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:
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.
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.
Coming home,
Interior view,
I had the radio restored.
Installed a rebuilt generator, rebuilding the carb this winter.
Wilson Auto Electric!
'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.
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"
I Love the car and my daughter's love going for cruises with me...
4SPEED427 said
Jan 31, 2023
Cool car, cool story, and I LOVE the "HIGH COMPRESSION" along with the letter from General Motors!
LandShark68_2+2 said
Jan 31, 2023
This car is awesome. I even like the roof the way it is.
Regards, Scott (LandShark ...)
cdnpont said
Jan 31, 2023
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.
silver steak said
Jan 31, 2023
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.
johnplagrange said
Jan 31, 2023
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
johnplagrange said
Jan 31, 2023
I'd consider the "patina" look but she needs a bit more shine. Also want to preserve this old girl.
68beaumont said
Jan 31, 2023
Congratulations ! Super rare car!
NOS said
Jan 31, 2023
my school bus driver back in the day owned an orange one; same model. but I think it had a white top
Dale
Beaumont67 said
Jan 31, 2023
Such a cool car! Love the dash.
CdnGMfan said
Jan 31, 2023
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.
Magician40 said
Jan 31, 2023
Beautiful car, congratulations.
Brian
robert currie said
Jan 31, 2023
Nice car, Enjoy
LeeRoy said
Jan 31, 2023
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?
DonSSDD said
Jan 31, 2023
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.
66 Grande guy said
Feb 1, 2023
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!
58 poncho fan said
Feb 1, 2023
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.
johnplagrange said
Feb 1, 2023
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.
johnplagrange said
Feb 1, 2023
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.
Leo2+2 said
Feb 1, 2023
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!
timbuk said
Feb 2, 2023
love it! thats a rare car for sure happy to see it
73SC said
Feb 2, 2023
Pretty darn cool car!
CdnGMfan said
Feb 3, 2023
I took a quick scan of this Laurentian Sport Coupe image from the '54 brochure. Doesn't it look like the feature car?
I'll post the rest after I take the time to scan it.
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:
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.
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.
Coming home,
Interior view,
I had the radio restored.
Installed a rebuilt generator, rebuilding the carb this winter.
Wilson Auto Electric!
'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.
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"
I Love the car and my daughter's love going for cruises with me...
This car is awesome. I even like the roof the way it is.
Regards, Scott (LandShark ...)
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.
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.
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
I'd consider the "patina" look but she needs a bit more shine. Also want to preserve this old girl.
Congratulations ! Super rare car!
my school bus driver back in the day owned an orange one; same model. but I think it had a white top
Dale
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.
Brian
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?
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!
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.
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.
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!
Pretty darn cool car!
I took a quick scan of this Laurentian Sport Coupe image from the '54 brochure. Doesn't it look like the feature car?
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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