Todd, I wouldn't give up a running driving Laurentian in the condition of yours for a major resto project like this one, and definitely not for parts (though I'm sure that's not what anyone here was thinking anyway). That said, this convt has to be pretty rare. If it was close to me & available I'd have to consider it at the right price - bearing in mind that this one clearly needs lots of time and money spent on it. But it looks restorable, and I doubt there would be much trouble to find in AZ or CA, rust free panels like Catalina quarters, Bonneville or Cat doors, Bonneville trunk lid, etc, all of which will fit this car and are likely not in huge demand/overpriced. The interior kit is the same as for the 69 Impala & readily available, and with the parchment/black interior you can paint the outside any 69 color you want.
It will be a couple of more weeks before I will see the owner again, I'll see if he has come up with a price. Will try to get some pictures of the back of it (the rear valance is off, he said he took it off to remove the trailer hitch). I'll see if I can get some pictures in the trunk and some with the interior cleaned out. I also want to find out if he has had previous body work or paint work done to the car, I remember it being that colour when he bought it new but there are some signs of over spray here and there on the bottom.
The last time I saw this car it was only 2 years old, it's been in the back of my mind to touch base with the original owner for a long time, now that I've seen the car I'm really disappointed at how much it's going to take to restore it.
Barry
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74 Formula 400 4 sp, 78 TA owned since new, 79 TATA owned it 2x
Thanks for the encouragement guys but I think I have way too many projects on the go now, I had been hoping the car had been preserved and it would just need a bit cosmetic and mechanical tweaking but that's certainly not the case. I already have a really nice 67 Impala SS I should sell as I only put 300 miles on it this year, a 66 Corvair project (like my first car) that is suffering from a really bad case of 'scope creep', a low mileage 74 Formula that was to be my next project but now it's been bumped by a 79 Tenth Anniversary Trans Am that I owned once before and has landed back in my garage. Too many cars, too little time!!
This will be a really nice car when restored, and is my favouite colour combination, but at this point in time I think someone else who really appreciates it will get to resurrect this one.
I know the owner still has an emotional attachment to this car but I think he has come to the realization that restoring it is now beyond his means. I'm hoping to convince him to sell it for a reasonable price to someone who will restore and enjoy it, and not just flip it because of it's rarity. I'll keep you updated on how this evolves, it may take a while as I don't want him to think I'm pressuring him into a quick decision, it's taken him 30 years to even consider selling it.
Barry
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74 Formula 400 4 sp, 78 TA owned since new, 79 TATA owned it 2x
Thanks for sharing the pictures and the story. Is it time for the members here to start accumulating the parts necessary for full restoration of this car? I would suggest that by keeping our eyes and ears open we could find things like good quarters, trim etc. It might take a few of us investing some money but could make it possible for someone to consider doing the car when the time comes.
Rick
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1967 Parisienne 2+2 1967 Grande Parisienne
1967 Laurentian 1967 Strato Chief
Remember, "The Government" only has money confiscated from us.
I'm starting to sound like a broken record. This is from page one of this thread:
I have said this before but maybe it is something to seriously consider. We need to incorporate a Not-for-Profit corporation without share capital, appoint a board of Directors and start fundraisng. There can be no doubt that cars like this are cultural and historical Canadian assets. We would even qualify for property tax rebates if we bought a garage and possibly some cultural grants as well.
This is how the HMCS Haida was done CLICK as well as the the Replica Avro Arrow under the auspicies of the Aviation Museum. CLICK
I don't want to volunteer anybody but I can tell you that we have the necessary professional experience on this board to set up the corporation.
Do you think Crystal Turquoise would clash with Mayfair Maize? I could handle opening my garage door and seeing both of these cars parked side by side! It'd take me about 20 years to restore it though.
Thanks for the encouragement guys but I think I have way too many projects on the go now, I had been hoping the car had been preserved and it would just need a bit cosmetic and mechanical tweaking but that's certainly not the case. I already have a really nice 67 Impala SS I should sell as I only put 300 miles on it this year, a 66 Corvair project (like my first car) that is suffering from a really bad case of 'scope creep', a low mileage 74 Formula that was to be my next project but now it's been bumped by a 79 Tenth Anniversary Trans Am that I owned once before and has landed back in my garage. Too many cars, too little time!!
This will be a really nice car when restored, and is my favouite colour combination, but at this point in time I think someone else who really appreciates it will get to resurrect this one.
I know the owner still has an emotional attachment to this car but I think he has come to the realization that restoring it is now beyond his means. I'm hoping to convince him to sell it for a reasonable price to someone who will restore and enjoy it, and not just flip it because of it's rarity. I'll keep you updated on how this evolves, it may take a while as I don't want him to think I'm pressuring him into a quick decision, it's taken him 30 years to even consider selling it.
Barry
For your 79 TA I have a spare complete header panel with bumper rebar, grilles, headlights, bezels etc... also a rear bumper cover with the honeycomb insert $100 takes all
It would take me 6 months and $25,000.00 ? to make it perfect! But what is the value when done? What's the top price for a original 1969 pontiac 427 conv. restored car? Most likely working for free !!!! Some cars are to far gone for a full resto, maybe a mop an' glow for $10,000.00. It will always need work but it look good { driver }, then want value has it got? Pride of ownership!
No doubt that you would be the guy that could get it done Matt; the mop and glo or the full resto. A car like this can be done either way and you hit the nail on the head when you said "pride of ownership". In todays market it would cost more to restore this car than what you may get back if you were doing it to re-sell. I think this car would be cool to have but it really needs that "special" buyer. Maybe someone will buy it and bring it to you to restore?
only restoration i do are for my self ! To hard being in the middle , first you have to teach the first time owner the how's [ don't teachers get $ 80,000.00 a year}, then tell him it takes all day to install the after market door panel , very hard to spend somebody's money !!!
Did anyone ever end up buying this turquoise 427 convertible? If not can anyone tell me if the person still has it for sale or has it already been scooped? Thanks guys! Fabulous Pontiac site by the way. I just had to join on the spot! Sincerely, 69-Tin Indian
where do I send the money....
