Greetings!  We need the following 65 Catalina parts:

-Complete set of power windows with wiring

-Passenger side front floorpan (no rust, no repro crap)

-Complete convertible or 4 door trunk floor (no rust, no repro crap)

-Passenger side bucket seat tracks (same as Chevy Impala)

-Air Compressor mounting hardware

-Power steering/alternator brackets

-Convertible windshield moldings

-Lower dash (with ignition switch) Need from side to side, spot welded in, either drill spot welds or cut outside of spot welds and we will drill.

Please contact Les at 651 280 9681.  Thanks!  LK 11/16/2018

Because of health issues, we have decided to sell everything having to do with the  PontiacParadise.com parts business. This includes all sheet metal (doors, fenders, quarters, hoods, deck lids), interior, dashes, consoles, suspension, trim, frames, NOS parts and bumpers.  The name PontiacParadise.com, engine parts, shelving, tools and the reproduction end of the the business are not for sale at this time.  This is a ready made business for someone.  Parts would fill at least 2 semi trucks.  It should be noted that most of the parts (97%) have never been marketed.  Price is $65,000 f.o.b. Rosemount, MN.  LK 10-20-2018

We have one pair of 1964 NOS Full GM Quarter Panels, left and right for Catalina or Grand Prix.  These are new old stock, not reproductions. The reproductions were made off these panel but are only half high and have none of the front, end and top provisions a factory GM quarter has.  When was the last time you saw ANY 1964 NOS GM quarters?  No photos. Local pickup only.  In Twin Cities, MN.  Price is $4,000 firm.  Thanks!  LK  10/20/2018

After 3 tries, we have finally have the correct 63-64 bellhousing boot finished.  It is made here in the USA from a far superior material than original.  The last one of these NOS we saw on eBay, went for $400 and that was 7 years ago!  These are never in any stick car nor are they ever in original bellhousings.  They keep water and garbage out of your bellhousing.  Cost is $80 which includes USP Priority Mail in the US only.  World-wide at cost. 

Les Kasten
New Member · 5 hrs
For Sale: 1966 Pontiac Catalina 2 door sedan COP CAR, factory stick! Beyond rare! Was the Chippewa Falls, WI Chief of Police car bought new in 66 from Archie Cochrane Pontiac in Chippewa Falls, WI. Car is mostly rust free except left fender (have NOS fender) and left rear quarter (have rust free quarter). 389 cop car engine (not running), 3 speed on the column, HD frame, special spring and shocks, Saf-T-Trac rear end, metallic brakes with aluminum drums, 15″ wheels, AM radio and light harness to top mounted light, all on the build sheet and window sticker from PHS. All this in a 2 door sedan. Have the original red light for the car. Has el cheaop steering wheel with cap. Car has ALL NEW GLASS through out. Have all missing trim. Missing seats (were shot), same as 65-66 Chevy Bel Air or Biscayne. Found front seat close by. Have some other parts for car. Can’t drive because of stroke. Ross Barker has full color photo of this car in 1966 parked in front of his mother’s house in Chippewa Falls. Truly a killer project. Not another one out there. Have clear MN
title. $8,000 fob Rosemount, MN

For all you people who have modified 61-64 cars and either have or want to install Ram Air Restorations 65-66 421 376 horse exhaust manifolds on your car, I have some news!  These manifolds are the best thing you can do to make about 25 extra horse verses the “brick wall” exhaust manifolds Pontiac made per Jim Butler at Butler Performance.  DO NOT MAKE THESE TWO MISTAKES:

#1:  DO NOT EVEN CONSIDER TUBE STYLE HEADERS.  They suck.  They do not fit behind the steering box (must be beat with a hammer).  You cannot get over speed bumps and the usually leak and burn plug wire ends.  They come loose as well.

#2:  Ram Air Restorations (800-421-8455) makes the only CORRECT version of the 65-66 421 376 horse manifolds.  Others are made with the passenger side being cast backwards.  They are also made in China.  They are bad.  Unfortunately, Ames sells the bad versions.  Buy straight from Ram Air and purchase the entire kit.  The entire kit has both manifolds, the 3″ oil filter spacer (must have), a new bolt kit, new flanges and the best exhaust manifold gaskets in the business.  They fit all “D” head Pontiac engines and have 2.5″ exhaust right out of the box.  If you install on 61 to 64 applications with a back bolt starter, you MUST use a mini-torque starter from Ram Air (MS-2).  If you install on 65 on up big cars, you should use a mini-torque starter as well (MS-1).  Why?  In order to change out a 65 on-up starter, the drivers side manifold must be loosened to remove or replace the starter.  If you use a mini-torque starter, you do not have to loosen the manifold.  If you use the mini-torque starter on ANY applications, you must make a new battery cable and new start (purple) wire.  Your original wires were 18″ long.  You new wires will need to be 24″ long.

Why am I telling you all this exhaust manifold stuff?  Remember I said their manifolds get you to 2.5″ exhaust.  Your car came with 2″ exhaust and it ran OVER THE TOP of your cross member.  With 2.5″ exhaust, it will not clear the floor.  65 and newer cars were built differently and the pipes do not interfere.  I came across this as I installed the Ram Air manifolds on my own car.  I had considered all options.  Notching the cross member, welding 3″ dom pipe on both sides…wow!  Finally Paul at Ram Air offered a solution.  Use a 64-72 A body cross member (not Chevelle).  It has a raised area on both sides to allow pipes to go under the cross member.  I obtained one of these and welded 1.5″ of flat metal the same thickness on both ends (good, hot welds) to make it the same length as my old cross member and the same thickness.  I reused the 61-64 cross member rubber insulators and bolted in my car.  It worked out great with my original 4 speed transmission mount, so it should it should also work in an automatic application as well.  One thing…you have to drill the cross member to use your original parking brake cables, so pay close attention here.  I also recommend a cross-over pipe after the cross member (and before the mufflers) to relieve back pressure and exhaust popping.  I will post photos when I get my car up in the air again.  I hope this article helps a load of people.  Thanks to Paul at Ram Air Restorations.  Great guy!  LK  9/22/2018

First off, please see the January 2018 issue of POCI’s Smoke Signals for a 4 page article written by PontiacParadise Technical Adviser, POCI’s 8 Lug Adviser and Midwest Board of Director of POCI Les Kasten.  The article covers a number of 8 lug issues and updates.

Second off, I want to pass on some very valuable information.  A couple of years ago, Brad from Fabcraft told me of a way to make your drum brake Pontiac stop like NOW!  I was in the mist of another problem facing 61-64 Catalina/Grand Prix owners buying new brake shoes.  I have done countless shoes changes however I was doing the front shoes on my own 64 Catalina and I had gone to O’Rielly to get new shoes.  I already had a new small parts kit from Kanter.  When I went to install the shoes, I noticed that the new shoes had oval holes where the “nails” came thru.  The original shoes had round holes and used round springs and caps.  The new shoes could not be installed.  I tried shoes from Auto Zone, Car Quest and even looked on line.  They ALL had oval mounting holes.  I had to order a correct set of shoes from Minneapolis Truck and Car Brake.  I finally checked back with O’Rielly and looked at photos of Bonneville shoes.  They had the round holes.  I did order a set of these to confirm.  Ok, listen up…..all the parts stores and shoes online for 61-64 Catalina and Grand Prixs are WRONG.  THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE FOR BONNEVILLE VERSES CATALINA BRAKES.  ORDER BONNEVILLE BRAKE SHOES.  BTW….save your old shoes…here’s why:

During the “dark time”, I had a great conversation with Brad at Fabcraft.  He passed on this information.  He takes his front shoes and has them relined with FORKLIFT MATERIAL!  Your local forklift repair dealer can take your old shoes and reline them.  There is bad news and good news.  Bad news is they will only last about 10,000 miles.  The good news is that your car will stop on a dime and give you 9 cents back!  It cost me $40 to get my fronts done.  Since most of your braking is up front, I’m not sure you need to do the rears.   Most of us will never get 10,000 miles on our cars.

Another thing….watch out for eBay 61-64 new rubber brake hoses from South America.  They come in sets of three, 2 fronts and one rear.  The fronts are fine but the rear hose is completely wrong and useless.  All the attaching fittings are wrong. What a waste of time.  May be the same problem for 65-68 hoses.   Hope this helps!  LK 9/22/2018

Please see Les Kasten’s 4 page article in this month’s Smoke Signals regarding 8 lug wheels and current problems, how to paint your 8 lugs, disc brake conversion using 8 lugs up front and balancing plates.  The painting part of the article was the final part Ron Panzer planned to write with Les before he passed away.  Ron had written four previous articles in Smoke Signals.  PontiacParadise.com uses Z & L Machine for all NEW 8 lugs, 8 lug relines, the disc brake conversion, balancing plates and 8 lug repairs and parts including repro lug nuts (LH or RH threads).  Contact Larry Groskopf at 815-735-4002.  Email is lgto67@yahoo.com.  Address is 1501 Hermitage Drive, New Lenox, IL 60451.  PontiacParadise.com sells the new 15″ and 16″ 8 lug wheels in various widths and finishes.  Thanks!  LK 9/22/2018

We are receiving a large number of calls regarding the above problems.  Here is the information to solve your problems IF we do not have a reproduction tank or sender for you.

#1:  You have a nasty, rusty, leaking or stinky fuel tank.  DO NOT THROW OUT!  Go to https://www.gastankrenu.com/locate-a-dealer/ and send the tank to them.  They can repair almost any problem you have.  Your tank will come back sealed inside and out.  It will be a dull black when it returns.  It will not have that zinc finish however it comes with a lifetime warranty nation-wide.  They also will send your sender out and have it either repaired or find a NOS one.  If you can find a new tank, fine.  If not, here is your next best bet.  Call the nearest dealer and follow their shipping instructions.

#2:  You have a gas tank sender that does not work.  Once again, DO NOT THROW OUT!  We have discovered a company that will repair your old sender, change out the sock and return with a new gasket, all for $125!  So if you have a non-reproduced sender, you are saved!  This company can also install an additional line for those who are going with fuel injection.  Contact Dan at Tri-Starr, 315-712-0071, 1452 State Route 89, Seneca Falls, NY 13148.  Email is sendingunitguy@gmail.com.

This should solve a number of problems.  We hope this helps!  LK 9/22/2018

Using our patterns, our supplier has finally delivered the new reproduction 65 and 66 fuel tanks!  It’s taken 3 years to get these here.  They are galvanized with a 3 year warranty on the finish.  They are complete with the filler neck and the vent tube.  They are exact!  The senders are too.  The sender package comes with the new single line sender, the new lock down ring and correct rubber o ring.  Strap kits are coming soon, but the tanks and senders are here.  The sender is a dual line sender.  For now, the fuel tanks are $299 each and the senders are $100 each.  Shipping will be at cost via Fed Ex Ground.  Straps will be here shortly (10-2018) and this post will be modified. Have photos we can email of the tank and sender.  LK 9/22/2018