This Black 1971 Pontiac Grand Ville Was The Best in Canadian Luxury!

[@barrykochverts4149]

This channel satisfies the need for auto knowledge that goes beyond setting an AI voice to reading a wiki page or thumbing through a car magazine. Thank you, again, Adam, for an insider and owner's review.

[@paulcheek5711]

50 yrs old and better than anything today

[@michaelkehm3663]

Started my service career at the local Pontiac dealership in November 1972. The dealer principal was still driving his triple black 1971 Gran Ville demo, he loved it so much he didn't want it to be sold. Finally his son who was the Sales Manager took his keys away. Put him in the special ordered for the dealer1972 model, same color and equipment. Same car basically , but the old man missed his 71, just wasn't happy.

[@georgewilson1184]

I can’t blame him the 71 was a better looking car from the front over the 72 oh yeah

[@jamesbosworth4191]

And might have been faster as well

[@kellismith4329]

Flipping the aircleaner lid was key with those old GM’s, the sound was amazing - that car is missing the dual mirror option

[@bahamutsix5765]

Couldn’t think of a better color for this car. Looks amazing in black! Very formal

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

So true!!!

[@howardjlogan]

My sentiments exactly! On these classics, turn off the radio and enjoy the engine sounds and the rushing air sounds!

[@dforrest4503]

My dad had a 1972 U.S. Grand Ville. It was so big and luxurious, and the 455 was a beast with torque and gulping fuel. Right after that the fuel crisis hit, and his next purchase was a 1976 Audi 100, which was much slower, less roomy, and far less reliable. As a kid, I always thought of Pontiac as the height of luxury.

[@pokor5791]

My parents also had a US Grand Ville with the 455. In the middle of winter (like 5F) that car was throwing air so hot you couldn't keep your hand over the vents for long after only 1 minute.

[@Scooterdude01]

My neighbor had one in upstate NY, we would easily fit 8 people in for a ride out for dinner. Of course we all were a little thinner in the 1970s

[@craigroosa9321]

Lol ,,, how true !

[@us1fedvet]

That’s a good looking ride. Their historic combination of being arguably the greatest combination of style, performance and comfort in a relatively affordable package seemed to end in the 1970 model year, but this 71 still has a lot of chops. I suppose we got spoiled and now, lo these 50 years later, long for some real looks and strength.

[@ronbrock6153]

I had a 71 Grand Ville in the early 90's. It was dark green 4 door hardtop, with cornering lamps, rear window defroster (wired like modern cars), same interior only green power bench seat, power windows and locks, tilt wheel, cruise, power trunk release, the optional floor mounted 8 track tape player, had the map light dome light, a under hood light that would come out and could be taken as far as the rear doors. Another one I should have kep for darn sure.

[@jakereal3604]

I remember as a kid in the 70s - 80s you knew what type of car it was just from the way the starter sounded. Fords had their own sound , as did GM and Chrysler had the most distinctive sounds at start up lololol

[@audiophil4946]

Bowell McLean was a multi brand Cadillac Pontiac Buick and *Vauxhall* dealer in Vancouver in the 50's to 70's (or later) in Vancouver BC. The dealer badge is thus likely the original dealer badge. Dealer badges were a bigger thing back then, and were die cast badges, not just a sticker as this very nice Poncho demonstrates. Thanks for your great channel, I love your (generally domestic) automotive trivia!

[@kayeninetwo3585]

Very cool car! Thanks for the education on Pontiac and the Canadian car industry. I really appreciate that there are people who are passionate about early '70's North American cars...yet DON'T obsess about muscle cars! It was a great era for luxury cars and wagons, which deserve even more focus than muscle cars. I also agree on aftermarket radio stuff. BTW, back when I was researching a repair for the radio in my '60's era Mercury, I came across a product that might be of interest to people who DO like to listen to tunes while driving. It's a separate player/transmitter that will send tunes to your original radio antenna so that you don't have to alter and hard wire equipment to your original car. Can't remember the name of the product...haven't tried it, but might be worth investigating.

[@cjdesign5700]

BO MAC was one of the largest Cadillac Pontiac dealers in BC...in 1959 they had the largest sign in N America

[@althunder4269]

BowMac = Bowell McLean owned by Jim Pattison.

[@blizzy6392]

The giant, electric Bow Mac sign was a landmark on Broadway when my father used to take us for ice cream on the West side from our home on the East side in his ‘61 Pontiac Laurentian…

[@perryelyod4870]

@@althunder4269 I almost met Jim Pattison by accident, literally. Coming into Vancouver on Georgia St, I was in the right lane to turn onto Denman, when a white Lexus pulls from the centre lane into my lane. I had to brake, but not severely. I don't think I hit the horn. As I made my turn, and starting driving down Denman, a well dressed older couple, began indicating to me they were sorry for doing that. It was Jimmy Pattison, and his wife.

[@althunder4269]

@@blizzy6392 We used to go for ice cream at Peter's Ice Cream on Main street. They had an outlet on West Broadway in Kits too. That was back in the 1960's

[@volktales7005]

At BOMAC, on Broadway... Everything else has changed on that street but the huge sign is still there!

[@kimchipig]

Vancouver has a very mild climate, with little UV exposure. It rarely freezes so road salt is a rarity. This is what has allowed cars like this to survive in Canada.

[@jeffreydavis9783]

I really like the styling of these 71 Pontiacs - especially the Grand Ville. Elegant, understated styling, comfy interior & a thumpin motor. Quite similar in appearance to my 71 Olds 98.

[@OLDS98]

Thank you Adam. That was interesting explaining the lineup in Canada. It stayed confusing for many years. They( Bonneville and Parisienne) became the same line up in 1983 in both countries. What was interesting was the model we were calling Bonneville was Parisienne in Canada. There are many who still call the Parisienne( 1985-1986) we had in the 1980's Bonneville. It would be interesting if Grand Ville had lived past 1975. In a way it did with the Bonneville Brougham in 1976 and Bonneville SSE in the 1990's and 2000's. The tradition of using Oldsmobile parts continued for many years also. It was not just the Grand Ville. Parisienne did in the 1980's and Bonneville did in the 2000's. The you for the video.

[@TheTussman]

In Ontario, my Dad bought his first new car, a 1965 Impala 283. The next week, the neighbour said he ordered a 'loaded' 1965 Parisienne with a big block 4-speed. Seven weeks later he comes home in a beige Strato Chief 6-cyl with 3-on-the-tree (cheap lying bastard lol). Our US neighbours will have to decode this.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

I know exactly what that was. It was based entirely on the Chevy.

[@pkguy3]

I bought my first brand new car at Bow Mac on Broadway in Vancouver. It was a 1975 Buick Electra 225 coupe. They had it displayed outside on a ramp so you couldn't miss it driving by. I had to have it. Dark blue with a white landau roof. White interior. Wish I still had it.

[@johnjacobjingleheimerschmi3857]

I had a Vedoro Green, Black cloth interior '72 Catalina. 4 Door, 400ci, 4bbl Turbo 400 transmission. I called it the "Lizard". What a comfortable, smooth riding automobile with plenty of torque. And yes, flipping the breather lid seemed to help. It definitely sounds great especially with the Quadrajet Carb.

[@denislandry7577]

1982 i had a 1971 Pontiac parisienne 350 350 turbo , 342 gears , man , i was 19 then , i beat the piss out of that car , was peppy i guess with 342 rear gears , i was at junk yard every month looking for rear tires . Very nice riding car .

[@TonyM132]

Adam, check your statement at 5:53 about hardtops. There certainly were 1971-76 GM full-sizers as pillared sedans. Impala, Caprice, Catalina are common examples. Longer wheelbase cars were also available as pillared sedans, at least in the earlier years, such as the 126" wheelbase 1971-72 Bonneville.

[@blizzy6392]

Being a former owner of a ‘71 Chevy Impala Custom coupe (350-4 bbl) in Vancouver,BC, I can understand how this Grand Ville survived: The cost of fuelling one of these beasts after 1981 became prohibitive. Fuelling a 454/455 was insane…

[@DSP1968]

This is a rare bird indeed! Looks a bit rough in certain places but entirely complete. I'm glad you featured it, Adam.

[@benjaminbomberg]

My mothers first car was a Pontiac Parisienne. It originally belonged to my grandfather (who ordered it new in Sudbury), albeit I’m not sure of the year. It got named “The Enterprise”, because “It fit your whole crew and used as much gas as a rocket”.

[@chriskishbach9633]

My dad had a blue 71 Grandville with a black interior fully loaded. I loved that car and it was a far step up from the ugly green plain Jane 68 Ford galaxy 500 he previously owned.

[@nkgagne]

Pontiac, Buick, Cadillac, and GMC were commonly grouped together at Canadian dealers while I was growing up (in the 90’s albeit). GM dealers were either Chev-Olds or Pontiac-Buick-GMC, until Pontiac and Oldsmobile were killed off. Possibly also the case when this car was sold? It would explain the Cadillac dealer badge on a Pontiac…

[@dinoa9608]

Bow-Mac as it was known for short, was actually Bowell McLean, the largest Caddy dealer in Canada located on West Broadway in Vancouver BC Canada. The dealer sign was one of the largest signs in North America, and still exists as it was designated heritage, but now it’s overlayed with Toys R Us lettering; however, the Bow Mac lettering is still purposely visible. The dealership was eventually owned by local billionaire Jim Pattison who is still working and his 90s. His favourite car is a 1975 Pontiac Gran Ville Brougham convertible that he bought new and had it recently restored. Maybe this black loaded 71 use to be Jimmy’s car.

[@sarblangley]

Thanks for bringing back some great memories of the full size Pontiac and the popularity of the brand in Canada. The car dealership Bow Mac was a large volume Pontiac/Cadillac dealership. It competed with a Chev/Olds dealership down the road. Canadian billionaire Jim Pattison was at one time the general manager of the dealership.

[@jacquesminville8038]

In Canada, large GM dealerships which sold Pontiacs also usually had on their roster Buick and Cadillac. In earlier years, they would’ve had also Beaumont and Acadian. Chevrolet dealers were paired with Oldsmobile

[@martinliehs2513]

I seem to remember "Chev, Olds and Cadillac" dealers as well as Pontiac-Buick dealerships when I grew up in Montreal during the 1970s.

[@bikeaddictbp]

@@martinliehs2513 Yup ... Chev-Olds-Cadillac, and Pontiac-Buick-GMC, were the normal groupings back in those days.

[@jameslatham2655]

I had a 79 Bonneville. My 1st vehicle. I think it might have been a built in Canada car. The body was made in Canada for sure. It had a stamped decal that said "Body By Fisher" Canada. I miss that beautiful car something awful.

[@warmstrong5612]

Had a Grand Marquis that I converted to true duals and un-snorkeled the intake. Felt asthmatic before and then it could finally breathe. Snappier throttle and better passing power, totally recommend.

[@RossEphgrave]

As a Canadian who grew up near the GM Oshawa plant and worked there for my college job placement in quality control, I can tell you there were a lot of Pontiacs produced there in the 60's, 70s and into the mid 80s, part of the reason why they were popular in my country. I was an automotive designer back in the day for a Tier 1 supplier (I designed the prototype transmission mount and its tooling for the first generation Dodge Viper) among other underhood products for 89-95 North American cars. I even owned two different 80s Pontiacs that were built at that plant. Thanks for showing us this beauty Adam. I love your dedication and knowledge of the automobile. You are very technical. Take care.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Adam should book you for a guest appearance.

[@RossEphgrave]

@@rightlanehog3151 I appreciate that but I left that field in 1999. I did the Viper design work as a contractor and I'm not sure if my design ever made it to production. I got married and started a family in the 90s and drifted to different work. Take care. 😊

[@martinliehs2513]

​@RossEphgrave if you don't mind answering, were you part of Magna back then?

[@RossEphgrave]

@@martinliehs2513 I worked for a company in the late 80s to early 90s called Standard Products. They were an American company that manufactured rubber goods. I think they competed against Lord rubber. They had 3 plants in Stratford, Ontario and one in Mitchell, Ontario. I left because of the banburries they operated covered everything in rubber dust and I felt it was unhealthy for long term exposure. I miss the auto industry and product/ tool design. Thanks for the inquiry. Take care.

[@bulldog1961]

I grew up in the Vancouver area back then. We all remember Bow Mac. I sure wish I had my Dad's 73 Grand Ville. Loved that car.

[@rayshaw5256]

I grew up here in Vancouver, too. Bow Mac was a legendary GM dealer for sure. The big neon sign is still on the building on Broadway. Cool to see that dealer tag in this clip. Brings me back.

[@bulldog1961]

@@rayshaw5256 We lived in Richmond. Dad got his Grand Ville from Carter.

[@JSDesign.Hongkong]

Bowell-McLean were a major Cadillac-Pontiac dealership from the ‘50s and well into the ‘70s.

[@towgod7985]

Adam, another thoroughly entertaining and informative video, thanks much. I agree with you in regards to the radio. I would much rather listen to 6hrs with open windows and the road rushing by, than some radio-hack in love with the sound of their own voice.😅

[@Todd-o8n]

My dad had a 71 Bonneville 4 door sedan, with the pillars. Not a Canadian car. He drove it home from the factory in Detroit, through Canada to NY state, ruining the transmission, but it was on a warranty claim, so. Wound up a great car for my dad for many years. This car is missing Cruise Control ™ and a rear speaker.

[@Sedan57Chevy]

This Pontiac looks ridiculously good in black! I too love those when discs. I think this generation of Pontiac doesn't get enough attention compared to its stablemates. My favorite element of the design are the raised feder areas, which honestly add a sporting edge compared to the more "flat" fendertop designs sharing this platform. Also, these Pontiacs seem to regularly have some attractive interiors- I especially like this car's combo of brocade, plus arm rests front and rear. It really managed to elevate what couldve otherwise been a somewhat bland, monochromatic black interior. All I can think of with this car is how, at least in terms of ride and seat comfort, there's almost nothing that really compares being made today... Especially in a "mid price" field.

[@johncornell3665]

These cars were so nice. You got so much car for the money back then. Great job Adam!

[@georgewilson1184]

Our Western & Southern insurance agent use to drive a black Pontiac GrandVille he use to let me check it out when he would come by monthly my Mom let him take me for a ride around the neighborhood the following year he got a new 72 then a 73 his name was Mister Coleman good name for a insurance man ayy! Get ready for a clincher & heartbreaker the last time he made an house call he was driving a new 75 Ford Thunderbird

[@mattf5207]

Our family had the 71 Impala and our neighbors has the Grande Ville.

[@FREDOGISFUUN]

I miss driving a "real car" Today how many choices do you have for interior color? Back then, a heck a lot more than 2 like today. Forget the government controls, it is time to bring back "real cars" again! :)

[@ddavidson5]

Being in Canada and having had a rear defogger on my Plymouth back in the pre-rear defroster days I have to say that the rear defoggers worked better than you might think, certainly a lot better than nothing (which was the alternative). They even melted snow after a bit and long before any snow would have melted just from interior heat eventually warming up the rear glass on its own. Of course the rear defogger wasn't near as good as the rear defrosters that replaced them, and these days a rear defogger might seem silly, but when that's all there is they were worth having. I can understand why this 1971 car from Canada has a rear defogger.

[@martinliehs2513]

Surprised to see a Vancouver car from this era with A/C.

[@ddavidson5]

@@martinliehs2513 Sounds like it was ordered with every option available at the time.

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

That serrated vbelt on the a/c: I had one of these belts that I used on three different Corvairs. The same belt. The Corvairs are long gone - but I still have the belt.

[@chrisbreault5854]

I'm the first! What a beautiful ride. This channel brings back alot of memories for me. So many of these cars were still around in the early 80's when I was a kid.

[@andoletube]

lol, you weren't first.

[@Sheisthedevilyouknowwho-ft9we]

I turned 6 in '80, I know what you mean. We had many '72-'76 Grand Villes & Bonnevilles in the '80s. My father could fix them, never went to a shop, they were 8 to 12 years old and he'd get them for a few hundred dollars. I ask myself sometimes.....did that really happen ? Every guy my age I talk to grew up lower middle class and remembers it ths same, the cars were cheap after a few years, and you could fix them yourself. The good ol" days 😊

[@jamesbosworth4191]

Al Gore with his crush a clunker program removed scores of traditional American cars from the roads and replaced them with Japanese cars.

[@cliffm6566]

The dealer plate is likely original, Bowell Maclean was a big Pontiac Buick Cadillac dealer in Vancouver at the time. In the Canadian GM dealer structure Pontiac was always paired with Buick, as Chevrolet was with Oldsmobile. The Cadillac franchise was only awarded to special dealers who had the volume and resources to support the Cadillac brand, but was always with an existing Chevrolet-Oldsmobile or Pontiac-Buick franchise.

[@2001rams]

Enjoy every Pontiac story.

[@marcelgaud]

Adam, my mom's '72 Caddy, Coupe De Ville, with a 472 V-8, (when tuned up properly) would get : 16 City, and 21 Hwy (going 60mph> Speed limit: 55)

[@ferdburfel7447]

I once saw it said that the roof panel on the Grand Ville came off the smaller B-body cars, which they used along with open rear wheel wells to make a big C body car that looked a little sportier than the other C bodies. No idea if that's correct, but the Grand Ville definitely has a much different lighter feel than the 98, Electra or Sedan de Ville.

[@bullitt3980]

When I started my career in auto parts if someone wanted parts for a pre 1970 Pontiac we would ask the engine colour. Orange was a Chev based car and blue was pure Pontiac

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Beautiful 71, great vid!!!!!

[@edwardpate6128]

What a beautiful car!

[@NorlandBoxcar]

Great video as all your videos are. I could be wrong, but I think the Pontiac/Buick/GMC combination in terms of dealerships contributed to bigger sales in Canada. Buick was introduced to Col. Samuel McLaughlin who went on to create GM Canada in Oshawa. So dealers were either Chevy/Oldsmobile/Cadillac dealers or the former. Buick had a special place in Canadiana, so Pontiac probably took lead over Chevy because of that on the dealership level. The car on this video is the type that continued also into 1974. My father's 74 Parisienne Brougham was very similar, defogger included. It got 11 miles to the gallon with a 350 - 2 barrel I recall. There were more service stations on the highways in those days...lol

[@cardo1111]

Agreed. I usually prefer the exhaust note over a good stereo.

[@madmike2624]

My 73 Buick Regal had the rear de-fogger, looked just like the air registers on the floor or wall of your house! That top radiator hose to the thermostat looks pretty cobbled together?? Outstanding content Adam!!!!~~

[@kc0lif]

i like pontiac grand vile.

[@giuliopedrali4794]

Pontiac Grandville is a heavy and huge luxury car, 1971 Buick and Cadillac was true luxury cars and the 1971 Chevrolet Impala was elegant

[@joeseeking3572]

GM did make 4dr pillared sedans in this era, all years and all divisions except Cadillac. Never as a Grand Ville (or Bonneville Brougham when that succeeded) but in every other model line. We had a family friend with a 73 Caprice 4dr sedan - I remember thinking that was unusual, but it existed. He always ordered his cars pretty loaded, but said sedans were 'better cars' than hardtops (well, they were more rigid). Olds even kept an old name for the 4dr post model - it was the 'Town Sedan' as an 88 or Royale, depending on sub-series trim. I do remember the air cleaner trick - first thing you did when it was yours for the night :)

[@RareClassicCars]

Fair. I should’ve said they didn’t make the high end cars as pillared sedans. Though I suppose there was the fleetwood brougham.

[@davidraezer5937]

I just picked up a 1961 Corvair Lakewood 700 from a friend in CA. There were some differences with the Canadian built Corvairs. One of 547 built for the 61 model year.

[@andrewwilson8210]

The "auto pact" was a big part of building my country

[@treyreed6203]

My aunt and uncle had a red one with a white top and white seats, however my favorite was some friends who had one that was this beautiful triple dark green color, just beautiful! Not a fan of the all plastic like door panels however the dash I love the sort of wrap around driver centric look.

[@kydna1]

I also noticed one interior feature you don't find on many GM cars from this era. 60/40 divided seats.

[@AlexanderWaylon]

It’s almost like the car in the 7-ups chase… what a nice car really

[@cle-chi]

that car chase scene was great

[@urbo42]

In 1976, the Grand Ville in Canada was not a pillarless four door. It had full framed windows. It was an incredibly solid body. I worked at a Pontiac dealership and the 76's were so much better than the 77 downsized cars. At least we still had the Grand Prix's if you wanted something big and smooth, especially with the LJ models with the 403 engines.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Full size GM cars from the 60s to 80s are the best. Especially the ones with a big block!

[@stephengoodwin6403]

Great car.I have always wanted one but have never seen many for sale

[@SeaTravelr123]

;Great video... ;-) Pontiac guy here I have a 71 Grand Ville and Bonneville...wow.. she WAS loaded...

[@kevinfrances1694]

Thankyou Tony you said it before I could

[@fissile1]

Black car in Canada, ok makes sense. Black car in Texas, are you out of your mind!

[@rjbiker66]

I think that GM in Australia sourced parts from Canada to build large pontiacs etc. I suppose both countries being part of the Commonwealth may have meant they didnt pay certain import duties

[@90LX5L]

And the 1971 Canadian Pontiac brochure states for the Grand Ville: standard power steering, power disk brakes and 3-speed manual transmission. US cars also had a manual transmission as standard. Bizarre when you think Pontiac was trying to establish itself as a purveyor of large luxury cars with this top-of-the-line model.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

There were still some people who didn't like automatics. Some didn't like power steering either.

[@jimkanellakos4699]

Haven't seen one these since the mid 80s. They all either rusted out or were junked with the rising price of gas. Thanks Adam.

[@terrypikaart4394]

Don't forget cash for clunkers, really got all the good old cars off the road and to the crusher..

[@Rick-S-6063]

My mom owned a '71 Grand Ville 4-door from late 1979 through early 1992. The car made it through road salt, potholes and crummy Michigan weather but it still looked good when the differential finally gave out.

[@seed_drill7135]

These are Canadian cars, never heard that they did cash for clunkers.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

Thanks to Al Gore. He is the one who came up with that pro Japanese crap.

[@bikeaddictbp]

@@seed_drill7135 Didn't, but at least in my area (Ontario), these mostly rusted out or fell apart LONG before that! I only remember these cars as beaters with faded paint, rust holes, and the distinct sound from cracked exhaust manifolds. Vancouver doesn't get road salt, hence this car being a survivor.

[@ralphl7643]

GM lower trim B bodies offered pillared four door sedans with framed glass but not the C bodies or the Grand Ville. They were popular for fleets.

[@michellatour150]

Dealerships selling all three: Pontiac - Buick - GMC were very common in the Montreal Canada area.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Yes, It was Chev,Olds, Cadillac or Pontiac, Buick, GMC.

[@philmescrotum43]

Informative video, please show us your grandville if you still have it

[@MrJayrock620]

I’m at least glad to see that they didn’t hack up the dash to install the stereo. If you’re going to add one, a small console underneath is the easiest and least destructive way to do it

[@giggiddy]

But there was a time when these cars had virtually no value. So they would cut the dash and add anything they wanted because nobody cared. These cars were beautiful. But cars of those days squeeked and rattled as they were known for. Go over a bump or railroad track crossing and it was annoying how they all rattled. And lots of leaking fluids. But I'd love to come across one as complete as this one. I'd buy it quickly because the ride was wafty.

[@daveallen8824]

I noticed something on the engine. I'm from California, and I remember them requiring aftermarket emissions devices; one of them involved a device that installed in the upper radiator hose that effectively limited timing advance to supposedly improve emissions. Of course, everyone that I knew installed them, got inspected and immediately went home and disconnected them; they killed power and economy as well.

Bow Mac Cadillac was a huge dealer in Vancouver for years

[@hlk5887]

I remember them well. They were on Broadway. The BowMac sign was famous!

[@JeffKing310]

My dad had a Laurentian then replaced it with a 1965 Parisienne coupe. Nice looking car but I think it only had a 6 cylinder. In 1967 he elevated himself to Buick. Whole different era. He felt like such a big shot getting a LeSabre. In reality, basically the same car.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

Except for the engine.

[@Chris-v4z]

Parents had a 71 Catalina when I was a kid.

[@genegjr]

were you able to drive the Canadian made Pontiacs in the USA and were the pollution control devices different on the USA Models and the Canadian Models?

[@t.b.g.504]

As seen in The Seven Ups (1973), a 73 in blue driven by Bill Hicks.

[@cle-chi]

awesome film

[@stephenholland5930]

* Bill Hickman

[@joemorsman6531]

This one also has the 60/40 split front seat. It does appear to be missing cruise control, though. I could be wrong, but I believe these had a button on the end of the turn signal indicator to engage the cruise unit.

[@MrPoppyDuck]

Great car and great video! Alas, the tin worm ate many of them. I never see Grandvilles at cruise ins here in the rust belt. 🤐

[@cheftomsd]

Chrysler also did some strange things in Canada, like putting a Valiant front end on a car with a Dodge Dart rear end. I think it was called a Signet.

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

And then to confuse you even more, the pariesenne was also sold here in the USA.. a guy I knew in the Blackhawk chapter of POCI had a 66 pariesenne convertible that was ordered new with a 396! He had lake pipes with flame throwers on it, and cragars. I always loved that car!

[@fredmertz3837]

Parents bought a 72 Pontiac Grandville with a 455 in it in a nice medium blue. Reliable car with a great backseat. Was a great car for making the VA ABC store run for the restaurant I worked for I was just 18yo and making the liquor run. I had about $3K in hard liquor in the car and I would have had a great time explaing to local PD what I was doing. Hell i wasnt legally allowed in a ABC store. And the restaurant owners trusted this fool. Never stole although these fools wouldnt hav e missed it. They eneded up doing several years in prison for fraud since bcak then they had to sell 50% food and 50% liquor and they didnt so they cooked the books.

[@localcrew]

My dad purchased a ‘72 Grand Ville from a man who was, tragically, dying of cancer. He had just purchased a brand new Cadillac because he said he always wanted one. The dealer told him that they would give him 300 bucks in trade for the Pontiac but then I guess the car got lost in the shuffle, as it were and they never sent anyone by his house to pick it up. So he told my dad he could have it for the 300 dollar price. We went and looked at the car and it was an absolute garage kept creampuff with like 45 thousand miles on it. I was like “Pay the man”. It looked almost exactly like this one but dark green metallic with light vinyl interior. We loved that car but its Achilles Heel was the double universal joint yoke on the back of the driveshaft. Could not keep them intact for some reason.

[@7027A]

So true! My ‘73 Buick Centurion had that same CV joint and I forgot how troublesome it was until you mentioned it!

[@pjimmbojimmbo1990]

Carbs were shared but only by Base Models, but a Carb for One Division wasn't a Bolt-on for another Division. Distributor Caps/Points/Rotors, and Fasteners were the Commonly shared Parts.

[@jeffreyconstance6435]

Don’t forget the 1971 455-HO in GTO and Trans Am which was almost as powerful as a 1970. As least according to Pontiac’s TV advertisement.

[@sethmaki1333]

A friend of mine in high school had a 73 Grand Ville. That thing was sporting a 454 that Randy had pulled out of a truck and was one of the fastest cars in a town that included a 460 powered 57 Fairlane with a 58 Edsel front clip off a Ranger that clocked low 12s at the quarter and had been featured in Hot Rod magazine.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

So much more fun than driving a rolling computer.

[@sethmaki1333]

@@jamesbosworth4191 tell ya what, I wouldn't mind getting me a turbo Mini or a Mk. V or VI Golf GTI. I've learned to embrace new technology. Think about it, an 06 or 07 GTI with the 1.8L turbo four will beat just about all but the very fastest 60s era muscle car to the quarter mile, and it'll do it with an engine that's less than half the size and it'll still get 5-8× better fuel economy. There's lots of opportunity for fun if you open yourself up to trying something new.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@sethmaki1333 But I like strong low RPM torque. Small engines simply aren't capable of that. 2) I am not a hot rodder, I like big heavy roomy full-size cars. 3) I don't like Front Drive. 4) I don't like turbos on gasoline automotive engines. Turbos are better suited to diesels and to aircraft engines. Supercharging is better suited to gasoline engines, except for aircraft engines. 5) I am not a gas mileage freak. 6) I don't like small foreign cars.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Adam, Was this Grand Ville made in Canada or shipped there after US assembly? 🤔

[@nolarobert]

A car goes faster if you can crank up the stereo while playing Van Halen's killer classic, "Panama." That is just science.

[@edmontontangobar4991]

Loving these Canadian market car features! Was Meteor a Canada only variant of Mercury?

[@bikeaddictbp]

I believe the Meteor nameplate was Canada-only. I recall being confused at an early age by US car magazines referring to Bonnevilles that I never saw, and not mentioning the Parisiennes and Laurentians (and, to a lesser extent, Meteors) that were everywhere!

[@eddiestanley135]

What is up with the upper radiator hose?? Also, is that an aluminum intake?

[@paulomiranda1717]

I had a 73 with a 400 motor that moved the car with ease

[@jayweiss4378]

Did they fit in the average garage of the time? Imagine driving these large cars around San Francisco and parking them on those tight streets! I love them don’t get me wrong but I would have picked a mid size like Mustang, Cuda and Camaro for everyday use! These large size cars are for highway use in my opinion

[@stoneylonesome4062]

Plymouth Duster W/ Feather Duster trim package: Slant 6 I6, 2BBL Carburetor, 4MT w/ overdrive, higher final drive, removed sound insulation, aluminium body panels

[@rogue107]

I had a 1971 Grand Ville convertible (that was a foot longer than my extended cab pickup) I still regret selling that car

[@HypocriticYT]

I tended to ding/ crease the lower body in front of the rear wheel. Then I began looking at other Pontiacs and some had the same crease. 😮

[@HypocriticYT]

Had a 72 Catalina with 400 engine. And I’m in Canada 🇨🇦