Long Stroke in latest issue of Old Autos News paper !!

bigdreams · Poncho Master!

Long Stroke in latest issue of Old Autos News paper !!

58 poncho fan · Addicted!

Congratulations George on a great article. Colour is very similar to my Thunderbird! Bob.

gparis7 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Very nice. Congratulations George.

Can't wait to get the paper (seems to be taking a long time to deliver these days).

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

So that is what a George looks like! wink Good stuff George!

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I was thrilled to be asked to feature the wagon and enjoyed the photo shoot but there are some mistakes in the article to be fair. The wagon does have a few minor dents here and there from folks not being so nice in parking lots many years ago. There was never a 350 offered in the Caprice Estate wagon line, just 400 standard and 454 optional. The oil crisis was in 1974 only, that i know of. I never steered dad to West York Chev Olds because i got the brochures from Belmont Chev Olds and told dad about that dealer. The wagon was not in the show room floor but out in the lot and it was not trouble free because i had to replace a power window motor a few years after my dad bought the car. Other than these few points the article is correct. My 74 wagon looks almost as good as the day my dad bought it. On the other hand i am looking a lot older than the day my dad bought the wagon, actually a lot older.......... a lot older. biggrin

gparis7 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I think the OPEC oil crisis began in 1973 and played out over the course of 1974.

Big impact at the time because the US was so dependent on middle east oil.

bjburnout · Uber Guru

George and his '74 Caprice Estate in Old Autos

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Am I the only guy who doesn't get Old Autos? LOL

https://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t66890135/long-stroke-in-latest-issue-of-old-autos-news-paper/

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Carl, somebody should get you a subscription to Old Auto's for your birthday or Christmas, what ever comes first. biggrin

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

I got it when I was in Ontario but since I moved out here to PEI it doesn't seem as relevant. Most of the ads are in Ontario.

Greaser · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Canadian Poncho wrote:
I got it when I was in Ontario but since I moved out here to PEI it doesn't seem as relevant. Most of the ads are in Ontario.

I liked the newspaper version but also gave up on it, with the newspaper coming from Ontario, we would received it

in Calgary almost two weeks from the date posted on the newspaper. Lots of ads were already outdated at that point.

Great paper for those in Ontario.

gparis7 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Greaser wrote:
Canadian Poncho wrote:
I got it when I was in Ontario but since I moved out here to PEI it doesn't seem as relevant. Most of the ads are in Ontario.
I liked the newspaper version but also gave up on it, with the newspaper coming from Ontario, we would received it
in Calgary almost two weeks from the date posted on the newspaper. Lots of ads were already outdated at that point.
Great paper for those in Ontario.

I still get it but it takes a long time for delivery; 2 to 3 weeks after publication is not uncommon. Which means you need good luck if you are trying to buy something from the classifieds.

bjburnout · Uber Guru

gparis7 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

bjburnout wrote:

All that counts is that it's a venue for a great article, on a beautiful one family car, in an excellent publication that's well worth reading even if it is delayed.

silver steak · Addicted!

I quess Derailed, lets get back to George's beautiful Wagon and article

I grew up in a family similar to you George, five sisters and one brother. My dad drove F _ _ Ds 63 and 65 I think, the oldest siblings were told to sit in the back Foldings seats, with NO A/C and no power rear window crank only.

Anyway, read the article in Old Autos aswell, great to hear the complete story and that you got to keep your Dad's wagon. Good for You

Dale

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

silver steak wrote:
I quess Derailed, lets get back to George's beautiful Wagon and article
I grew up in a family similar to you George, five sisters and one brother. My dad drove F _ _ Ds 63 and 65 I think, the oldest siblings were told to sit in the back Foldings seats, with NO A/C and no power rear window crank only.
Anyway, read the article in Old Autos aswell, great to hear the complete story and that you got to keep your Dad's wagon. Good for You
Dale

Dale, thanks for the kind words. I as well have one brother and five sisters. Thank goodness i was the oldest, having five sisters. My dad always new how much this car meant to me and made sure i got it. My younger brother Mike, got my dads other car. A solid 1980 Camaro with a 267 V-8 that Mike souped up. When it is my turn to cash in my chips, i am leaving the wagon to my brother Mike. Cheers.

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

RE: Long Stroke in latest issue of Old Autos News paper !!

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

long stroke wrote:
gparis7 wrote:
I think the OPEC oil crisis began in 1973 and played out over the course of 1974.
Big impact at the time because the US was so dependent on middle east oil.
John, i do not remember this having any impact on us here in Canada, just the U.S.

From: 1973 Oil Crisis -2007 Schools Selection

In Canada the industrial east suffered many of the same problems of the United States. In oil rich Alberta there was a sudden and massive influx of money that quickly made it the richest province in the country. The federal government attempted to correct this imbalance through the creation of the government-owned Petro-Canada and later the National Energy Program. These efforts produced a great deal of anger in the west producing a sentiment of alienation that has remained a central element of Canadian politics to this day. Overall the oil embargo had a sharply negative effect on the Canadian economy. The economic malaise in the United States easily crossed the border and increases in unemployment and stagflation hit Canada as hard as the United States despite Canadian fuel reserves

dualquadpete · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

long stroke wrote:
I was thrilled to be asked to feature the wagon and enjoyed the photo shoot but there are some mistakes in the article to be fair. The wagon does have a few minor dents here and there from folks not being so nice in parking lots many years ago. There was never a 350 offered in the Caprice Estate wagon line, just 400 standard and 454 optional. The oil crisis was in 1974 only, that i know of. I never steered dad to West York Chev Olds because i got the brochures from Belmont Chev Olds and told dad about that dealer. The wagon was not in the show room floor but out in the lot and it was not trouble free because i had to replace a power window motor a few years after my dad bought the car. Other than these few points the article is correct. My 74 wagon looks almost as good as the day my dad bought it. On the other hand i am looking a lot older than the day my dad bought the wagon, actually a lot older.......... a lot older.

George, when he did my 64 Safari wagon he made a few mistakes too!! Either he doesn't listen or can't read his own notes. Made mistakes on my friends 28 Ford Delivery from Port Perry last yr. too, that being said he still does the job, just not too accurate!!

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

dualquadpete wrote:
long stroke wrote:
I was thrilled to be asked to feature the wagon and enjoyed the photo shoot but there are some mistakes in the article to be fair. The wagon does have a few minor dents here and there from folks not being so nice in parking lots many years ago. There was never a 350 offered in the Caprice Estate wagon line, just 400 standard and 454 optional. The oil crisis was in 1974 only, that i know of. I never steered dad to West York Chev Olds because i got the brochures from Belmont Chev Olds and told dad about that dealer. The wagon was not in the show room floor but out in the lot and it was not trouble free because i had to replace a power window motor a few years after my dad bought the car. Other than these few points the article is correct. My 74 wagon looks almost as good as the day my dad bought it. On the other hand i am looking a lot older than the day my dad bought the wagon, actually a lot older.......... a lot older.
George, when he did my 64 Safari wagon he made a few mistakes too!! Either he doesn't listen or can't read his own notes. Made mistakes on my friends 28 Ford Delivery from Port Perry last yr. too, that being said he still does the job, just not too accurate!!

Pete, remember the old expression "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story". I personally i prefer accuracy in any story i read.

CdnGMfan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Congrats on getting the wagon and the story out there, George. Like your situation, in 1974 dad went car shopping for a big Chevy. I can appreciate those big wagons and I still have the 1974 wagon brochure from Wills Motors, Caledonia, a place I grabbed many a Chevy brochure off the rack starting 1969.

George, you'd be interested to know that the Canadian brochure lists the colours, plus 2-tone combinations with the white roof, PLUS it also says other combinations available. That last statement is not in the U.S. brochure. As in years before, Canada got some unique 2-tones. About 2 blocks from my house back in '74, a local landscaper, Mr. Hagenauer bought a new '74 Bel Air 3-row seat wagon with a unique 2-tone. The car was Sandstone (a yellowy beige) with Bronze Metallic on the top of the roof and along the sides approximately where woodgrain would have been on a Caprice Estate. I had seen a black & white photo in an Auto Trader back in the late 70's a similarly equipped 2-tone wagon, but that is it. I had seen around in Stoney Creek back in 73-74 a 1973 version Impala wagon with a unique 1973 version 2-tone. The secondary colour was on the top of the roof and below the lower tuck-in where the door turns inward to meet the rockers (Not the Fockers). wink

gparis7 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

George, even if there were a few minor mistakes, the great thing is that you got the car's story out, and you have those great pictures.

I hope I get my issue soon so I can read it the way I like to, in my hands.

Congratulations.

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

CdnGMfan wrote:
Congrats on getting the wagon and the story out there, George. Like your situation, in 1974 dad went car shopping for a big Chevy. I can appreciate those big wagons and I still have the 1974 wagon brochure from Wills Motors, Caledonia, a place I grabbed many a Chevy brochure off the rack starting 1969.
George, you'd be interested to know that the Canadian brochure lists the colours, plus 2-tone combinations with the white roof, PLUS it also says other combinations available. That last statement is not in the U.S. brochure. As in years before, Canada got some unique 2-tones. About 2 blocks from my house back in '74, a local landscaper, Mr. Hagenauer bought a new '74 Bel Air 3-row seat wagon with a unique 2-tone. The car was Sandstone (a yellowy beige) with Bronze Metallic on the top of the roof and along the sides approximately where woodgrain would have been on a Caprice Estate. I had seen a black & white photo in an Auto Trader back in the late 70's a similarly equipped 2-tone wagon, but that is it. I had seen around in Stoney Creek back in 73-74 a 1973 version Impala wagon with a unique 1973 version 2-tone. The secondary colour was on the top of the roof and below the lower tuck-in where the door turns inward to meet the rockers (Not the Fockers).

Cam, always interesting to hear about your insights on any given topic. I found your insights on specific Canadian colour combinations to be of interest for sure, especially the Sandstone with the Bronze top. That is a combination that i would like on my 74 wagon as much as what is on there now. Thanks for sharing your amazing GM history that you have in your magic finger tips. Cheers.

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Like i mentioned on the other post regarding my 74 wagon. There are a number of mistakes in this article concerning my wagon. The wagon has a number of small dings from butt heads in the past in parking lots. The wagon had a failed power window motor (rear drivers side), which i replaced for my dad, so it was far from perfect. I rode my bike to Belmont Chev Olds to get my dad the dealer brochures to look at. My dad had decided on a 1974 Pontiac Safari 9 passenger wagon, until he saw the Chevy brochures. No offence but the Chevy is far better looking than the Pontiac in 1974, hands down and my dad agreed. The sales guy never showed my dad a car in the show room, it was out side on the lot. There was never a 350 Chevy V-8 offered in the Caprice Estate line. The 400 V-8 was standard and the 454 was the optional motor. My dad was going to order the 454 until the sales guy showed him the car that was on the lot. It is very true that i was pissed that we never got the 454 but we got A/C and power windows instead. Another thing i should mention is that i was there with my dad the day that he ordered the wagon and the day that he picked up the wagon. I remember on the day that my dad purchased the wagon, he made it very clear to the sales guy. That he did not want any kind of dealer tag or script put on the car, especially if there is any kind of drilling involved. On the day that my dad and i picked up the car, it was obvious that they drilled and mounted their dealer tag on the car. My dad went nuts and was so pissed off that they did. I am real glad that they did now because it is a good looking dealer tag on the back of the wagon. As much as i loved being featured, i prefer the facts to be stated as facts. Cheers.

-- Edited by long stroke on Wednesday 2nd of September 2020 02:16:46 PM

dualquadpete · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

George your Dad & mine must have been "brothers" as my dad was the same with dealer badges and refused to have one on any of his cars!! Last Oldsmobile he bought was from GM dealer in Uxbridge back in 1970 & luckily it was a stick on & he made them remove it!! Dad had known owner of dealer since school days and specifically said "no badge" but there it was!!! Trip back to Toronto took him to Pickering before he stopped fuming!!