As I hung up the phone Friday afternoon at work, I wondered aloud about my sanity. Fritz had dibs on the '57 Pontiac I found last weekend in the Adirondacks and wanted to bring a trailer up with me Saturday to retrieve it, but as the week progressed, it looked like he wouldn't be able to make it with a trailer, so knowing I'm collecting parts for an A pickup, he offers me a good chunk of stuff I need for the running gear in exchange for trailering the car to him. I have no problem trailering cars - did it once out to Oregon and once back. But I only have the company trailer for the weekend and Fritz is in the complete opposite direction from the car - on Long Island. Oh, and the Pontiac's brakes are frozen and the tires are flat. So, despite my certifiability, I hike upstate Saturday and the torrent of rain lets up as soon as I pull up to the property. The Pontiac, fortunately, has already been pulled from the muck. http://danielstrohl.com/pontiactrip/pontiacinmud.jpg As for the other cars, the '53 Chevy's in tough condition. http://danielstrohl.com/pontiactrip/chevyback.jpg http://danielstrohl.com/pontiactrip/chevyfront.jpg http://danielstrohl.com/pontiactrip/chevygrille.jpg I plan to cut out the roof, the hood and the grille. The grille is already spoken for, but everything else is up for grabs. Engine's there, but 235s are plentiful enough. The '53 Ford's in somewhat better condition. http://danielstrohl.com/pontiactrip/fordfront.jpg http://danielstrohl.com/pontiactrip/fordback.jpg Think I'll pull this one next time I get the company trailer for a weekend. Floor's gonna need replaced and that dent in the hood popped out, but all the body panels are straight and everything seems to still be there. And the J2000 I'm keeping for myself. http://danielstrohl.com/pontiactrip/jtruckfront.jpg http://danielstrohl.com/pontiactrip/jtruckengine.jpg Don't quite know what I'll do with that engine, but it's damned cool. But back to the Poncho. The property owner has a 4WD Kubota tractor which he used to spin the car in the mud, lift the front end enough so I could back the trailer underneath it and then push the car up on the trailer. http://danielstrohl.com/pontiactrip/pontiacontrailer.jpg The rope's to keep the hood from popping open on the highway. I figured a strap on the front and one on the rear would be more than enough to keep the car from going anywhere, even at highway speeds. But I'm getting more despondent the further along we get in loading the car onto the trailer. It's not as solid as it seemed and I knew Fritz was thinking about restoring the car. And clumsy us at the farm, we busted quite a bit of both the trailer and the car in getting the two to mate. So I bring the thing home Saturday evening, park it and forget about it. I'm dead bushed. Fortunately, a bright, sunny day greets me this morning. I gas up the company truck that I've been using (3/4-ton Chevy, probably put $100-150 in gas into the thing this weekend, but I'm afraid to tally the receipts) and head down to Fritz's. I'd been there before, so no worry on directions, but I'm quickly developing an ulcer worrying about fighting NYC traffic with a 2-plus ton beast on my back. That probably turned out to my benefit, though; I won't say the sight intimidated the New York drivers, but they're sure not as dumb as they look. Pull up to Fritz's, back her up to where he wants the car and stare at it dumbfounded. Fritz is the kind of guy that will examine the seemingly hopeless scenario, jump up and say he has an idea, but not tell you what it is, leaving you to scratch your head. He did that a few times, undaunted by the task. First, he airs up the tires. Whaddayaknow, they actually held air after god knows how long behind an abandoned house. A sledge on the wheels does little to crack the drums. Plus, the trans is perhaps forever locked in Park and the parking brake is perhaps forever locked period. Chains attached to the 20-foot pine quickly snap. Dishwashing soap slathered on the trailer behind the tires doesn't do much to slip the Poncho off. Then he slaps his forehead and pulls out a floor jack and four wheelcasters. http://danielstrohl.com/pontiactrip/pontiaconcasters.jpg Rig up another chain, yank the trailer out from under it and badda-bing, we're on the ground. Examination proves that this car's really good for parting out and little else. Most of the chrome crumbles at the touch, the front left coil spring has punched through its lower pocket and what sheetmetal that could be salvaged will likely end up as wall art in Fritz's studio. But he was pleased, which was good. He was really excited over a few details. Check out the service stickers. http://danielstrohl.com/pontiactrip/pontiacdoorsticker3.jpg http://danielstrohl.com/pontiactrip/pontiacdoorsticker2.jpg http://danielstrohl.com/pontiactrip/pontiacdoorsticker1.jpg One indicated the car spent some time in Florida. Another indicates that it spent some time in NYC. The latter locale would also explain the need for the primitive car alarm. http://danielstrohl.com/pontiactrip/pontiacalarm.jpg We rummage through Fritz's attic and find enough parts to keep me happy. http://danielstrohl.com/pontiactrip/whatigot.jpg Expect many noob-type questions over the coming months as I try to piece this load together. dan
Good score. The rear axles are good sellers and the speaker box is also a good seller at the swaps. Grab the steering wheel if the plastic and chrome on the center of it is good. Check for an electric wiper motor too. Scarf it up if it's an electric but forget it if it's a vacuum motor. I suppose there's not a ghost of a chance the end caps of the rear bumper are good. They're hard to find and expensive to buy. Does it have a gennie "Pontiac" make-up mirror on top of the visor? I'd like to have one for my poncho. Also the deck lid will fit 55-57 chevys. If it's any good, it may be a seller in your part of the country but I carried one around for years, trying to sell it at the local swaps. I finally gave it away.
hear that Fritz? Now, if I can find a taker on the Ford. Free if you gots a trailer, I'll deliver if you'll make me a deal. I ain't looking to get rich off it, just to put it in the right hands. dan
Hey actually, My Ford buddy asked me to ask you if you still had it, Get back to me if ya can Monday. FRITZ
Fritz- It's still there. Bunch of guys said they "knew a guy" who wanted it when I was up there yesterday, but so far no takers. I'm going back up again today, so I'll see what the story is and call you tomorrow. your guy willing to come get it? dan
The Jalopy Journal
