Hello Fellow Pontiac Lover. Does any one have any imfo. on a 1970 Pontiac Strato Chief? I'm looking to buy one but i would like to know if they are a easy car to work on.
Very easy. All mechanical, frame, suspension and most electrical components are the same as a 70 Impala. Upholstery I believe is the same as Chevy Biscayne although there was only a 4 door Biscayne. I say go for it! I would assume a 70 Strato is fairly rare.
what engine / transmission / differential? Disc or drum front brakes? Power steering?
I guess I'd say I know as much about the 1970 Full Size Canadian Pontiacs as anyone, and they're very easy to work on. Locating replacement sheet metal can be a challenge, but mechanically they're the same as a 1970 Full Size Chevrolet.
The interior is very similar to a 1969 Pontiac (basically the same dash).
This is the car. The guy that own's it want to trade me for my 56. Don't know if it's a good deal or not
Just remember your going to have to pay TAX on the 70's appraised value, & if you low ball it,put it in your name unfit,then wait a mth or two before lic. it & also have other party low ball the 56, so you can say you had to put $$$ into it before saftey or you'll get caught up in tax fraud as MOT & insurance computors are tied together now!! Will stand out like a "sore thumb" if you appr. it at 5 grand one week & then insure it for 15 grand the next week!!!!!!
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Some times I wake up GRUMPY, but today I let her sleep in !!!!!!!!BLACKSTOCK Ont.
I agree with this comment. A 70 Stato Chief is nothing special, however it does offer drivability over a stock 56 vintage car. I had my 57 Chevy for many years, it had a stock 235 cid straight 6, and poweglide transmission. While it was a very solid car, I wouldn't want to drive it over a hundred miles or so each way, and top speed was basically 60 mph. Modernizing to a 70, I think nothing of driving 500 or 600 miles a day, continuing the next day. And it cruises comfortably in excess of 80 mph.
The 70, especially if equipped with disc brakes and power steering will offer much more than a stock 56. It's a bit of a tough call, and all depends on what you're looking for.
I'm presuming your 56 is a Cdn Pontiac, and if so there really isn't a big collector market for either the 56 or the 70.
This is the car. The guy that own's it want to trade me for my 56. Don't know if it's a good deal or not
If you are looking for opinions my opinion is Bad Deal. I'd keep the 56 over the 70 Strato.
I'll go with Ray on this one, Think you'll be sorry after the 56 is gone, I know I was when I traded off my 56 Chevy wagon [327 4spd] for a 70 Catalina rag top 400 auto. Put Mega bucks into it just to get it certified, but of course he said it needed "nothing" to certify" That was 25yrs. ago & I still kick my self, but it did get me into the Pontiac attack!!!
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Some times I wake up GRUMPY, but today I let her sleep in !!!!!!!!BLACKSTOCK Ont.
Thanks guys, I have thought about this trade and decided to keep my 56. and spend some money and upgrade the brakes and steering. Thanks your opinions are greatly valued. Tuna
i have a 55 gmc (driver) and a 70 2+2 (project) and with upgrade to the drive train I've already driven the 55 to the east-coast 3 times, and numerous times into the states. the only problem I've had so far is the starter and what blew me away was that the local napa (eastern seaboard distribution warehouse in moncton) didn't have one so i just replace the solenoid. So as for driveability you can get most parts at a local ctc. you did the right choice keeping the old girl. wouldn't hurt to add to the corral thou.
-- Edited by Stephenzone on Sunday 20th of June 2010 09:06:19 PM
