#1  
Old 12-15-2016, 08:43 PM
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Default Pontiac Heaven

Who's going to Pontiac Heaven this weekend? Scott

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  #2  
Old 12-16-2016, 08:19 AM
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I will be there. Trying to decide Sat or Sun, or both.

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Old 12-16-2016, 10:35 AM
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I'm planning on going Sunday. I'll be the tall, skinny guy, with the big ol' belly! But not as tall as Squidward!

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Old 12-16-2016, 10:34 PM
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I will be there on Sunday...

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Old 12-17-2016, 12:32 AM
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In the 69 GP, with the 428/4spd? What color?

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64 GTO, under re-construction, 412 CID, also under construction.
87 S-10 Pickup, 321,000 miles
99Monte Carlo, 293,000 miles
86 Bronco, 218,000 miles
  #6  
Old 12-17-2016, 09:35 AM
69GP428HO4SP 69GP428HO4SP is offline
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Limelight Green with white vinyl top..

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Old 12-17-2016, 12:38 PM
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69 is my favorite year for the GP. 428, 4 speed is just the sh*t!

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64 GTO, under re-construction, 412 CID, also under construction.
87 S-10 Pickup, 321,000 miles
99Monte Carlo, 293,000 miles
86 Bronco, 218,000 miles
  #8  
Old 12-17-2016, 10:52 PM
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Hope to see you all on Sunday. Scott

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1965 Pontiac 2+2 421 HO auto
1967 Pontiac Grand Prix 428 4 speed- sold
1968 Firebird 400 auto - sold
1967 Bonneville Brougham 2 dr. hardtop. 1969 AMC Rebel SST wagon-sold
  #9  
Old 12-19-2016, 08:09 AM
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Well?!

Waiting on updates.


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Old 12-19-2016, 10:22 AM
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Guess I'll be the first to speak up at the risk of getting the party started in the wrong direction.

You didn't miss anything John. For the Sunday Pontiac only engine event, only about 10 cars participated in the racing part of the event, and maybe 20-25 show cars. The place was virtually a ghost town, 3 individuals selling parts at the swap meet, no big name vendors that I saw, and the pits were just....well.....empty.

Hardly worth the 2 hour drive for me. But I was happy to see Mike and Paul whom I haven't seen for quite a while.

Even talk of cancelling the event after we had gotten through the gates, and they momentarily stopped other entrants at the gate and were talking refunds to those already in. I don't think the track officials liked how things were being ran, and took over the event at the last minute. Something about a poor car count, and I heard mention of complaints that Pontiac engines haven't been made in 35 years and changes needed to be made to increase the car count., etc etc....

On a brighter note, I did hear that Saturday was a nice turnout with all models of muscle cars participating at the Nostalgia Muscle Car event that filled the pit lanes.

I thought maybe the weekend before Christmas could have been to blame for Sundays poor turnout, but the turnout on Saturday squished that thought. The weather was absolutely beautiful as well. Low 60's and sunshine.

While I appreciate the Pontiac Heaven event and what Steve is trying to accomplish on Sunday, I have a feeling it's on the way out. I only hope things can be patched up, maybe some rules changed for the modern day we live in, and participation increases.


Last edited by Formulajones; 12-19-2016 at 10:33 AM.
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Old 12-19-2016, 10:29 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 69GP428HO4SP View Post
Limelight Green with white vinyl top..
Great looking GP. Not many restored to that level. Very classy color combo.

  #12  
Old 12-19-2016, 10:50 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Formulajones View Post
Great looking GP. Not many restored to that level. Very classy color combo.
That was a great looking car, wasn't it.

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64 GTO, under re-construction, 412 CID, also under construction.
87 S-10 Pickup, 321,000 miles
99Monte Carlo, 293,000 miles
86 Bronco, 218,000 miles
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Old 12-19-2016, 11:50 AM
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That was a great looking car, wasn't it.
Yes it was, very nicely done. My 69 Z28 is the same colors but chevy calls that Frost Green (code 59), so I was a little partial to it

Sorry I didn't catch up to you guys a little later on. Wasn't too hard to find you in the stands when you called my name, haha.

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Old 12-19-2016, 12:17 PM
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I missed Sunday, though I planned to be there. I puked a quart or so of ATF on the starting line and caused a big clean-up trying to make my first pass Saturday. I'm not sure what caused it yet, but I'm guessing a front seal let go on the burnout. There's a slight chance it's an invisible split in one of the flex lines that connect the trans to the cooler lines. I just had the tranny re-done and the case re-certified for another five years. I'm going out of town for Christmas, so I'll sort it out after that.

It's too bad about the turnout Sunday. The weather was just about perfect for racing and spectating. Sadly, though, it seems the pure Pontiac racers are a dying breed.

Jim

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Old 12-19-2016, 01:21 PM
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Originally Posted by twooldgoats View Post
Sadly, though, it seems the pure Pontiac racers are a dying breed.

Jim
Funny, I heard that same thing from several people I talked to. Unfortunately that event is structured in such a way that it's mainly targeting 60+ year old people. While there are some of us that are younger than that and appreciate Pontiac engines (like myself), these people are a minority and don't make up the majority of the crowd. The structure of the event would eventually have to change to bring the car count up in a way that targets the middle age group. Most people born in the last 40-45 years don't really care about Pontiac engines, they were already out of production before these people had a drivers license.

I know Steve has had this talk before when he asked for opinions. As much as Pontiac purists hate to admit it, the reality is that in order to increase the numbers, corporate Pontiac stuff will probably need to be allowed, and just run a separate class. Maybe at the end of the day have a top eliminator format between the groups and get a friendly rivalry going. Look at how the Tri-Power Nats, or now called Pontiac Nats, are doing it. They have no lack of participation there. They even incorporate GMC. At a big venue like Wild Horse Pass, they could easily support such an event. Hopefully Steve chimes in and can shed some light.

Sounds like Saturday was the day to be there with the mixed brands and muscle car theme. Everyone I talked to said it was a nice turn out. On a bright note, Sunday has been the only time I've been to that track where you could make as many hot laps down the track as you desired. That sure was nice for those that were racing.

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Old 12-19-2016, 08:44 PM
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I went both days, which was the first time in a while I have done both days. Saturday was a busy event day, but Sunday was dried up.

I got 2 passes in during time trials/TnT, and found out I blew out a water pump gasket as I was hot lapping around for a 3rd pass. That was the end of my racing day.

By the end of the event, there was still a small core group who were tearing it up over on the autocross course. This included mostly 1st gen Firebirds, and, no kidding, a real 69 T/A running the course. The best part of that was it still had imprints in the back upholstery of the kid car seats he had in it. Now THAT's the way to enjoy a sweet ass ride! There was a lot of fun being had over there.

I tend to agree with Formulajones. I have attended PH since the 2nd one way back in the day. I've seen most every car, and typically see the same ones every year. The show had a couple of cars that I remember from a decade ago when they were purchased as a cheap POS street beater, and were now all shiny and restored. The crowd is aging. Most of the Cali guys didn't attend. It requires fresh younger blood, and I say that as someone who is a few years shy of 50.

The Saturday event is what the Sunday event should have been. It will have to be opened up to other brands, or at least Pontiacs with other engine makes, to stay alive. I would say don't sell out to imports or any fox body mustang with a 5.0, but something was wrong. Split some race classes if need be, but the exclusivity has to go unless we want to find ourselves on an exclusive island with nothing but the sound of crashing waves, falling coconuts, and crickets.

But nothing can ever take away from all of the years where I've had an amazing time, and PH was the highlight of my entire year calendar. But that's life: We must come to expect change, and we must adapt or be forgotten.

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Old 12-19-2016, 11:00 PM
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We overall had a good time. I think it would be best to make it a one day event. Swap meet, car show and the drags. I've always liked Saturday shows the best. Scott

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1968 Firebird 400 auto - sold
1967 Bonneville Brougham 2 dr. hardtop. 1969 AMC Rebel SST wagon-sold
  #18  
Old 12-20-2016, 12:47 AM
69GP428HO4SP 69GP428HO4SP is offline
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First, thanks for the kudos from gtofreak and Formulajones on my green GP it was fun bringing it back from the dead.

I have been attending PH for years and seeing the amount of work Steve and his small crew put in should be commended. Its really is a shame that more of the Pontiac owners don't make the effort to support and attend the event. The time of year might have contributed to the low turnout, Saturdays are better car show days.

I attend the BOP show at the Rock and Roll McDonalds-Pavillons every year and the turnout is always exceptional. Maybe the answer to Pontiac Heaven is to open it up the Buick, Olds and Pontiac. What ever happens I will always try and attend and support the Pontiac brand.

Would like to give a thumbs up to Scott, your 67 Grand Prix is an awesome ride can't be many 4 speed 428 still alive.

Cheers...

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Old 12-20-2016, 01:30 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 67GP428 View Post
We overall had a good time. I think it would be best to make it a one day event. Swap meet, car show and the drags. I've always liked Saturday shows the best. Scott
Liked your 4 speed car also. It's really cool seeing the big cars with 4 speeds in them. When I first met twooldgoats, he had a 2 door HT, 66 Bonneville with a 421, 4 speed. I really liked that car too. You guys put a lot of hard work into them. Great job!

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64 GTO, under re-construction, 412 CID, also under construction.
87 S-10 Pickup, 321,000 miles
99Monte Carlo, 293,000 miles
86 Bronco, 218,000 miles
  #20  
Old 12-20-2016, 10:05 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 69GP428HO4SP View Post

I attend the BOP show at the Rock and Roll McDonalds-Pavillons every year and the turnout is always exceptional. Maybe the answer to Pontiac Heaven is to open it up the Buick, Olds and Pontiac.
By far the best show in AZ

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