? for big car enthusists / builders
 

i was asked so i'm asking the rest of you. what's the most frustrating thing about restoring a big pontiac?

i'll be busy pushing snow for a few days or weeks, so i'll stick this and check back when i can.

thanks, mike

sheetmetal hands down.....only company that makes any repro sheetmetal for big pontiacs deals in absolutely grabage pieces and I will NEVER purchase from them again...
I'm tempted to start cutting quarter panel sections off of the parts cars I come across, because I know theres a demand for them and I know where theres alot of big 60s pontiacs in fields that are not completely rusted...

Lack of repro replacement parts, mainly sheetmetal, but other items also such as limited slip diffs.

it hard to find parts from any one i have a 62 b v try and find some nos side trim the long ones the inteior is hi. find a good black and clear wheel . and its just hard to find the things you need .front end parts it is ezer to bild a 65 chevelle

sheetmetal is about impossible to find for my 65 and a decent geared posi is impossible to find.

Without a doubt, the paucity of availible reproduction parts whether sheetmetal, trim, chrome etc. Its certainly a challenge finding such parts reasonably priced in suitable condition to complete a restoration. What makes its most rewarding, however, is showing up at a car cruise or show and certainly causing a stir among both car collectors and the many car admirers....

pitted pot metal parts
 

They're expensive as hell to chrome and seem to be cast from unobtainium.

The availability of QUALITY parts but also...

The fact that seemingly not long ago there were a ton of these cars available for not much $, & now that I have finally gotten around to getting mine in shape, they are all being crushed or sold for too much $.

Don't tear up too much Mike.

How about they are so big you cant work on them in a "normal" size garage. The parts thing has been a pita for a while but you really need a shop. I can fit the car in the garage but have to leave the door open to walk around it. Other than that and the parts I love the thing.

Being in Australia!!!!!!!!!

Love the place & would never consider living anywhere else but its a pain in the wallet and arse to build a US car here, especially full-size Pontiac or Olds.

Dave

Put a rust-free pair of '66 Catalina rear-quarter panels on eBay and watch the bidding go through the roof. Or even a damn battery tray! Why is the full-size market so ignored? I certainly don't understand it. The lack of sheet metal irks me to no end, but echoing what others have said, it is the lack of parts in general. It seems to me that companies like Year One or Original Parts Group would stand to do pretty well if they tapped this market. Ames is a big disappointment. I'd rather spend more for NOS than buy their RE junk. Dave

Being new to this game, I have to say OUCH....because I am gonna need some sheetmetal this summer. In the rear of my 73, behind the tires, at the bottom of the car....in that pocket area of the trunk, all I got holding that together is the paint, lol. It's a shame to hear that a company would produce and sell crap(Ames). I wonder if they think they have good products??

Should I start looking for a patch for that now?

sheet metal, sheet metal, sheet metal..

and good dashes..

In case no one else has mentioned it, sheet metal. Fender and quarter patches, trunk pans and battery trays. '65 tail panels would be nice too.

I won't say sheet metal is the biggest frustration (but I'm thinking it). One thing that's perturbed me is what-fits-what between other GM vehicles and Pontiac. Someone should write a book.

I would say sheet metal also........anyone have a set of 66 2+2 1/4's for sale??? Dave K.

So, the 65-66 repop metal quarters being sold on Ebayright now are no good? That figures. I asked if they were originals or repop, got an answer right away. Then I asked what gauge the metal was and never got an answer.

Oh, to answer the original question: sheet metal and electrical parts that are 1 or 2 year only, and specific to pontiac. I've been really lucky with posi's, rally gauges, and some accessories, but that is all it was. pure dumb luck (or maybe good karma?)

Ahh, alright...I'll forget I flamed Ames like that and go back to being ignorant. But like you said, I will check here first if I ever need anything. Thanks.

Did anyone happen to mention "SHEET METAL"? The 63 I'm restoring was purchased new by dad in late 62. I'm lucky. No out of pocket expenses on buying the car initially. But, based upon prices for NOS and availability of RE parts these days, I'll have a fortune tied up in this car before it hits the streets. I roll my eyes when the chevy guys moan and groan about repo sheet metal not fitting correctly. I'd be happy to struggle with a repo trunk pan or quarter panel that didn't fit properly. The availability and usability of used sheet metal is dwindling. Most parts cars I've seen from AZ appear to have spent many of their days in my neck of the woods. It continues to make my restoration project a challenge. Out of curiosity, Steve Snyder (Indiana Pontiacs) asked me what I'd pay for a repo trunk pan. I'd have no problem putting out 600-1000 depending upon quality. Hey, Goodmark, Sherman, PY, Ames. Help us.