I have to admit that my interest is pretty narrow, i.e 1955-56, but I am thinking that there might be value in doing this for all the pre-58 cars,
My motivation is to be able to find parts for our old cars, without having to buy in the hope it will fit (I have done this to my dismay -- namely it did not fit, was not as advertised, and the seller like cursed CTC Auto Ranch said "tough $#!T", whatever -- several times).
It seems pretty clear (at least for the 55-56) that:
- Chassis and drivetrain is pretty much identical to US Chevy (control arms, springs, shocks, steering, engines except for the 261 six which is pretty similar to the Chevy 235 on the outside, transmissions, rear end, etc.)
- Interior is pretty much identical to US Pontiac with the exception of the heater system and how the heater controls mate up to the steering column, and the fresh air vents (these are kind of like the US Chevy but really are truly unique to CDN Pontiac, e.g. vent doors are like Chevy but control cables are unique, heater controls look like US Pontiac but the functions are like US Chevy).
But the body, ah yes the body.
On my 56, I know that the front end sheet metal is unique -- the US Pontiac hood and fenders are different, and so is related grille trim, even thought they look similar to the casual observer.
But I don't know if US Pontiac headlight eyebrow chrome moldings (maybe available reproduction, one source listed them but they said 'no longer available') are the same as CDN Pontiac headlight eyebrows.
And will 1955 fit 1956 and vice versa (they are cosmetically different but are the dimensions the same?).
Or if the chromed pieces on top of the rear fenders are unique, or even if the stainless steel hood stripes are unique, compared to US Pontiacs.
I'm 95% sure that the 55-56 CDN Pontiac trunk lid is identical to 55-57 Chevy (although I do not need to replace mine) and I am willing to bet that the US Pontiac trunk lid will not fit, but I don't really know.
So maybe this is irrelevant if you have a great source for CDN Pontiac body parts, but if there is any interest in developing (from the accumulated knowledge of everyone) a Body Parts Interchange listing, for pre-58 CDN Pontiacs, I'd be happy to try to pull information together for everyone to use.
I'm thinking it would be pretty easy to include Chassis, Drivetrain and Interior, so the cross-listing would be pretty much complete.
What do you think?
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
I think I can answer all your questions correctly. Eyebrow mouldings are the same US and Can. with the dimensions and retainer brackets the same 55-56 .
The rear chrome mouldings are the same Can and US. The number of rows or depressions in the moulding differ between 55 and 56.
The US hood mouldings are longer than the Canadian 55 and 56.
The trunk lid is the same as Chev and the 27 series Americian Pontiac which is the shorter wheelbase models.
I have the parts book for 1946-1957 Pontiacs and I'll look up anything you need for interchanging.
I said yes but to be honest I'm likely not going to be much help on the early cars. I set up this site for everyone to share what they know about Canadian Pontiac, Acadian and Beaumonts so if you are up to the task by all means go for it. When it's completed we can sticky it.
It would be best to separate them into their respective forums. That would save a Beaumont guy having to sort thru Acadian and full size Pontiac info etc. I've got a lot on my plate right now so I'll let you guys determine if you want to expand this beyond the early Pontiacs and choose who is doing what. We can make each one a sticky in each area.
Probably should make the workbook read-only, with one person responsible for making additions / corrections / other changes. Anyone / everyone welcome to submit information. Any differences (one person says parts interchange and another says no) could be ironed out I am sure.
(By the way, the information in this draft comes from my personal experience supplemented by Al's infinite knowledge of the 55-56 cars)
Could have one workbook for similar-year cars, like the 55-57, 53-54, 49-52, 66-67 Beaumont, whatever makes sense for similar-bodied cars with essentially the same chassis.
Not as detailed as a parts book for sure, but might come in handy as a quick reference?
What do you think?
Dave
-- Edited by davelacourse at 13:55, 2008-10-08
-- Edited by davelacourse at 13:58, 2008-10-08
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
I think what you are trying to accomplish with your reference chart is going to be quite the job. There are so many parts that you would think would interchange but there are slight differences. Something like a headlight bucket at first glance you would think it would fit all 3 catagories Can. Pon . Amer. Pon. and Chevy. but they only interchange between the Pontiacs. The Pon bucket will fit the Chev fender but the headlight ring mounts differently and vise-versa. Steering Wheels are different between Can and Amer. Pon but are the same for Can. Pontiac and Chev and there are two steering wheels available two spoke and 3 spoke. 2 spoke for the Pathfinder and Chev 150 and 3 Spoke for the Bel Air and Laurentian with the 3 spoke as an option for the lower series 150 and Pathfinder.
Seats ,headlinings and door panels will exchange between all 3 cars as long as they are the same models but the materials are different between The Can Pon and the Amer Pont. A Can. Pon Convertible and a Chev Convertible have identical interiors right down to the trim number on the data plate and so do the Chev Delray and the Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe coupe.
Rear differentials are the same for Can Pon and Chev 55-57 but the shackles are unique for the 55 year only.
The glass and all window trim exchange between all three cars by model with the only difference being Can. built cars having Shade Lite tinted Glass and the US built cars EZE-EYE tinted glass.
If anyone is going to bid on parts from Ebay and want to know for sure if that part is correct for a 55 or 56 just email me and I'll gladly look it up for you.
that would be a great idea but i hope you include the the 1958 pontiac also as i'm having a lot of problems finding parts , i know that some 58 chev parts fit but i need body panels not sure which panlels will be inter changable.
We might be better off letting the resident "experts" here (!!!) field any questions as they come. As I think about this, I'm not sure how you/we could ever get it properly organized.
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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
I would be stoked to help in the 53/54 years. I am green but keen. Maybe better suited to formatting and typing :) If anyone has good resources on 54 (Chieftain), I would be happy to hear.
Oh, and is the 1954 called a Pathfinder or Chieftain?
OK, I am going to do my best (with help from the REAL expert Al, by incorporating the information in his post above) to complete the 55-56 version. I'll post here again when it is done (at least as far as I can take it). Then I will ask if you like the format, assuming you can view the file, or if there are ideas for a better format. I can do Microsoft Word DOC instead of Excel XLS but sorry I cannot do PDF.
I'll set up a link for anyone with corrections or additions so they can be built in.
Then I will set up a shell for whatever other years are of immediate interest (e.g., 53-54 which I think were pretty similar to US Chevys in some respects, or 57 which shares a little bit with the 55-56 but which I know very little about, or 58 which should share with US Chevys, etc.) and solicit information from whoever has it, and compile that, and take it from there.
And if there is someone with a wealth of knowledge about certain years/models (e.g. early Acadians) I'd be happy to work with them to set up a cross-reference chart for those.
OK?
Please let me know, either post here or email me.
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
I vote yes aswell. I have a 1955 Pathfinder and the cross-listing would be great. As far as I know, the Canadian pontiacs front end is 8" shorter than the American. The rear 1/4's are 4" shorter. The similar American model I do believe is a Chieftain model 860.
I would be stoked to help in the 53/54 years. I am green but keen. Maybe better suited to formatting and typing :) If anyone has good resources on 54 (Chieftain), I would be happy to hear.
Oh, and is the 1954 called a Pathfinder or Chieftain?
Yup the 54 Pontiac in Canada is called a Pathfinder. It is bassically a 54 chev for most parts except the dash and front end. To add to the confusion the radio will have Chieftian on it but it is a Pathfinder.
To bring this even further. From what I know so far is that the Canadain 54's also differed in the engine bay too. the US Pontiac had strait 8's while the canadian ones were of the flat L head 6 type.
Great idea....................I'd be happy to share what I know and greatful to learn what I don't 55 Ignition switch is unique to Canadian Pontiac, not exchangable with Chev. When ordering most driveline, chassis and suspension parts from jobbers, refer to Chevy catalogues, the Pontiac catalogues they use are for the American Pontiac, at least that has been my experience.
I think this is a great idea. With the knowledge on this board, it would be nice to see this expand to all makes, models and years. Including the Acadians and Beaumonts.
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You say you like to read... http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005CYH5ZC_B005CYH5ZC_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Doug+Boyce&sort=relevance&ie=UTF8&qid=1433396335
HI TAYLOR55 IM NEW IN THIS FORUM AND I JUST BOUGTH A PONTIAC 1956 PATHFINDER DELUXE WITH A 261 CUBIC INCH OHV 6 AND I WAS WONDER IF YOU CAN SEND SOME FOTOS OF THE MANUAL THAT YOU HAVE OR WHERE TO BUY ONE I BEEN LOOKING ON THE INTERNET BUT I HAVENT FOUND ONE YET THANK YOU ON ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP
Starting with 1955-56 (hey, that's what I've got). I am glad to expand to other years, just let me know. This is my best (with help from the REAL expert Al) effort so far
btw I have purchased the Pontiac Chassis and Body Parts Catalog for the 46-57 cars, specifically including Canadian Pontiacs, so I can be more helpful. (I think this is just like Al has.)
If you have an idea for a better format, please let me know. I can do Microsoft Word DOC instead of Excel XLS but sorry I cannot do PDF.
Please let me know of any corrections or additions so they can be built in.
And if there is someone with a wealth of knowledge about certain years/models (e.g. early Acadians) I'd be happy to work with them to set up a cross-reference chart for those.
OK?
Please let me know, either post here or email me.
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
