427/4 speed bench seat 68 Pontiac Strato Chief's?

CanadianPoncho · #1 10-10-2006, 02:49 AM

A fellow I worked with used to work for Sinclair Pontiac in London Ontario in the late 60's. He recounted to me that back in 68 Sinclair ordered 7 or 8 427/4speed bench seat Strato Chief's(these were the lightweight Pontiac Sedan) in response to Central Chev's 427 Biscaynes they were ordering and racing at St.Thomas. Not sure if they were 425hp cars. He showed me a picture of one of them that he bought back then (no longer owns). Two questions: Could these be COPO cars? That seems like an awful lot of cars to order unless GM of Canada specified a minimum order. Does anyone know any more about these cars? Any survivors? I'd love to see one of these monsters.
Also, has anyone ever heard of a 427/4speed 69 Strato Chief?
Todd

StriperSS · #2 10-10-2006, 08:06 AM

I've only seen one 69 427 Strato Chief, and that was in 69 or 70. It was a black 4 door unmarked police car with an automatic, and had a wicked idle to it. It was parked on the street a block from my house in Vancouver, and the 427 emblems caught my eye. While I was looking at it, the cop returned and got in. I asked him a few questions about it, but not if it was a 425 hp car. He said he was with the freeway patrol in Burnaby. It was pretty loud and, as I said, had a wicked idle.
I have been hunting for a big block Canadian Pontiac off and on for awhile.

**PeteLeathersac** · #3 10-10-2006, 08:00 PM

Rare but yes they built these...and as an RPO, nothing Copo required! .

I love Chevy powered Canadian Ponchos, especially the big cars! .
They even built W-motor Pontiac big cars and I've always been searching for my own dream...the 'possible built' late '61 409 Strato-Chief...'62's did happen! .

~ Pete

Keith Tedford · #4 10-11-2006, 04:12 PM

Back in the '60s there was a '66 Parisienne convertible. It had the L72, 4 speed, and all the other good performance parts. Wasn't a match for my Ram Air Firebird

, but was pretty quick considering its size. That would be one rare beast.

ASTROJET · #5 10-11-2006, 08:12 PM

Finally able to register so this is my first post.I know of a '68 427 4spd Strato Chief.One of 5 built with L-36,Jade Gold

**PeteLeathersac** · #6 10-12-2006, 12:55 AM

Sorry if double post...seems the other went into the wind? .

Anyway, the car sounds very cool Mark...lay some pics on us if you can! .
Nice user-name too although w/ a famous name like Hodges, well I'd expect a different brand?! .
(Astro-Jets were the Canadian-Pontiac Mk1V Turbo-Jets...air cleaner stickers and all!)

I think L36's were the highest HP 'advertised' 427's available in '66-'69 Canadian Ponchos but the L72's flew as an order (except in '67 of course) since they were really a Chevy chassis w/ Poncho clothes. .

~ Pete

CanadianPoncho · #7 10-12-2006, 03:52 AM

Keith, is that 68 in good shape? I'm partial to the 69s as my dad had a 350 Strato Chief 2dr hardtop. I'd love to find one with a big block- any 69 Canadian Pontiac!
Todd

jfkheat · #8 10-12-2006, 04:09 AM

There are a couple big block Beaumonts on this site but I don't know of any members with BBC Strato Chiefs or any other big Canadian Pontiac.
James

**Xplantdad** · #9 10-12-2006, 05:48 AM

Here's something cool...from the Wiinipeg Free Press-Monday, June 18. 1973

Second ad from the bottom

**Xplantdad** · #10 10-12-2006, 05:50 AM

Also there's this...

It's on the bottom of the page...a white car...!