Dear Fellow Chevrolet Car Club Members,

At our last North East Chapter meeting the contents and quality of the Bow Tie was discussed. We decided that it was our responsibility to at least submit some content to aid the very professional job done by the publishers and editors of this great quality publication. So here’s my car story.

My plan was to purchase a 1958 Chevrolet.
The 55, 56 and 57’s were not beyond my imagination but certainly beyond my budget. The car I was looking for was to be a good every day runner and with under $20K to spend not a lot of car was available in the more popular models.

Recently, I moved to Wodonga and in my search for a new toy met the President of the local Chev Chapter.
He was in procession of a nice original 56 which as stated above was a little out of my reach. He did sell it and now like almost all the cars I’ve seen go to new homes, regrets it.

You often hear and see sellers issuing comments like
“no tyre kickers”, “ no test pilots” and “no smart arses”.
In my recent experience the sellers are more difficult than the buyers.
Original condition can mean; never maintained since new.
Re-co motor can mean; its been cleaned and oil changed.
New paint can mean; sprayed over mud and rust with house paint.
Immaculate interior can mean; huge rust holes in boot
And so the list goes on.
Focusing on a single task has never been a quality of mine and my interest in a particular model began to wander. After looking at pictures on the net I decided that most cars manufactured around 1958-60 suited my tastes. [even non GM HORROR] Love those fins and all that chrome. Love the fact cars were built because it looked good not because it was economical, expedient and aerodynamic. Bugger all that, it ain’t fun. We are talking toy not toil.

Janine and I spent a number of weekends travelling to Melbourne and other far flung places in search of a bargain. No bargains being found. Finally in an issue of Just Cars a 1959 Pontic Laurentian caught my eye, only one I had seen in Australia. Its big it’s black and it’s in Ballarat. Over coming all obstacles a road trip and over night stay ensued to view vehicle.

Car seemed to live up to expectations; owner seemed genuine and honest, as did car. I’m no car expert so owner is as much a guide as car, but often I’m fooled both vehicularly and personally. [Read on] While viewing the car, the vendor’s phone rang 5 or 10 times with enquiries and offers sight unseen according to him?? Test drive proceeded with nothing falling off and Laurentian turned and stopped reasonable on command.

Buy price was established deposit and receipt exchanged.
Unfortunately deal was done in December and as Vendor was not available the next week end and I was away for following three weeks, pick up and final payment was organised for the next month.

Back out to sunny Ballart to pick up my beauty. Got all of 500 yards when I realized tank empty and old owner did say gauge was accurate. Enjoyed slow drive home, being tempted to stop if any pedestrian or people in cars failed to notice my glory.

My new super car is 1959 Pontiac Laurentian with original 261 straight six. Engine is same as 235 Blue Flame with bigger pots. I have been told this engine is in a lot of Bedford trucks of that vintage and is referred to as the Slapper or the Guzzler, obviously for its fine engineering and fuel economy. Not many of these motors seemed to have survived for all their appeal! After all small block is lighter, smaller, more reliable, economic and easier to maintain but I’m not one for trivialities
I attended the 2005 Pontiac Nationals, not only was there no 1959s there was no 261s either??

Have had the car two odd years now, new radio equipment in glove box, mag wheels, electronic ignition and repaired intake/exhaust manifold are the only major mods I have made. Super car is driven weekly if not daily but never in rain [has nasty leak into boot]. My plan is to maintain car at daily driver standard. The paint and exterior are a little rough with small amount of cancer in corner of two of the doors, which will be fixed shortly.

I promised my Boss [wife Janine] this is the last old dream I will buy and never plan to sell, though if garage space opens up am always looking at new possibilities

Every one out there “have a go” as I have done, your stories would interest your club mates especially with pictures.

Love Mick Young
P.S. Sorry it’s a Pontiac to the die-hards, but it is big, black and beautiful like my wife!