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Post Info TOPIC: December 2016 Feature Car


A Poncho Legend!

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December 2016 Feature Car


Can you believe it? It's already December! We've had a great bunch of feature cars this year and I can think of no better way to complete the 2016 than to feature Tom Allen's stunning 1966 Pontiac Grande Parisienne. This black on red poncho really stands out head and shoulders above the crowd. What's not to love?  Here's Tom to tell us all about this GRANDE Parisienne:

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For me, the love for the big Canadian Pontiacs started in 1985 while in high school in North Battleford Saskatchewan. I purchased a '66 Parisienne from my Dads co-worker for $700. He had bought it new as a wedding gift for his daughter in BC. She ended up giving it back to him after 12 years. It was a nightwatch blue, 2 door hard top, with a 283, and a powerglide. It was a good survivor with 60K miles, very little rust and a few minor dings. The original paint had a whitish layer on it, but I was able to bring the shine back with cut-wax. I scavenged the local wreaking yards and was able to find everything the car was missing, some emblems, 2 hub caps, chrome lighter, etc. Me and my buddies loved cruising in that car, and taking it out to bush parties, it floated down the road, and was a blast to drive. But what I really wanted was the '66 Grande Parisenne, with its signal lights in the grill and sportier roof line, I really loved the look of that car, and wanted one ever since.
Unfortunately I had to sell my car in 1988 to move out to BC for work.
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Fast forward to 2014, and I was finally in a position to try and find a '66 Grande. I found the Canadian Poncho site, and realized I was not alone in my love for these cars.
 
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A long story short, in May 2016, it was an honor to purchase a black '66 Grande Parisienne, from Poncho Legend Carl Stevenson. It came with a 350 4-speed,12 bolt, and F40 suspension. I trailered it from near Winnipeg to Sherwood Park. 12 hours of that big grill smiling at me in my rear view mirror was a great site.
 
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Carl put an amazing amount of options into the car: Muncie 4-speed M20 (originally a powerglide), strato-bench seat & rear seat with arm rest, tilt, am/fm radio, tach, US rally gauge cluster, rear defog, reverb, halogen lights with relays, reel out trunk and hood lights. Along with the following power options: power windows (vents too), seats, locks, antenna, and trunk. 
 
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Over the summer, with a lot of help from Poncho member John (JC2+2), I was able to get the following work done, and passed the out of province inspection: New ball joints, idler arm, seals, bearings, brakes (complete), front shocks, left axle, hush mat & rug, intake, a quadrajet from Randy (GLHS60), 15" Pontiac rally one rims (6 slot), 225 radials all around, and dual exhaust with Magnaflows. I still have some emblems that came with the car, and few other things to put on over the winter.
 
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The paint is not show quality, but that's exactly how I want it right now. I have two young boys who love being around, and riding in the car, so I don't have to care if they accidentally scratch it. I bought the car to drive it and enjoy it with family. Some day I hope to put in a big block, and have the paint done, but its perfect right now, and we have been having a blast with it!
 
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Todd
Site Founder

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Canadian Poncho World Headquarters - Prince Edward Island

 



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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A real winner of a car....congratulations......all the best cars are in Alberta.



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Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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Stunning!



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A Poncho Legend!

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Tom, I don't know whether to jump up and down with joy, or call you and cry my eyes out begging to buy my old car back!!! (I'm kidding of course, I am thrilled that you did such a magnificent job on the final assembly of that car.)

I'm glad you gave John credit for helping because when I talked to you, you were always quick to tell me what a great help it was having him there.

WHAT A SPECTACULAR LOOKING CAR!!!

This is going to be a great month...

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

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars



A Poncho Legend!

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Shut The Front Door! Stunner in black with red guts.



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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 

 




Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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wickedly cool !!!!!!

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later...rog

AADD supporting member !!
I'm a collector...not a builder!!Located in sunny central Saskatchewan at the lakehead!


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Now that's good stuff!

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No Bike Mike

1968 Parisienne 2+2 Convertible

1984 Correct Craft Southwind

1994 Cruisers Aria

2005 GMC K1500 



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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Right on Tom!  You sure have gone up from a 2 door sedan with no back window! 

That doggone Carl sure had optionitus didn't he?



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ken from northern Alberta

38 Willys pickup electric

39 Buick (327 with 700 r4)

66 Beaumont 4 door hardtop

69 Chevy CST pickup

1976 GMC 23'  motorhome

1994 Impala SS (temporary, according to my wife)



A Poncho Legend!

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Very nice!    Congratulations....



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Addicted!

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Thanks Todd for selecting the car as a feature car, its an honour to see it up there.

Its been a blast cruising around in it. I had it out yesterday at -2 as the roads are still clear here, but I think that will be it until spring, its getting cold here next week. John (JC2+2) did a great job tuning it up, its running great. 

Thanks guys for all your comments!



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Tom

Sherwood Park

66 Grande Parisienne 4 speed

66 Laurentian 2 door sedan, project FOR SALE 

66 Parisienne 2 door hard top, sold. 



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Carl Stevenson wrote:

Tom, I don't know whether to jump up and down with joy, or call you and cry my eyes out begging to buy my old car back!!! (I'm kidding of course, I am thrilled that you did such a magnificent job on the final assembly of that car.)

I'm glad you gave John credit for helping because when I talked to you, you were always quick to tell me what a great help it was having him there.

WHAT A SPECTACULAR LOOKING CAR!!!

This is going to be a great month...


 Thanks carl,

Your right John deserves the credit for the mechanical work, I was the guy holding the light and passing the wrenches. John is an amazing mechanic.

Thanks again for selling the car to me, a real dream come true, pass me a tissue dam it!

 



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Tom

Sherwood Park

66 Grande Parisienne 4 speed

66 Laurentian 2 door sedan, project FOR SALE 

66 Parisienne 2 door hard top, sold. 



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66 Grande guy wrote:

Right on Tom!  You sure have gone up from a 2 door sedan with no back window! 

That doggone Carl sure had optionitus didn't he?


Thanks Ken. lol I still need a back window for the sedan, unfortunately its definitely on the back burner, now if I have any spare time it goes to the Grande.

Can't wait to get our cars together and go for a rip! 



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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!

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66 Grande guy wrote:

Right on Tom!  You sure have gone up from a 2 door sedan





And what's wrong with a 2 door sedan???!!! biggrin

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

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars



Poncho Master!

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Tom, your Grande looks great up there on the top of the page. Congrats on car of the month. Thanks for talking me up but I really enjoyed working on your car. It was nice to work on something without an ECM for a change. And good to hear you're putting the miles on. Again congrats, great looking car you've got there Tom. 



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'68 Parisienne 2+2 Convertible Matador Red (Resale Red but not for sale).



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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wow that looks great nice to see it up

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



Poncho Master!

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Congrats, nice ride

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68 custom
68 deluxe
67 custom
67 SD convertible (1 of 1)
16 Colorado 4x4 Duramax

Long live the Canadian arrowhead >

 Edmonton,AB



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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In my opinion the 66 Grande Parisienne has to stand as one of the very best looking classy cars to come out of the GM styling studios ever. This month's feature car has a great colour combo and some tasteful & desirable options. It will be yet another month of an easy-on-the-eyes page header at Canadianponcho.



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67 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe, Oshawa-built 250 PG never disturbed.

In garage, 296 cid inline six & TH350...

Cam, Toronto.


I don't judge a man by how far he's fallen, but by how far back he bounces - Patton



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Very nice. Excellent choice on the wheels too.

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1965 Parisienne Custom Sport L74/P.G. http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae36/canadianponcho/65sc.jpg
1969 Chevrolet 1/2 Ton Fleetside L74/T10
2005 Chevrolet 2500HD Duramax

Avatar photo Spring 1986 Kamloops, BC 1965 Parisienne Hardtop

 



A Poncho Legend!

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One thing I want to ad, and of course it's all opinion, but I think the stance on that car is just perfect. It sits exactly the right height front/back.

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

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars



Guru

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Congratulations, Tom, on your very nice looking ride. The 4 speed makes that car!

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--Pritch--

'76 Cougar XR7 (original owner); '52 Mercury Monterey 2 dr HT (Future Project)

2013 Mustang

2010 Ford Ranger

'93 MX5

'64 Custom Sport Ragtop (Factory M20)



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Just some history of the car:

Carl had bought the car in 2011 from the estate of the original owner. The owner had purchased it new from Winnipeg Motors for $4,416.50. The car rolled off the Oshawa GM assembly line on January 5th 1966. The original owner was a parts manager for many years at a Chev dealership in Winnipeg. Though Carl was doing the same job, at roughly the same time, in the same area, he had never come across him. The original owner had passed away somewhere around 2010. Carl went to look at it on a farm a bit north of Winnipeg at the original owner's nephew's place, but the owner's brother was the one who handled the paperwork.

The nephew had repainted the car for his uncle somewhere around 2000, but was not aware that the 283 had been replaced with a 350.



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Tom

Sherwood Park

66 Grande Parisienne 4 speed

66 Laurentian 2 door sedan, project FOR SALE 

66 Parisienne 2 door hard top, sold. 



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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Carl Stevenson wrote:
66 Grande guy wrote:

 

Right on Tom!  You sure have gone up from a 2 door sedan



 



And what's wrong with a 2 door sedan???!!! biggrin


 Nothing at all! Yikes!   His just didn't have a back window.  Boy, you used to love the Grandes. Talk about fickle!



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ken from northern Alberta

38 Willys pickup electric

39 Buick (327 with 700 r4)

66 Beaumont 4 door hardtop

69 Chevy CST pickup

1976 GMC 23'  motorhome

1994 Impala SS (temporary, according to my wife)



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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Posts: 4686
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1966-Grande-paris wrote:
66 Grande guy wrote:

Right on Tom!  You sure have gone up from a 2 door sedan with no back window! 

That doggone Carl sure had optionitus didn't he?


Thanks Ken. lol I still need a back window for the sedan, unfortunately its definitely on the back burner, now if I have any spare time it goes to the Grande.

Can't wait to get our cars together and go for a rip! 


 Yeah that will be a blast just blowing everybody's minds with all this style!



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ken from northern Alberta

38 Willys pickup electric

39 Buick (327 with 700 r4)

66 Beaumont 4 door hardtop

69 Chevy CST pickup

1976 GMC 23'  motorhome

1994 Impala SS (temporary, according to my wife)



A Poncho Legend!

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Posts: 48634
Date:

66 Grande guy wrote:

Carl Stevenson wrote:
66 Grande guy wrote:

 

Right on Tom!  You sure have gone up from a 2 door sedan



 



And what's wrong with a 2 door sedan???!!! biggrin


 Nothing at all! Yikes!   His just didn't have a back window.  Boy, you used to love the Grandes. Talk about fickle!








Hahaha, and I still love the 66 Grande Parisiennes They will always be my favourite car. I have my Strato Chief because I could NOT turn down such an original unique car. If a 66 Grande Parisienne 4 speed big block original documented car came along in the shape my Strato Chief is, the Chief would be for sale. I would give it up ONLY for that imaginary car that I mentioned.

Signed
A fickle 66 Pontiac guy with optionitus......

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

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars



A Poncho Legend!

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Just checked, the only 3 guys online on CP right now are Tom, Ken, Carl.

66 Grande Parisienne guys are running the show....

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

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars

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