It is my pleasure to feature two very interesting 1960 Pontiac Laurentians this month. Both cars are right hand drive as they were sold new in New Zealand. Gayne is the owner of these two Lauarentians and they both lead a charmed life as wedding cars. Gayne's son Logan fills in the details:
Gaynes 1960 Pontiac Laurentians
My father (Gayne) is the owner of these Pontiacs. He has always been into classic cars, and mostly General Motors, with the odd Hudson and a sprinkling of British cars. Over the years he has been collecting 1960 Pontiacs, among other things, and it occured to him that turning them into Wedding Cars is a great reason to restore them to their original glory and have them still driving on the road, always in immaculate condition.
The Ponty with the white number plate was originally my Great Grandfathers, and he bought it brand new on 09/08/1960. He owned her for three years, the ownership papers show that there were three more owners after him. Finding her was pure luck though. In 1995 Dad was driving about 30 miles from home, and spotted her lurking amongst other relics on the roadside. It had a 283 and 3 spd manual from new, unusual for a NZ Pontiac as most had a 261 with 3 spd manual. We reconditioned the 283 and put a powerglide behind it.
Above: My Great Grandfather Cliff Jacobs with Pontiac when new. Below: The second owners of the car donated this picture.
Below: As found on roadside 1995.
A couple of years later, dad bought another 1960 Pontiac off a friend. This one was in great condition for its age, and in fact was still driving. It came with a 261, which has since been upgraded to a 283 with a TH350.
Below: The Pontiac Dad bought off a friend.
You would think acquiring the cars would be the hard part, but compared to the panel and paint, it was an easy task. We ended up using a total of FIVE different panel beaters/painters. It was one problem followed by another. The first panel beater painted the cars in 3 different shades. We only found out after that he was colour blind, and had painted the doors, boot and bonnet off the car on separate days. So, strip the paint off and onto the next panel/paint guy who promised the world. They ended up sitting in his workshop for 2 years with minimal work done, so we pulled out of there. It went onto another panel beater, who got it ready for paint. We then found another painter who started with a hiss and a roar. He got the first car painted very nicely and was to start panel work on the second. But he got lazy, smoked a bit to much green, so the remaining car was pulled out. Dad was sceptical of any other panel/paint guys, so when he got an offer from a panelbeater that the remaining car would have the panel work and paint done within 2 weeks, he thought 'Yeah right!'. But true to his word this guy got it all done in the allotted time. Now why didn't we find him first!
Difference in shade by colour blind painter.
There were numerous other troubles encountered along the way, such as buying three windscreens from the USA, and two arriving fine but the third one with a massive crack. Not packaged properly but the seller wouldn't take any blame. Two still came out cheaper than one windscreen sourced locally though.
The engine out of Great Grandfathers Ponty was sent to the reconditioners. Upon getting it back and taking the car for the first run, two valves seized and bent two pushrods. Head came off, back to reconditioners, fixed, put back together and back into car. Took for drive and a valve on the other head seized, so back to reconditioners. A lot of time wasted.
On the second Ponty, we had the TH350 reconditioned. On the first test drive with the recond TH350, we went around a corner, luckily not far from home, and heard a small bang and tinkle tinkle as various parts and a spring bounced across the road, along with numerous litres of transmission fluid. Had to tow back home, rang transmission man who wouldn't come fix his **** up, so hire a trailer, load it up and take it to him. It had just had it's paintjob, so you can see where this is going can't you.... As dad was unstrapping the car, the transmission guy pulled the pin in the front of the trailer without having the winch engaged. VIIIIZZZZZZZ was all we heard as 2 ton of Pontiac shot back and painted the side of the trailer green. Needless to say, he is never getting any business from us again.
And our newest addition on the right, bought from a man in Whanganui earlier this year. Let the fun begin again!
The first two Pontiacs are up and running and are great fun to drive, especially with the looks and comments we get while doing weddings, and boy do those bridesmaids love those big back seats ...
Thanks for the interest in the cars, and a big thanks to Todd from Canadian Poncho for wanting to do a feature on our cars. It's always neat to see other peoples builds and how it is done around the world.
Well I would like to welcome you and congratulate you from western Canada. You have done an amazing job with your cars and what a great idea to give your cars exposure and create memories.
What a Great Story and beautiful cars, yes lots of room in these classics, Would love to go to NZ and visit my buddy Neil Ross and who knows, look at some great cars.
Very Neat story!!! Congrats on having 2 great 60's!!! Now on to the next one...LOL
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1960 Pontiac Strato Chief Safari 1960 Laurentian Safari 1960 Laurentian 4door(scrapped) 2001 Grand Am Traded on a '96 Suburban 2WD 2002 Hyundai Accent(SOLD) 1968 Grand Parisienne Scrapped and SOLD
'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.
Beautiful beautiful beautiful looking sweet 1960 PONTIAC's you got there mate. I love the 1959/1960 Chevrolet dash clusters on those right hand Pontiac's. I caught a program on speed vision once on how big the old car scene is there in New Zealand, IT IS HUGE and the quality of cars is amazing there in New Zealand as well. I enjoyed reading the story on your many 1960 Pontiac's. Continued good luck with them. Cheers mate. George.
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1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six
1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8
Nice cars and very interesting story. Your "before" pictures and those of the still to be restored cars suggest that you live in a mild climate and that they don't use salt on your roads.
Awesome cars!! Would love to see these in person on my next trip to New Zealand!! Good chance I'm heading over late this year, my god-daughter lives in Auckland. I was amazed on my last trip how many older American car's there are, quite a few muscle car's too! For those that have this country on their list of places to see, take it from me it's just an awesome country to visit! People are friendly and easy going, been there twice and had an awesome experience. Even did the jump off the SkyTower in down town Auckland, what a rush!
Anyone notice that all three cars were "GREEN' org.??? Nice cars & fantastic work!!! Brought back memories of a 60 Pontiac 4dr. Blk. that I had way back when. Bought it off my uncle as he had put a lien on it for repairs done at his garage!! Burned 3 qts. of oil in 2 days, Took it to a ESSO diagnostic centre at Eglington & Burmundsey. They had to open both doors while it was on the Dyno to clear the smoke out of shop!! That poor ol 261 was POOCHED!!! Think thats why I have a 'dis like" for 6 cyl's. to this day!!!!!
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Some times I wake up GRUMPY, but today I let her sleep in !!!!!!!!BLACKSTOCK Ont.
