T
Tom Kochtanek
Hello, my name is Tom Kochtanek and I presently am restoring a 1961 Bonneville Sport Coupe (amateur restoration at my residence). Her PHS identifies the 389 and automatic but the original drive train is long gone. I am going back with a stroked 428 and dual quads, looking for that old school look like we had back in the day. The Bonneville wasn't the racer back then, those were Catalinas and maybe the Venturas, but it was a fancy trim package, and a really nice ride.
My second car in life (back in 1968) was a 1961 Pontiac Star Chief, also the long body wide track, but she was a four door post car. This Bonnie is a two door Sport Coupe (sometimes called a "bubbletop") and she was Black over tricolor Red, a very nice combination back in the day. I think of her as an "upgrade"
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My Dad purchased his very first new car in 1966, a Pontiac Catalina two door coupe. He always paid cash for a one-two year old used car before that. So I found a 1966 Catalina, this one a convertible, and acquired that a few years ago. Not yet restored, this one is a ways off!
I also like the early 60's Chevies (sorry!) specifically 1961-62-63 and have several of those I use as "get around" cars. I have a certain fondness for the 348-409 and have several drivers, with more to come! I also prefer multiple carbs, mostly the factory tripower and dual quad setups.
I am presently restoring the '61 Bonneville and plan to keep it for driving afterwards. Right now I am doing the body prep, the car is dismantled but still on frame, she's pretty solid underneath. Have underside done, am working on topside. Primer/sealer is up next. Will go with Black for that "rat rod look". Might be in primer for a while, not scheduled to be shiny for a while, as I move to do the engine/trans/driveshaft/rear end. Not sure what to do with the interior for now, but it's all out and pans are sealed top an bottom (POR-15). Needs drivetrain, brakes, lots of new rubber (all glass is out) and then reassembly. Should take about 500 hours, whenever I can fit that in
I hope there are other early 60s Pontiac fans out there, I think this is one special bodystyle!.
Enjoy!
Tom Kochtanek
Columbia, Missouri
My second car in life (back in 1968) was a 1961 Pontiac Star Chief, also the long body wide track, but she was a four door post car. This Bonnie is a two door Sport Coupe (sometimes called a "bubbletop") and she was Black over tricolor Red, a very nice combination back in the day. I think of her as an "upgrade"
.My Dad purchased his very first new car in 1966, a Pontiac Catalina two door coupe. He always paid cash for a one-two year old used car before that. So I found a 1966 Catalina, this one a convertible, and acquired that a few years ago. Not yet restored, this one is a ways off!
I also like the early 60's Chevies (sorry!) specifically 1961-62-63 and have several of those I use as "get around" cars. I have a certain fondness for the 348-409 and have several drivers, with more to come! I also prefer multiple carbs, mostly the factory tripower and dual quad setups.
I am presently restoring the '61 Bonneville and plan to keep it for driving afterwards. Right now I am doing the body prep, the car is dismantled but still on frame, she's pretty solid underneath. Have underside done, am working on topside. Primer/sealer is up next. Will go with Black for that "rat rod look". Might be in primer for a while, not scheduled to be shiny for a while, as I move to do the engine/trans/driveshaft/rear end. Not sure what to do with the interior for now, but it's all out and pans are sealed top an bottom (POR-15). Needs drivetrain, brakes, lots of new rubber (all glass is out) and then reassembly. Should take about 500 hours, whenever I can fit that in
I hope there are other early 60s Pontiac fans out there, I think this is one special bodystyle!.
Enjoy!
Tom Kochtanek
Columbia, Missouri