Here is an ambitious project that represents either a total restoration or total parts project. Listed as a complete true barn find and located in Prince Edward Island, Canada, it can be found here on Kijiji with an asking price of $3,200 CDN or roughly $2,300 US.
The seller provides little details, but from the pictures, one can assume the car had been sitting for a long, long time. The front plate should give some indication of when it was last roadworthy, but unfortunately, the date can’t be seen with the present pictures. The car looks to be complete with the exception of some glass. Somebody panels such as the hood look good and usable, while others such as the running boards and floor require total replacement. No mention is made on the condition of the engine, so one would assume it is seized from long term hibernation.
The seller admits it requires total restoration and has priced it accordingly. For a complete car with hard to find parts, the price doesn’t seem to be too unreasonable in today’s market. He does make a point of indicating he still has ownership papers. It appears the value in this car is either using it as parts to re-body another car, or possibly with some sort of “Rat Rod” project. A skilled craftsman with advanced fabrication skills could repair the body and use it on a newer chassis with a more modern drive-line and suspension. In 1936, the Canadian and US Pontiac’s were very similar so it could legitimately provide a trove of hard to find parts for someone else’s project.
The chances of this car receiving a full restoration are slim. It is an unfortunate fact that our automotive hobby seems to have an aging demographic. A younger crowd would generally not be attracted to the originality of the car and others with fond memories or personal connection to this type of car may not have the physical ability or desire to tackle this long term project to revisit childhood memories.
The location of the car is reasonably close to the US northeast, making shipping possible. The seller seems to have moved on in projects, having both an early Camaro and later model Pontiac in his two-car garage. He and his neighbors may be a little anxious to move the stalled project out of his driveway, perhaps there is room for negation in price making the cost of parts even more reasonable.
Dang brings back memories. Had one of these and it was a show car paid about $50 dollars. Tried using it as a sled during a heavy snowfall going down a hill with just about everyone in my class and my sister inside. Got to the bottom turned over end over end and landed on top of the bond fire. Everyone exited pronto and no one was hurt. Rolled over about five times. Took inventory and no sister. Oh I’m dead. Ran back to the car and noticed the rear seats unhinged. Low and behold my sister GOD rest her soul was under that mess. Not a scratch. GOD is good and especially then when we had no seat belts.
I’m far more interested in that huggar orange Camaro.
The reason that the Candian Pontiac and
American Chevy were similar was due to
the fact that the Canadian Pontiac was
nothing more than a re-skinned Chevy
in the first place. Canadian car buyers
wanted value for their hard earned dollar
and this chevy based car gave them all
that in spades. What these folks got
was a Chevy from the cowl back with
Pontiac front facia and interior trim.
In later yesrs, the Canadian cars would
get the Pontiac 6 cylinder engine as well.
This trend would last well into the ’70’s
and would produce some interesting
cars. Drop a later six in it, sort the
mechanicals and electrics, and drive
while you restore it. That’s what we
did 50 years ago and we had a lot of
fun doing it.
I looked a this and thought immediately of Hot Tuna – Burgers (1972) – ’34 Buick sedan
Beautiful car.
Darn shame the market is so soft on these.
By the time you put on tires and installed something resembling an interior you’re already upside down. Better off buying one in a lot nicer shape.
I think that might be one of the problems (besides old timer’s dying off) with this era car. If it was a $100 or even $500, someone would scoop it up and try to drive it basically the way it sits. If its too much project, you’re only out a couple hundo. But most of us can’t afford to give up on a car we paid $2k for.
i don’t know eh, looks pretty hosed to me..
These weren’t very good when new, and now even worse. Best use would be ‘Yard Art’, sitting in the front yard slowly sinking back to earth. Ask your wife if that would be OK.
Pontiac sure sold a whole lot of Master Sixes for someone to say ‘weren’t very good when new?’
I’m curious what made you come to this conclusion…
Are you comparing these to an 80+ year newer car?
Granted I have never driven the Pontiac version of this, but the 36 Buick and 38 Chevy I piloted seemed pretty decent to me.
It ain’t no Packard… but for under $800 it shouldn’t have been.
I would be interested at $1500 if I can pick up at boarder of us..