Hi Todd. Yes a 58 Bonneville will be longer than a Parisienne! The Parisienne overall length is 207.72" whereas the Bonneville is 211.7. All the extra length is on the front end! All the body components are the same from windshield back! Another way is to look at the dash cluster! If it is a US car it will have the four gauges! If Canadian, unfortunately just two gauges and two idiot lights! I have converted my car over to full gauges, using a US cluster! They are both the same in size! Anything else just pm me as I have a full library of info on both Canadian and US 58 Pontiacs. Bob.
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1965 Thunderbird Special Landau 10th Anniversary Limited Edition only 4500 built 34,800 miles
Thanks Bob. What we need to find out is if this car is a true Bonne Ragtop and not converted from a hardtop. We need to know if there are any tell tale signs to prove it's origin.
Thanks Bob. What we need to find out is if this car is a true Bonne Ragtop and not converted from a hardtop. We need to know if there are any tell tale signs to prove it's origin. Thanks Todd
Is there a boxed frame? Is there different frame spec's on these models between hardtop and convertible? Some convertibles have different striker plates or guides in the door jamb. A lot of cloners forget the little details. Factory diagrams, anyone?
The car was purchased by the same fellow who bought my Dodge. He bought it at Mecum last year. He get's the car and realizes there isn't a body tag- just the VIN. The VIN says Bonneville but that's it. He needs to know what to look for to determine if this car was born without a roof.
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1. Why no cowl tag? Very suspicious. Who would throw that away, especially if the car was "restored" ???
2. Who cares? If it is a nice car and the owning/driving is enjoyable, what difference does it make? If it is an "investment" then that queston should have been answered before spending the money - and don't get me started on buying cars as an "investment" eh?
3. I sold the rusted-out hulk of my 1966 SS396 convertible to a guy (a body man) who was going to cut out the convertible top parts and put my cowl tag on a rust-free hardtop, and my opinion then (same now) was "Great! My old car will live another life." Whether or not he used the frame stiffeners that were unique to the convertibles from my car on his frame, I do not know (I never saw the car when he was finished with it). But I agree with Earl, extra cross members or other stiffeners on the frame were the norm for GM back then - look for it.
4. "Bought my Dodge" ???!!! Did I miss something, that way cool 59 Dodge of yours is gone???!!!
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
From what I understand he likely was bidding from Austria. When you spend Bonneville ragtop money you want to be sure it's legit. I would imagine it is as it would be insane to cut a real Bonneville. Yes, the Dodge is sold. The Dodge is a great car and a good investment (likely a $75K car restored) but I just don't have the ambition to do a full restoration anymore. I'm still dealing with some minor health issues and would rather do minor maintenance and drive my cars.
1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod