It's rare that a four door captures the imagination of so many people. Most end up as donor cars for our two door or wagon projects. Let's face it, the four door body style was designed to be a utilitarian mode of transportation. Style came in second or third. Then in the mid 1950's the four door hardtop came on to the scene. Now designers no longer had door pillars to contend with. A four door could now be as stylish as a two door. A perfect example of four door hardtop style and utility is Mark Craig's stunning 1967 Grande Parisienne. With a new front end design that Pontiac described as "verile, almost arrogant", a sleek roofline, and an interior touted as "disciplined luxury" the '67 Grande Parisienne ranks as one of the most beautiful full sized Pontiacs ever produced. And, this one has an interesting history! Mark explains:

A 1967 Pontiac Grande Parisienne. With a interesting past.In late summer 2009, Thanks to 68SD the master spotter, all of us on this site found out about the Deepwater Blue 67' Grande Parisienne 4 door hardtop for sale.


At first look, I was smitten. Awsome HR pictures to examine every night. I even sent them to work to view whan I felt the need. I pictured it in my drive, at work, dreaming of Mapleview cruises, the drive in with family, cottage cruises, Brant street, all the daily comments, doing some work on it. It really seemed like this car was destined for me. Problem was....I have a partially done 69' Parisienne ragtop resto mod to finish...so forget it.
Well, time passed by, and each day the comment's on the car further confirmed to me that this was a genuine Canadian Pontiac icon that a CP'er should be in care of.



The seller even had a Zapora package that confirmed that only 2159 of these 4 door hardtops were produced for the 67' model year. I don't think I've seen another with this colour combo on the web yet, although I do remember a dark blue one in my neighbourhood in the early 70's. I remember the GTO'ish like tailights of the 67' GP. We all know they're popping up now. The car was Oshawa built on 6/9/67 and shipped on 6/13.



This 67' GP also has a documented history of being a USSROttawa embassy car, being originally sold directly out of Oshawa through GM of Canada Diplomatic sales, recieved by a USSR diplomatic worker on 6/20/67.
A year later with 10007 miles on it, the car was sold to a Ottawa gentleman through Surgenor motors on Sparks street on 8/11/68.


The GP was said to have been out of the salt since 70', the trunk pictures proving that. The original owner apparently' willed it to his daughter in 06'. From well before, or even after 06' it did'nt apparently move much untill the previous owner before me, who drove it often. Sitting in a garage for most of that earlier time, with the odd time out, the paint, chrome and interior have been very well preserved.





With some family negotiation, it finally came to pass that I would be able to buy this remakable car. I was pretty nervous that it would be gone, but it was still available. So after a few calls, I took my bike for a 2 hour ride to see it. 
Pulling in and up the tree shaded drive on my bike, I caught a glimpse of the rear end poking out from behind the hedge as I pulled up and parked at the drivers rear. It had had just been washed, and was sitting under a large Maple tree. The light coming through onto the Deepwater Blue paint varied the colour between light and dark blue. Looking close, it was obvious that most of the car had the original finish, 42 years of wear and tear yes, but nice. The interior glowed. Cloth looked new.

After a good look around and in, shuffling under to count the 12 differential bolts, hood open, some talk about the 10:1 275hp 327, we took it out. The owner insisted on being first. We pulled out onto Highway 2, headed West from Colborne. Winding smooth road, all windows down, warm air, sun. Unbelieveble! Smooth shifting M40, silent...a time capsule really. Great seat, perfect dash, no visible flaws. AM radio on. Big smiles, you all know what I mean. Coming back I drove, but it really made little difference, I knew how it would feel. The Deal had been done, and I hadn't even learned of it's early history!
Now that I know, the car really does fit the bill of how a USSR embassy car in the centennial year of 1967 should have looked.







-- Edited by 69Laurentian on Wednesday 30th of September 2009 11:47:03 AM