Our feature car for September is this beautiful Butternut Yellow 1970 Pontiac 2+2 convertible. Bruce McIntyre is the lucky owner of this Poncho which has been in the family since 1973. Being one of only 274 2+2 convertibles made in 1970 means the chances of seeing another one running wild in the world is pretty slim. Let's find out more from Bruce:
My dad acquired the 2+2 from the U.S. embassy in 1973 as the owner was returning to the USA and my recollection that the car could not be exported at the time. I always thought the vehicle was driven by the ambassador’s wife turns out it was actually owned by an FBI agent who was assigned to the embassy in Ottawa at the time, a fact I only learned a few years ago. It is equipped with a 400 cu inch small block which is very rare, THM 350 tranny, 2.56;1 12 bolt rear end and very few factory options. It was delivered through GM diplomatic sales in Oshawa.
My dad really liked the 1970 Pontiac full size cars and this was the second one in the stable back in 1973, the other one was a 1970 Pontiac Strato Chief 4dr LS4 454 which was an unmarked ex RCMP pursuit car. Dad acquired it to pull a travel trailer when we lived in New Brunswick in the early 70’s. It was one of the faster cars in my high school even though it had tall highway gears 2.73:1. Sadly this car’s history ended at an auto wrecker.
I learned to drive with both of those cars, mainly the Strato chief but really enjoyed the 2+2 and lot’s of fond cruising memories for sure. Dad and I spent many weekends working on both of these cars as we did all of our own maintenance.
The 2+2 was my mom’s car and was driven up until 1994 and then parked in my dad’s garage until 1998. It was only driven a couple of winters in it’s life so the frame and under carriage were in excellent condition when my dad gifted it to me. The rust was limited to the bottom of the doors and rear quarter panels mainly.
I completed.a full restoration in 2013 which included body and paint, new top, interior work including front seats. The engine was really not touched other than valve seals. New springs, brakes, shocks, dual stainless exhaust, radiator and front end rounded out the mechanical repairs. A rebuilt THM 350 followed in 2014 along with a conversion to a period correct Rochester four barrel and intake that I acquired from Clint Scherger who helped a lot during the restoration. I suprised my dad with the car on Father’s Day in 2013 and it was a very memorable experience as he had not seen the car since 1998.
The car has been driven very little since 2013 but now that I have retired, I hope to be able to get out to cruise nights and more shows in Ontario. The car runs very well considering it has the original engine which is largely untouched. The car attracts a lot of attention at cruise nights as the Canadian Pontiacs are becoming very rare.
Obviously a special car. Even more special when Bruce has 2 stories to accompany the car.
Very worthy of the monthly feature. Thanks for making it available.
Ray.....for sure you played an important role in the restoration. If my memory is correct, you supplied the 400 cu inch emblem for the LF fender.....it was missing from a minor fender bender that occurred back in the 80s and was never replaced.....so thanks again for that !
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1970 Pontiac 2+2 covertible 400 cubic inch
U.S. Embassy car when new - in the family since 1973
Super cool!!
If it was not for our Brother Rubbers here, most of us would be missing those so important emblems.
This car just looks PERFECT.
Thanks for sharing.
It's always a treat to see a '70 2+2 in any form. Convertibles are rare though I have seen some over the years. A 400 badge on one of these is like seeing a Sasquatch almost. You do a double-take since 99.9% of the time they say 350.
Nice save. The 70 was really the last go-round with bucket-seated big cars (or standard cars as they were considered back then). Outlasting the Impala SS & the buckets in Chevrolets, the 70 Canadian 2+2 was a hodge-podge of stuff brought together. Oldsmobile steering wheel, Chevrolet buckets & console, Executive door panels, Chevy Rally Wheels, but it was it's own car for sure.
63 Parisienne sport coupe (The Big GTO), black, maroon interior, 409 4 speed; former owner of a 59 El Camino, 63 Corvette SWC, 62 Chev Bel Air SC. 1963- Pontiac top selling car in Canada
Mahone Bay, NS Still not old enough to need an automatic
What a B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. car. Just a stunner in every way, especially with that amazing history. You and your dad must be really proud of that beauty.
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1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six
1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8
First of all, thank you for all of the kind remarks and compliments, very much appreciated. i could not have completed the restoration without this forum and the help I received from its members and a special thank you to Clint who has supplied me with more than just a few parts and is always been available to help me diagnose problems and walk me through repairs.
Thought I would also share with the forum how I met Hillar at the Barrie automotive flea market back in 1998.....dad and I went to look for parts and were talking to a vendor and I overheard Hillar talking about a BB Pontiac.... that started a conversation and exchange of business cards. We did chat periodically and think I last saw him at the Woodward dream cruise back in 2005 or 2006. Sad that he passed at such a young age.
Production of the LF6 in the 2+2 convertIble.....not stated in the GM package but as others have noted, production was less than 300 in the hardtop which is about 23% of 1329 produced....apply that percentage to the 274 and possible that 63 or so were produced.....that being said, i have never seen a 2+2 convertible on the road with the 400 so I think the actual production could be low double digits or even lower.
Clint will know the story on the THM 350 vs 400.....think Hillars 2+2 had the THM 400 and some were produced with it, perhaps it was an option on the LF6. Granted the THM 400 is a beast and virtually indestructible but the THM 350 is not a bad tranny and while mine has been rebuilt, it did stand up pretty well.
Finally my dad, he was so happy and proud to see the car completed at the time in 2013 and luckily dad is still with us and will turn 96 in a few days.....I hope to get him out again in the car soon.....
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1970 Pontiac 2+2 covertible 400 cubic inch
U.S. Embassy car when new - in the family since 1973
There have been three (that I know of) embassy cars on Canadian Poncho yours, a '67 Russian one and a '68 Chinese one.
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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.
Stunningly beautiful car Bruce! Really cool that it has been in your family for so many years...makes it almost like a one owner car! The color combination is really nice too! Does anybody know if it was an option or what determined the console color? So many I see as black, green, or red, that when I see one that is done in a light/white color to match the seat and door panel color, I wonder if that was something you could order? Were dashes ever done in a light/white color? Just curious! Again, super nice car Bruce!
