Yea, Mark I felt a great sense of relief proving positive the chassis. At some level, I'm sure I know how Columbus felt...
After everyone went to bed I went to Year One online, Kanter online and my old PST cataloge. The very things you mention, are the thoughts that went through my mind. Front and rear sway bar kits, 2.5 turn to turn steering gear box, rebuild parts for the steering column and PST's Polygraphite front end and bushing kits.
(It's hard not to want to get a second mortgage.) The bottom line though, I can now easily make this car safer for the family to ride in, add more a solid and sporty ride to the car, and not break the bank!
As for the car Mark, I don't have much on the history. Further to my first post,
It was my brothers friend in Red Deer, who had done the two car transaction with the B.C. body shop.(All he was interested in of the deal was the 69 Lemans Convertible. Go figure.) The only history he got, was that the body shop guys used this car for filler,and this means both kinds of filler. Time and plastic.
But that dosn't deter my entusiasm. The body was well done. It looks good, even right up close. The car was red new, and is red again, (a Ford red), but it looks hot on the car. The power windows work good and the windshield has one small, go nowhere crack. The bumpers have to come off and get straightened and chromed.
The interior is a little messed up. It got new black carpet and new white top, they put a black 2+2 dash, with tilt steering column, which all needs work. As far as the dash is concerned im thinking of sending it to "Just Dashes" for overhaul.(heard of them?) The side panels are original but warped, rear seat is original but poor. The front seat is out of God knows what. What I would like to find, is a bucket counsel set up from an Impala (now I know they are the same) and sport up the insides, and recover the whole lot with new white vinyl. I Inquired at a couple of upholstry suppliers and recieved one reply with good results from NOS Reproductions.
The disk/drum brakes and emergency, are all in very good shape. I'm very happy about the front disks!
The engine in the car checks out to be a 1970 250 hp block, the head casting #'s were used in 1970 to 1980 350's, and could easily have come on this block, casting #'s on the 4 bbl mnaifold trace to 76 to 82 305/350. The carb #'s indicate a 1971 Rochester 4 bbl. The rear seal leaks, a bit. Can I positivly i.d. this block to this car? By the (poorly) rewelded throttle linkage, I can see it was a two barrel car. (I had to reweld a dodge project I did back in the late 80's. (last car work I have done. I know it is not a Pontiac but I love all old cars. This was a plain 1968 Polara 4 door. I just wanted to have fun. My daughter and wife still fondly remembers the fun we had in this car. It was needlessly totaled by an arrogant, cowerdly hit and run driver while parked on residential street for one night in 95. I'm still steamed.)
I would like to rebuild a good 350 4 bolt block, I have, with 383 stroker kit and mild cam. If I can't have a big block i'd like to have an engine looking like a stock 350, 300 hp, with correct linkages and air filter assembly , that acts like a baby big block.(I think I need to find a 69 Impala for its parts.)
The turbo 350 has a broken kick down cable, where it connects to the carb linkage, but otherwise shifts good. Some time I would likt to swap 700r4. The open diff has 2.73 gears (I wonder if Eaton 3.42 posi would fit this case?)
The wheels are the pontiac 15' 5 spoke rallys. They are refinished and the daughter says they look hot on the car. (It is interesting to get perspective of teens on what is and is not hot. They are a nasty bunch, when displeased)
G.M. offers a serial # trace to list what options had come with a classic car they built, for $45.00, which I may use. Just to have an idea what this old girl really had in her on her birthday.
The car has seen a lot, I want to keep it as stock as possible, But its history and reality lead me to believe being a fun driver are in its future, not concours correct show car.
Tell me about your Parisienne, Mark, I'd like to know what you've got!
In fact, Some digital imagery could be an interesting and helpful source of information. Let me know what you think.
George
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