thanks again to all, and especially to Mark for making this special surprise happen. My dad is thrilled with the emblem. He will be joining this group once his registration is accepted :)
A funny(?) thing I realised when he eagerly ran outside to place the emblem on the car (he is preparing the car to be repainted, hence it's stripped look), is that both emblems are missing, so I'll keep on the hunt for a second emblem, however this one is such a miracle that we are happy if that is all that is available. With that said, I am on South Africa this month, and surprisingly the Grande Parisienne was sold over here, so I will do some digging here as well and post if there are any successes :)
Thanks again for your wonderful support, this community is truly special.
That's a HAPPY Dad!
Great to see the smile! Well at least it's a start.
The hunt is on for the second emblem... C'mon team..