I can't say I like it. Too much C pillar. 

Yes, it is interesting; sort of like a mid-60s T-Bird landau top.

That Pontiac is a 1961. The 2-door came either as bubbleback hardtops or 2-door posts. Had  that convertible been built in '62 the roof on the '62 hardtops would have been a better fit. They even have simulated bows in the roof to make it appear like a convertible in profile (especially with a vinyl top).

Anybody remember the padded Carson tops that customizers used to put on their 1930-50s convertibles? A real California thing back then. The tops were fixed, they did not lower, but they made a styling statement.

I don't get the fuel tank thing. Was this car used for extremely long trips, I wonder? Or was it adapted for some sort of commercial use, such as the 70 Superbird I heard about a few years ago that supported some form of specialized weather testing in the early 70s? While it may be none of these reasons, the car probably has some interesting back story. 

Yes, that probably explains it.

MC wrote:

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Equally as strange is the second fuel tank mounted in the trunk...

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 Imagine a Pinto in this configuration.

Pontiacanada wrote:

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MC wrote:

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Equally as strange is the second fuel tank mounted in the trunk...

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 Imagine a Pinto in this configuration.

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MC wrote:

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Maybe the route he took didn't have a lot of gas stations back in the day?

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 Reminds me of a quick 4 day trip my wife and I had to make to NB back in 2013 with my Cadillac DTS, Toronto to Levis, Levis to Miramichi and back.

Seeing time was of the essence I jumped on the Renous Highway #108 out of Plaster Rock which cut straight across to Miramichi, what I didn't know was it was an Irving Road that cut through the bush, nothing on it at all. As I passed an Irving station there was a sign that said Next Gas 176 km, so I doubled back and filled it up had a sandwich and set off. Was one of the most memorable trips on a highway in this great country I ever drove. Left Toronto Thursday morning, completed our business and were home dinner time Sunday. 

Here's me and our business:

DonSSDD wrote:

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no traffic to speak of, other than logging trucks. No rcmp, just moose and deer. 

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 Yup, a big bull had me going in reverse as he ran towards my Cadillac down the centre of the road, My wife picked him up in the morning grey haze and it was on the binders and in reverse real quick, saw one logging truck and had to stop for a oil tanker train at an unmarked level crossing.