[airdave]

Okay, so I found this forum looking for more info on my Pontiac Posters from 1966.
Found what I needed and I have posted already regarding that.

I drive a Buick.
My two last cars, Buicks. Love 'em. lol

I've owned and driven lots of cars in my life and I was an Auto Mechanic in the 70s and 80s.
I've loved many different cars in my life, but theres one out of all of them,
that I wish I never sold...I wish I could have again...and I kick myself for not hanging on to it..

It was a 1968 Pontiac 2+2 fastback coupe.
(I think its the sporty version of the Laurentian up here in Ontario?)
I paid $125 for ...rust and all.
327 motor sucked oil like air and bellowed blue smoke going down the highway.
Since it was only a temporary ride, I didn't need to fix the engine.
LOL I used 24 quarts in a 250 mile roundtrip once.

But it was so quiet, so big, rode like it was on air, trunk the size of Texas,
and beautiful to look at (rust and all)
I was mainly interested in custom vans at that time,
and so I didn't care about getting rid of it.
How stupid I was.

Anyway, years later I'm a graphic artist...and as all old farts do, I'm a scale modeler.
I build paper scale models...tanks, aircraft, boats...and cars.
I also design my own set of miniature car models (called Koolwheelz).
I focus on cars I love from Movies, TV, Sci Fi, and Hot Rods and Customs.

But I've also done a few models of cars that I have owned...like my 68 Pontiac.
Pics attached.

*please keep in mind, Koolwheelz are a paper model artistic challenge for me.
Paper models are built by printing the parts on cardstock, cutting them out and assembling.
My goal is to create a model that looks like the real thing, but it must be stylized and simple.
It needs to be the fewest numbers of parts, and everything must fit on one letter size sheet.
Its a challenging goal with some car designs.

[airdave]

Well it seems my post has disappeared...I posted in another thread about Pontiac posters.
Someone selling their set of posters.
I have the same set for sale and posted there ...but its all gone.

hmmm

[Stuart]

Welcome to the site. Your paper model is pretty cool!

I'm not sure which thread you're referring to, but if it was a for sale ad your post may have been deleted since piggybacking on someone else's ad is against the rules for the classified ad section.

Having said that, please hang around and join the group. If you have something to sell, feel free to start your own ad.

[airdave]

Thanks.
yes I created an ad in the Collectibles section.

[mgarblik]

Welcome to the forums. The Pontiac 2+2's are special big cars and I like your model. Having never owned a Canadian version I don't know how much different the ride and handling would have been from the US version. Of course a 68 version was never offered in the US, making your Canadian model even more rare. The US versions with traditional Pontiac power and a 421 or 428 engine as standard in 65-67, 428 in 67, made these cars genuine muscle car material. Welcome.

[Formulabruce]

Looks a lot like my 68 GP body

[kingbuzzo]

There was a ton of 2+2's ChevOntiacs in Manitobia back in the day - nice riding cars.

My buddy had a '68 Laurentian - could fit a ton of kids in there...lol

[airdave]

Mine was a two door obviously, but interior was that of a Greyhound bus.
I could squeeze four skinny hippie girls into the front bench next to me
And probably six more in the back seat.

Twelve in the trunk easily with 2 cases of beer.
Could probably fit more bodies, but I need to close the trunk lid for aerodynamics.

ahh those were the days. oh to be 18 again

[kingbuzzo]

hahaha...aerocoupe

His was the same - two door - there was eight of us in it one time, shocks were shot, springs were shot, goes over the railroad tracks and it took the exhaust system right off...good times

[Tom Vaught]

Dave,

Bert Straus campaigned “Chilly Willy” throughout North America and it is still one of the most recognized and respected car names in Canadian drag racing history. Like most champions, he loved to push the boundaries of conventional vehicles. He teamed with Pontiac in 1973 to build and compete in Pro Stock with the Canadian Pontiac Astro, the only one of its kind. The Astro was a ‘Canadian only’ car. There were also no other Pontiacs in Pro Stock at the time. All this at a time when there was little or no Canadian participation at the professional/U.S. national level.

Throughout his career, he consistently won best-engineered/best appearing car/best crew awards. He was located in the Toronto Canada area.

Tom V.

[airdave]

hmmm

Bert...from Kitchener....I live in Cambridge
Cambridge and Kitchener are connected, literally and physically.
(Cambridge-Kitchener-Waterloo...the TriCities of Ontario)

I may have known Bert.
If its the same fellow that passed away around 2001 or so.

Back around 2000, I was at a outdoor event, with a show truck that I helped build and paint.
We met up with a few people we knew, drag racers and show car people...
including this well known fellow who drove a custom street Willys coupe.
(Actually his wife drove, since he wasn't very mobile - health and age)

I sort of remember there might have been a small "chilly willy' nickname
painted just below the drivers window.
Not sure why that jumps out of my mind.

I can't honestly remember if he was named Bert,
but he was local.
Well known.
We chatted about things, including his car, because I love Willys coupes.
My friend, the show truck owner, made him an offer for the Willys
because he wanted to sell...
but he passed away soon after,
and a friend of his took possession of the car from his wife.
It was parked for a few years after that at the garage about two block from my house.

Its quite possible that this was the same person.
I'm trying to confirm when Bert Strauss died.
Hes in the Drag Racing Hall of Fame, but it doesnt show his years.

[airdave]

I still haven't found out when Bert Strauss died,
but it turns out his son, whom I don't know, is/was a custom painter like me.
Lives in Kitchener (my backyard).

Since hes in the business of drag racers and show cars,
I can't see him allowing a custom Willys Coupe to be let go that easily.
If my well known father died and left this kind of street car, I'd sure as heck hold on to it.

So I highly doubt the person I knew was Bert Strauss (Chilly Willy).

Still, made me remember a fun time in my life.