1966 Pontiac Parisienne
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1966 Pontiac Parisienne
Hi everyone,
i just got myself a 66 Pontiac Parisienne 4 door sedan. And since i'm looking for all kind of infos that help me to restore this beauty, i stumbled across this forum.
Below you find a few pictures of what my Parisienne currently looks like. Long way to go until it'* back to show condition, but i'm dedicated to revive it "better than new".
Honestly i didn't know much about fullsize Pontiacs of this era before buying the Parisienne. Meanwhile i learned that it'* the Canadian version of the Bonneville sedan and that it'* based on a narrower Chevy chassis. The 350 engine is probably from Chevy as well.
There are not many sources that offer parts for a Parisienne, so i'll have to search for Bonneville and Chevy parts, to pick together what i need.
Before starting the restoration, i'd appreciate if someone can tell me which parts on the Parisienne are identical with the Bonneville and which ones are from Chevy. Also it would help to know from which Chevy the parts are that GM used for the Parisienne.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
i just got myself a 66 Pontiac Parisienne 4 door sedan. And since i'm looking for all kind of infos that help me to restore this beauty, i stumbled across this forum.
Below you find a few pictures of what my Parisienne currently looks like. Long way to go until it'* back to show condition, but i'm dedicated to revive it "better than new".
Honestly i didn't know much about fullsize Pontiacs of this era before buying the Parisienne. Meanwhile i learned that it'* the Canadian version of the Bonneville sedan and that it'* based on a narrower Chevy chassis. The 350 engine is probably from Chevy as well.
There are not many sources that offer parts for a Parisienne, so i'll have to search for Bonneville and Chevy parts, to pick together what i need.
Before starting the restoration, i'd appreciate if someone can tell me which parts on the Parisienne are identical with the Bonneville and which ones are from Chevy. Also it would help to know from which Chevy the parts are that GM used for the Parisienne.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
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Also does anybody know the correct bolt pattern for the 66 Parisienne and if the same wheel dimensions can be used as on the Bonneville?
The maximum wheel sizes that fit into the wheel wells (without bodyworks) might be different, due to the narrower chassis.
Ideally i'd need the correct offset / backspacing for 8" wide wheels in the front and 10" wide back.
The maximum wheel sizes that fit into the wheel wells (without bodyworks) might be different, due to the narrower chassis.
Ideally i'd need the correct offset / backspacing for 8" wide wheels in the front and 10" wide back.
#3
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dont know about the wheels or outside but the engine seems to be a gen1 sbc with a holley 4150 carb and aftermarket ign controller. those parts would probably work well, you intend to change them?
really an interesting car i love the outside, but i hope you plan to restore the interior because someone has completely messed up the whole feel of the car.
really an interesting car i love the outside, but i hope you plan to restore the interior because someone has completely messed up the whole feel of the car.
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Impressive what you can tell about the engine from just one plain picture. Especially the carb, as it'* mostly hidden below the airfilter.
Chances are i will keep this engine-carb combo as it is, unless something is seriously broken and needs to be replaced. I already got a bigblock 70' Challenger as a sportier ride, so don't need the Parisienne to be a powerhouse.
You are absolutely right on the interior. I'm planning to go for all black vinyl here, with a classic large two spoke steering wheel. This should bring the right feeling back.
The body will get completely stripped off all paint and rust. Also a rear-hinge conversion (suicide doors) for the two backdoors would be cool. Same as the 60s Lincoln sedans have them. Getting the hinges is not a problem, but modifying the locks and doors handles might be.
Chances are i will keep this engine-carb combo as it is, unless something is seriously broken and needs to be replaced. I already got a bigblock 70' Challenger as a sportier ride, so don't need the Parisienne to be a powerhouse.
You are absolutely right on the interior. I'm planning to go for all black vinyl here, with a classic large two spoke steering wheel. This should bring the right feeling back.
The body will get completely stripped off all paint and rust. Also a rear-hinge conversion (suicide doors) for the two backdoors would be cool. Same as the 60s Lincoln sedans have them. Getting the hinges is not a problem, but modifying the locks and doors handles might be.
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The Parisienne is a Pontiac/Chevy combo. It has a 4.75" bolt pattern (basic Chevy) and an American Big Pontiac has a 5" bolt pattern. The smaller body Pontiacs are also 4.75".
Canadian Pontiacs had Chevy drivetrains in them. I'm not sure if that came with a 283 or a 327 from the factory. That motor looks like it is a later model than 1966.
I can't comment on what body parts fit. I know that back into the 50'*, the body parts appeared to be the same as American Pontiacs but they were smaller and would not interchange.
Canadian Pontiacs had Chevy drivetrains in them. I'm not sure if that came with a 283 or a 327 from the factory. That motor looks like it is a later model than 1966.
I can't comment on what body parts fit. I know that back into the 50'*, the body parts appeared to be the same as American Pontiacs but they were smaller and would not interchange.
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That'* a lot of useful information right there. Thanks.
Does anyone know the dimensions of a Canadian Parisienne, compared to an American Bonneville?
I'm curious how much smaller the Parisienne is. Are we talking one inch or ten-twenty"??
I already looked through the internet, but couldn't find any good source for Canadian Pontiac parts yet.
Does anyone know the dimensions of a Canadian Parisienne, compared to an American Bonneville?
I'm curious how much smaller the Parisienne is. Are we talking one inch or ten-twenty"??
I already looked through the internet, but couldn't find any good source for Canadian Pontiac parts yet.
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There are no good sources that I know of for Canadian Pontiac parts. Usually you have better luck finding them in States on the Canadian border.
I would say that it may be the same length or almost the same length as a Catalina, but definitely shorter than a Bonneville.
I would say that it may be the same length or almost the same length as a Catalina, but definitely shorter than a Bonneville.