I can't believe it's already December! Where did 2015 go? One thing I did notice about 2015 is there seemed to be a lot of 1966 Pontiac discussion on Canadian Poncho. I think it's safe to say that the 1966 Canadian Pontiac's are one of the most popular years on this forum. What better way to end our year than to feature Earl Ludington's awesome '66 Grande Parisienne? Earl's GP features the legendary 396 backed by a 4 speed transmission. Earl has bought and sold quite a few cars over the years. However I suspect this one will be a keeper. Earl tells us more about this great Pontiac:
I've always been a fan of the '60's full size cars, especially Pontiac's. As a teenager living in Nova Scotia they were abundant around the time I first started driving. There was a guy I went to High school with whose Dad had a Nocturne Blue 66 Grande with a 327 4 speed. All of us young Motor heads thought it was cool. Same as a 66 Caprice in our 'hood that was also a 327 4 speed. At 17-18 I got my 1st 66 Poncho, a Custom Sport. It was originally a 396 automatic. I knew the car from around our area and the owner had put the 396 flag emblems on the front fenders. By the time I got it the big block had been smoking and ticking for awhile before being replaced with a sad sack 283 2 bbl and a PowerGlide instead of a TH 400. When it went up for sale the fender flags as well as the mag wheels were also gone, but it did run and drive. Good enough for my budget!
Although I'm the current caretaker of this 66 Grande I can take no credit for how it looks, or runs. Both of the forum Guru's Carl S. and 427 Carl have seen to that before it reached my custody. It has one of the nicest running 396's I ever driven. The M20 shifts good with the old factory style shifter. This was a western car sold new in Alberta as per the Vintage Vehicle doc's. So nice to have them included.
The Parchment and black interior is a very nice contrast and gets many compliments when I've had it out to local Cruise nites. As well as comments about how it should have a 389 or 421,. It still amazes me that here in Ontario how many people dont know about Canadian Pontiac's.
So I've learned to have the Vintage Vehicle doc's sitting on the dash.
My winter/spring plans are to change over the steering box to a quicker ratio (Monte Carlo SS type) and maybe do a front disc brake conversion.
Other than that I want to just drive it as much as possible. I'm hoping the Carl's can add some more details if they don't mind? Any questions or comments I'll do my best to get back to you.
Great car ! congratulations to Earl Carl 1 and Carl 2 both loved this big Canadian Beast !
Circumstances in our lives, prompted us both, to find a new Caretaker for it...
I was delighted to pass over the responsibility for this great car to Earl He and I had common friends and cars in the 60's and 70's He's a great guy....
1 of 90 built with M20 probably a smaller number with M20 and L35 The engine was re-built and is the engine matching the GM records
The underbody & frame are to die for...
Here is a nice recreation of a window sheet courtesy of my friend Gary in Louisiana
Thanks to both of the Carls!! They did a great job on this car. As stated I'm only the current caretaker and custodian.
This car is by far the nicest 60' or 70's Pontiac I've had the pleasure to own and drive. Very well sorted, a real smooth cruiser. I put it into storage early October as I had a very nice spot to keep it for the winter. Really missed out on some great cruising weather!
Glad to see this at top page Earl & Todd ! I think I may be one of the few, other than the two Carls, to have actually seen this beauty in person. Its a striking car and being a Grande Parisienne its a surprise to look inside and see 3 pedals and a 4 speed. I too was struck how smooth the engine ran, a big white car with a big block, life is good Earl.
Congrats there Earl, good to see the car at the top of the page and that it is getting driven. I also had the opportunity to see it when it was being stored in southern Manitoba and that is a very nice car you have there. Hope you are able to continue enjoying it and shifting a few gears.
As Carl said, circumstances led us both to part with the car, not necessarily like we had planned.
When I got it, the plan was to keep it. I had already done a pile of work to my black 66 GP, adding all kinds of options, redoing the upholstery, converting to a 4 speed etc. I sat on this white car for about 6 months, debating whether to keep it and sell my black car or sell the white car. Sadly, part of the deal with me buying it went sour and as much as I tried to get over that, I still had a bad taste in my mouth I couldn't get rid of. In hindsight, I should have kept the car because I realize now it would have been the smarter thing to do. This car is far superior to the one I am building. As Carl stated, the underbody and frame are exceptional. No scaly, flaking pieces on the frame, no soft spots on the floors, just nice clean metal from the desert area of the prairies! Earl, I hope you are ok with me posting this pic of a section of the floor in it.
And that 396 is likely the sweetest running big block I've ever owned. It starts and purrs, not a tick or noise to be heard. I only ever drove the car about 6 miles, from my place of work the day it was dropped off.
I'd love to know the history on this car but I was not able to find anything back before about 2004. I suspect it has an interesting history. Not just anyone would order a car like this. It's a pretty good bet it wasn't ordered by a dealer for stock on his lot. Not many people ( apparently only 90) wanted a 4 speed 66 Grande Parisienne when they were new.
I also have a picture (although it's somewhat lame) of the block stamping which matches the GM documents. Again, Earl, if this is not ok, just tell me to remove it.
Someone has done some nice upholstery work along the way too. (Wish I had a better shot of it than this, but it's beautiful in white)
Mixed emotions seeing this car and looking at all the pictures again, that's for sure...
Here it is in good company a couple of years ago.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Very nice car and I absolutely love the underbody shot ... I can eat lasagna off that!
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Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
Thanks to all of you with the nice comments! Carl Stevenson, no problem posting those pic's. I'll be downloading them. I've just heard of a 67 GP for sale also!
I'm going to investigate, but it's probably a dud.
Very nice car! I always like those wood grain 4 speed consoles - when I see them in pictures. I've never seen one in person. Sounds like only 90 "issued" in 1966. Great combination of sport, style and class. Just like the whole car. Congrats!
I've followed this one ever since the original 'for sale' ad showed up on this board and have long been in awe of it. Certainly a fitting car-of-the-month.
Watching it pass through the hands of Carl and Carl, with ensuing improvements has been a treat. I feel like I "know" this car even though I've never seen it in person.
Congrats Earl, let me say that I am sure that I'm not the only envious person here, but I do think the car is in great hands. Enjoy!
Thanks again guys. I also followed this car for a few years. 427 Carl was kind enough to touch base with me 1st, and give me enough time to sell my other car and raise the rest of the cash.
One thing I can tell anyone and everyone is that if you buy a car from Carl Hicks the only suprises you'll get will be good ones!!
He really went over the top and out of his way for me.
I had the pleasure of viewing this car at the Sparta drag strip; it's a great example of a full size Canadian Poncho that was well taken care of over the years.
I really like the white wheels (surely they came from the factory that way since body-color was how they painted them back then), even better than the 'mag' wheels that were on early shots. Somehow they put all the colors in just the right proportions (period-correct narrow whitewalls included).
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
63 Parisienne sport coupe (The Big GTO), black, maroon interior, 409 4 speed; former owner of a 59 El Camino, 63 Corvette SWC, 62 Chev Bel Air SC. 1963- Pontiac top selling car in Canada
Mahone Bay, NS Still not old enough to need an automatic