George's Canadian 57 Pontiac

My Canadian 57 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan. Built in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada in July 1957. Sold originally in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada by a Pontiac/Buick dealer named Amos. Came back to Ontario, Canada in 1979. I bought the car May 1996 in Omemee, Ontario, Canada and restored the car original from October 1997 to May 1998. The car has many factory and dealer accessories and I drive it on average 4,000 miles a year from April until November. My 57 has the original 261 inline six cylinder motor and three speed stick on the tree. In 1957 just over 48,000 Canadian Pontiac's were built and this was very good numbers for Canada in 1957. The car is a dream to drive and I show the car in memory of my dad Anthony (1927-1993). My mom and dad owned the same car from 1959-1970 and I grew up with it and continue to have fond memories of our family's 57 Pontiac. Cheers. George

Original 261 in line six cylinder motor with a ground pounding 148 h.p. These motors were standard in Canadian Pontiac's from 1955 to 1962.

I always thought the 57 Pontiac was a handsome looking automobile. My dad Anthony (1927-1993) thought so as well because he bought a like new one in 1959 and kept it until 1970. I grew up around a 57 Pontiac.

Engine bay includes accessory oil filter, electric wiper motor, windshield washer, power steering, vacuum ashtray, under hood light, bug screen and deluxe heater/defroster.

Original looking interior includes 57 Chev steering wheel, that was original for a Canadian Pontiac. Accessory seat belts, compass, traffic light viewer, tissue dispenser, litter container, emergency brake light, vacuum ash tray, gas pedal cover, am radio, clock, spot lights and Autronic head light dimmer.

Lots of room in the trunk for everything I need anyway.

Got this vanity plate in 1982 and it has been on three vintage cars now. A 56 Chev, a 57 Chev and now this 57 Pontiac.

Vacuum ashtray a rare accessory from 1957 to 1960. It actually works off engine vacuum and even though I have never smoked, it is still a cool gizmo.

Original compass and traffic light viewer.

Autronic Eye automatic head light dimmer. Offered from 1952 on ward.

The electronic eye of the Autronic Eye system. With high beams on, an oncoming cars headlights would hit this eye and dim the high beams. Then the high beams would come back on. Works amazingly well.

The dealer that originally sold my 57 in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada.

Mileage as of 2021. I zeroed the odometer in 1997 when I restored the car.

Very rare original vacuum ash tray that actually works. They now reproduce this accessory for about half the cost of an original. I have never smoked cancer sticks but I have always loved this 50's gizmo.

Optional accessory "manual" windshield washer that was operated by foot pump.

Dealer accessory tissue dispenser.

Dealer accessory emergency brake light.

Dealer accessory oil filter unit.

Dealer accessory electric wiper motor.

Dealer accessory AM radio and electric clock.

Dealer accessory litter container.

Comments

57timemachine on Sep 24, 2019 said:

I really appreciate all the thumbs up on my pride. Thank you and cheers.

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isztvan56 on Feb 25, 2021 said:

Congrat George, you did awesome job. I just recently joined this group, as a new owner of 1957 Pontiac, same as yours, but not restored yet. I bought it two weeks ago here in BC. I ned some help with vehicle info, if you are willing. Thanks in advance!

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Mario on Oct 28, 2020 said:

Beautiful 57 Pontiac George and I really like how the car brings back memories of your mom and dad. I know how you feel. Cars bring back memories of my parents, family, friends who have passed also. Best regards, Mario

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57timemachine on Oct 28, 2020 said:

Mario, thank you for the kind sentiments. Family is number one and our love for vintage cars right after. My dad had a company car from 1967 to 1969 that was a low end 1967 Chev full size wagon that was white with a blue interior. I remember as a kid thinking that that car was huge. Mario, thank you for posting all that amazing vintage Chevy stuff, it is very well appreciated sir. Cheers.

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Mario on Oct 30, 2020 said:

You're welcome George and I agree Family is number one with vintage cars right after. Mario

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azmusclecar on Oct 30, 2020 said:

My uncle was a Pontiac Mechanic and it was in his DNA blood so much he would wear a warbonnet at dinner time to remind the kids where the check comes from and WHO is the CHIEF. It worked.

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Mario on Oct 31, 2020 said:

That's a great story from The Greatest Generation! My parents and In-Laws were also from that era and the amount of Patriotism they showed was enlightening. It rubbed off on me and I in turn instilled it on our adult children!

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57timemachine on Oct 31, 2020 said:

Mario, kudos to that. All that is mostly lost now a days with younger folks, I am sad to say.

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57timemachine on Nov 13, 2020 said:

I just need to mention, that this is not the same exact car my parents owned from 1959 to 1970. By 1970 my parents 57 Pontiac was a rusted out mess but it was the engine blowing that made my dad get rid of it. My 57 is an exact duplicate of my dads 57, except I have added much more accessories than my dads car ever had. It would have been sweet to have owned the same 57 my dad had but at least I have my dads 74 Chevy Caprice Estate. Cheers.

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muskoka_addict on Feb 14, 2021 said:

Finally got a chance to look at your page. Great car. Well-presented with lots of information. So nice to see a Canadian car here in Ontario where all the '50s cars rusted out before they were thought of for collecting. Great stuff!

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Mario on Dec 1, 2020 said:

I don't have any of my Dad's cars but I managed to hold onto the original hood ornament from his 1952 Ford Customline. He gave it to me when he bought an eagle hood ornament and changed the original on the hood. I also have many of his old NY plates with the number 59MR. His house number 59 and his initials MR. Good keepsakes that will go with me! Mario

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57timemachine on Feb 22, 2021 said:

I appreciate all the kind words regarding my pride and joy. I have now had her for 25 years and many many miles of cruising to shows over the years. A very reliable car that always starts cold with two pumps of gas. In 25 years only let me down twice, once because the original starter fried and once because an original rear wheel bearing went. I have no issues driving this car anywhere. I enjoy usually being the only 57 Pontiac at car shows. I get many nice reactions from folks because it is a car you do not see very often. I look forward to spring to hear that sweet 261 in liner six hum again. Cheers.

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57timemachine on Feb 25, 2021 said:

Isztvan56, I would be glad to help you any way that I can. What are your concerns with your 57 Pontiac. George

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Mario on Mar 1, 2021 said:

Hey George, try out the new game Brandon and I worked on called Name the cars with the Hidden Gas Caps. If you ever pumped gas at a station and are our age you should do well. The game went live today. Regards, Mario

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57timemachine on Jul 8, 2021 said:

It is still a great game to play, check it out. Cheers. GM still rules in the hidden gas cap game.

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57timemachine on Aug 29, 2021 said:

I would like to thank everyone that took the time to give my ride a thumbs up. Thumbs up to all you good folks and cheers.

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azmusclecar on Dec 20, 2021 said:

Merry Christmas George to the northern reaches.

Just as I wrote to Mario, thank you for posting unique and interesting threads I don't see on other websites.

Keep up the good work and have a Blessed Christmas.

Robert

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57timemachine on Dec 24, 2021 said:

Rob, right back at you my old car brother. It is a joy and pleasure to share old car stuff with the American Torque brotherhood. Hopefully old car Santa leaves you plenty of Vette parts under your tree this Christmas. Cheers.

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Mario on Dec 31, 2021 said:

Happy New Year 2022 George! Let's hope we can go to more car shows next year and post the pictures. Wishing you good health and happiness for 2022! Mario

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azmusclecar on Dec 31, 2021 said:

Happy New Year George to a dedicated member of the the American Torque Brotherhood. Or is it PERSONhood now?

Let us enjoy our best memories of 2021 which shouldn't take long.

Make new and better memories in 2022. And always remember, it's better to give than receive so post up those threads and comments and give us all the enjoyment we need as we go through 2022.

Rob

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bear166 on Apr 29, 2022 said:

As I looked through your page it was fun as my Grandfather always drove Pontiac’s. Never seen or Heard of the ashtray , that is so cool. Would love to see your car in person. Wish you could bring it to my large Veterans car & Motorcycle show.

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57timemachine on May 2, 2022 said:

Bear, thank you for the kind sentiments, it is very much appreciated sir. Cheers.

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George's Canadian 57 Pontiac

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