[Tedd930]

Just a few pics of a recent purchase looking for some advice on how to proceed ,shiny orginal paint with some chips and light scratches
Orginal top and interior, it’s a 4 speed factory 3-2 car no ps pb or air. Engine being totally gone through now as wel as fuel and brakes … do I leave it be and just clean it up or have it restored ? It’s in excellent shape no rips or tears even the orginal top is perfect. I am trying to locate a set of rims the car is a factory hub cap car which I have the hubcaps and the original wooden shift knob..
thank you for the advice .

[65madgoat]

Great find.

Just do all mechanicals to 100% and then you are set as-is I feel. NICE!!

Enjoy it!

[Gator67]

Originally Posted by 65madgoat

Great find.

Just do all mechanicals to 100% and then you are set as-is I feel. NICE!!

Enjoy it!

X 100

[Keith Seymore]

They are only original once.

K

[Pepper Judge]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

They are only original once.

K

Ditto.

Great find. Enjoy driving it.



Picture rotated and attached so we can get a better look at it.

[b-man]

Leave it original.

Tidy it up and do whatever mechanical and cosmetic repairs it needs but otherwise leave it as is.

Original cars have a lot more value and create more interest than most people think.

Restoring that car would be a sin.

Damn that’s a great find, congratulations!

[geeteeohguy]

That one makes mine look like a mess. Damn that's a nice old car. Agree with the others: the value and interest lies in the current original condition. Restore it and you wipe the history clean and it's just another shiny car. My '66 ragtop sat for 41 years in a garage before I got it from the original owner/family in October. Working on it now...did the brakes, fuel system, and got it running and driving. Engine will likely need to be freshened up. Mines a 4 speed 4bbl, with 114k miles. How long has yours been off the road?

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

That is amazing.
Congratulations to you and welcome to PY Forum.

Do you have the PHS report on the car ?
What axle ratio did it come with ?

[Greg Reid]

Absolutely leave it unrestored. That's an incredible find.. Congratulations!

[bluejudge]

NICE looking car, if it was me I would do exactly what your doing now make it drivable and leave it as is, nice and original… Good Luck, Marc.

[Greg Reid]

I think you're right about the wheels. Those are among my favorites but they don't do much for that car... They need the polished edge, a nice set of Rallies or as you are leaning towards, steelies and hubcaps.

[Goatboyjohnny]

WOW!!! Great find,.. and as everyone else has already said, make it safe and road worthy and enjoy. What a treasure!!!

[kingbuzzo]

Nice score...congrats

[Tedd930]

Ok thanks for the reply’s and I was actually hopeful everyone would suggest this. Obviously the cheaper way to go .. however I did have to send the carbs out to a place in north Fla that’s restored to new condition also the car had 80,000 miles has been sitting 20 yrs so the mechanic suggested a freshen up on the engine
So I had it rebuilt stock here’s some pics going back in this week .. thanks everyone

[b-man]

Unfortunately the engine is painted the wrong color.

1959 - 1965 were painted Pontiac Light Blue like your new build.

1966 - 1970 engines were Pontiac Light Blue Metallic.

Here’s the color it should be painted, this is a used 1966 intake.

[Greg Reid]

Yep, so the engine's apparently been out at some point if it was that color when you got it.
I think that's a good approach. As needed, mechanical restoration, drive train, suspension, damaged parts and so forth.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by b-man

Unfortunately the engine is painted the wrong color.

1959 - 1965 were painted Pontiac Light Blue like your new build.

1966 - 1970 engines were Pontiac Light Blue Metallic.

Here’s the color it should be painted, this is a used 1966 intake.

The "better" color, IMHO. I've always been jealous of the later metallic blue.

Originally Posted by Tedd930

Ok thanks for the reply’s and I was actually hopeful everyone would suggest this. Obviously the cheaper way to go .. however I did have to send the carbs out to a place in north Fla that’s restored to new condition also the car had 80,000 miles has been sitting 20 yrs so the mechanic suggested a freshen up on the engine
So I had it rebuilt stock here’s some pics going back in this week .. thanks everyone

This would be a good time to check the numbers and date codes on the engine, too.

K

[b-man]

Yeah I’m a big fan of the Metallic Blue engine paint myself. That’s one of the coolest things about owning a ‘66, along with the big center carb and the last year of those interesting pentroof valve covers.

However I stayed true to the correct Light Blue paint color when painting my ‘64 421 HO.

[Tedd930]

Hello yes I noticed this as well, so did the owner at the shop installing the engine and doing all the maintenance and road safety work. The machine shop made the mistake. It will be corrected before it goes in the car . As far as date codes and matching numbers
I am personal friends with the elderly original owner, who confirms the motor and transmission has never been removed. I’ve also confirmed with his old Pontiac historical society, data sheets that everything matches. Thanks again for all the good information. Will keep the progress posted.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

If you only do 1 more thing to the whole car
- please correct that engine color , as you mention.

Today's 93 octane is equivalent to yesterdays 100 octane (1966)
But needs a lead substitute additive.

Rally 1 wheels for the win !