I'm thinking Carl is going to have bad case of optionitis (his phrase) for the next year or so.
Especially, there is going to be a real scrap for the last 5 or 6 unbroken Grande emblems that exist in Canada!
I have mixed feelings about this as i was always counting on Carl to cough up money for mine if I ever needed quick cash. oh Well back to RSP's i guess.
Wash and inspect time at the dealership tonight...
I found a little bit more body work from the past than I saw on my first look (but I had allowed for that, that's the way it always goes) Nothing brutal. He told me he had done some minor rust repair when he painted it for his uncle (original owner) about 12 years ago.
Trunk mounts are both needing repair, maybe 30% rotted away. Typical. Trunk floor has been patched at the mounts, very nice repair.
Looks like both front and rear windows leak, need resealed. Again, typical. He told me the trunk gets wet so I'm assuming dry old butyl tape or rusty rear window channel.
Ugly undercoating underneat that is starting to peel. Under that is nice virgin floors it seems. I like!
3.31 12 bolt, no posi according to the DD code on the housing. Makes sense, I think that is standard ratio on 283 powerglide.
-4 sets of keys, 2 sets being the originals with codes still intact, never been punched out! Other 2 sets are cut on proper original old style GM blanks.
-NO soft spots in the frame.
-Had dual exhaust at some point and it has both the proper muffler hanger and tailpipe hanger, GM OEM parts! Makes sense, apparently the original owner was Parts Manager at Community Chev in Winnipeg for quite a while.
-Can't find any soft spots in the floors.
All in all, I've very happy. Yes, it needs lots of work if I want a show car but I don't want a show car. I want a 427 4 speed GP I can drive and enjoy!
I sure had fun at work today. I had the car in the back on the trailer and was taking questions about it all day long! The cruncher was the electrician who was doing some work in our service area that we added on to. He happened to meet me out on the yard, near the car. First thing he says? "I had a 66 Grande Parisienne (bonus, he knows the exact year and model) that was Turqouise coloured, 396 automatic!!!)
Another time I had to run to my truck to get something and happened to meet one of our son's classmates driving through the yard. He had talked to Parker at school and I guess Parker told him dad has the car at work today. He scoots over to where I am and says "Parker likes the Acadian better than this? I'd take this car WAY sooner!"
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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
I just had to revisit this thread to have a look at your car Carl. I even dug out my 1966 sales brochure to flip through.
Without a doubt this has to be one , if not the niceset Canadian Pontiac ever produced. Congratulations once again.
Thanks Ray. I certainly agree, some serious styling went in to the 66 GP.
I remember when I bought my first one, the black automatic car. I was 17. Everyone was telling me what a beautiful car it was and at that time, it was only 9 years old. When you think about it, that car is certainly not the first choice of cars for a 17 year old car nut!
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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
I'm trying not to hog all the air time here but I can't help myself Brad!!! It's been a long time coming. Years ago I started telling people that of all the cars I've ever had and sold, the only one I'd like to have back or replace is the 4 speed 66 Grande Parisienne. The other one was a 65 Canso SD but that only took me from 75 until 86 to replace it!
I appreciate that you guys are all so willing to humour me when I'm so excited about this finally happening!
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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
You shouldn't, you should be worried! You know how you've helped me with Acadian parts in the past, picking up and storing them for me? Now those parts are going to be a lot bigger and heavier!
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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
The 66 looks really good, did you find a build sheet anywhere yet carl??
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1967 2dr Biscayne. L36, M40, G80, K05, F41. #'s. 1967 Impala convert. 283, glide. Parked in the garage since 74 and hasn't moved. Soon to be BB 4speed.
Congrats on the new car Carl, it looks like a beauty!!! Its always great to see both a deserving owner and deserving car find each other!
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"So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think... The good outnumber you, and we always will." Patton Oswalt
Congratulations! That's really nice you were able to fulfill your dream! So is that one for you? No sharing with children? Enjoy it and keep us posted!
Yup, this one is dad's!
Funny, when I brought it home, I heard a lot of negative "boat" type comments. Last night I gave it a good wash and vacuum. Today it was parked out in the sun on the cement pad in front of the house and numerous comments were made but now they are a lot more positive!
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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
Congrats on the new car Carl, it looks like a beauty!!! Its always great to see both a deserving owner and deserving car find each other!
Thanks Geoff. I know it's not the car for everyone. Some like luxury cars, some like muscle cars, some like the pro touring stuff etc etc. Anyone who knows me well, knows this car is "me" though, besides the slight Acadian attraction !
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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
The 66 looks really good, did you find a build sheet anywhere yet carl??
Curiosity got the better of me. I pulled the metal back off the driver's bucket, and there it was!
Proves once again, F40 gives you a 12 bolt, even with a 283 Powerglide.
Not much to say, tint windshield, heavy duty suspension, power brakes, block heater, power steering, wheel covers, am radio.
The interesting thing is, it has everything for a rear defog except the defogger unit! Switch and full harness is there, no unit. Must have been a dealer installed since it's not on the build sheet.
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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
!