1959 Canadian Pontiac Parisienne, 7500 RPM 283 / 4 Speed, first ride inside

1959 Pontiac Parisienne, like all Canadian "7000" series from 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964... all the way to 1972... are actually Chevrolet full size cars, with "Catalina" exterior sheet metal ( yes, the smaller of the Oldsmobile based "U.S. platforms ). Parisienne models typically utilize the U.S. Bonneville exterior trim, and interior style and appointments... but without the giant size !.

This particular example, one of a total of 535 built by GM Canada, is a factory 283 V8, originally a Turboglide.
This 283 is borderline streetable !
12.7 :1, runs on C12.
Idles at 1300 RPM, comes on at 4000, shift at 7500 RPM.
And the shifting is done manually, with a Hurst Super Shifter, on a BW Super T10. Original 1959 Chevrolet /CDN Pontiac rear, rebuilt factory posi, 5.57 gears, using my own re-enforcement upgrades.

This video was done the first day the car was running ( Aug 7, 2022 ), just checking it out.... shifting 6500 - 7000.
Has since been fine tuned and adjusted... driven hard ( video not appropriate for some "groups" of people ! ).
Suffice to say, it proved to be a bit faster than my 409 Chevy NHRA Stock Eliminator car !
Appears that this 283 makes in excess of 500 HP.

[darthgrundle]

Great to see you drive it the way it was meant to be driven. Too many videos on here where you never even hear a four barrel...

[alanbarrese]

engine has WAY more character than any LS could. those revs sounded incredible

[DucatiMonster-xk]

Dad used to wonder why his car always ran so good after I had borrowed it for a few hours.

[ariyarose]

As much as I tend to be a fan of straight-sixes and other smaller engines, the sound of an American v8 hitting upwards of 7000 rpm is a true symphony that just can't be matched.

[danberry]

That dash is an experience in and of itself !

I love the attention to detail in the older generation stuff. I am a Marine Tech and work on brand new boats daily, but the real gems we have are mid to late 60s Chris Craft's and the Dash /helm looks like Jewelry in almost every one if them.

Different times
No false economy
Minimal to zero planned obsolescence

Wicked ride, thanks for sharing ! Thumbs 👍 from Brockville Ontario.

[xaviert.]

Modern things may be faster, perform better, and be more reliable, but you CANNOT get the soul and fun of these cars. Awesome stuff

[paulabes]

This reminds me of my 67 Ranchero I had when I was 18 in 1978. It had a 289 with 69 351 Windsor heads tunnel ram two holly's with velocity stacks and a 4-speed top loader. Oh, to be young again.

[jtrentful]

When people say things aren't as good as they used to be I find all the proof I need in the automotive Industry . Look at that beautiful dash for example now compare that to the plastic dash in any modern car .back in the day they built cars to last today they build cars to keep the service department happy and your pockets empty !

[IIronyy]

That engine sounds absolutely phenomenal

[A_Litre_of_Farva]

The 283 and early Nailheads were among the finest engines ever made, IMO. ❤

[devillockj]

I’ve been on YouTube since 2006 and this is one of the coolest videos I’ve watched.

[efrainruiz]

Very impresive!! Soo much power to manage!

[Dr.]

She sounds really nice, just gotta love those ole 283's, my first car was a 65 El Camino with a 283, never blew it up.

[yanni]

Had a 327 4 spd in my 68 RS Camaro, love those SBC, new Sub

[josephpuderer]

I had a 283 in my 65. Chevy impala, it was totally gutless. Had over 300k miles before it died.
What a great car.

[AaronKiss]

Please do an updated ride along!!! That thing sounds like heaven

[Mark-okl]

Beautiful car, engine that screams for more, excellent little video!Enough said.😎👍✌🇨🇦

[jenkemjones]

I only seen the dash and the detail was leaving me in awe.Cant believe the little 283 moves that size car that quick.That was exciting to watch.Thanks!

[Mark-okl]

That brought me back!LOVE those RPMs, man.Had a 71 FORD 302 to rev-out.Canadian-connection on your sweet ride is cool, my 68 Merc is Canadian, too.😎👍✌🇨🇦

[NO_Tang]

The retro- looking aftermarket gauges are a nice interior touch. Great camera angle to check out the action.