That Lincolnesque upper chrome line does not show up on any US Pontiac I can find but does appear on what were probably top tier Parisiennes of other body styles.
That’s the most beautiful wagon shape ever (and I’ve thought so since age 9 when my folks bought a new one in Bonneville trim), but the chrome strip (never seen on American Pontiacs of that era) is too much. Would have looked just fine without it.
An interesting comment re the wipers. The right hand drive models sold in New Zealand through the 1960s all have ‘clapper’ wipers, as do the Chevrolets. There are a couple of early 1960s left hand drive Canadian Pontiacs here and they have the parallel wipers.
I bought one of these in turquoise about 40 years ago. I only drove it for a few weeks before I sold the front clip to repair a Parisienne convertible and the 283 powerglide went into a Vega V8 conversion, but what I wouldn’t give to own this car now! Mine also had the chrome air deflectors on either side of the rear window.
Generally not a fan of GM’s big hips, but this does look good. Great colour, and those big mag wheels & blackwalls help make it look muscular rather than just overweight. 🙂
Even in the Catalina trim level, the ’65 Poncho wagon looked good in Maroon. My school principal drove one, so it was parked in the first space. That is how I noticed it. Dad had the same year Impala wagon, but in a less distinctive ice blue.
Agreed on that upper fender bright strip. That is a gorgeous car and would be proud to own it. Knowing myself I probably couldn’t stop myself from removing the chrome but keeping it stashed…. and the question I would ask myself forever is why did you take it off just to put it away…. OCD has no boundaries…
I briefly owned a ’66 Catalina sedan and I have to make it known – I do not care for any cars with stacked headlights.
It was an unfortunate period of time for designs and I’m glad it didn’t last long.
It’s also a perfect example of how, no, cars from the past weren’t more distinct and easier to tell apart. When one car company does something, many others tend to. That’s why at 100 yards it’s hard to tell a 66 GTO from a 66 Fairlane.
My father Gary Haley, who we lost this year. Owned this for 23 years, his pride and joy!
He was the second owner. I am now the third owner.
1965 Pontiac Parisienne Safari (Canadian) buiit in Oshawa Ontario.
The chrome on this beauty is GM factory option for the Parisienne.
Yes it has a Chevy frame and Chevy motor. all stock for a
Canadian Pontiac.
283 engine with 2 speed power glide, which I still have.
This hauler has now a 350 vet engine with matching 350 3 speed tranny.
Out of a 1969 Chevy caprice estates wagon my father had for his all year round driver.When that wagon was built, they ran out of motors at the GM plant and took one from the vet line.
Drives like a dream, like you are sitting on your couch at home!
That chrome outline makes it look like this was a woodie at one time.
But gah! I can’t get past those parallel action wipers. “Real Pontiacs” have clappers. 🙂
This is a subtlety I wasn’t aware of. Another mark of the ‘Cheviac’?
That Lincolnesque upper chrome line does not show up on any US Pontiac I can find but does appear on what were probably top tier Parisiennes of other body styles.
That’s the most beautiful wagon shape ever (and I’ve thought so since age 9 when my folks bought a new one in Bonneville trim), but the chrome strip (never seen on American Pontiacs of that era) is too much. Would have looked just fine without it.
An interesting comment re the wipers. The right hand drive models sold in New Zealand through the 1960s all have ‘clapper’ wipers, as do the Chevrolets. There are a couple of early 1960s left hand drive Canadian Pontiacs here and they have the parallel wipers.
I bought one of these in turquoise about 40 years ago. I only drove it for a few weeks before I sold the front clip to repair a Parisienne convertible and the 283 powerglide went into a Vega V8 conversion, but what I wouldn’t give to own this car now! Mine also had the chrome air deflectors on either side of the rear window.
Generally not a fan of GM’s big hips, but this does look good. Great colour, and those big mag wheels & blackwalls help make it look muscular rather than just overweight. 🙂
Even in the Catalina trim level, the ’65 Poncho wagon looked good in Maroon. My school principal drove one, so it was parked in the first space. That is how I noticed it. Dad had the same year Impala wagon, but in a less distinctive ice blue.
Agreed on that upper fender bright strip. That is a gorgeous car and would be proud to own it. Knowing myself I probably couldn’t stop myself from removing the chrome but keeping it stashed…. and the question I would ask myself forever is why did you take it off just to put it away…. OCD has no boundaries…
Begging for the 8 lug wheels.
Most Beautiful 1965 Wagon for me would be a Chrysler Town and Country. Not sure it was available in Canada.
I briefly owned a ’66 Catalina sedan and I have to make it known – I do not care for any cars with stacked headlights.
It was an unfortunate period of time for designs and I’m glad it didn’t last long.
It’s also a perfect example of how, no, cars from the past weren’t more distinct and easier to tell apart. When one car company does something, many others tend to. That’s why at 100 yards it’s hard to tell a 66 GTO from a 66 Fairlane.
My father Gary Haley, who we lost this year. Owned this for 23 years, his pride and joy!
He was the second owner. I am now the third owner.
1965 Pontiac Parisienne Safari (Canadian) buiit in Oshawa Ontario.
The chrome on this beauty is GM factory option for the Parisienne.
Yes it has a Chevy frame and Chevy motor. all stock for a
Canadian Pontiac.
283 engine with 2 speed power glide, which I still have.
This hauler has now a 350 vet engine with matching 350 3 speed tranny.
Out of a 1969 Chevy caprice estates wagon my father had for his all year round driver.When that wagon was built, they ran out of motors at the GM plant and took one from the vet line.
Drives like a dream, like you are sitting on your couch at home!
Love this wagon!!!
Haley Hauler is her name.
Gary Haley Sept 23, 1943 – April 6, 2023
I love and miss you everyday.