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1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find

Posted by Dave <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/impalass427/info/user=davepl' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 1/29/2018, 10:22 am

Full dirt: https://1969pontiac.blogspot.com/2017/11/origins-of-grail-corvette-powered.html

Short version:

I found a 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible in a barn in Northern Canada. You might be asking "Why do we care", and you might not, but Canadian Pontiacs are really Impalas underneath in that era, and the 2+2 was really an Impala SS underneath.

I've got the car blown completely apart at the moment, with the chassis off for powder and the L36 off at the machine shop.

Mechanically the only big surprise I've run into is the 3-core rad and 4-blade fan. If you got the L36 (or maybe even L72 in the US) you only got the small rad and fan unless you optioned up to HD Cooling or AC.

Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find

Posted by Nick <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/impalass427/info/user=427impalasportcoupe' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 1/30/2018, 4:39 pm, in reply to "1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find"

I have an L72 SS427 with a 2 row radiator and 7 blade clutch fan. It would run hot with 4 blades. As a matter of fact it does run hot with the 2 row radiator that was installed when I ordered the car. It has to run warm to burn the fuel with 11 to 1 compression. I was a Pontiac fan when I was a Kid and like the 69 Canadian 2+2.. Would like to find one and restore it. I like that split front grille. Too bad Morley couldn't restore His. NICK L72

427impalasportcoupe

Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find

Posted by Morley <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/impalass427/info/user=Morley' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 1/29/2018, 1:07 pm, in reply to "1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find"

Very nice find. I had one of these from about 1978 thru to the 90s. Mine was a two door hardtop. Yes you are right about the cooling, 3 row rad and a simple 4 blade fan. Mine had power steering, manual drum brakes , L36 engine and four speed. The data plate on the fire wall will list the engine option. If I can load pictures I will post them. However get in touch with the GM people in Oshawa, they will send you the build sheet. Mine was one of 10 built and I think that was just 427, 4 speeds. Morley

Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find

Posted by Dave Pl <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/impalass427/info/user=davepl' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 1/29/2018, 1:29 pm, in reply to "Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find"

Hi Morley! Good to be in touch with you, I remember your car. You're right, 10 coupes and one convertible, so far as I know. But I had them look at only L36, there could be LS1 four speed convertibles, don't know.

So far as we could find mine is the only L36 M20 2+2 convertible. There could be other models (non-2+2) as well.

That's based in part on a 1970s GM letter that I think was addressed to you!

Only hard part I'm missing is one emblem, hard to find "like new". But I've got most of the important stuff!

Did you drive that car before it was parked on the farm?

I'm wondering if you (or someone else) swapped in a Hurst shifter. I'm thinking the stock shifter ball should be silver?

Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find

Posted by Chevy66 <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/impalass427/info/user=chevy66' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 1/30/2018, 7:47 pm, in reply to "Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find"

Very rare car ,please keep us informed with pictures .

Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find

Posted by Dave Plummer <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/impalass427/info/user=davepl' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 1/29/2018, 1:31 pm, in reply to "Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find"

Trying to attach an image, not having a lot of luck...

Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find

Posted by Chevy66 <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/impalass427/info/user=chevy66' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 1/31/2018, 7:04 pm, in reply to "Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find"

I think the 69 Pontiac looks better than the 69 Impal how many members feel the same ?

Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find

Posted by john d <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/impalass427/info/user=john+d' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 1/31/2018, 7:50 pm, in reply to "Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find"

It's not as rare as your car but pretty rare nevertheless. Mine is a 69 Canadian Parisienne Sport Coupe with the 335 HP 427, T400, N10 dual exhaust, power windows and locks, and comfortron AC which is particularly unusual in Canadian cars. It's got less than 37,000 miles and zero rust.

Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find

Posted by Dave <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/impalass427/info/user=davepl' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 2/2/2018, 10:30 am, in reply to "Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find"

Really nice! I just fixed the Comfortron in a Brougham convertible I owned this summer, they're complicated beasts!

Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find

Posted by Morley <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/impalass427/info/user=Morley' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 1/31/2018, 10:12 pm, in reply to "Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find"

John, what are those numbers on the hood???? and what is next door in the driveway. Your Pontiac looks very good, those endura front ends are difficult to keep that nice. Well done. Morley

Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find

Posted by Nick <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/impalass427/info/user=427impalasportcoupe' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 1/31/2018, 11:56 pm, in reply to "Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find"

Morley. Can't You see the 427 on the hood. John, are those original to the car? The car in the back ground is a 69 Caprice 4 door hardtop. What an excellent car with bucket seats and White paint. NICK L72

427impalasportcoupe

Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find

Posted by Morley <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/impalass427/info/user=Morley' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 2/1/2018, 8:42 am, in reply to "Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find"

Nick, those numbers on the hood should not be there. I was asking --very tongue in cheek--- about the numbers. Pontiac never did that, the engine emblem is down on the side.

I was just asking , in a non serious manner. Hey those Corvette numbers were added to everything.. And there where no hood mounted tachs either. Morley

Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find

Posted by john d <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/impalass427/info/user=john+d' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 2/1/2018, 10:48 am, in reply to "Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find"

Yes those Corvette number were put there by a previous owner but I like them so I kept them. But this is the emblem that is most important.

Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find

Posted by Dave Plummer <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/impalass427/info/user=davepl' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 2/2/2018, 10:31 am, in reply to "Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find"

I just had the emblems reproduced. Having some run in aluminum right now so they can be polished and painted. We'll see how they turn out!

Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find

Posted by emil <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/impalass427/info/user=emil' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 2/3/2018, 12:28 am, in reply to "Re: 1969 Pontiac 427/390 Four Speed M21 Convertible Barn Find"

Dave:
If you make enough to sell, I'll take 4!

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