My love of Canadian Pontiacs started at a very young age. My parents bought a 69 Strato Chief from Sinclair Pontiac in early 1970. It was a company demonstrator. The 2 door hardtop had a 350 2bbl and an auto trans. It had power steering/brakes and an AM radio. That car served us well up until about 1982 when it became a victim of too much winter salt. At that time it served as a second car as my parents now had a 1977 Lemans Sport Coupe serving as the primary mode of transportation. I have many fond memories of that Strato Chief taking us on vacation and my sister and I getting into mischief in the back seat. I still remember my dad buying a set of slotted mags for $100 (clearance item at "Lion Auto Supply" that was going out of business in London). I remember mom not being too impressed with this purchase. I do have several photo's of the car including this one:
My parents have since passed on and I can think of no better way to remember the good times we had as a family than to own a similar car. Todd
hi todd, i figured you'll have room for a chevy guy that also enjoys the '60s pontiacs. congrats on the site! great idea! i've spread the word around already. my brother is a big beaumont fan. dave.
I loved the slots. Never been able to find another set the same as dads. They were "Mag" brand and the centers had a big "M". They were chrome and not aluminum.
Hee hee hee ... it's a secret! And here I thought you knew EVERYTHING, Carl
. . .
OK, I'll fess up - every once in a while, after looking at a new post, I will go to that post's Forum page to browse other topics, then go to bottom of the page, where it shows something like this:
and I will click on Last and see if anything looks interesting ... sort of like digging into the past, eh?
Dave the archeologist
-- Edited by davelacourse on Tuesday 9th of March 2010 02:46:27 PM
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
I loved the slots. Never been able to find another set the same as dads. They were "Mag" brand and the centers had a big "M". They were chrome and not aluminum.
Ah, I didn't read your original post closely enough - it was your MOM who was not impressed. Back then there were quite a few companies that made "mag" wheels, I remember being tempted by Western Auto stores who carried their own brand, lower prices than the 'name brand' wheels. Keep an eye on evilbay, someone probably has a set like your dad's and one day might decide to sell them, eh?
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
"And all these years I always thought that mag was a short form for magnesium. I never knew that mags were made of anything but magnesium. "
you are correct ! there was however a wheel marketed as MAGSTER , MAG , and maybe others
I believe the chromed steel slots where by Keystone? I have to double check that..
the origins of 'mag' is as you thought. American Racing Equipment was started by Romeo Palimedes in 1959. By 1960, American Racing Equipment was advertising their magnesium rear wheels from six to ten inches wide, along with magnesium spindle-mount twelve-spoked front wheels in 15 by 3 1/2 inches.
And all these years I always thought that mag was a short form for magnesium. I never knew that mags were made of anything but magnesium.
You are correct, the original mag wheels were made of magnesium, but by the time the 60's rolled around, at least where I lived, lookalike wheels made of aluminum or steel were sold and were commonly referred to as "mag wheels" even though they were not magnesium.
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
Those are the same style of wheel on the Dodge Lil Red Express trucks in 78-79. Chrome slots were available at Woolco, CTC, just about any tire shop around back in the day.
1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
