This thread is to document my build. This car will not be a original numbers car (it is currently). It will be a very clean daily driver with a modern drivetrain. This is what I am starting with. There is a considerable amount of rust on the bottom of the doors. The spare tirewell is also rusty along with the rear suspension and metal lines (brakes and fuel). I am not too concerned because I will replace those then the new motor goes in. Overall I am happy with the car. I will be doing a major tune-up, new valve cover and intake gaskets, and rebuilding the carb this week. Hopefully it will take care of the missing and running rich issue. Also in the next few weeks I will be replacing the exhaust due to a ton of holes.
That should make for a fun project. What's the plan? Surprised at the amount of rust you mention.Was it a snowbird car?
Looks like a great project, Albert! I'm glad to see this one saved to be street bound again. Keep us updated with your build! Pete
Yes it was a northern car. The actual body is in very good shape. The floors are very solid as is the frame. These are the reasons I decided to buy it. Thanks I will be updating this thread for the build.
At least in the 60's and later, ALL Pontiac wagons were called 'Safari'. Didn't have 'Station Wagon' attached to their name. Back in the 50's, yes. Some were 'Safaris' and some were not. My '81 Bonneville Safari:
Very true, but during this model run I have noticed that there was a difference, the Safari package had the 307 olds motor and the Parisienne had the 305 chevy motor. They also called it either / or. I could be wrong but that's my experience. Is your Bonneville on the G-body platform (Regal, Cutlass, Monte Carlo)?
The engines were different because they were made in different plants. Starting in '80, the U.S. wagons only got the Olds 307. Some of the B-body sedans, built in a different plant, got the Chevy 305's. Actually, the G-body got the 'Bonneville' name for model year 1982.
From Wikipedia "The Pontiac Parisienne is a full-sizerear-wheel drive vehicle that was sold by Pontiacon the GM B platform in Canada from 1958 to 1986 and in the United States from 1983 to 1986. The Parisienne wagon continued under the Safari nameplate until 1989. " Makes sense because my friends Safari was a 88 but also had the 307.
