Late Great Chevys... In The Great White North (Part 1)
as published in the Chevy Times July 2000 Issue
By Aubrey N. Bruneau
Hanna, Alberta, Canada
First, I would like to thank Chevy Times for allowing me the opportunity to write this article. In it, I hope to lie to rest speculation and rumors regarding these cars. "These cars" you ask ? Ahem! Canadian Pontiac! Okay, okay, I know what you're thinking. I can assure you, I am a Late Great Chevy enthusiast of obsessed proportions. I've never owned a front-wheel drive beater, a generic pickup, or for that matter, any vehicle newer than 1964. Heck, my tow rig is a 1959 GMC 9380, 1 -ton with a 427-inch 348 in it !
To help dampen this "Pontiac" shock, I decided that it would be best to divide this article into two parts. The first of which is intended to point out the differences in the Canadian-built Chevrolets. This in turn, hopefully, will help owners of the Canadian cars restore their cars more accurately. Most of my experience has been with the 1961 to 1964 models, so unfortunately I'll only be able to elaborate on these. Some differences are subtle. Some are "in your face! "
I'll start at my favorite spot, the engine compartment. Unless specified, one can consider the vehicles and their parts to be the same as the U.S. car. Firstly, all small block engines use a more conventional air cleaner. That is, the filter element sits in the one-piece base/snorkel assembly and the basically flat lid sits on top. They do use the same filter element however.
All small block engines are cast and built in Canada. Of note, is that the aluminum oil filter relief valves assemblies, which are all, made in the US. Small block engine numbers, unfortunately, do not identify the horsepower. They are normally nine digits, but I have yet to be able to establish a pattern, nor can I connect an engine block to a car. However for 1964, GM in Oshawa will provide a build-sheet to your vehicle's serial number that will include the original engine number. Canada's 409s use the same Tonawanda plant number, (I.E. T1204QA) that was assigned to them when they were built. There were no other identification marks added.
As far as availability, Canada had some drawbacks. The 348 were never available with more than 280 hp. The 300hp 327 and 409 engines were not available until 1963. The same goes for the four-speed. (I can't deal with that one!) In 1963 and 1964, all three 409 options were offered, but the 340hp seems to outnumber the "big horse" by about 102. Proportionately, Canadian "W" block cars are about twice as hard to find as the US. models. The most noteworthy difference on the Canadian 409 Chevy is the absence of the bow tie on the valve covers. Canada stamped their own covers so they could be used on the Chevrolets and Pontiacs. (oops, not yet!)
All small block radiators are made in Canada and do not exhibit the "Harrison" name. Hose clamps are the same until midway through 1963, when the heater hoses were fitted with the tower-type clamps. In 1961-1963, cars did not use "spring ring" battery cables. Hood hinges are an issue in themselves, and are finished as follows: 1961) yellow cad plating with black springs, 1962) clear zinc plating with baby blue springs, 1963) dark gray irradiated with black springs, and 1964) dark gray irradiated with baby blue springs.
Firewalls are always completely finished in body color - no exceptions. Air conditioning was offered on the 1963 and 1964 cars but is almost nonexistent. And at 10-degrees below zero for a high today, I can't see the value in it! Tinted side glass is also extremely rare. It's also labeled differently and is greener in color.
The steering box is a unique part in itself It is not Saginaw, and has no exterior manufacturer's identification. It is about three pounds heavier than the US. part with a larger worm and sector. Visually, it has a more rounded cast body.
One item that seems to be better than the US. part is the "cowl tag". Rather than being covered with "Magic Mirror" finish, it states hard facts that are invaluable in verifying a car's authenticity. Body number style, trim code, color (indicated by a letter or two letters in the case of two-tone), and most importantly, a list of the GM option codes that would have necessitated body modifications on the assembly line. (M20, hole in floor for shifter, etc.) Because there was only one assembly plant in Canada (Oshawa, Ontario), the serial number does not identify it. Therefore, the number only sequence will be one digit shorter.
Mirrors: The Canadian cars use exactly the same design but none have the Chevy "bow tie" embossed in them. Seat belts were optional in 1962, 1963, and 1964. All were made by Dominion Auto in Toronto. The 1962 and 1963 belts have a stainless steel buckle and attach to the floor with a hook through an eyelet threaded into the floor. Cars in 1964 used a conventional bolt through for attachment and the buckle exterior is finished in color keyed plastic. Something I've recently learned which I found very curious is the existence of seat belt provisions in the rear floor of 1962, 1963 and 1964 cars. If one looks closely, they will be able to locate four dimples in the floor where the holes are to be Ofilled.
The floor mats offered by the GM dealerships in Canada were also unique. They of course followed the contour of the floor with a series of fine ribs in alternate sections. In the middle there is a raised oval-shaped logo, approximately 5-inches across with "GM" overlaid atop a finely detailed maple leaf. I have found them in red, maroon, blue, light brown, turquoise, green and off-white, but still no black. I'm currently working on tooling to reproduce these mats.
One other drawback is the SS, or should I say lack of, there are no 1961 and 1962 SS cars. Curiously, there was a bucket seat/console option available in 1962 for Hardtops and Convertibles. Needless-to-say, there were fewer Convertibles made in Canada. Canadian Chevrolet production works out to be about 8.8% of the US.
One of the most obvious differences with Canadian Chevys is the trunk. In the ma ority of 1963s and all 1964s, the trunk is completely painted in body color. Yes, it is nice! Typically, the underside of the trunk pan is pre-painted in chassis (semi-gloss) black, and then during the body painting process, is finished in body color on most of the visible surfaces.
These are the most noteworthy differences that I have encountered in the past 22 years. If you have further information, I'm sure the staff of Late Great Chevys would be happy to learn of it.
Next month I will provide written and photographic documentation, which will elaborate on the concept that; our Canadian Pontiacs are more Chevrolet than most people realize. For now, I guess I better go sweep the snow off the sidewalk again!
Late Great Chevys... In The Great White North Part 11
THE 1964 Pontiac information site
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