1970 Catalina Vs StratoChief

Marty1 · Veteran Member

1970 Catalina Vs StratoChief

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

The Strato Chief was the lowest model Pontiac offered here in Canada. You are better off to try to stick to another Canadian Pontiac if you want to make a clone (eg: Laurentian). There are quite a few differences between the US and Canadian cars that you'd find it a lesson in frustration. My 2 cents anyway.

Marty1 · Veteran Member

That's exactly what I tought and sadly cheaper models are much rare today. Still looking Tho. A fellow in the US told me Im better to wait and find the correct model than trying to change things to another.

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I've got some photos of a 70 Strato-Chief on my PC. I'll post them later today.

-- Edited by seventy2plus2 on Monday 23rd of December 2019 07:43:40 PM

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

What model do you currently own Marty?

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Here's a couple shots of a Strato-Chief 4 dr sedan. They're not the best because of the bright sun, but there is no body side moldings, nor bright work around the windows. At one time there was a 2 dr hdtp Strato-Chief around Calgary, but I haven't seen it in nearly 20 years.

70 Pontiac StratoChief 1.jpg

70 Pontiac StratoChief 2.jpg

Cheviac · Guru

Have a Strato hardtop here, unfortunately I used it for a winter car,wish I hadn't now. yard count 2016 158.JPG

norontcan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Here's a 70 Laurentian

70 Laurentian V8 2dr hdtp front.jpg

70 Laurentian V8 2dr hdtp rear.jpg

70 Laurentian V8 2dr hdtp right front.jpg

But not sure it's any help.

Marty1 · Veteran Member

I presently own a 1967 Bonneville ambulance (American Superior as a coach builder). I posted some pictures on the members ride forum! That's my holy grail I followed that ambulance 15 years and sold 2 classics to affort this one Looking for a 70 StratoChief to replicate a canadian provincial police cruiser, Doesnt matter the body since the car will be repainted but deeply looking for a running car.

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Marty1 wrote:
Looking for a 70 StratoChief to replicate a canadian provincial police cruiser, Doesnt matter the body since the car will be repainted but deeply looking for a running car.

Here's some vintage photo's posted on here quite a while ago. 454 Strato-Chiefs, at your typical Western Canada RCMP prairie detachment.

70 Pontiac RCMP11.jpg

70 Pontiac RCMP22.jpg

70 Pontiac RCMP33.jpg

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

The 454 Laurentian I sold a couple years ago would have been a good candidate for you. Just remove the body side moldings, and put in a plain interior. It had a cloth interior, in 70 Laurentian's had the same pattern as the Catalina.

Front Left.JPG

Marty1 · Veteran Member

Actually it needs to be 4 doors.

That Laurentian sold in BC few years ago was perfect to my eyes :

With a tan-gold interior, very similar to what Chevy had.

Our provincial police used 350 in their cruisers:

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

Have you tried a want ad on Kijiji, Facebook (we also have a FB page), on here etc? You'd be surprised what pops out of the woodwork when you put up a want ad- especially on Facebook.

Marty1 · Veteran Member

I tried on an american page, nothing... but I think I will write it on Facebook you're right! fack is kijiji works well but you can't get out of your province you need to change it in the search engine. Works well when you search for something for sale but not if you want something. let's try !

Marty1 · Veteran Member

Bump this ad, still looking !

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Cheviac wrote:
Have a Strato hardtop here, unfortunately I used it for a winter car,wish I hadn't now.

I know it is off topic but i can not get over that very very rare 63 Comet two door wagon, off to the left there and the Vista Cruiser next to it.

-- Edited by long stroke on Tuesday 24th of December 2019 03:41:11 PM

Marty1 · Veteran Member

Can you believe I saw -- none-- in 3 years

MC · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I will try to remember to keep my eye out for one.

CdnGMfan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

George, I think that 2-door wagon isn't a unibody Comet, it's a rare '61 Meteor 2-dr wagon.

That gold 2-tone '70 Laurentian coupe reminds me of a very clean unmolested '70 Bel Air sport coupe I remember in town in the late 70's. It was that same Autumn Gold with a Gobi Beige 2-tone with a 350 th350. The guy later traded it on a new '79 C10 pickup.

gparis7 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I could be wrong but it was my understanding that the 69-70 Strato Chief 2 door utilized Biscayne styled material, though of course there was no 2 door Biscayne in 70. I wonder if 69 Biscayne seat material would work? Or is it possible that the Laurentian coupe used Catalina material and the Strato Chief used 70 Bel Air 2 dr hardtop material?