I'm curious too. Sounds like a twin. The car in the pics is definitely my old car though. The odds of someone else installing a 66 Caprice tilt/telescopic column in another 4 speed car is slim. Especially considering it was not a bolt in. I had to modify the tube where it fits the dash. Plus I put in power vent windows, which I don't think were offered on the Canadian full size Pontiacs.
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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
By chance does anyone have a computer program that can take the picture of the front of the car where it is in the garage, and see if there is a readable licence plate on the front?
Thanks
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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
You'd need the original full jpeg file if possible. Not the downsized one posted here. I tried zooming and sharpening, re-contrasting, etc. But nothing was really visible, since there is not enough pixel information at this (posted) resolution.
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
I just got an email from a car nut in Ottawa area and he enclosed a picture of the car at a show there, parked beside an older red Ferrari. He is going to try to follow up on locating more info.
I sent him an email asking for his number. Slow but sure here, but remember the turtle? He won the race!!!
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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
Carl I called my buddy in Ottawa this morning and he does recall seeing the car about 10 years ago at a show but he has not seen it since. He vividly remembers the car. He spoke with the owner of the car at that time and described him as a skinny guy with blonde hair. The fellow told him that he brought the car to Ottawa from the west. His parents lived in Ottawa. Does this sound correct? My friend asked if you know the name of the guy and ihe will start turning over stones in Ottawa for you. I will PM you my friends name and number. He doesn't have a computer.
I picked up the scent again this afternoon, back on the trail once more.
I have a couple of phone numbers and addresses for previous owners. Turns out the picture in the magazine had the wrong names (mixed up I should say) for the owners in Ottawa.
I will update if this gets me anywhere.
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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
Well, this has been a very emotional evening for me. I decided tonight was the night to call, since I had a number for what is likely the current owner.
It's the right number. In a nutshell, the car has a great home, but it will never be for sale as long as the current owner is alive. He has other cars ( no Pontiacs from what I gather) but views this one as the jewel.
I guess I am pretty sad. I had hoped that after owning it for about 19 years, he would be willing to move on, but I didn't even have to ask, as he volunteered he had no interest in selling it.
Fortunately, he did the car a favour when he rescued it from the man I sold it to in Edmonton. He was not a car guy, and it sounds like in the short time that he owned it (9 months) the car went into a state of disrepair. When I sold it, the car drove home to Edmonton in January, trouble free. The car drove like a dream. 9 months later apparently it drove like crap. Some work had been done to the engine (cam change) and when it went to Ottawa, he said it ran horrible.
I did find out that it came in 10th in the race from New York to LA, sometime around 1999. Also, it's run 14.2 at the track on street tires through the exhaust. Not too shabby for 4300 lbs.
Lot's more to say I guess, but that is an update anyway.
I'm pretty sad tonight.
I guess I am looking for a 66 Grande Parisienne 2 door hardtop to restore. Must be a solid body, and the rest doesn't really matter.
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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
Well I am sad for you too Carl. To follow the rainbow but not get the pot of gold can be very disappointing. But you must feel some comfort in the fact that the car has survived and has a loving home, although it's not yours. We will be on the lookout for another one for you and keep you posted. You said in your post that he won't part with it as long as he's alive. Should we take up a collection and make a phone call?
I am in a position to buy it right now, too. In the past year I sold a 64 GTO clone convertible, and a 74 Trans Am Super Duty car, and the money would have been well spent on the GP.
I am a bit sad that he is drag racing this car, as it is such a rare car. Better to build a clone and race it. However, with that said, I have always made up my mind if I sell a car it's not mine any more and whatever happens, happens.
But I did say "Shame on you" when he told me he drag raced it a few times!!!
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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
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