[Redpiston]

New member here. Looking for advice from you guys as you are the experts. I am in the market for a convertible. Would love a GTO or Lemans but it is out of my budget. So I am looking at a Cat or Parisienne. I like the look of the 65 GP and that is the look I am going for. I have found two conv for consideration.

65 Cat. One owner, California car,389,power glide, bench seat, manual windows, originl paint.

65 Parisienne Custom Sport, 327, power glide, buckets, console, power windows, looks like GP interior layout. To finish the GP look I need to change the rear tailight trim, rear quarter badges, dash badge, grill already looks like GP.

In doing some research I know the Paris is built on chevy frame and chevy engine. My question is there value here? Can I get sheetmetal if I get any damage or rust issues. I think it has had a repaint. Car is maroon but trunk is red inside.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

[66bonne]

Not a whole lot of value in the Parisienne unless you're Canadian, hey.
If you're going Pontiac then go all the way, through and through. You'll need that Poncho power to move two tons of fun. Besides, I'm partial to 65 Catalinas.
Are you sure the tranny in the Catalina is a power glide ? Should be a TH400.

Just being nosey, where do you live in KC ? Grew up there.

Jim

[Redpiston]

Liberty. Grew up there, still live there. How about you?

Photos of Cat attached.

Thought it said 2 speed. It has 2bbl carb. Does not mention transmission.

[OZZIEVILLE 67 2 door]

Go for the pure Pontiac power (PPP)

I look on scambay weekly and see a lot of covertable Bonneville's, cat's,2+2,Grand Prix and even worth looking at the Grandville's..
Some real bargains to find..

Be aware you will be a member of an exclusive side of the hobby known as the "Darkside"

John L.

[Redpiston]

Grandville????

[OZZIEVILLE 67 2 door]

Originally Posted by Redpiston

Grandville????

The Grandville was the replacement for the bonneville in 70's

Look scambay go to Pontiac and look at "other" at the bottom of the list.
John L.

There is a Granville with 55,000 ml for $9000 what a bargain.

[rexs73gto]

I you want a PONTIAC then buy a PONTIAC & not a chevy with some canadian badges on it that say it's a PONTIAC which it is as far as the badges say so but, it's NOT it's a chevy.Don't buy th pres. unless you plan on moving to canada so you can get you parts because we live in america, we speak english & we are red, white & blue thru & thru.That pres. will never be worth as much as the real PONTIAC your looking at to buy.

[61-63]

Get a Pontiac. Also you might want to consider a '66 instead of a '65. The '66 is much lighter on the potmetal which costs lots of $$ to have redone. Other than that same car.

[Willshire]

I am Canadian! Red/White and English Too! And even i dont like the Parisienne! Pontiac in those days only wanted representation on this side of the border back then. No way were they putting their iron under the hood of a canadian pontiac! Well done delorean. I have a 64 GP and love the pontiac motor. I had a 72 Chevelle when i was a kid. That stuff is dime a dozen!! Not many 64 -65 Parisienne's around at least not in Ontario.

Get the Cat

[Stuart]

I prefer the US version, but I don't have anything against Canadian cars. My suggestion would be to get the one that's in the best condition - either way, body parts in good shape are hard to find these days, especially that ribbed trim in between the taillights. If they are in equal condition, I'd look at the Parisienne because it's optioned better. They're certainly more rare than Catalinas, especially in the US.

One minor point, the Catalina has a TH400 transmission, not a Powerglide.

[Willshire]

I suppose i should clarify, it is not the style or look of the Paris. that turns me off, the fact that it came with a chev engine is a kick in the pills! lol

[marxjunk]

buy the one ya want..its your choice, letting a forum pick you car is less than smart...

i like both and would be proud to drive either...

[mike nixon]

The Cat will have a TH400 not a 2 spd Super Turbine 300

[Redpiston]

I did not expect the forum to pick. I was looking for opinions on value, availability of components, and ease of modifications. I appreciate everyones comments and in regard to the 66 vs the 65. I prefer the 65 tail light assembly. I am wanting something to drive on the weekends. I dont want to spend a lot of dollars on this. That is one of the things the Paris has going for it. Its cheap, appears to be in good shape, its optioned well, and it is a convertible. I have another car I am working on that is eating up the budget.

The white Cat is more money, (almost 50 percent) and has no options to speak of. I will have to replace all the interior to get the look I want. The paint is good on it and I would not repaint until it really needed it.

[Willshire]

I have a 64 GP and I found that many parts are interchangable with the parisienne. And chev 327 parts would be very easy to come by. The paris is a pretty safe bet I think

[Deadhead]

I would say that if you really want to have FUN and enjoy a car that the full Pontiac version was the way to go. Don't limit yourself to these 2 particular cars. There are a ton out there right now, and the right one will easily come along.

[Redpiston]

I am only limiting based on condition and $$$. My main requirement is it being a convertible. Overall condition needs to be good and driveable. I am starting a rebuild on something else so I don't want to be working on it. It can be a GTO, Lemans, Tempest, or Catalina. Did not want the Bonneville due to its overall size. I like the look, but I don't have the garage space for it. I personnally do not like the look of the 67 GP. I have found a couple and passed on them. That is why I am looking at the Cat. I passed on a nice 66 GP for 9K here in PHX only because it was not a convertible. It had everything else. I am working out here in PHX and a conv is the way to go.

[mrrat1]

the Paris looks cleaner I'd go for that as a driver. Motor swap is no big deal??

[Redpiston]

The Cat is already gone. Not suprised. It was a clean ride.

[Engine-Ear]

The Canadian Pontiac is neat because it is so unusual, but there are a lot of parts that will be tough to get and you're simply better off with the US version from that POV.