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Post Info TOPIC: February 2010 Feature Car


A Poncho Legend!

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February 2010 Feature Car


1970 Pontiac 2+2 submitted by 73SC - Ray White

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This car was owned by our beloved Canadian Poncho friend and enthusiast Astro-Jet, Hillar Pinna. As we all know Hillar passed away unexpectedly on January 8, 2010. I thought I would submit his latest acquisition for feature car as a memorial tribute to him and his contributions to the Pontiac community.

This 1970 Pontiac 2+2 Hardtop was originally Shipped to Schulz Pontiac Buick in Prince George BC on April 15, 1970 after being built just 5 days earlier on April 10th at the Oshawa production facility. The GM Canada documentation lists 25 options on this car with the LF6 400 small block being the most intriguing to Canadian Pontiac enthusiasts. Running a close second to the big small block has to be the paint code options 47/45 Verdoro Green and Baja Gold with RPO D99 the special two tone paint moulding. This makes for a striking and unique car.

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The Vintage Vehicle Services documentation show that only 1,329  2+2 hardtops were built for 1970 and there were less than 300 made with the LF6 400 small block. This car is also unique because it has the 400/400 combo, RPO M40 was also ordered, the Turbo Hydra-matic 400. As an interesting side note the 400 small block was sourced from Tonawanda, not St. Catharines like the 350 small block was. In 1970 the 400 was offered as a 2bbl with single exhaust and was factory rated at 265 HP but with a whopping 400 ft lb torque rating at just 2400 rpm it moved the big B body around smartly.   

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In 2007 fellow Canadian Poncho and 2+2 enthusiast, Clint Scherger purchased the car from the original owner. Clint upgraded to a 70 300hp 350 7040202 carb, and 70  350 intake. Another change from original equipment was to install an AM/FM OEM mono radio in place of the original AM pushbutton. The car resided in Calgary with Clints two other 2+2 cars, a gold 350 hardtop and a 454 yellow convertible.

Back in the summer of 2009 Clint decided to post a photo of the green and gold car on our forum. When I saw the car I immediately recognized it from photos Hillar had once shown me but swore me to secrecy on. I PM'd Clint and told him how much I loved his car. To my surprise I learned the car could be for sale. Clint and I exchanged e-mails and he even provided me with an appraisal and GM Vintage Vehicle documentation.

My next step was to call my friend Hillar and tell him the car was available. Now this might need an explanation, yes I loved the car, yes I would buy it BUT Hillar was my friend and I knew he had seen the car and knowing his love for 70 B bodies I had planned all along to give him the first crack at the car but wanted to surprise him with all the details I could. You see, to me a friend is much more valuable than a car. Well I was right and it wasnt too long after that Hillar flew out to Clint's place in Calgary and they made a deal.

I have to tell you I could'nt wait to see the car. Hillar swore me to secrecy once again. He wanted to get the car to Toronto and sort it out the way he wanted before letting the cat out of the bag. I made arrangements for the car to go to Joes our local hot shoe and mechanic immediately upon delivery. That 2+2 sure caused a stir at JB Racing, no one could believe their eyes, a third owner original BC car looked as good on the hoist as it did on the ground!

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On to the sorting it out how Hillar wanted. I picked him up at his house one morning and he proceeded to load the trunk of my Deville, a posi unit, twin 1970 Chevelle SS exhaust tips, Petronix points replacement kit, two magnaflow knock offs  he bought from Al Taylor, a tach and trio set of gauges and a stage two shift kit. He also had a list of work and a drawing of the exhaust system he wanted Joe to make. Hillar worked downtown so I was assigned the task of providing him with daily updates on progress. Joes shop is just a short walk from my office so it was both easy and a pleasure.

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Hillar took pictures of the exhaust system while it was being built but alas he never posted the photos. Suffice to say it is a work of art. Joe hand built it. Starting at the rams horn manifolds he basically made a header of equal length on each side with flanged ends. From there it went back and a cross over H pipe was put in behind the transmission, 2 ½ pipes into the mufflers placed as far back as possible and the tail pipes exiting in the factory cutouts in the valance finished with the SS tips. I had to call Hillar and tell him that the valance had cutouts on each side; we hadnt noticed that until it was up on the hoist, lucky stroke of factory genius! This car sounds real good, just right for its look and feel.

Finally it was done and ready for a road test. Hillar was at work. Joe backed it out of the garage after a short warm up, stopped and adjusted the aim, dropped it in drive, matted it and all Glory broke loose, the posi dug in and it squatted to the right, but with the 4bbl, new ignition, shift kit and duals it must have been putting out at least 335 HP and the posi couldnt hold it, a bit of tire smoke and burning rubber, nothing like it!

Hillar got to drive this beauty three times before we put it away for the winter and I was lucky enough to be along for two of those rides. I wish he was here to tell the story but I have to feel hed approve of how I told it. Just for good measure I fired it up a few days ago and let it rumble, I got out and sat in the passenger seat and imagined my good friend smiling beside me behind the wheel.


-- Edited by 73SC on Saturday 30th of January 2010 10:19:46 PM

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Todd
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Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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execellent choice for the car of the month thank you for the story Todd.

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Poncho Master!

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A fitting car for February.

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Uber Guru

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Well done Ray and Tod. Could not pick a better car for February.



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Uber Guru

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Great choice. As Todd knows I am a big fan of 70 big Pontiacs. I've been watching this car since it was first posted on here, when Ray had pic's of it being stored for the winter. Very nice.

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Poncho Master!

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Nice story boys. I hope one of his closer friends can keep that car the way it sits now, and enjoy cruising until the wheels fall off of it.

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great choice. thanks ray. smile

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Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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Nice Ray...Nice....

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later...rog

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I'm a collector...not a builder!!Located in sunny central Saskatchewan at the lakehead!


Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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Excellent choice, and a fitting tribute to Hillar's memory. Great story too Ray.

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Addicted!

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I think a lot of us on this site felt as if they were sitting in the back seat.

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chris newport



A Poncho Legend!

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That is a real nice tribute Todd and Ray.

I really don't know what to say about all this. It still just kind of boggles the mind to have had Hillar here one day, making valuable contributions regularly to this site, and gone the next.

It's nice to see his car and hear the story to go along with it.

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

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Great choice guys very fitting. I was reading the story and when it came to a end with Ray sitting in the passenger seat I must say it brought a tear to my eye. People pass away every day but when some one passes at such a young age it is so much harder to take.

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A Poncho Legend!

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I agree. I say if you don't make it to at least 75, you've been short changed.



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Todd
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Guru

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Excellent choice for the Car of the Month guys....great story Ray!!! You know Hillar would approve!!

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John

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Great Story...Great Choice for the Month.

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Calgary, Alberta, but raised in Peterborough



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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hmm, the car looks awfully familiar. 

I first heard of the car in about 2000 or 2001, and passed it going the other way in 2002.  It was still with the original owner, and she lived in New Westminster BC.   I saw it on ebay in 2007, listed by a friend of the owner.   It didn't sell, but we did a private deal.   I flew to Nanaimo to pick it up (owner had retired to Nanaimo), and while it ran ok, it was certainly in need of a tune-up.  I drove to the ferry terminal, and while waiting realized many electrical items had been disconnected.  While I checked all the lights etc before leaving, when I reached the mainland I thought it best to check the horn.  Upon testing, I could tell only 1 horn worked, but that would suffice.   I hadn't made hotel reservations (I always make reservations, but thought I'd wing it this time), and ended up sleeping in the back seat of the car in a rest stop at Hope BC. 

I didn't sleep very well, and left the rest stop at around 3:30 am, headed for the Coquihalla Hiway.  I went through the toll plaza at 4:13 am.

Long story short, by the time I got to Calgary (after the second horn giving out while passing through Banff National Park) the car was in dire need of a tune-up.  I did all the regular stuff, changed oil, vacuum hoses, etc and it was like a new car.  To pass out of province inspection, I had to replace the windshield and the steering center link.  I also connected all the electical, and there was nothing wrong.  The next year I replaced the green dash pad with one I got from a buddy in Kansas, and had the car polished.  That's basically the shape the car was in when Hillar flew out in 2009 to look at it. 

The car has likely had more work done on it in the past 3 years than in the previous 20 years.

-- Edited by seventy2plus2 on Sunday 31st of January 2010 12:35:44 AM

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A Poncho Legend!

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Is that the original paint?

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Todd
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A Poncho Legend!

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69Laurentian wrote:

Is that the original paint?



No. Hillar had the car completely de-dented and we were going to buff the heck out it over the winter.

-- Edited by 73SC on Saturday 30th of January 2010 10:00:07 PM

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Poncho Master!

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Wonderful story Ray & Clint, and great choice for the feature car Todd. Sure nice to hear more than one CP member has had the chance to enjoy this unique old PONCHO.

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Guru

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What will happen with Hillar's car now? Is there any relative or family member for it to be passed on to by chance? Did he perhaps have something in his will to designate what was to be done with
the car? I only ask because it's obvious that it has to go to someone who will love and take care of it as much as Hillar did. And no, I'm not even hinting at buying it or being a vulture hovering here, I just hope it gets a good home is all. Although I love all the old Ponchos, my preference is the '69 models regardless if there are '70's out there with a gazillion options and rare components.
And Todd, it's great you highlighted this car for February! Without Hillar on this site, it's like it'll never be the same; still lots of fun and all kinds of great guys, cars and info, but with just a little something missing.......Hillar.

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A Poncho Legend!

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handshake.gif  tears.giftears.gif

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A Poncho Legend!

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You know what I was thinking as I was reading this thread?

Usually the person who's car is featured comes in with a few extra tidbits about the feature car.

Oh, what I wouldn't give for Hillar to do that right now.......

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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



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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Great choice Todd and thanks Ray and Clint for the excellent write ups on the car. Definetely a neat car. It's great to appreciate each of these cars as you get educated about them.

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Jerel


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Interesting comment about the electrical system.  I connected everything, and it was all fine (I did leave the clock disconnected).   I swapped e-mails with the previous (original) owner indicating such, and mentioned they even had the power trunk release disconnected.   She didn't know it had a power trunk release, I guess in 35+ years of ownership she never noticed the green button in the glove compartment.

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70 2+2 convertible
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Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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one thing about Hillar is he had great taste in green cars

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