A friend of mine found a 58 in a field in Northern Alberta that he may pick up(just for parts, he's a chevy guy) But he says it has factory air suspension in it, like some 58 chevs were ordered with. Anyone ever hear of such a critter? Or know how rare it might be? I haven't seen the car, but he says its pretty rusty and theres not much worth getting except maybe the suspension. (He wants to adapt it to his chevy, Maybe)
__________________
1960 Pontiac Strato Chief Safari 1960 Laurentian Safari 1960 Laurentian 4door(scrapped) 2001 Grand Am Traded on a '96 Suburban 2WD 2002 Hyundai Accent(SOLD) 1968 Grand Parisienne Scrapped and SOLD
I'm pretty sure he said it was a Canadian car. I agree, their was alot of headaches with these, and would be best to sell it to someone who really wanted it. I just thought it was strange that it was in a Pontiac, I'd never heard of it being in one before.
__________________
1960 Pontiac Strato Chief Safari 1960 Laurentian Safari 1960 Laurentian 4door(scrapped) 2001 Grand Am Traded on a '96 Suburban 2WD 2002 Hyundai Accent(SOLD) 1968 Grand Parisienne Scrapped and SOLD
Air suspension (Level-Air) was available in Canada in 1958 and 1959 on Chevies, though I have never, ever found one! Same with FI cars! I think the Pontiac version was Ever-Level, but in Canada would have been Level-Air...but rebadged on Canadian Pontiacs?
__________________
Automotive Historian, Author and Journalist Deputy Editor, VINTAGE ROADSCENE Southampton, England
I have a 1958 Canadian Option Price list for Pontiacs! The Air Ride Suspension was an option # 389 and retailed for $150.10. I have the article written by the fellow in Winnipeg who owned the 58 with air suspension! When he purchased the car used, the suspension had been removed, but all the parts were in the trunk! He is now deceased, but his son still has the car!
__________________
1965 Thunderbird Special Landau 10th Anniversary Limited Edition only 4500 built 34,800 miles
I would not advise your friend to adapt an original air suspension system. Although very rare. These systems that were offered from 1958 to 1959 were complete junk that were designed to just leak and drop the car to its bottom. Most of the few cars that were ordered with this system were quickly converted to the standard springs. I can not honestly say if Canadian Pontiacs offered this system in 58 and 59 but i would not be surprised if they did. Although very surprised if an Canadians actually ordered this very expensive option. It would be nice to have bragging rights to such a rare option on ones car but way too unpractical. George.
__________________
1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six
1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8
Like i said earlier, there is a 58 parisienne in wpg with it factory. I have also seen at least 2 canadian built impala convertibles with it factory as well.
So yes, they were avail on canadian cars in 1958
__________________
Beaumontguru
MY BEAUMONT HAS 4 STUDDED TIRES AND 2 BLOCKHEATERS......AND LOTS OF OIL UNDERNEATH. The other one has a longer roof.
i wrecked out a 66 poncho 2 door wagon with some wierd tube thing under the hood i think it was a rear suspention thing air or hydraulics, car also had a factory 396 325 hp mill with a t400 and 12 bolt, it was a cool car but the guy would only sell me the 396 with t400 , it was if the hood was never opened, the the 396 still sits in the shop bolted to the tranny, wish i had that car, the guy was using the car to cut patch panels for another project, i did get to buy a 68 sd 396 350 hp 4sp rag from him the same day so all was good that day.