Here is the 12-page article from Collectible Automobile magazine. It has some beautiful photos, and probably includes some bits of history that you did not know before.
Enjoy!
Dave
-- Edited by davelacourse on Friday 26th of June 2009 09:59:42 AM
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
I've been reading that magazine since day 1 - have every copy. It's great. In all the years I've been reading it, this is the first substantial article I can remember seeing on Canadian Pontiacs. I would have liked to see CA cover the period up to 1970 for sure, & especially to mention the 409, 396, 427 & 454 A & B bodies form the 63 - 70 period. But still very good coverage and I was glad to see it.
-- Edited by gparis7 on Friday 26th of June 2009 05:24:35 PM
I think the guy's name is Alvin Shier or something like that and he's posted in Old Autos etc?.
Here's an address from online...no Website?.
Canadian Pontiac Registry 9424 Abbott Place SE Calgary, AB T2J 0Z8
Phone: 403-252-4076
What does he do, any more importantly, what info is available from him?
Alvin is a regular contributor to Old Autos on a variety of subjects. He has a variety of Pontiac info, mostly Canadian. He manually runs a registry very similar to what is on this site. But nowhere near as accesible. Every now and then he updates additions to his registry. He's a retired body man ( or is it a mechanic ). Believe the address above is outdated as I seem to recall he moved to Canmore a while back. For some reason he refuses to join the rest of the modern world and get online. Guess he doesn't know or care what he is missing. Been a while since he's sent in to Old Autos a Pontiac story so suspect this site has stymied his efforts. Old Autos should have an updated address or be willing to forward any snail mail correspondence. Ted
What year and issue is the story in? Would make a good flea market find.
October 2008. Includes a good article on the 1964-66 Imperial, some of the grand old cars of what may have been the pinnacle of North American automobiles (gave us the first Mustang, Chevelle/Beaumont, GTO, 396/427 BBC, etc.)
Dave
-- Edited by davelacourse on Saturday 27th of June 2009 07:31:04 AM
-- Edited by davelacourse on Saturday 27th of June 2009 01:02:12 PM
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
Did you read my letter to the editor that was published in the next issue? That was my sentiment as well.
I didn't see it immediately. Had planned to respond similarly but once I saw yours I didn't need to as I thought you had the topic well covered; good response.
I think there are members on this site who could write a decent article on those big block cars. I'm pretty familiar with the 63 - 69 409 - 427 B bodies, but I don't know much about the 327/350 hp and 396 performance Acadians and the big block Beaumonts. Or the 70 454 B bodies for that matter. Maybe we need to pool our knowledge and pitch a story to CA. It's a shame that those rare and unique Pontiacs are not written up anywhere.
I find Perry Zavitz, who wrote the CA article, to be a decent writer. Maybe the knowledgeable folks on this site, or the new Canadian chapter of POCI, could work with him to get a Pontiac performance cars article on the go. Does anyone on here know Perry?
-- Edited by gparis7 on Saturday 27th of June 2009 09:22:54 AM
Yep there's a little bit for everyone with older cars ... wish they would have skipped a few pictures of the 58's (not that they are bad) to have at least one 59, though.
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
The four door sedan 1956 black Pontiac is Bill Malette from London Ontario. He had the air cleaner decals made. The black and white 57 is in southern Ontario and is part of a private collection. It is a 261 six with the only modification made is an dual master cylinder. The car is originally from Saskatchewan and is not currently for sale but when it is I have a good shot at buying it.
I find Perry Zavitz, who wrote the CA article, to be a decent writer. Maybe the knowledgeable folks on this site, or the new Canadian chapter of POCI, could work with him to get a Pontiac performance cars article on the go. Does anyone on here know Perry?
I was planning on tracking him down for the CPSC newsletter.
-- Edited by 73SC on Sunday 28th of June 2009 07:38:28 PM
I wish I could find my copies of the CA issue that featured the '49 Chevies as it featured photos of the ghastly '58-based models that Harley Earl had come up with. Before he was sent to Europe and the work started in earnest in alternatives!
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Automotive Historian, Author and Journalist Deputy Editor, VINTAGE ROADSCENE Southampton, England
1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
