For March I am pleased to feature George Dejesus' impeccable 1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe Sedan. I think it's safe to say that this is the nicest 57 Pathfinder Deluxe Sedan in existence. George did a fantastic job on the restoration. His attention to detail and correctness (not easy on a Canadian Pontiac) is clearly evident. George tells us more about his great Canadian Poncho:
"My dad owned the same identical vehicle from 1959 to 1970. I grew up as a kid in the 1960's with a 1957 Pontiac that became my dads second vehicle in 1967, when he purchased a new 1967 Buick Special Sedan. The 1957 Pontiac always meant a lot to me and in 1995 i started getting serious about finding one. In May of 1996 i found one in Omemee, Ontario. The car had to be just like my dads in every regard and this car was except for the two tone green paint. I went through the car front to back making sure this car was safe and dependable to drive. I rebuilt or replaced everything possible that was mechanical first and then drove the car and enjoyed the car until October of 1997 with its two tone green paint. I decided that i was going all out in building a show worthy 1957 Pontiac without going to the total expense of doing a body off.
The car was very solid being a western car from Alberta so body work was very minimal. The car was originally sold new by a dealer called AMOS in Medicine Hat, Alberta. The car has been in Ontario since 1979. This 1957 Pontiac was missing all the usual body rot in the rockers, body mounts and floor and that was what sold me on this car.
The body is amazingly solid and only required minor body work. It was an extensive body on restoration, everything came off the body including all chrome, glass, front clip, doors, all dash parts etc. I was a few bolts away from a body off but did not want to spend the added money and time to do so.
I did all of the work on this car with the exception of exterior paint, headliner install and engine bottom end work. In May of 1998 i finished the car, it was a marathon because i stayed steady on it for eight months.
Since finishing the car in May of 1998 i have put on just over 30.000 miles on her, i know this because i zeroed the odometer when i rebuilt the dash parts. I painted the car silver and white because my dads car was this colour. I have built my dads 1957 Pontiac except i have taken many liberties by adding many factory and dealer accessory options.
I show this car in memory of my late father Anthony (1927-1993), it was always his favorite of all the many GM cars he owned. I have been enjoying this wonderful car now for 16 years and i will continue to do so. I never had any intention of making this car a trailer queen or garage prop, i built it to be driven and along the way i got a few awards with it.
The motivation for this 57 is the trusty reliable 261 inline six cyinder motor backed up by the three speed standard stick on the coloum.
I have done everything possible to this wonderful vehicle and now its just about driving it and enjoying it. Thanks for listening. Cheers. George."
Enjoyed your story very much George. I have been fortunate enough to have seen George's car in person many times and as Carl likes to say its even nicer in person.
Driving a solid old bomb like that with standard steering, brakes, 3-in-the-tree and a torquey six makes you drive with a completely different rhythm. Good for you for driving it. A friend's older brother got in a multi-car accident in Wisconsin with the same car, a 57 Laurentian. It suffered a little goose egg bump on the bumper, but the car it connected with was destroyed. Great job on it George. I love the attention to detail!
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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
Todd thank you very very much for featuring my baby, it is so very much appreciated brother. A real labour of passion in preserving our Canadian automotive history. I always drive and show this vehicle with great pride and along the way i have had a lot of fun with it. Future plans are a few more factory and dealer accessories and lots of driving. I would like to thank all the CANADIAN PONCHO brotherhood on here for all the kind words, it is very appreciated. Thanks again folks and cheers. George.
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1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six
1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8
Agreed. Some nice detail work on there George. It also happens to be one of my favourites from the pre 1965 years. I learned to appreciate the beauty of the 57's when my grade 8 music teacher drove her convert to school. As stated, that front end is impressive.
Nice to see it being well used too.
Congratulations.
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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 and welcome to the club! I'm finding myself beginning to really appreciate the 50's Pontiacs, and your car really hits home just how nice they can really be. It's easy to imagine how proud a person would be bringing such a car home from the dealership in 57, it has so much eye candy inside and out! The white over silver really adds a subtle modern touch to the car that any green could really never give it. Cheers, Mark
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
Fantastic. I'd be proud to be seen it that car. Once my firetruck is complete, a 56/57 poncho is at the TOP of my list. It was always on my mind, but this beauty really makes me want one.....a 4dr too. Damn nice, and more than deserving of a feature car.
Interesting rear bumper ends, not like other 57's:
Dave
Dave these bumper end caps on this 57 is what they should look like on a Canadian 57 Pontiac. My caps were repaired before i bought the car. They will be replaced when i find a solid pair to rechrome. Dave your American 57 Pontiacs had bumper end caps that had holes in the centres for the exhaust outlets. Our Canadian Pontiacs never had these exhaust outlet end caps. Thank you for the kind words. Cheers. George.
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1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six
1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8