2024 Canadian Poncho Calendars are Now Available! CLICK HERE

 

 

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: November 2015 Feature Car


A Poncho Legend!

Status: Offline
Posts: 26765
Date:
November 2015 Feature Car


Our November feature car is the epitome of what the average Canadian drove in the 1960's. We weren't all about flash. We wanted solid, reliable, basic transportation. We might spring for the automatic transmission and maybe power steering. Radio's were often a luxury. And if there were kids in the house it just made sense to purchase a four door (or a wagon). Being practical did not mean having to sacrifice style though. Jake and Linda Bourrier's 1960 Pontiac Strato Chief is a perfect example of this. While the Bourrier's Pontiac was built low on options, it is still a very attractive automobile. Having been in the family since new, Jake and Linda took ownership of the Strato Chief over forty years ago and Jake recently finished restoring it. He did an excellent job! And while almost 15000 of these cars were built very few survive as nice as this. Jake gives us all the details:

 

 

Here is the history on my 1960 Pontiac Strato-Chief 4 door sedan.

The car was originally purchased by my Grandparents in August of 1960.

My Grandfather used to drive it from the small town of Altamont MB to the family farm, about 2 miles one way to check up on things. When he passed away my Grandmother Edna drove the car around the community until 1974 when she acquired another car. 

I was given the car by her in 1974. I picked it up in Altamont, MB and drove it to Prince George, BC where I was living at the time. I continued to use the car as a daily driver until the early 1980’s. I had a paint job done on it around 1978 or so. The car was then stored for a number of years. I got the car out of storage around 1990 and drove for a short period before I started to take it apart to restore. Well, life got in the way as it does with a family, working, etc. I was only able to work on the car in my spare time from 1990 to 2013. During this period the engine was rebuilt, under carriage completely taken apart cleaned and detailed, suspension and front end was rebuilt as well.

The transmission was in good working order, so only seals were replaced. The body work was the next task. The car was very solid, no exterior rust, never been in an accident so I had an excellent car to work with. All the glass was taken out and trim pieces were removed. There were minor dents to repair and the car was then primed. The firewall, engine and under the hood were painted and detailed, as well as the trunk area and door jambs. This work I completed myself.

In early 2014 I retired and finishing the car became my new full time job (without pay of course). I completed the body work and final sanding. I repaired all the stainless steel and polished all the chrome.

The bumpers were sent out for re-chroming. I put all the pieces back on to the car prior to paint to ensure everything fit and would go on with as little trouble as possible after painting was completed.

The car was then taken apart and taken to a private shop for painting. Once complete, it came back home for assembly. After assembly, the car was taken to an upholstery shop to have the interior done. I have tried to keep the car as original as possible. The Car is named “Edna” after my Grandmother.

 

My wife and I have been taking in a lot of local show and shines in Calgary and area this year including the Super Run – Rockin Red Deer. The car seems to draw interest from people as they were everyday family cars back in the day and they can relate to that. The color, Suntan Copper Metallic also draws attention.

Specifications:

Model 7119 4-Door Sedan

261 CID 150 HP Strato-Six Engine

2-Speed Powerglide Automatic Transmission

Original Mileage (65,800 Miles)

 

Options from Factory:

Upper Instrument Panel Cover (padded dash)

Automatic Transmission

Shadelite Glass

Options added by Owner:

Radio

2-Speed Wipers w/washer

Rear Arm Rests

Driver’s Fender Mirror

 

Owners: Jake & Linda Bourrier

Calgary, Alberta

 



__________________

Todd
Site Founder

Like us on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/CanadianPoncho

Canadian Poncho World Headquarters - Prince Edward Island

 



Uber Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3830
Date:

Looks like one of my neighbour's family car back in the 60's. A real Canadian bare bones classic! In a great colour combo as well.

__________________

Drifting offshore is a fine way to spend a day!!



Uber Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3463
Date:

very, very nice! my dad had a '60 wagon, same exterior, interior colours.



__________________

 








Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 6749
Date:

Beautifully done and nice to see it continue to be driven within your family. Congratulations.


__________________
Jerel


Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 8149
Date:

a great piece of family history there looks so very nice

__________________

http://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t51640378/timbuks-first-invader/ http://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t63146560/timbuks-second-invader/  vancouver island



Uber Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3986
Date:

Classic.

__________________

Remember Fun,

 Remember Laughter ?



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 4995
Date:

A beauty,...and yes a iconic family car. Brings back lots of memories.

My father bought a black 4 door Strato Chief and our first major trip was going from Sudbury Ontario, to Staunton, Virginia,

then from there off to Fullerton,California and back to Sudbury. All this in July of 1960.

No air conditioning,black rubber flooring, no carpets, and those awful to sit on raised star burst clear plastic seat covers.

Congratulations on a wonderful restoration on this well deserved car of the month. Love it.



-- Edited by Greaser on Sunday 1st of November 2015 12:43:40 PM

__________________


Uber Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3020
Date:

that is fantastic
glad to see it


__________________

Surrey BC

1963 Acadian Beaumont Sport Deluxe
http://www.63acadian.com/



Addicted!

Status: Offline
Posts: 142
Date:

Beautiful car, sure brings back memories for sure.

__________________

1965 Custom Sport Convertible



Addicted!

Status: Offline
Posts: 239
Date:

She's a beauty, nice job!

__________________

Tom

Sherwood Park

66 Grande Parisienne 4 speed

66 Laurentian 2 door sedan, project FOR SALE 

66 Parisienne 2 door hard top, sold. 



A Poncho Legend!

Status: Offline
Posts: 48633
Date:

I love the car but even better is the story that goes along with it. Beautiful in that colour and you sure did a spectacular job.

Altamont is less than an hour west of me. It's cool to see a feature car that was bought so close to my home!


__________________

1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 556
Date:

wow very nice we had one in the late 60's 6cyl 3standard on the tree man did that thing go through snow thanks for the memories



__________________


Addicted!

Status: Offline
Posts: 137
Date:

nice



__________________


Poncho Master!

Status: Offline
Posts: 1612
Date:

I just love that colour on that car. Stands out. Beautiful

__________________

aMmAGLQU_1XEL45IwManXTh0UsX7ci_CicoBJ8GLu-t9Fo_Q4FMFTjyKMkM-Q3XIRW5V496_7Z243qoLqIesHOSpBBALdorUW7WQqAKQ29u06GtHXVk6csPDbz8PAaHpRQ=w1280

https://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t63333628/click-here-to-support-canadian-poncho/



Addicted!

Status: Offline
Posts: 405
Date:

The family history makes for a great reason to restore and enjoy this beautiful car. Enjoy.

__________________

chris newport



Addicted!

Status: Offline
Posts: 403
Date:

love the story and the car

__________________

 

Joel A.

64 Parisienne Rag

67 SD396

63 Parisienne Safari 409

 Alberta



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 7418
Date:

Very nice car, and great that it's still in the family after 55 years.



__________________
70 2+2 convertible
70 2+2 hardtop
70 Parisienne hardtop
72 GMC Sierra

 

 



A Poncho Legend!

Status: Offline
Posts: 20051
Date:

Stunning example, lovingly restored. Perfect feature car. I drove around in Dad's 1961 Strato Chief as a kid so this brings back a lot of nice memories. 



__________________

Ray White, Toronto ON

1973 LeMans 454 "Astro-Jet"

Built March 9, 1973 - Oshawa ON

1993 Corvette Convertible LT 1

Built January 10, 1993 - Bowling Green Kentucky 

 




A Poncho Legend!

Status: Offline
Posts: 35601
Date:

73SC wrote:

Stunning example, lovingly restored. Perfect feature car. I drove around in Dad's 1961 Strato Chief as a kid so this brings back a lot of nice memories. 


         I agree!! winkwink  I drove my Dads 61 Strato Chief as well   261 with auto  



__________________

 



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 6944
Date:

Your story is a great read. The family history with the car makes it extra special.
You've done a great job of bringing it back to it's original glory.
Thanks for sharing this with us.

__________________


Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 6009
Date:

Beautiful car and job! Love the story and the history ,great way to honor your grandparents .

__________________


Addicted!

Status: Offline
Posts: 203
Date:

Beautiful car -- from a fellow 60 Pontiac owner.
I'm truly amazed at how straight the car is for it's age - no time capsules like that Down Under!

__________________

1960 Pontiac Laurentian (Restored)

1960 Pontiac Laurentian (Restored)

1960 Pontiac Laurentian (Under Restoration)

1950 Chevorolet Deluxe

1942 C15 Chevrolet (Puddle Jumper)

1939 Hudson Sedan 112

1939 Hudson Coupe 112

1975 Leyland Mini

1974 Jaguar XJ6L

 

 



Addicted!

Status: Offline
Posts: 140
Date:

Just about as nice as they come. 1960 is one of the years that I think the four door models look better than the two doors.

__________________


A Poncho Legend!

Status: Offline
Posts: 20744
Date:

Very, very nice! Great tribute to your grandmother!



__________________

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.



Poncho Master!

Status: Offline
Posts: 1349
Date:

Very beautitul car I love the colour with the factory Shade Lite tinted glass . You have done an excellent job restoring this car and I remember my grade 2 school teacher Miss Anderson had a 2 door hardtop 1960 brown with a white top that I would look at every day walking to school. I was always intrigued with the roof line and the beautiful front grill. I was seven years old and our family car was a 1952 Plymouth four door sedan and that 60 Pontiac was so new and modern I just had to ask my teacher for a ride in it.

Congratulations on being car of the month and my 55 Laurention is also from Dickson Motors in Winnipeg.

 

Al



__________________
1 2  >  Last»  | Page of 2  sorted by
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us
.
Support Canadian Poncho!
Select Amount:
<
.
.
.