I've seen that one on eBay. The same seller has a number of PEI car-related news clippings. This ad is right after Hillside took over as a Charlottetown Pontiac dealer from Allison MacLeod Ltd.
I bought my truck at Hillside.
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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.
Is Hillside still working out of an old building, or have they updated along the way?
A totally modern facility. They sell a lot of GMC/Chev trucks ... lots of truck lovers on PEI.
__________________
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.
I noticed they called themselves a Beaumont - Pontiac - Buick dealer.
When did they switch over from being Acadian - Pontiac - Buick dealers?
Is Hillside still working out of an old building, or have they updated along the way?
I noticed that too...probably the first ad I've seen that refers to themselves as Beaumont dealers vs acadian (someone should tell vintage vehicle services!lol)
Hillside Motors was always a class dealership and no doubt still is. I bought more used cars there than I can remember but looking at their staff pictures I see 3 old friends from 40 years ago!! Marvin Dyer, one of my best old time friends is a mechanic, Neil MacPhail, previous parts manager and now shuttle driver, and my old buddy Harvey Sellar, parts man extraordinar. Not many businesses can retain excellent employees for over 40 years, so they must be still treating folks very good!!
Seems like only yesterday that I was there on a daily basis, buying parts and wholesale cars. Like many small time dealers they weren't much interested in stocking used cars with 4 speeds and performance engines so I got most of them to re sell!!
Neil MacPhail, previous parts manager and now shuttle driver
Thanks Randy
Ha, ha, I like Neil. He never told me he was an ex-parts guy. He talks like the Penguin on Batman.
Do you remember Don MacLeod? He finally retired as a salesperson ... he now cleans the dealership.
When I was in there a couple weeks ago, they had inside a new Camaro SS convertible, a new RS coupe with 438 hp/5 speed, and a new vette with 465 hp 6 speed (a 65 grand car). Somebody has smooth roads and $$$ on PEI!
__________________
Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
Here's my matchbook from the Charlottetown Pontiac dealership prior to Hillside:
__________________
Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
They are a busy dealership. Usually booked well over a week in advance.
That's for sure ... just an oil change is sometimes a week and a half.
__________________
Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
I noticed they called themselves a Beaumont - Pontiac - Buick dealer.
When did they switch over from being Acadian - Pontiac - Buick dealers?
Is Hillside still working out of an old building, or have they updated along the way?
I just noticed on their 1965 Vauxhall Viva add, Hillside is listed as a Vauxhall Pontiac Dealer, so I think what ever car they were advertising that day was first named in their ad. Curious to find an Acadian ad to verify my theory.
Neil MacPhail, previous parts manager and now shuttle driver
Thanks Randy
Ha, ha, I like Neil. He never told me he was an ex-parts guy. He talks like the Penguin on Batman.
Do you remember Don MacLeod? He finally retired as a salesperson ... he now cleans the dealership.
When I was in there a couple weeks ago, they had inside a new Camaro SS convertible, a new RS coupe with 438 hp/5 speed, and a new vette with 465 hp 6 speed (a 65 grand car). Somebody has smooth roads and $$$ on PEI!
The only Don MacLeod I knew wasn't welcome at Hillside so this Don must be from around 1975 or later.
Please say hello to Neil or any of the other staff that remember me if you get a chance.
Any Idea when Allison MacLeod closed/Hillside opened or any connection between the two??
Earliest I remember visiting Hillside was about 1964 when I noticed cars with full wheel covers had black wheels and cars with small hubcaps had body colored wheels.
Neil MacPhail, previous parts manager and now shuttle driver
Thanks Randy
Ha, ha, I like Neil. He never told me he was an ex-parts guy. He talks like the Penguin on Batman.
Do you remember Don MacLeod? He finally retired as a salesperson ... he now cleans the dealership.
When I was in there a couple weeks ago, they had inside a new Camaro SS convertible, a new RS coupe with 438 hp/5 speed, and a new vette with 465 hp 6 speed (a 65 grand car). Somebody has smooth roads and $$$ on PEI!
The only Don MacLeod I knew wasn't welcome at Hillside so this Don must be from around 1975 or later.
Please say hello to Neil or any of the other staff that remember me if you get a chance.
Any Idea when Allison MacLeod closed/Hillside opened or any connection between the two??
Earliest I remember visiting Hillside was about 1964 when I noticed cars with full wheel covers had black wheels and cars with small hubcaps had body colored wheels.
Thanks
Randy
I did research at the PEI archives. Allison MacLeod (Pontiac/Buick/GMC) started in 1947 and ran until 1964. In 1965, it then changed to a Rambler/Morris/Renault dealership, until it closed it's doors in 1967. I've been trying locate some pictures of the dealership.
You must have been at Hillside in it's first year Randy?
'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.
As I remember Allison MacLeod was located where a Holland College parking lot is now situated and
Martins Garage must have taken over Allison MacLeod's Rambler etc. duties.
True story about a friend, David Laird, his dad ordered a 1966 Grand Parisienne from Hillside with a 283
and David went back the next day and told Hillside his dad wanted to change the order to a 396 T-400.
For some reason that Pontiac was extremely fast and folks came from all over to race him and I don't think his dad ever knew the difference as it only had regular V8 emblems.
Another friend ordered a green 1969 Strato Chief 427 and Hillside swapped the engine with his new 1969 Blazer 307. I was at Hillside when they were finishing up the swap and installing 350 emblems. First dealer un installed 427 I ever heard of!!
Be funny if someone ordered G.M. docs and discovered what they didn't have.
As I remember Allison MacLeod was located where a Holland College parking lot is now situated and Martins Garage must have taken over Allison MacLeod's Rambler etc. duties.
True story about a friend, David Laird, his dad ordered a 1966 Grand Parisienne from Hillside with a 283 and David went back the next day and told Hillside his dad wanted to change the order to a 396 T-400. For some reason that Pontiac was extremely fast and folks came from all over to race him and I don't think his dad ever knew the difference as it only had regular V8 emblems.
Another friend ordered a green 1969 Strato Chief 427 and Hillside swapped the engine with his new 1969 Blazer 307. I was at Hillside when they were finishing up the swap and installing 350 emblems. First dealer un installed 427 I ever heard of!! Be funny if someone ordered G.M. docs and discovered what they didn't have.
Thanks Randy
Yep, right on about Holland College and Martins. Imagine having a Rambler/Morris/Renault dealership, like McLeod had in later years, quite the hybrid.
If you happen to have any more info. or pics. of Allison MacLeod's dealership, I'd appreciate it ... one of my many "pet" projects. There's not a lot out there, just a few later (non-Pontiac) newspaper ads and the St. Dunstan's Red & White ads.
Good stories Randy.
__________________
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.
'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.
Thanks for sharing that Randy. They are a busy dealership. Usually booked well over a week in advance.
Great memories Todd, if you ever get a chance to say HI to any of the above mentioned guys that would be appreciated.
Another thought just popped into my mind, last time I was there I asked Harvey about the old records, cool ones like the dealer un installed 427 and he told me Neil was in charge of them!! I never ran into Neil and forgot about this. I wonder if old dealer invoice records are confidential??
It might be fun to see what rare options were ordered etc.
