I was recently offered a 1960 Pontiac Laurentian 2 dr. hardtop that has been sitting on jackstands in my friend's yard for about 20 years. Old owner was working on his car when his house caught fire so he went to try to save the house but it burned down to the ground. After that, the owner left and never came back leaving the car still on the jackstands as it was his project but details are not too great. Well, afterwards my friend had his house built on the property and the car wasn't thought to be of any significance to them. The car was sat underneath a line of trees on a gravel/muddy pathway where the grass has never grown. For some reason, this car has survived 20 years and many Ontario winters without the quarters or fenders rusting. The floors didn't do too bad, didn't rust through but they do feel soft. Bad things were, my friends used to jump on the car and fool around with it damaging it. The jumped on the hood denting it but only minor so they can actually be pulled out. They also decided it would be fun to smash some of the windows in which was really bad especially when it comes to the wraparound windshield. The interior didn't fare too well but the dash and door panels survived. Seats and carpet are junk now. Has all chrome, all badging, original motor which was the 348 V8 or 389 V8 I believe but it is not the straight six. The car is also 3 speed manual red on red car. I am figuring I have to sacrifice a space in my garage for this but the car is free. Sorry to bore you with my long story but the real question is, how rare are these cars now as I don't see too many anymore especially 2dr. hardtops with the V8 manual as well? Thanks.
I would say if its a Laurention, it would have the 348 in it(if its a big motor car) Otherwise it could be a 283. If its an original 348 car, then its probably worth saving for sure. It would come down to your choice though. I don't believe there was a lot of 348 pontiacs built, so the rarety would make it worthwhile.
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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 would say unless it's really bad, it sounds like a car worth saving, 348 or not. Seems like it's a rare day when you get to see any 20 2 door hardtop, and they are such a beautiful style.
Oh, and welcome here!
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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
Any 60 Pontiac 2 door hardtop is a rare find these days. They are great looking cars. I'd say it's worth saving regardless of what engine is in it. If it is a 348, you would have a rare car that would look good with a period tri power setup!
Good to hear then and thank you for welcoming me to the site. The car is solid surprisingly and I believe it is the 348 but I will need to look it up again with the serial number. If it is the 283 V8 I was even thinking of going the route of a Cadillac 472 motor that my friend isn't using to make a bit of a sleeper out of the car. Isn't period correct but it would be a fun car. They were just going to scrap the car and they said I could have it for free so its worth a shot then. By the way on a sidenote, did any Canadian Ponchos of the early 60s have the 409? I don't know if that is a stupid question but I am more of a Buick driver as I already have 2 Reattas and a Lesabre T-Type in my mini-collection I guess you could say. All low production and rarer so I am thinking this Laurentian will fit in perfectly.
You can tell a 283 from a 348 by the valve covers. 283 are nice rectangles, 348 are fairly wide and form a distinct 'W" shape.
I believe 409 first appeared on the option sheets of Canadian Pontiacs in 1963.
I will confirm what others have said and that is to try and save the car. I would urge you to keep it as Canadian Pontiac correct as possible by using either a 261, 283 or 348.
You can tell a 283 from a 348 by the valve covers. 283 are nice rectangles, 348 are fairly wide and form a distinct 'W" shape.
I believe 409 first appeared on the option sheets of Canadian Pontiacs in 1963.
I will confirm what others have said and that is to try and save the car. I would urge you to keep it as Canadian Pontiac correct as possible by using either a 261, 283 or 348.
-- Edited by 73SC at 08:30, 2008-08-07
I would echo that thought. It's value would be a lot less with other than Pontiac power. That would be a really cool car, and you can't beat free!
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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
Please take it for free!! If you feel its beyond your ability to repair, Im sure someone will help you, or perhaps buy it , from you... Please try to "SAVE" it They dont make them anymore lol
Sounds like this car was better than I thought it was. I believe I am going to check it out again tomorrow armed with a camera so expect pictures. I am sure I got almost all of the information right just unsure of if it is manual and a 348 or 283. The car is red on red for sure though and is a Laurentian because the badges were taken off and my friend kept them. Either way I will save the car whether I bring it home or sell it. I'll keep everyone informed on what happens.
grab it!!! I can go and ask a lady who has a 59 laurentian that i got parts off if she would sell you the windshield and any other glass you need. Its located in tillsonburg which would be about 2.5 hour drive for you.
If possible please do that and I will see what I can do. Ask her pricing as well. I will be going down to Woodward Dream Cruise next weekend so Tillsonburg would be on the way back so it would work. Thanks.
I've been looking for a 2 door anything '60 pontiac for 13 years. I finally found a Laurentian 2 door sedan, and within the last 6 weeks I've seen a few others for sale. There were 2225 Laurentian 2 door sedans, model #7511. G.M. will be able to tell you how many hardtops were built. If it turns out fairly rough make some sort of a rat rod with the cad engine. Too cool!
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1960 Pontiac Laurentian 2 door post 2003 GMC Sierra 4.8 2wd 1990 Honda Civic Winter-Rod 1988 Honda Civic ice racer
If it was rough that is exactly what I was thinking Ed M. The 472 or 500 motor would make great power in this but I don't think its too bad. I'll find out hopefully tomorrow if the rain holds off.
tottally agree, rat rod it and have fun drivin it!! Thats what im doin until someday when i might want to give it a real paint job and put it back to an original looking car.