They're still out there waiting in the back corner of a Barn near you

Very cool!!!

 

Very cool find. I believe it should have a 370 CID, and they had a 315 HP NASCAR option called a 395A - if you could build it to those specs, and keep it at 3700 lbs it should run mid 13's or better. Like Doc says - blueprint the hell out of it! Dont even bother to wash it!

Or paint it and run it against the Merc... that would make for good racing!

 

That is so freakin cool. For those youngins around not in the know, early Pontiac's were hard competitors back in the day. Especially those late fifties cars. I love love love the old decals. Would be really cool to have pics of that in it's prime. Thanks for sharing. What are your plans for it?

 

I believe the top of the line motor was a 347 C.I. with Tri-power or fuel injection ?? its been a long time ago Ha Ha !

 

Sweet!!!!! very cool

 

347 cuber was in 57, 370 cubes is correct for a 58.

58 Poncho could have a 2bbl, 4bbl, tri power or f.i. as I recall.

 

i think,,,,,think only,,,, that pontiac's 389 will bolt right in.... and maybe the 421...dont know for sure......

 

I'd vote for that. Although I think if you restored the Rally II / black steelie combo that would look good also. Stick some pie crusts on the steelies, stab in a Tri-Power/455/M-20 and head for the Meltdown Drags. I only know about those races because Tom posted their link here a couple(?) of months ago. Been fixated on that type of event ever since and now thinking that I have to have one also. Thanks Tom...

 

Tom Please send me the pictures and info on your new car to jesupercat@ yahoo. com

I will pass the info to a few of my drag racing friends that have been Photographers since the 50's. I am sure I will get you more info and pictures of the car in its prime.

Send me the info if interested.

 

It would have to be an early engine with cast iron timing cover which has the front mount/motor mount bosses. These cars also had a mid-mount off the bell housing for the trans.
Both of these mounting methods will be changed with a little fabrication.

Found the "ghost" outline of another name on the roof above the drivers door after I washed the barn dirt off.
The name is Dave Overhiser, who must have been an earlier owner/driver.
Not sure how many owners this car has had, or how many tracks it has run down. I know it came from Tampa Florida by the dealer emblem on the deck lid.
Still gathering details.....and a game plan??o No:
The car has a little more "patina" down low than I think I get get myself to accept and leave alone. The trick is figuring out how far to go without going too far.ou: I would listen to input/opinions on this issue.

 

Maybe the same Dave ?

http://www.zoominfo.com/#!search/profile/person?personId=52648150&targetid=profile

 

It could be him, he is from South Haven, and there are old stickers from a Howies Speed Shop that was in South Haven???
I'll give him a call tomorrow.
Thanks Steve.

 

[ Gary, you're off 1 year. The 347 was 1957. The '58's had a 370 inch version and Tri-Power was an option. Ran pretty well, I had a Ragtop that would run mid 15's with 100,000 miles and 3.23 gears.

---------- Post added at 01:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:42 PM ----------

The car has a little more "patina" down low than I think I get get myself to accept and leave alone. The trick is figuring out how far to go without going too far.ou: I would listen to input/opinions on this issue. View attachment 244616 [/QUOTE]

Tom PLEASE build it for Pure Stock. I promise I'll show up with the Blown '57 Ford, now all we need is a Plymouth Fury and a "57 -283 chevy, and/ or a 58 348 Biscayne.

 

Tom PLEASE build it for Pure Stock. I promise I'll show up with the Blown '57 Ford, now all we need is a Plymouth Fury and a "57 -283 chevy, and/ or a 58 348 Biscayne.[/QUOTE]

Frank, I'd love to see you running the 57 Ford again, but as far as this car getting restored, I'm afraid that won't happen.
The plan is to leave the exterior pretty much as-is, get it running, and add some period correct wheels/tires, and have some fun with it.
Picked up a pair of Vintage Fenton Hawk mags for the front yesterday like these.......

 

This thing is really a pile, but my kids love it.
They keep telling their friends that we bought a race car(if they only knew)
I think the kids like it because I'm not all over them telling them to stay away from it, and don't touch it,etc.

I'm thinking this thing will be a blast to bop around town in, drive to work,the grocery store,Dairy Queen,drag strip,etc.
I haven't had a no worry driver in so long, I forgot what it's like to actually enjoy an old car.

See you at the track:3gears:

 

Tom,

I had a 58 Chieftain 2 door when I first got married as my go towork car. Drove it all winter the first year I had the Ramrod when I put it up in storage as I have every year since 1968. Mine was pink and white with a grey interior and ran like a raped ape.. Lots of fun with the 4 speed hydro.. Like yours, it had snow tires, and I put on a JC Whitney dual exhaust system on it. Fun car...

They easily run in the 15's...K/SA at Onondaga if I remember right.

 

Doc, 630 made and they were all FI convertibles.Fully loaded with only two options available, A/C and Continental Kit. Tom,I would get it running and drive the wheels off it.

 

Tom,
I know what you mean, I drive the heck out of the AMX during the summer. I think it's the only reason I haven't Pure Stocked it. Because i enjoy it SO MUCH. Not saying it's a pile- it's not . But when I'm driving it I just enjoy it- I don't nit pick it and think of all the stuff i need to do to make it FASTER.

 

That's a sweetheart, Tom; congratulations! Does it have an engine? Have you tried to get it running or ??

A year earlier, my Dad was Sales Manager at Widdis-Nielsen Pontiac in Danville IL:



(Hope you don't mind the "period" addition to your topic.) BP

 

A bit off topic, but I just read a book called Junior Stock by Doug Boyce, and it goes over Stock Class drag racing in the 60s and early 70s...there were quite a few '58 Pontiacs in that book...apparently it was a pretty hot setup...