I know its a real shame this car is being parted but everyone had lots of opportunity to save it. I jacked it up to change a rear wheel and the frame is literally busted in two and the body shell is completely rusted away from the floor and lifts up with the front half of the frame. Its very sad - like saying goodbye to a terminally ill friend, but the drivetrain will help other cars stay on the road and those beautiful quarters, fenders and doors will make great donor bits.
If this makes you unhappy please keep that opinion to yourself. I'd like this post to be about finding good homes for the parts rather than beating me up for this decision.
Now that we have that out of the way, here are some pieces that are good on the car:
Quarters panels - these appear to have been NOS panels installed during the restoration some years ago. There is some minor rust - I will have a good close look and confirm.
Wheel opening mouldings
Doors
Rear bumper is very nice - looks like it was rechromed
Front and rear valances and related
Etc
Send me a note with your list and I will check condition for you.
Hey Dave, you can't save 'em all. Once the tin worm has gotten that far along there's not much you can do... it basically becomes a whole car replacement, bit by bit. It's better to let it go, IMHO.
At least you gave it a shot, and now you're trying to find a home for its remains. Gotta make the best of a bad situation, because rust never sleeps.
Realizing this could get to be a sensitive and controversial parts ad let's make sure we encourage Dave in his efforts to help out other CP members rather than bashing him for parting out a 427 car!
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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
Quarters are really nice. As mentioned previously (in probably 100 different posts from me and past owners) these appears to have been installed as NOS panels (skins only of course) during the first owner's restoration. There are no visible seams on inside of trunk and body moulding holes are all oval. As this car comes apart I will have more info.
We never like to see an historically significant car meet it's demise but sometimes it has to be. The alternative of stealing it's identity.....well let's not go there.
The car is very special - must have been a beauty when it was new! I plan to keep the body together as long as possible just in case someone gets really motivated.
I have a 1968 Caprice (a factory 427 car as well) with a nice frame and very solid floor pan that would be a nice fit and would be one way to save this car but holy cow that would be a LOT of work!
Geez I hate to admit this - but I started pulling the engine out and stopped - sat down with a drink and just stared at this car and realized how cool and rare it is. Officially the plans to part the car out are on hold.
I already have two good frames so that is not a problem. I still need to have a good look at this car to see how rotten the inner structure is and therefore how tough it would be to replace the floor.
I found a 427 air cleaner but no luck finding 427 fender emblems yet. Anyone have some repro air cleaner decals?
This is starting to look like a parts wanted ad again - admin may ask me to move this to the parts wanted section !
Geez I hate to admit this - but I started pulling the engine out and stopped - sat down with a drink and just stared at this car and realized how cool and rare it is. Officially the plans to part the car out are on hold.
I already have two good frames so that is not a problem. I still need to have a good look at this car to see how rotten the inner structure is and therefore how tough it would be to replace the floor.
I found a 427 air cleaner but no luck finding 427 fender emblems yet. Anyone have some repro air cleaner decals?
This is starting to look like a parts wanted ad again - admin may ask me to move this to the parts wanted section !
Make up your mind Mr Wishy-Washy!!!
Just kidding Dave. You have quite a dilemma on your hands....
My greatest car hobby regrets are some of the big block cars I parted out, especially the 427 cars (as if that helps your predicament telling you that...)
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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
Very impressed, Dave. You are wanting to do the right thing for the car and I applaud you for that.
At this point there are no wrong answers as you know what you're into more than anybody else.
- If you part it, nobody will think badly of it as it isn't a project for the faint of heart. I know I would be in over my head on it.
- If you decide to fix the car, it will be a labour of love and you will have the support of many Canadian Poncho fans (including me). But at least you will know what you are getting into and will be making an informed choice.
Take your time, think it over - there's no need to rush here. Good luck with your decision!
Geez I hate to admit this - but I started pulling the engine out and stopped - sat down with a drink and just stared at this car and realized how cool and rare it is.
Today you should be sobered-up ... get back to parting out the car! (just kidding)
Do as you please.
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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.
Geez I hate to admit this - but I started pulling the engine out and stopped - sat down with a drink and just stared at this car and realized how cool and rare it is.
Today you should be sobered-up ... get back to parting out the car! (just kidding)
Do as you please.
I'll tell you what is sobering! When I see the frame is so rusty that it is busted in two just in front of the lower control arms - (on both sides) and the transmission cross member is so rusty that the TH400 is hanging down - that sobers me right up!
Geez I hate to admit this - but I started pulling the engine out and stopped - sat down with a drink and just stared at this car and realized how cool and rare it is.
Today you should be sobered-up ... get back to parting out the car! (just kidding)
Do as you please.
I'll tell you what is sobering! When I see the frame is so rusty that it is busted in two just in front of the lower control arms - (on both sides) and the transmission cross member is so rusty that the TH400 is hanging down - that sobers me right up!
The AA of the car hobby ... rust.
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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.
Yard art to be enjoyed until you're gone. Don't part it, or do anything to it. Put it in a dignified and secure spot to be enjoyed from a lawn chair with a drink in hand.
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
Yard art to be enjoyed until you're gone. Don't part it, or do anything to it. Put it in a dignified and secure spot to be enjoyed from a lawn chair with a drink in hand.
Yeah, I already sold him one that I think turned into lawn art! I know it had a good frame at least.