This 1986 Pontiac Parisienne Brougham has been listed for sale to settle an estate. The vehicle has been sitting for many years and will need some work to return to a roadworthy state. However, the seller has not set a price for this classic. It seems that the best offer will take this gem home. With that thought in mind, this could be a very affordable project car. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, you will find this Pontiac listed for sale here on Craigslist. Once you’ve taken a closer look, you might be tempted to throw an offer in on this classic.
It isn’t clear when the last time was that this Pontiac saw active duty, but the layer of dust suggests that it may have been some years ago. It presents in an attractive combination of Medium Blue over Bright Blue, and the paint looks like it might be in good condition under that dust. The panels have accumulated a few bumps and bruises over the past thirty-six years, but there appears to be no significant accident damage. The Pontiac has spent its life in Arizona, which means that it is probably rust-free. The driver’s window seems to be broken, but the remaining glass looks in good order. The external trim and chrome may respond positively to some work with a high-quality polish, while the original wire hubcaps remain intact. It seems that returning this classic to a presentable state may not be a difficult undertaking.
Potential buyers faced a couple of choices regarding what to slot into the engine bay of their 1986 Parisienne. The original owner of this car selected the 305ci V8 that produced 165hp. The remaining mechanical components include a four-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. While it could never be considered a high-performance model, this Pontiac would still have covered the ¼ mile in a neat 18 seconds. That figure looks pretty average today, but it remained respectable during the height of The Malaise Era. The news, from a mechanical perspective, may not be that great. The seller has not attempted to revive this classic. However, he slotted in a new battery, and that V8 refused to turn over. That could be something as simple as an electrical or starter fault, but it could also indicate that the engine is locked. An in-person inspection will provide a clearer picture, but the buyer may need to brace for an engine rebuild. If that’s the case, that will significantly undermine the financial viability of this project.
Slipping inside a 1986 Parisienne Brougham did not involve dealing with a life of austerity. Occupants found air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio and cassette player. In a 1986 context, the interior was nicely equipped. While it could be generally considered serviceable, this interior has some glaring faults. The worst of these is a badly cracked dash pad, and I believe this has gone beyond the point of no return. The buyer may choose to attempt a restoration using a product like Polyvance, but I wouldn’t say I like their chances of achieving a decent result. Locating a replacement pad could prove difficult, and when you consider the potential value once this car is returned to active duty, it could also prove prohibitively expensive. Alternatives would include fitting a dash cover for under $100 or searching a pick-a-part for a decent second-hand replacement. The rest of the interior would benefit from a deep clean, and then it should present nicely as an original survivor. Beyond that, spending any money on restoration work probably isn’t justified in a vehicle of this value.
The harsh reality is that this 1986 Pontiac Parisienne Brougham will probably never be worth a massive amount of money. However, there are times when this is not the primary consideration in any project. These were far from cheap when new, but they are extremely affordable today. They were not an uncommon sight on our roads in their heyday, but dwindling values and normal wear and tear have seen many of these disappear. Reflect back and think when the last time was that you saw a tidy example on our roads. Would you find that cause enough to justify tackling this project?
Personally I usually won’t call on ads like this.If you want to sell you must have an idea what you want for it.:-)
My parents bought one of these with a fuel-injected, 4.3 V6. It was a gutless turd that went to the shop 23 times in the first year of ownership. I would not wish that car on a Communist. Some of the issues included:
1) Violent shifting and torque converter lock-up. TV cable failed to fix throughout ownership.
2) Faulty front end alignment despite multiple dealer visits to correct. Destroyed 4 tires. Ultimately fixed by replacing control arms.
3) Cracked distributor cap.
4) Peeling paint in first year.
They eventually traded the car on a 1990 Bonneville that turned out to be the most reliable car they ever owned.
Wow, that car must have been made on a Monday.
It is virtually a Chevrolet with Pontiac panels on the outside, or a “Cheviac.” Too bad your parent’s car wound up a lemon.
Friend had one, bought new, was a great car, by the mid ’90’s was constantly turning down offers from Arab country connected dealer who was buying these (and its GM cousins) to ship to Saudi where they were prized and gas was cheap, and, according to the dealer, these were wanted more than the Caprice, the Olds, or the Buick with essentailly the same body.
So this thing is 20+ hours away driving, it weighs 4100 lbs so I would have to lie to Uhaul about what is actually going on their auto transport trailer in order to rent one my 1/2 ton truck is only rated for 5500 lbs towing so that’s pushing it all for a bunch of unknown issues. I’m not Derrick from vice grip garage so just flying down with minimal tools and getting it running and driving it home isn’t a option I guess I’m going to have to pass. Would make a nice car for somebody
I always thought these were a great looking car,. The design just came together well.
A friend had one ,used as a Taxi in Brockville, Ontario for years. He never had any mechanical problems and it served him well, summer and winter. It had the V8.
Nearing the end of the great rear wheel drive sedans and, in my opinion, one of the best looking , especially with this colour combination.
Never understood why Ponitac opted to drop the Catalina name and replace it with the Canadian Parisienne neme
Maybe just hose it off so we can see the car?
My Aunt had an ‘85 Paresianne
My grandparents bought a new one in 85. Willed it to my dad when they passed. I loved that car drove it from when I got my license till frame rot got the best of it. My dad used to drive it to Florida in beginning of winter then back to Massachusetts in the early spring. I can still hear the noise when u shift from park to drive . Loved that car.
It might be worth a $1,0000 gamble.
I had an 305 engine in my 76 Monte Carlo. 200,000 miles with basic maintenance. Not a slug; but this more than 30 years ago when Honda Civics didn’t go 135 mph. This car is worth about $900.
Perfect colour combination for my 1982 Caprice winter beater that hit a deer south of Buckhorn, Ontario and just north of Deer Bay Road. Need the front clip, hood and left fender.
I strongly dislike when people determine if the car is worth it by what the car is worth or what it will be worth at the end of your restoration or ownership of the car. Sometimes, you pour money, love, and time into a car because you love it or you enjoy wrenching on it. Or, for no reason at all other than it’s old and old= sick because they really don’t make ‘‘em like they used to.
I bought one of these thru a sealed bid auction in the early 90’s It was a salesmans car at the company i worked for then. It was at a site about 150 miles from where i lived and since I was unable to even see a picture of the car i was allowed to go look at it after i was high bid and decide if i really wanted to pay. A guy i worked with took me to west and north of Omaha NE to look at it, it was sitting there with a low front tire and a dead battery. The odometer showed 204,000 miles. I almost walked away but the car was straight and clean and since we drove almost 3 hrs we figured we might as well hear it run. Got it jumped and no funny noises, smoke or blowby out the oil fill trans seemed to shift ok so i thought what the heck might as well pay the 703 that i bid, aired the tire up and drove that thing home. It was probably the best car i ever owned. Got mid 20’s on the highway with the 305 and overdrive. Almost made it to 300,000 before i parked it 6 years later, it would have made it but i let my dad borrow it to go to Arkansas, the first time he took it there he had no problem and said it made the trip down on one tank of gas, the second time he took it i screwed up and showed him that you had to put the shifter up in the neutral slot for it to be in overdrive i also told him that you had to step into the throttle to kick it out of overdrive so just put it in the D slot when driving around town. He lugged that poor car so bad that the torque converter bolts shook loose plus the blown headgasket from getting motor hot, My fault but that car was pretty much done after that
I’m surprised by the love this car has gotten, I was 11 when it was built and to me it is the pinnacle of 80’s GM “meh.” To each their own, I guess. It does bring one specific recollection to mind though.
The people whose parents or grandparents maybe bought one of these new, or whose friends had one in “banger” condition as a first car, are at the age now where they’re looking to buy an old car and recapture a bit of their childhood or their youth. Millennials are anywhere between 25 and 42 (born 1980-97) and Gen-X are 43-58 (born 1964-79). So the cars we have fond memories of from our childhoods are mostly malaise-era, from the ’70s and ’80s.
I was selling cars when these were new and remember they sold like hot cakes. Every single one that came in was sold almost immediately.
Based on the cross streets in the listing it looks like this one is only 20 minutes away from me. Unfortunately I’m not a fixer at all.
3 pals growing up had a version of this olds, chev , pontiac adding a dual exhaust, a rear sway bar , and you had a decent fun ride.
*looking into crystal ball* I see a set of 28’s, AutoZone accessories, and a Maaco special in your future.
I submitted a fully loaded mint condition 79 Bonneville Landau Brougham with 13k miles a few years ago and you guys rejected it.
Got to thinking about the one i had, the speed limit was still 55 when i first got it, there was this hill on I29 just south of Mound City, if i was going 55 when i hit the bottom of the long hill i had to give it a lot of throttle to maintain speed and downshift out of OD, if i was running in the low 70’s it maintained that speed without a wimper, it was a huge difference. I really loved that big boat