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Late Great Chevys...
In The Great White North
(as published in the Chevy Times July 2000 Issue)
First of Two Parts
By Aubrey N. Bruneau
Onoway, 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!". (image 1)
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. (image 2)
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. (image 3)
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. (image 4)
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 filled.
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 majority 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.
Part Two
By Aubrey N. Bruneau
Onoway, Alberta, Canada
aubrey@bruneauperformance.ca
http://www.bruneauperformance.ca/
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