Update on the pontiac. A pickup was used to try and get the car pulled out. It didn't budge. A tractor was the used still no luck. The neighbor brought over his crawler with tracks on it. The rear end was ripped out of the car. The next option is to push the two car garage that collapsed on the cars off the cars. The other pontiac in there I was told is a two door 38. It's a complete car.
It's been a while since I posted something. The garage was pushed over off the car. It was sunk to the frame. Upon removal the car broke in half. The good news is they gave me the car. It obviously has a tri power engine and a four speed. What a shame in this car being destroyed. This thing has to be rare.
Not often I've seen rusted out valve covers with holes installed on the engine. What a shame. Sure makes me wonder what started this whole descent of the property.
Looks like about all that is left is that engine. But, I would have taken it as well. I am a sucker for a Pontiac.
This car is extremely rare. I will pull the drive train. I will also grab the Vin tag. This was a loaded up dealer demo car. The farmer told me the whole story about her mom buying the car brand new. It had a engine problem in the early 70s. It was put in a two story two car garage. Eventually the garage collapsed onto the car. A 38 pontiac was also in there. Like most farmers they never threw anything away. Up until recently there were 50 plus cars and trucks on the property.
The farmer says it's a 421. She said a emblem fell off years ago. That's how she knows what's in it. She saved it putting it on a shelf. I haven't found it yet.
How in the world do these get hidden away for so many years?!?!! What a find! I’m not a Vette guy but I would jump on thos one in a heartbeat!
Very sad ending for what was probably a gorgeous Pontiac. On a positive note (if there is one) the front fenders are rusty so the car wasn’t a Super Duty with aluminum front fenders. You're saving the drivetrain though and that’s great!
There are still several useable items there besides the engine. Clutch pedal assy and Z bar for sure, door handles, steering wheel looks salvageable, probably a few other items as well. I just bought two 63 Grand Prix’s so I know many lf these small parts are hard to come by.
Shame about the Pontiac, sure glad you're at least able to salvage whatever bits are left. Looks like it was a 4 door hardtop, and is that a column shifter I see in the pics? Was this really a 421 Tripower 3 on the tree 4 door hardtop? That is an ultra-odd setup. If that's really how it came from the factory, I have to believe that's the only one ever made.
As an old friend of mine was fond of saying, "They only built three of 'em like that, and the other two burned on the assembly line!"
Geez, the hose radiator hose clamps rusted completely away! Still has the cool steering wheel and pedal trim. Nice looking dash boards in these cars.
Any pontiac guys able to tell me how to identify it as a 421 or 398? A 421 would be worth a lot more. I have heard they have better cranks. Fortunately the car is five minutes or less from my house. I have a open trailer with a big winch on it. I have several acres so it's no problem storing it. It's race season so it will be sitting a few months. In high school I rode in a gto every day. I can see were this is going. After I wrap up the 66 chevelle that's getting g a day two frame off.
The farmer just didn't get rid of anything. Nothing. There was every piece of equipment they ever bought. The same family owned the property for over 125 years. The property was sold so they are clearing it off. They had a crazy amount of tractors and other things they are now scrapping out. I grabbed these three items and moved them to my property for yard art. My place was a huge farm back in the day. My house is on the national record of historic homes. President Linoln stayed overnight here before giving a speech down the street. My wife wasn't too thrilled with me dragging this stuff hone but she warmed up to it. The noise it made with the steel wheels was crazy.
Friend in college had 2 door 421 with 3 on the tree. I think it was hischool grad gift, he told dad wanted stick & dad did not know about 4 speed so got rare combination. It did go like stink.
The way the car ended up is easy to explain. The car was a regular car to them. When it broke they parked it because you never know what you might need some day. The dad passed away and the daughter lost her arm. It was all she could do to maintain the farm. The cars were not important. It's funny how one vette turned into three and a pontiac not to mention the old farm machinery. Stuff is still out there.
The 421 should have an integral cast iron lug or post about 1” to 1.5” tall on the back of the block near the distributor hole, I think it’s on the passenger side. That will tell you if it’s a 421 or not.
AFAIK all the cranks for 389’s and 421’s in 1966 were Arma-Steel, a fancy name for nodular iron. The only forged 389 or 421 cranks were for Super Duty applications.
I believe you’re correct Fordors, those nodular iron ranks are tough and will withstand some severe punishment. However, I would not waste any time on the rods, simply go straight to the aftermarket and purchase a forged set.
I have driven by that farm for years, In always noticed the major accumulation of “junk “ that was spread across the property, I knew there had to be old cars there but never inquired. I saw the Pontiac carcass sitting there last Wednesday evening after having dinner at Irv’s. You need another project Brian!
A pontiac friend of mine stopped by for a look. He knows what he it looking at. He confirmed it's a 421. Too bad the rear end got scrapped. It was a safety trac. After it was ripped out by the crawler they junked it. It would have been cool to have the complete drive train and Vin tag. Pontiac historical will be getting a call. I will update with the findings.
Jim no projects until the 66 is done. After that I will most likely do a gto. I like the 65-67s. This 421 will find a good home.
Wow! What a story! What a car! I had to start over from post #1 and glad I did. That’s a once in a lifetime find. Keep us going on it.
With the help of the trailers winch and a skid steer we got it onto the trailer. I'm thinking the way to get the engine out is with a torch. My wife just shook her head.
Funny how wives don't understand real treasures.....commonly referred to as a "hunk-o-junk" and then comments "That's nice dear"......
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