Can't forget the coupe
The only reason I own this cabriolet is because forty years ago this February, when I was a high school senior, I bought my 1936 Master Six business coupe. That started my relationship with 36 Pontiacs and led to the cabriolet purchase in 2002.
I really lucked out with this car. A friend I worked with, Rich Hanson, found it first, but his father thought $75 was a waste of money and wouldn't let him buy it. I had just gotten my income tax refund, immediately went over to see it, and paid cash on the spot without asking my parents for permission. The seller had bought it from the original owner, but never did anything with it. It only had 68,000 original miles on it; it now has 97,500.
It didn't look like much (unfortunately I don't have any pictures from that long ago), but it cleaned up nicely and, with the addition of a Western Auto electric fuel pump, ran well too. I drove it that year in high school and during the summer of 65, stored it for my freshman year at U Maine, then brought it from NJ to ME for my sophmore year in college. Drove it all winter without a problem, unless you count not having a defroster when it is ten below a problem!
What I have really come to appreciate is how complete the car was (unlike the cabrio). The owner's manual was still in the glovebox and lots of hard to find parts like the spare tire lock and timing hole cover were still there. When I heard my father and uncles talk about the cars they used to own – and wished they'd kept – I said to myself, "Hey, for $75 I'm keeping this car."
I did an amateur restoration on it in 1981-83, then an upgrade including a good paint job in 2002. Here's what it looks like now:
It's really wonderful to get behind the wheel and let 40 years of driving memories wash over me. It's a family heirloom now and will go to one of my sons eventually. Even though the cabriolet will turn out to be a finer car when done, the coupe has a special place in my heart and will always be my number one ride.
And there's a third car in the picture. This 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 with 390 motor was bought new by my father in September of 1967. It was built in Mahwah NJ in September of 1965, but never sold (A/C was having a real impact on convertible demand). Dad died eight months later, but my mother kept it and drove it until she was in her 80s before handing it down to me.
It's an original car, with 106,000 miles. I don't really think of it as an "old car", but guess I have to admit it is. Lots of fun to drive on a hot summer day with the top down! And when you put your foot in it, it really goes.
I really lucked out with this car. A friend I worked with, Rich Hanson, found it first, but his father thought $75 was a waste of money and wouldn't let him buy it. I had just gotten my income tax refund, immediately went over to see it, and paid cash on the spot without asking my parents for permission. The seller had bought it from the original owner, but never did anything with it. It only had 68,000 original miles on it; it now has 97,500.
It didn't look like much (unfortunately I don't have any pictures from that long ago), but it cleaned up nicely and, with the addition of a Western Auto electric fuel pump, ran well too. I drove it that year in high school and during the summer of 65, stored it for my freshman year at U Maine, then brought it from NJ to ME for my sophmore year in college. Drove it all winter without a problem, unless you count not having a defroster when it is ten below a problem!
What I have really come to appreciate is how complete the car was (unlike the cabrio). The owner's manual was still in the glovebox and lots of hard to find parts like the spare tire lock and timing hole cover were still there. When I heard my father and uncles talk about the cars they used to own – and wished they'd kept – I said to myself, "Hey, for $75 I'm keeping this car."
I did an amateur restoration on it in 1981-83, then an upgrade including a good paint job in 2002. Here's what it looks like now:
It's really wonderful to get behind the wheel and let 40 years of driving memories wash over me. It's a family heirloom now and will go to one of my sons eventually. Even though the cabriolet will turn out to be a finer car when done, the coupe has a special place in my heart and will always be my number one ride.
And there's a third car in the picture. This 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 with 390 motor was bought new by my father in September of 1967. It was built in Mahwah NJ in September of 1965, but never sold (A/C was having a real impact on convertible demand). Dad died eight months later, but my mother kept it and drove it until she was in her 80s before handing it down to me.
It's an original car, with 106,000 miles. I don't really think of it as an "old car", but guess I have to admit it is. Lots of fun to drive on a hot summer day with the top down! And when you put your foot in it, it really goes.
posted by Bob Shafto at 6:27 PM
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