So an old friend from high school contacted me about a 57 Pontiac that his father wants to be rid of. I guess his health is not good, and does not want to leave his family with a mess of vehicles to clean up....
Anyway... The deal is too good not to pass up, since he is asking $500 but open to offers. I do not know much about the car, and neither does the sellers son.. All I have is the pictures to go by...
He says he has "new"?? bumpers in the basement along with the missing chrome. Car was last started 2 years ago, and has been sitting in the driveway 20+ years. No idea what the powertrain is? and also no idea what model?
If someone could tell me what to look for when inspecting this one,(problem rust areas, etc...) I would appreciate it.
20 years sitting on what is likely gravel or dirt will not have been at all kind to the underside of that car. It appears to be wet on the floor as well. So be prepared and realistic.
The 57 guys will chime in on what to look for.
Cheers and good luck, Mark
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
The car is a Pathfinder not really any problem areas that I know of just floor pans ands things like that. Floor pans are cheap like $40 a side. I would check the frame just to be safe. If he has all the chrome and new bumpers you can't loose. Make sure he has the rear bumper caps because you will not find any that are not rusted to crap. And if you do you will pay through the nose for them. It took me two years to find mine and they were $1100 plus shipping. All the running gear is the same as 57 Chevy some goes for sheet metal all the same except for front fenders.
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1957 Pathfinder deluxe 4 door wagon 1961 Pontiac Parisienne bubble top Traded for a Harley sorry guys.
All the best Jason1 What kind of bike is that in the picture?
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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.
Jason you would have to get it up in the air to really know how bad the floor and frame is. There is no denying that the floor and frame will have extensive rust and if that is the case, it is not worth spending your life savings replacing of the rusty stuff. It sitting that long outside like that is a sure bet for a ton of serious rust. By the look of the car, it must have been a real nice car before the poor outside storage began 20 years ago. The car is an entry level Pathfinder, which was the bottom of the line but it is interesting that it has a Power glide automatic transmission. Most of these cars were 3 speed stick on the column in the lower lines. The car is probably an inline 261 six motor and i would be very surprised if it was an original 283 V-8. All of the under carriage sheet metal is 57 Chevrolet and is all available............... but it is a fortune to buy and to have put in. Jason do not make the same mistake that many of us have made in the past when buying a vintage car, think with your head and not with your heart. My first vintage car was a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air sedan i bought back in the 1970's. I bought this car with my heart not with my head and because of it, i bought a mess that was over my head and had to sell it. Think long and hard about this 57 Pontiac and be realistic about just how much you want to spend, to get her back on the road. I love these 57 Pontiac's and would be glad to give you any information you may need on them. 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
That is some great feedback, I really appreciate the info. Last thing I need is another project as I am knee deep in a frame off restoration of my 74 lemans, and also helping with the fabrication of a 51 ford street rod also in my shop. However this one kind of fell in my lap, and it is something I have wanted. I'm no stranger to rust and have better than average fabrication skills, but have no experience with Tri-5's. The amount of rust will determine what the car ultimately becomes though... If not too far gone I will likely do a 2 door conversion, and make a nice driver out of it. If lots of metal work is needed, I will likely go all out and turn it into a 60's era straight axle gasser car. Thanks again!
At the price you are talking you can sell if for scrap and almost break even and if the bumpers are new as you stated you could sell then for double what you are paying for the car. Also if its a 283 with the Pontiac scripted valve cover you can get $100 easy for them. So in my mind its a no brainer as long as the bumpers are new as stated.
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1957 Pathfinder deluxe 4 door wagon 1961 Pontiac Parisienne bubble top Traded for a Harley sorry guys.
So the snow let up enough today for me to go take a good look at it, and I was surprised to see the body looks better in person. Floors, and dog legs need work. Rocker panels, frame, rad saddle etc... are solid. Sad to see that it is a straight six, and not the 283... Oh well, just means I need to find a Pontiac 421.
I bought it for $350.00 just need to get it home now...
So the snow let up enough today for me to go take a good look at it, and I was surprised to see the body looks better in person. Floors, and dog legs need work. Rocker panels, frame, rad saddle etc... are solid. Sad to see that it is a straight six, and not the 283... Oh well, just means I need to find a Pontiac 421.
Congrats Jason on the purchase of the 57 Pontiac. $350.00 now that is cheap, you got a real sweet deal there. The motor is a 261 inliner and they are great motors, so do not let it scare you. A 421 Pontiac big block sounds like an excellent idea but they are very hard to come by. Do you know of one for sale? You might have an easier time finding a 400 or 389. Jason what are your plans? Do you plan on converting the car to a two door post? I know that has been done but it must be a ton of work. Please feel free to post more photos of the 57 when you get the chance. We all love photos on this site and maybe even a build thread. Keep us posted on any updates on your 57. Let me know if you need any 57 Pontiac info, advise or parts sources. I would be glad to help a fellow 57 Pontiac fan. Good luck with the car Jason. 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
Congrats Jason on the purchase of the 57 Pontiac. $350.00 now that is cheap, you got a real sweet deal there. The motor is a 261 inliner and they are great motors, so do not let it scare you. A 421 Pontiac big block sounds like an excellent idea but they are very hard to come by. Do you know of one for sale? You might have an easier time finding a 400 or 389. Jason what are your plans? Do you plan on converting the car to a two door post? I know that has been done but it must be a ton of work. Please feel free to post more photos of the 57 when you get the chance. We all love photos on this site and maybe even a build thread. Keep us posted on any updates on your 57. Let me know if you need any 57 Pontiac info, advise or parts sources. I would be glad to help a fellow 57 Pontiac fan. Good luck with the car Jason. Cheers. George.
Thanks George! Yes, the plan is to convert it to a two door post mid 60's era Gasser drag car... flip front end, straight axle, correct era wheels etc..Same idea as this Chevy...
I would really like a 421 just to keep it period correct, and yes very hard to come by. I did locate a guy in Indiana (5 hour drive for me) who has a small stock pile of them, so maybe a trip there this summer.. 389 would be my second choice. I do have a 455 sitting in the shop, but that of course would not be period correct.
It's going to be an exciting project and I will for sure post lots of pics of the build in a thread as it happens.
Why not a 348 or 409 the 421 is a American Pontiac motor not that it matters? The 455 has been around since 1968 so I would think it would work in you application they were still building gassers in 68.
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1957 Pathfinder deluxe 4 door wagon 1961 Pontiac Parisienne bubble top Traded for a Harley sorry guys.
Thanks George! Yes, the plan is to convert it to a two door post mid 60's era Gasser drag car... flip front end, straight axle, correct era wheels etc..Same idea as this Chevy...
I would really like a 421 just to keep it period correct, and yes very hard to come by. I did locate a guy in Indiana (5 hour drive for me) who has a small stock pile of them, so maybe a trip there this summer.. 389 would be my second choice. I do have a 455 sitting in the shop, but that of course would not be period correct.
It's going to be an exciting project and I will for sure post lots of pics of the build in a thread as it happens.
Stay tuned!
If its a Canadian Pontiac a 389 or 421 would NOT be period correct
If its a Canadian Pontiac a 389 or 421 would NOT be period correct
I will give you that Carl...
If the car had the 283 in it already I would build it into a screaming 301 ci however it does not. The car will be shown and raced mainly in the USA, and I would be ridiculed by the "poncho fans" for having a sbc in it. They don't quite understand.... Besides, I have been building "Pontiac" engines the last 20 years, and that is what I know, and also allow me to open the hood.
If its a Canadian Pontiac a 389 or 421 would NOT be period correct
I will give you that Carl...
If the car had the 283 in it already I would build it into a screaming 301 ci however it does not. The car will be shown and raced mainly in the USA, and I would be ridiculed by the "poncho fans" for having a sbc in it. They don't quite understand.... Besides, I have been building "Pontiac" engines the last 20 years, and that is what I know, and also allow me to open the hood.
Certainly the part I enjoy most about taking my Canadian Pontiac across the border is opening the hood to reveal my Canadian Pontiac engine. The Americans insist it is a Chevy Big Block but they are wrong.
-- Edited by 73SC on Tuesday 4th of February 2014 12:42:47 AM
If its a Canadian Pontiac a 389 or 421 would NOT be period correct
I will give you that Carl...
If the car had the 283 in it already I would build it into a screaming 301 ci however it does not. The car will be shown and raced mainly in the USA, and I would be ridiculed by the "poncho fans" for having a sbc in it. They don't quite understand.... Besides, I have been building "Pontiac" engines the last 20 years, and that is what I know, and also allow me to open the hood.
Jason, i am sure that when you have that 57 Pontiac gasser looking high and proud on that straight axel, that big Pontiac mill (389, 400, 421, 455) will look smoking hot under the flip front end. Pontiac built some really amazing motors and i do not blame you for wanting one of those famous mills under the flip front hood of your drag racing gasser. 348's and especially 409's would be more expensive to build than a big "real" Pontiac big block. The fact that you are adept at building Pontiac motors makes a ton of sense going that route. Jason good luck with your 57 Pontiac build and please try not to forget keeping the brotherhood here informed of any updates. 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
Jason i have a question for you, regarding your 57 Pontiac gasser build. Where the heck would you find a 57 Pontiac fiberglass flip front end for your project? You might have to fabricate that one your self brother. 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
If its a Canadian Pontiac a 389 or 421 would NOT be period correct
I will give you that Carl...
If the car had the 283 in it already I would build it into a screaming 301 ci however it does not. The car will be shown and raced mainly in the USA, and I would be ridiculed by the "poncho fans" for having a sbc in it. They don't quite understand.... Besides, I have been building "Pontiac" engines the last 20 years, and that is what I know, and also allow me to open the hood.
Certainly the part I enjoy most about taking my Canadian Pontiac across the border is opening the hood to reveal my Canadian Pontiac engine. The Americans insist it is a Chevy Big Block but they are wrong.
-- Edited by 73SC on Tuesday 4th of February 2014 12:42:47 AM
Nice car Ray!
I took this picture of my 74 with Pontiac power as it was coming apart for frame off.
If the car had the 283 in it already I would build it into a screaming 301 ci however it does not. The car will be shown and raced mainly in the USA, and I would be ridiculed by the "poncho fans" for having a sbc in it. They don't quite understand.... Besides, I have been building "Pontiac" engines the last 20 years, and that is what I know, and also allow me to open the hood.
Certainly the part I enjoy most about taking my Canadian Pontiac across the border is opening the hood to reveal my Canadian Pontiac engine. The Americans insist it is a Chevy Big Block but they are wrong.
Nice car Ray!
I took this picture of my 74 with Pontiac power as it was coming apart for frame off.
Sorry I was confused I thought you lived in Canada most Americans are die hard "real " Pontiac fans
