[61 vent]

Hello all, Can any of you wagon experts tell me if the tail light lenses for a 62 Bonneville/ Catalina wagon are the same lenses used on the 61 Catalina's/Ventura's? I only have pictures to go by, but they sure do look the same. Thanks

[Stuart]

They're different. The 1962 wagon lights are more oval, while the 1961 Ventura lights have parallel tops and bottoms.

1962 Bonneville wagon:



1961 Ventura:

[61 vent]

Thanks for the excellent visual aids, I can really tell the difference now.

[blueghoast]

Man I sure do love them 61 Venturas.

[61 vent]

I loved it to, long story and a bad call on my part. Oh well you live and learn.

[Heybuck]

Where did you find that picture Stuart? It's got Victoria, Australian number plates on it and judging by the "Conargo Pub" sign and the yellow revolving flashing lights on top, I'd take a guess that the car was being prepared for or had been used in a "Variety Club Bush Bash" or similar.

These "Bashes" are charity fund raisers whereby entrants can only enter a car not younger than about 1967. By the time the cars have completed the run, they are pretty knackered but they often get refurbished time and time again to compete in the next event. They attract a lot of sponsorship and raise a lot of money on these events.

A LOT of high speed, terribly rough roads have to be covered, nearly all is on dirt much more suited to 4WD type vehicles but they have a huge back-up and recovery team to keep the old girls running.

Still, it's a bit of a shame if that '62 wagon was being used in such a purpose.

Ian

[QUOTE=Stuart;4266072]They're different. The 1962 wagon lights are more oval, while the 1961 Ventura lights have parallel tops and bottoms.

1962 Bonneville wagon:

[Stuart]

I just did a google search, and that was the first wagon that popped up with a decent view of the rear end. Here's the Flickr account I found it on: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aussief...ts/5087501697/ It says was done up as a Fund Raiser Rally Car, the photo was taken in Numurkah, Victoria.

[Heybuck]

That car was most probably a funeral hearse in its first life. The fact that its RHD indicates it has been here for a long, long time. Quite a few wagons of all makes were imported for that purpose although you could still go and buy one from your Pontiac dealer - if you had a bucket full of money!!!

You can be quite sure that it probably has an absolute minimum of rust. Usually cars in Australia don't rust badly unless they spend a lot of time close to the ocean.

Shame that its being used as a rally car now. Note the towing hook on the front. Used for pulling it out of a bog or if it breaks down, it can be flat towed on a bar behind another car. I'm fairly sure its a mandatory modification that has to be done for it pass scrutiny before the rally commences.

It's also been fitted with big Sunraysia sand wheels.

Still, if it's earning money for charity then maybe that's not so bad.

Ian

Originally Posted by Stuart

I just did a google search, and that was the first wagon that popped up with a decent view of the rear end. Here's the Flickr account I found it on: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aussief...ts/5087501697/ It says was done up as a Fund Raiser Rally Car, the photo was taken in Numurkah, Victoria.