Category Archives: Pontiac

Parking Lot Spotlight – 1967 Pontiac Bonneville!!

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I haven’t written a Parking Lot Spotlight (#ParkingLotSpotlight) in a while, but this beautiful Bonneville was worth breaking the dry spell for.

Spotted this beauty just today as I had to run back to the grocery store because there are days, although armed with a list, things just don’t make in the shopping cart.  This particular return trip paid off.

The ’67 Pontiac lineup these days are pretty much dominated, at least in the collector world, by the Firebird, GTO, Tempest, LaMans, Gran Prix but I love the other two door offerings you could find in the showrooms.   These include some awesome cars with long, low lines, roomy interiors and massive trunks.  They came in hard and soft tops as well.  Some of those sported model names like Executive series which in NO-WAY looked like a stuffy exec car.  These were muscular and sporting.  Cars like the  Catalina 2+2 with (eight lug wheels) and the Pontiac Executive are exceptional looking cars and powered with V8s and 4bbl carbs.

I have always coveted the Bonneville models of the mid-1960, they remind me of my first car, 1966 Impala.  Same long lines  and big interiors and I loved the dash and instrument setup.

So check out this beauty:

Great looking paint - not original but beautiful

Great looking paint – not original but beautiful

1967PontiacBonne-2

These are the lines I’m talking about. Long and low….AWESOME.

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HUGE trunk!!! Love those inset taillights and how the bumper is incorporated into the design of the rear end.

1967PontiacBonne-8

Long and sleek belt lines and the white-painted top does this car justice!!

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Over/Under headlights with the bottom set incorporated in to a beautiful distinctive chrome bumper.  (One drawback of having to manage a good pic in a crowded parking lot – I couldn’t get the perfect front end shot.)

That year the Bonneville came in a 2 door hard top like this beauty as well as 4 door sedan, 2 door convertible and even a station wagon.   Engines available were the 230 CID in various configurations as well as the 326 CID and the 400 CID engine and the 428 CID  all as options.  Sychromesh or Turbo-Hydromatic transmission were available.  There were 96,708 passenger Bonnevilles produced.  Of interest was that 483 Bonnevilles were sold to car converters and at least one of those turned up as the car that the fictitious (at the time) band the “Monkees” tooled around on the television show of the same name.  Oh, you might have heard of the guy that bought at least one of the Bonnevilles and turned it into the this cool car – George Barris!!

MonkeeMobile

MonkeeMobile

According to the for sales sign this Bonneville is powered by the 400 CID topped with a 4bbl carb which would put this between 333 HP and 350 HP.  The transmission is the 400 Turbo-Hydromatic.

I love the interior  of this factory air car!!!

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Love the linear gauges!! Is that a factory 8 Track!?!?!!! Come on that is SO COOL!!!!  Options list I found doesn’t show this as an option.

1967PontiacBonne-6

Cloth seats and look at all the room!!! Love the large center speaker and it has the front bench seats with the pull down arm rest. It looks as it should!!!

 

Of course I’m at the grocery store and no time to hang around and wait for the owner to show up.

As a side note I don’t know this car nor the owner.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

I don't really need a Lambo....but.....

 

Auto Factoids for the Week of 1/25/2015

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Wow it’s the end of January already.  Here are your Auto Factoids (#AutoFactoids) for the last week of January 2015.

Jan 26th 1920 – Lincoln Motor Company formed.

Lincoln Motor Company was actually started in 1917 and produced  Liberty engines with Ford parts for World War I.   After the war they began producing luxury cars.  By 1920 the company had financial issues and Ford bought the company in 1922.   Ford allowed the company to operate separately until 1940.

1921 Lincoln Model 'L'

1921 Lincoln Model ‘L’

Jan 27th 1974 – Not being able to drive 55 became against the law as President Nixon signed the national speed limit law in response to gas/oil issues.

 

Jan 28th 1950 – Preston Tucker was acquitted of mail fraud.

The history of the Tucker car is extremely interesting.  The Tucker car was an innovation ahead of its time and offered an alternative (rear  engine) to the typical cars being produced in that era.  The car industry was a powerful and influential business entity generally were not interest in a start-up threatening their share of the industry.   The car of the future (called the Tucker Torpedo – while under development) was produced in 1948 against insurmountable odds.   Only 51 Tucker 48’s (Model 48) was produced in 1948, 47 still exist.

While dubbed "Tucker Torpedo" during production no 'Torpedoes' were produced.

While dubbed “Tucker Torpedo” during production no ‘Torpedoes’ were produced.

 

Tucker-3_jpg

 

Some Tucker Specs:

– Engine: H-6 (horizontally opposed), OHV, 335 ci (4.50 x 3.50 in. bore x stroke), 7.0:1 compression ratio, 166 bhp, 372 lbs/ft torque.

– Size: 128″ wheelbase, 219″ overall length, 60″ height, 79″ width, 4200 pounds.

– Performance: 0-60 in 10 seconds, est. top speed 120 mph

 

Jan 29th 1886 – Benz developed the first gasoline (internal combustion) automobile.

Carl Benz's Motorwagon.

Carl Benz’s Motorwagon.

The Motorwagon engine was actually built in 1885, 1886 was when Mr. Benz applied for the patent

Some specs on the Motorwagon’s power plant:

     –  Rear mounted horizontal engine with vertical crankshaft

     –  Belt primary drive and final transmission to the rear wheels by side chains

     –  Displaced 984cc and mustered up .9 horsepower

     –  Top speed was achieved at 8 mph

–  Loud

– Smelly

It was a tubular chassis suspended in place by three large wheels.

Jan 30th 1958 – Rambler American debuts

This was the first car created by American Motors Company (AMC).  The company was formed by the merger of Nash and Hudson.  The American for 1958 was only built in a 2 door with one engine option, the 195.6 cu in (3.2 L) flathead, that  producing 90 hp.  There were a couple trim options the base or Deluxe and the Super.

The American was produced in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South Africa, Australia and Iran.

 

Jan 31st was a big day in automotive history with the debut of Pontiac’s 2 door Custom Safari (1955)

Who doesn't love a two door wagon?!?!?!?!

Who doesn’t love a two door wagon?!?!?!?!

Rarer than the Chevy Nomad, the Safari was produced as the Star Chief Custom Safari with 3,760 made and as the Chieftan 860 “Colony” 2 door (two or three seats):  8,618 in 1955.

These sported the 287 V8 engine and were topped with 2 or 4 barrel carb.

Jan 31st Studebaker/Packard debuts the Clipper (1957)

Frankly this car was a mess!  Actually it was just a Studebaker with Packard tail lights, bumper and instrument panel, fitted with stamped overlays for body panels.  Referred to as Packardbaker, these were not well received.  They did use the 289 (4.7 liter) engine from the Golden Hawk, which produced 275 hp.  Also came in a wagon version.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#AutoFactoids

Original 1957 Packard Clipper with Factory Supercharged …

The 1956-1957 Packard Clipper was the car that was supposed to mark out Clipper as a brand in itself, despite the fact that the manufacturer was going through a really rough spot that, one year later, would spell the end of …
1948 Tucker – Classic Cars – Blogs – Times Union

I read a story at the time the Preston Tucker Movie was out that said they used a late 40s Studebaker as a “stand in” for the Tucker in the rollover stunt, modified to look like a Tucker. Dan Lyons says: February 23, 2013 at 8:03 …

lincoln motor company[ ATTRIBUTE: Please check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/66733752@N00/3532006434 to find out how to attribute this image ]

Jason Horn’s 1969 Pontiac GTO!!

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I was contacted by one of my followers on Twitter (@CarRestoration), I follow him as well (love a nice GTO) Jason Horn of Beattyville, KY.

He is currently heal up from an injury but he provided a link to what is a monster power plant that he’s build for his 1969 GTO rebuild.

Check out this how this mild-mannered 375 wants to jump right out off its motor mounts!!

 

 

Here’s why: It is a Butler performance stroked factory 375 that is now a 474.
Jason is looking at 650 – 700 HP and he’s connecting that up to TKO 5 speed!!!!

This is his 28th Pontiac engine rebuild.

Rest that injury Jason and drop us a note when you are back at the project.

Best of luck
Tim Sweet

1969 gto

Video: A 1964 Tempest Gets Fed The Eye Of The Storm With Vortech – Street Legal TV

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This is a fantastic car.  Follow the link below on Street Legal TV.

 

1964 Monster Tempest

1964 Monster Tempest

 

Many of the people we come across tell us they’ve had their car for a long time, and that time frame is just barely into double digits. But Paul Minore from Orange, Connecticut, has surpassed many of those people three-fold. His 1964 Pontiac LeMans was purchased right out of high school and has been in his possession for 32 years now. It wasn’t new at the time, with some 18 years under its belt already, but he had plans for it.PM-Tempest09While most people know the musclecar-era LeMans as an A-body, it began as the Y-body Tempest, a sub-compact car that was shared with Buick and Oldsmobile in the early 1960s. Pontiac’s designer du jor from that decade was none other than John DeLorean, who had a hand in making the early Tempest a bit more unique than its Buick and Olds cousins.

via Video: A 1964 Tempest Gets Fed The Eye Of The Storm With Vortech – Street Legal TV.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

326/3-Speed 1964 Pontiac LeMans Coupe | Bring a Trailer

2) The tail lights and rear trim are from a 1964 Tempest Custom. 3) The paint code says the original paint was Alamo Beige (however Sunfire was available in 1964) 4) The trim code says it was originally a saddle interior.

Parkinglot Spot Light – 1980 Firebird TA 4.9

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Head in to the store for my second time today (happens when you don’t  follow the list as close as you as should) and I spotted this iconic car, the one, the only Firebird Trans Am.

I’m not sure why I took the pics like this – maybe balancing the bag of groceries and my Android and an impact.

 

 

IMG_20140316_113144_404 IMG_20140316_113147_246 IMG_20140316_113155_988 IMG_20140316_113210_740

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clearly this car is a driver and that is perfect in my book.   Love the original honeycomb wheels and that hood scoop!!!  That 4.9 on the scoop indicates there might be a turbo under that bird sticker!!!!

Should look something like this:

4.9L T/A Pontiac V8

4.9L T/A Pontiac V8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The choices were the 4.9L T/A Pontiac V8, the Chevrolet 5.0L V8 and 1981 the highly desirable 4.9L Turbocharged Pontiac V8.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

 

Corrections & Amplifications

The Pontiac Firebird Trans Am featured in the first “Smokey and the Bandit” movie was a 1977 model. An Arena article on Friday about car movies incorrectly said the car was a 1976 model. In the movie, it was intended to be a 1977, although car buffs …
“Smokey and The Bandit” Fans, NASCAR Driver Tony Stewart Is Bringing It Back

The six-part web series has Stewart channeling his inner Burt Reynolds complete with an enormous mustache that would make any man jealous. He’s also got the iconic Pontiac Firebird Trans Am to play with and the hat to make the transformation complete.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEATURE: 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 400 | Classic Recollections

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FEATURE: 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 400 | Classic Recollections.
Mecum Chicago: 1969 Pontiac Firebirds Trans Am 400

There was more than a few eye-catching machines at the Mecum Auction to gaze upon and one that grabbed our pupils was this 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 400. The vehicle garnered a 2009 National Olympic Gold freeze frame and lost and found award before undergoing a complete restoration in January 2012. Underhood, it still retains the factory-installed 400ci, 335HP Ram Air III V8 engine. Gears are selected with a four-speed manual transmission. The exterior sheet metal is coated in the correct Cameo White and Tyrol Blue paint while the interior has been freshened with new carpeting and Blue vinyl upholstery. Unique items include a Hurst Shifter, full gauges and a wood-rimmed Sport steering wheel.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

firebird tans am

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1978-1982 Corvette firebird tans am cb radio all intact: $45.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Nov-21-2013 16:38:39… http://t.co/z0KBlOOEVk
Pontiac : Firebird Tans Am 1998 Pontiac Trans Am – F-Body Online

US $1125.00 (5 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Mar-09-2011 16:51:12 PST Buy It Now for only: US $15000.00 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list More…
Pontiac Trans Am Firebird : AutomaTick – Das Auto Magazin

Doch mal ehrlich: Auch ohne „Turbo Boost“ oder „Super Pursuit Mode“ macht der Pontiac Firebird Tans Am keine schlechte Figur und schon die früheren Modelle brauchten den Vergleich mit anderen Muscle Cars, wie dem …

 

 

Auto Factoid 9/8/2013 – 9/14/2013

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Auto Factoids are back!!!!   Lets just get started.

Happy Birthday (Sept. 8, 1903) Preston  Tucker – nice cars!!!

 

On Sept 9th 1935 Studebaker put the first car on a Pennsylvania RR rail car headed to NYC  but the final destination was London.  (Actually there were 163 cars in that shipment.)

These are what were shipped

These are what were shipped

studeexport

Studebakers on the ship headed for London

 

On September 13, 1945 Pontiac began producing cars again after WWII.   Well sort of. From 1946 to 1948, all Pontiac models were essentially 1942 models with minor changes – like interior and bright-work.  The next “all new” Pontiac was the 1949 model.

Looks a like the the '42 model you say? Yup.

Looks a like the the ’42 model you say? Yup.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

TuffyEasternIA

The 1948 Tucker Torpedo was a unique model which sported 3 headlights! #tbt http://t.co/Zly6WuxBtG
j12s634

1948 Tucker Torpedo, ahead of its time….. http://t.co/U0wH1KLAJq
Documentary Tells the Real Tale of the Tucker Torpedo/48 [w …

Of all the great cars that could have been, the Tucker is right there at the very top of the list. Only around 50 cars were ever made, despite the fact that the company had the largest single-space factory in the world (at the time) …

 

 

 

 

Arlen Vanke’s “Tin Indian” GTO to attend Hemmings Motor News Conc | Hemmings Daily

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Love this car!!!

Arlen Vanke’s “Tin Indian” GTO to attend Hemmings Motor News Conc | Hemmings Daily.

 

1966 Pontiac "Tin Indian" GTO; Image courtesy of Merle Green, Jr.

 

Thanks for reading.  Drop a note if you have a great drag race story!!!

Tim

pontiac gto drag racing

1969 Pontiac GTO 1/4 mile Drag Racing timeslip specs 0-60 …

Fast 1969 Pontiac GTO 1/4 mile drag racing videos and timeslips.
Jungle Jim and Jungle Pam – Drag Racing Legends | Fast Car TV …

Dodge Neon SRT4 vs Pontiac GTO – drag racing – 1/4 mile race. Added by admin 3 days ago. 2 Views0 Comments0 Likes. Facebook: http://on.fb.me/RHPage Twitter: http://bit.ly/RHTweets (MORE…) Neon SRT-4 vs. Pontiac …

Wrecked – 1960 Pontiac Catalina

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1960 Pontiac Catalina on Parting Out

1960 Pontiac Catalina

Yes you can build a Camaro from the ground of with new frames/bodies and parts everywhere.  You can clone a Boss 302 and you can build your own 1957 Chevy and find all the after market parts you need.

But there are other, equally cool cars that you might take a fancy too and want to restore.  Finding stuff can be a problem.  My new feature “Wrecked” might help you out with finding those parts.

I’m doing this in conjunction with listing on PartingOut.Com  they pull together a lot of cars and many are southwestern cars, that means less debilitating rest on the parts you need.  And that’s were I found this very near completed parts car.

This 1960’s workhorse has great lines and I love stations wagons.  So here’s info on why I think it would be one of those cool cars, you might want too own.

There were about 34,000 of these cars produced in either the a 4 door 6 passenger or 9 passenger.  There were a few AmbleWagons produced out of that lot. (oh…amblewagons were ambulances or hearses).

This is a '69 but you get the idea.

This is a ’69 but you get the idea.

One really cool feature was that, unlike may wagons of the late ’50’s early ’60’s that sported 6 cyclinders engines, the 1960 Pontiac wagons only carried a V8.  That was the 389, overhead valved, cast iron blocked engine, with a bore and stroke of 4.05×3.75 inches and a compression ratio of 8.6:1.  These were topped with Rochester 2GC, 2 barrel, it also sported hydraulic valves and Five main bearings.  This all helped produce from 215 hp (w/synchromesth transmission) or 283 hp (w/Hyrda-Matic transmission).

This was a new body design and new for 1960 were the optional “eight lug” aluminum wheels with integral brake drums that not only enhanced the car’s looks but also provided improved stopping power. Another popular option for performance enthusiasts was the “Safe-T-Track” limited slip differential.

It looks great in this configuration. Look at alll that glass!!!

It looks great in this configuration. Look at all that glass!!!

And tons room!!!

And tons room!!!

I would love to own one. The potential for making it a Muscle Wagon is extremely good.

So check out www.PartingOut.com and see what parts they have for your collectible.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

 

 

 

Enthusiasts pick up the pieces of a fallen soldier’s GTO restoration | Hemmings Blog: Classic and collectible cars and parts

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Enthusiasts pick up the pieces of a fallen soldier’s GTO restoration | Hemmings Blog: Classic and collectible cars and parts.

 

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