Corinne Eckert has many fond memories riding around in her parents 1968 Pontiac. These great memories inspired her to buy and restore her very own '68 Pontiac. We're happy to have Corinne's beautiful Parisienne as our August Feature Car. Take it away Corinne!
I bought my '68 Pontiac Parisienne 25 years ago from an older couple in Edmonton. It was their baby and had tears when they let it go to me. I assured them that it was going to a good home and I would take very good care of it. The car was blue with a blue vinyl roof - the interior was in great shape. I did however want to get rid of a bit of rust on the car and also change the color as well. Within a few days of owning it, I gave it to a local body shop to start their magic.
They had it for 3 months.
I was extremely happy with the work they had done. The color was now Garnet red with a white roof, they cleaned up under the hood and painted it black as well as painting the motor original orange. I have been driving it every summer, almost daily since then...and still loving it.
I have kept up maintaining the inside a bit each year, new stereo, reupholstered the front seat, armrests, but not really much to do.
Last year (25 years later) I had body work done again...rust waits for no man. It was bubbling up around the wheel wells and taillights. It went into a body shop again for 3 months. I made the color a tad darker this time, which is now Deep Cherry Pearl and the roof is an off white. I guess the car and I are "maturing" together. Ha Ha.
I also had the engine freshened up...new carb. camshaft, fuel pump and other odds and ends.
I even had my side mirror rechromed. She hasn't purred this good for many years. I feel sooo good cruizin' in my Pontiac and never plan to get rid of it. The reason I bought this car was because I had grown up in the identical car that my parents owned. (which is now my parts car, how handy!) I am comfortable driving my big boat and take great pride in it. Future work I need to do at this point is recoring my Rad. ....and ......Yup, that's about it.....I hope!!
Corinne, that is one sweet looking 68 you have there.......... i love it. Owning a car that brings back such fond memories of one's parents and childhood is a wonderful way to keep the memories alive. I have done the very same thing with my two oldies. That is interesting that you kept your parents original 68 for parts. Continued good memories in your time machine. 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
Congratulations Corinne, as stated nice colour choice. Did you and the car ever make it back to the older couple? To let them see the great care you are taking of the car.
Hey, thanks everybody for the Congrat's and cool comments. Many nice vehicles have been featured on this site and I am truly honored to be a part of it. I really enjoy seeing the Parisienne's coming out of the woodwork. I don't see too many around my area. Better yet, I enjoy seeing any Pontiac's on the road as I cruise. I did let the past owner's know that I restored the car....the first time and I have tried to reach them again this summer to let them know I do indeed still have the car. I can't seem to locate them or any relations. I have not given up yet. I am also trying to get in touch with the dealership that the car originally came from. They haven't returned my calls or fax's. They used to be called H.J. Foster Motors Ltd. in Agincourt. ON. and now I am thinking that Foster Pontiac is their current name. I sure would like to let them know that I have a car that came from their dealership.