should i restore my 1964 Pontiac Parisienne Custom Sport convertible? it's all original original paint, brakes, top, interior, chrome 53000 original miles 327 Pontiac engine 250 horsepower model dark blue white interior with white top family owner since new in 1964 have all the original papers and all receipts from work done on it since 1964 (proves correct mileage) paint is scratched to hell
Nice car! Welcome!!! Are we just talking about paint scratches? No major rust/holes? With all that history, leave it as is!!!! It looks like you might just have to replace the top, right?
-- Edited by Pontiacanada on Wednesday 1st of September 2010 09:18:10 AM
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Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
Wow, awsome car! As was stated before, they are only original once. If it were mine I would go the non-destructive clean up route. A new top is in order, otherwise I'd go with Simplygreen & wax.
One neighbor of mine had a gorgeous 1964 Parisienne Custom Sport convertible in Silver Blue with a black top & interior, 283 (I think) & a Powerglide. She owned it since new (it was mint) & her late husband owned a Verdoro Green 1969 GTO coupe; he died in 1971 & she died in 1982.
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67 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe, Oshawa-built 250 PG never disturbed.
In garage, 296 cid inline six & TH350...
Cam, Toronto.
I don't judge a man by how far he's fallen, but by how far back he bounces - Patton
definately needs a new top and there is 2 - 4" holes in the floor (see pics close to mufflers) there really is a LOTS of scratches and dents all over i did a really good wax and it didn't help the moulding around the windows need replacement since the metal is rusted and it has expanded (makes it difficult to close them)
Here is the thing, if you go the restoration route and take it all apart you will probably not drive this car for a few years depending on how much desposable income you have. The way the car looks to me its in dam good shape and is a driver right now. I would spend money only on the top if indeed thats a rip I am seeing. Power wash the engine and compartment and do a little detail clean up on it. Repaint the block and valve covers and air cleaner that kind of thing. Enjoy the car. I have had mine apart since the 88 . The only time I drove it was when I brought it home. You have a little gem there so enjoy it as is.
as far as i know, probably some of you can tell me otherwise the only things that have been changed are the Gabriel chocks 1973, mufflers 1977, tires 1984, battery 2010 the car was sitting for the last 4 years so i changed the battery and it started right up
-- Edited by locomotion on Wednesday 1st of September 2010 10:44:17 AM
This is a tough choice for any one ........without a good look at the car i CAN'T MAKE THAT CALL FOR YOU!! I can only say that it is nice to leave a car all original as long as, it is not starting to rust out. If it is starting to have rust spots appear that are only getting worse..I would be all for a restoration!! Better to stop it before it becomes a really big job and a lot more work. On the other hand if it is only a few small spots that arn't getting any worse I'd probably say let it go another year and then reassess next year!! Don't let the small dents and scratches make up your mind...thats just patina. And a new roof is easy and won't hurt the original look at all. Just my 2 cents worth. Beautifull Car!!!
-- Edited by grande jim on Wednesday 1st of September 2010 10:24:22 AM
I have to agree with the other guys...., try & keep her as original as possible..... maybe just clean up as much as you can...... firstly enjoy the car for a bit before deciding on a total resto. if the dents & scratches are really bad..... maybe have them 'touched up'... this should not keep the car off the road for too long...
From your description: I'd fix the floor pan holes/braces (and any other little rusty places) and undercoat it (Rust Check). Give it a freshening up under the hood (cleaning, paint, etc.). Do the top. Replace the window trim and fuzzies (rubber if it needs it) Just fix what you have to (I notice your passenger vent crank handle is broken). These are all things you can do easily (the parts are available). As for front fenders rear quarters, exterior trim/script, and most of the interior they are '64 Parisienne only!
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Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
I agree with Pontiacanada, fix what needs to be taken care of to preserve the car in its original state for as long as possible and if you need a vent handle, i'll have to check at home, I might have a new one in the bag.
Quess what my quest is now other than my original Beaumont- a 64 Pont Custom Sport Convertible - I need one, beautiful car, enjoy.
no the crank is there in good shape , it's just that the picture is head on unfortunately 67custom the car will never be for sale i'm the third owner , after my grandfather and my mom and it will be passed on btw, how do you remove those wondow crank, i want to see behing the door panels?
Didn't think or expected you to sell, just nice to put the word out- you never know who will read it.
As far as the handles they have spring loaded clips on the back and the easiest way is to get a handle removal tool, you can get them fairly cheap at Princess Auto and if you push the panel back at the handle you'll be able to see them, i bet someone has a picture of the tool and clip.
true, i can't believe how many people come on this site very popular site and very well put together the replies come quick and you guys seem to know a lot about these cars
When you say "Restore", I always groan "Body off". But there is absolutly nothing wrong with completing all the small little cosmetic repairs your car might need. As well, anything mechanical needing attention is certainly somthing you can pick away at as you have the time. A quick clean up of the engine compartment is always very satisfying, without breaking the bank. Most anything rubber can, and will usually need to be replaced. Re-doing the suspension for more performance without altering the look is the way to go imop if you plan on more "spirited" driving. My 67's getting that treatment, it's therapy for me to lose myself in that work.
I'm of the opinion that a mostly original car with a "patina of age" cartainly adds to it's appeal, more so when it's a true survivor, and it's only that way once...it's earned that look over many years.
One more thing about having a car with all those little dings and scratches...you don't sweat driving it, just drive it like it was driven when it was just another car on the road in the 60's. When out in mine, it usually gets parked where a spot can be found, windows down. Nobody ever bothers it, people seem to respect it more than any modern appliance, and if it gets another mark...oh well! I gravitate to any and all the "patina" cars at shows. Anyone can get a car painted.
Your car is part of your family history, so don't erase the canvas completly! Just add your signature to it.
Cheers and welcome! Mark.
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
Beautiful 64 Pontiac. Don't restore it just fix the bad spots and leave the rest of the car alone. Nothing ever drives as nice as an original X frame car. The other issue is if you can't literally do EVERYTHING yourself 2 things will happen:
1. You'll have to take it to various shops to get the work done. Something will go wrong. Then everybody is blaming the previous guy for making a "mistake" or not "doing it the way I would have". I have seen this happen more times than I would like and it usually results in the car owner being broke, and unhappy with the car.
2. A "restoration" usually starts out with good intentions, but will usually snowball out of control to the point that it is no longer a hobby and the car is no longer a "driver".
Ask the losers that make comments about the scratches in the paint where there 64 Custom Sport convertible is? Oh thats right you don't have one. Also remember this car is 46 years old and it looks AMAZING! So be very careful what you do with that car because it truly is a survivor.
I'm a big fan of originality. Fix what needs fixing to give a safe ride and then massage the rest. Great story - keep it original as long as possible. There will come a day when it will need most everything, but not yet.
I would consider your car to be a top quality "BENCHMARK" car.
meaning that your car is so original, that everyone trying to restore a Canadian built 64 chevy or pontiac will be breaking down your door to get a look at your car!
Things like the original colors of underhood items, routing of exhaust, markings on the original upper rad hose, decals, bolt head markings, firewall writing and grease pencil markings, overspray details, etc, etc.
DONT CHANGE A THING!!! Just keep it clean and, for god sake, dont ever paint it!
P.S. not that you care about resale value(because your car will never be for sale) I would say your car is worth its max in its current contition. Given its exceptionaly good condition, a repaint, or a new top, or a new interior, would significantly DE-VALUE the car.
Also keep in mind, the genuine original GM part is the best quality. Repro stuff is crap in comparison.
-- Edited by beaumontguru on Wednesday 1st of September 2010 09:30:53 PM
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Beaumontguru
MY BEAUMONT HAS 4 STUDDED TIRES AND 2 BLOCKHEATERS......AND LOTS OF OIL UNDERNEATH. The other one has a longer roof.
...as you can see from my pic I kinda like your type of car!! My son and I went a little 'hot rod' with ours with 20's, Air-Ride and Cherry Bomb duals but with those low miles and it being essentially original, I'd put a new top on it, get a good detail service to power-wax the paint as best they can, give the engine bay a shampoo and maybe add a little detail work to clean it up (since we're not total purists we will fully detail our engine bay to original, add a little chrome here and there, and it does have a Edelbrock + Holley 4 bbl.) and then get behind the wheel and wheel 'er around town and show 'er off! And a hint for everyone: don't be afraid to chat up the movie and TV people in your area. Ours and a buddy's Caddie ragtop may be appearing in a commercial and an upcoming movie made out here on the Coast. The production guys are always looking for vintage cars and they'll pay good bucks to rent them for a few days. Just make certain of the exact usage - no abusin' the wheels I'm cruisin"!!
That's a great car and I think you should cherish its originality...
I tend to agree with the general advice you are getting to maybe do some touch ups (rust repair maybe) but keep it pretty much as original as possible.
Can some of the dents be worked out by a paintless dent repair pro?
-- Edited by Carl Stevenson on Thursday 2nd of September 2010 07:44:40 AM
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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
When you say "Restore", I always groan "Body off". But there is absolutly nothing wrong with completing all the small little cosmetic repairs your car might need. As well, anything mechanical needing attention is certainly somthing you can pick away at as you have the time. A quick clean up of the engine compartment is always very satisfying, without breaking the bank. Most anything rubber can, and will usually need to be replaced. Re-doing the suspension for more performance without altering the look is the way to go imop if you plan on more "spirited" driving. My 67's getting that treatment, it's therapy for me to lose myself in that work.
I'm of the opinion that a mostly original car with a "patina of age" cartainly adds to it's appeal, more so when it's a true survivor, and it's only that way once...it's earned that look over many years.
One more thing about having a car with all those little dings and scratches...you don't sweat driving it, just drive it like it was driven when it was just another car on the road in the 60's. When out in mine, it usually gets parked where a spot can be found, windows down. Nobody ever bothers it, people seem to respect it more than any modern appliance, and if it gets another mark...oh well! I gravitate to any and all the "patina" cars at shows. Anyone can get a car painted.
Your car is part of your family history, so don't erase the canvas completly! Just add your signature to it.
I would consider your car to be a top quality "BENCHMARK" car.
meaning that your car is so original, that everyone trying to restore a Canadian built 64 chevy or pontiac will be breaking down your door to get a look at your car!
Things like the original colors of underhood items, routing of exhaust, markings on the original upper rad hose, decals, bolt head markings, firewall writing and grease pencil markings, overspray details, etc, etc.
DONT CHANGE A THING!!! Just keep it clean and, for god sake, dont ever paint it!
P.S. not that you care about resale value(because your car will never be for sale) I would say your car is worth its max in its current contition. Given its exceptionaly good condition, a repaint, or a new top, or a new interior, would significantly DE-VALUE the car.
Also keep in mind, the genuine original GM part is the best quality. Repro stuff is crap in comparison.
-- Edited by beaumontguru on Wednesday 1st of September 2010 09:30:53 PM
hey Guru , are you saying i shouldn't even do the top? it's falling apart in the back pretty bad
