Talk:Pontiac Parisienne

This article is somewhat inaccurate, as it implies that the Parisienne name was only used from 1977. But the name was commonly used by Pontiac in Canada well before then. Anyone know the full story? &mdash;Morven 17:55, May 30, 2005 (UTC)


 * I think I can add some info here.
 * The name was originaly given to a Pontiac Concept Car,a 1953 Motorama car,I believe.
 * In 1958,Parisienne became the top line model in Canada.
 * Then in 1966 Grande Parisienne became the top line Canadian nameplate.
 * It was the equivalent of the Grand Prix in the U.S.A. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 199.42.80.225 (talk • contribs).

There are even more errors now! While a concept car labelled "Parisienne" is widely reported to have appeared at the 1953 Motorama auto show, the name was first used in Canada to label a subseries, a "luxury" trim level, of the 1957 Pontiac Laurentian, in unison with the "Impala" being a trim of the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. In 1958 the Parisienne became a unique series at the top of the model range, with the Laurentian mid-range, and the Strato Chief at the bottom, in lock step with Chevrolet's Impala, Bel Air and Biscayne series.

In fact Canadian Pontiacs were assembled at the same Oshawa, Ontario assembly plant as the B Platform Chevrolets, and matched the latter's models throughout the sixties. There were few exceptions, one of them being the introduction of the Chevrolet "Caprice" as a trim level mid-year 1965. The matching Canadian model, the Pontiac "Grande Parisienne" although directly corresponding with the Caprice, was not introduced until 1966 when, like the Caprice, was a separate series at the top of the Canadian Pontiac model offerings. Remember, it shared the same Chevrolet B Platform, was assembled at the same Oshawa plant, had the same drivetrian, frame, suspension components, etc. So the Grande Parisienne was not "bigger" than the the less expensive Parisienne, Laurentian and Strato Chief models as reported above. But it was unique in that it borrowed some styling and trim features from American Pontiacs. For example, in 1966 the Grande Parisienne had the same front parking lamps/turn signals and concave rear window as the US Grand Prix. But that's where the similarities end. The American Pontiacs including the Grand Prix didn't use Chevrolet drivetrains, dimensions and identical model ranges. And until exported to the US in the 1980s they were assembled at different plants by PMD, Pontiac Motor Division, never by GM of Canada in Oshawa.

Interestingly, Canadian Pontiac trim levels and styling were created in design studios in Detroit, not by GM of Canada which introduced, assembled, and distributed to Canadian dealerships Canadian Pontiacs. Of course over the years while there were vast similarities between the Chevrolet and Canadian Pontiacs, there were many complexities in what was available, when and with which series. For example, Chevrolet offered a "bubble top" roof line, carried over from previous years, on it's Bel Air 2 door hardtop model. But the corresponding Pontiac Laurentian 2 door hardtop used the same "convertible look" creased rear roof line as the Parisienne, Impala and other full size GM models. Also, while the "Super Sport" was available as a trim option on the Chevrolet Impala beginning in 1961, the parallel Pontiac "Custom Sport" was unavailable until, like the Chevrolet "Super Sport" became, an unique series in 1964. Both were similarly equipped with Pontiac oddly getting an US Pontiac type "see through" section of the steering wheel rim.

Moreover, Canadian Pontiacs were rebadged Chevrolets with downsized American Pontiac outer body panels to fit the same GM B Platform. It wasn't the first time, nor the last, that American models were modified to fit Canadian demographics and unique marketplace. Offering highly desirable Pontiac styling with Chevrolet durability and reliability at an inexpensive price, they were tremendously successful traditionally ranking 3rd place in auto sales. It wasn't so much import duties of American components that necessitated the use of Chevrolet platforms, after all, the US-Canada Autopact in the early 60s changed all that. It was marketing and cost/profit of a vehicle that would appeal to Canadian buyers that made the Canadian Pontiac unique.

Finally, Pontiac dealers offered other unique Pontiac models that were rebadged and styled Chevrolet models, among them, the Pontiac "Acadian" that was a reskinned Chevy 11, then a Tempest styled duplicate of the Chevrolet Chevelle/Malibu. Using the same formula used with full size models, these Canadian Pontiacs used corresponding Chevy frames, drivetrains and components. And were highly successful. --Tommyhorse 17:01, 17 October 2007 (UTC) --Tommyhorse 17:00, 17 October 2007 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by Tommyhorse (talk • contribs) 16:53, 17 October 2007 (UTC)

If I recall correctly, Pontiac dealers in Canada sold the US (or as people would say "real") Pontiacs alongside Canadian Pontiacs, giving buyers a very wide choice under the Pontiac name. The B-Body platform was shared between Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile 88 and Buick LeSabre/Wildcat, whereas the C-Body platform was shared between the Oldsmobile 98, Buick Electra and Cadillacs of the day.

The Parisienne was introduced to the US market for the following reasons:

1.In the years following the 1977 downsizing of GM's full-size cars, some of the distinctions between the various GM offerings began to be eroded, and sales of these cars took a steep drop in 1980. Pontiac in the US killed off the full-size Catalina/Bonneville after 1981, with the LeMans sedan/wagon becoming a Bonneville. Pontiac's own V8 engines died at that point too- thereby eroding one of the most significant differences between Pontiacs and Chevrolet-based Canadian Pontiacs anyway.

2.By 1983 the automotive climate began to change, and there were signs that traditional full-size cars were coming back into demand. Pontiac I believe faced a potential backlash from its US dealers over the lack of such a car in their lineup, thereby resulting in the Parisienne being introduced to the US market for the first time.

3.Pontiac's own sales had been in decline following their 60s heyday, and the introduction of the Parisienne played some role in turning its fortunes around in the 1980s (the 6000 and Grand Am were other key players in this). Some have also noted that GM's conversion of most of its full-sizers to FWD in '85-'86 was mistimed, due to the drop in fuel prices bringing traditional big cars bck into vogue. The redesigned quartet of Seville, Eldorado, Toronado and Riviera introduced in '86 was consequently a major league flop. Everton4Life (talk) 07:08, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

Parisienne Wagon
My parents had a Parisienne wagon (it wasn't called Safari or anything like that, just Parisienne). It was freaking huge and the third row of seats faced backwards for some reason. It looked sort of like this, which says its from 1984. I don't see it mentioned here so if anyone knows what the story is behind it, that would be good to point out in the article. Recury 03:58, 8 May 2006 (UTC)

I currently have a vehicle that sounds like the one you're talking about. It's a 1986 Pontiac Parisienne Station wagon with the Safari badge on it. It's white with the "wood panel" decal on the side. It also has the third row seat that faces backwards like the one you speak about. Mine has 270 000+ kilometers on the original 305 cu. in. engine, which still carries this 4500 pound/17 foot wagon fast enough to "wrap" the spedometer past the 90 mph mark, although 60 mph seems to be the best gas mileage. And yes, it is huge, so much so that i've offered some people with new cars a ride and "we'll just load your car in the back..."

2 door
you said: "No two-door models were offered for the American market, although a coupe version was available in Canada from 1982-83."

and i own a 1979 canadian 2 door model http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b125/magicienbuzz/100_0400.jpg so your information is incorrect —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.202.172.11 (talk • contribs).


 * To the above anon editor (please sign remarks with four tildes (~)): Part of the inaccuracy may have been cleared up by inserting "United States" in place of "American" (although oftentimes, "American" is understood by many to mean "United States"). Briguy52748 23:02, 27 November 2006 (UTC)]]


 * the years are still incorrect my car is a 1979 and u said from 1982-83.


 * if you ask my what i think of this car...awesome never break built to last, cheap insurance, living room on wheel, the sound of the v-8 engine nuff said, only drawback gas consumtion if you got a lead foot but otherwise very decent with the 305 cu-in. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.202.172.11 (talk • contribs).


 * To be more accurate, the 1982-83 coupe (which had the Caprice body styling and dashboard) was an exclusive Canadian model; the 1977-81 Parisienne coupes were virtually identical to the American (or as some prefer, United States market) Bonnevilles of that era and could be told apart by the nameplate - perhaps a photo of a 1982 or 83 coupe would help. Summing up, it looked like a Caprice sport coupe with Pontiac styling features. 65.92.202.125 16:41, 20 December 2006 (UTC)


 * I believe I have fixed the article. I'm not sure exactly what years a coupe was offered, so I just said "through 1983" and we'll leave it at that. --Sable232 21:16, 16 January 2007 (UTC)

A photo of a 1982 couple has been located: http://img40.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=15611_82ParisBrghmCpe_122_366lo.jpg

From one source, 1982 was the only year this body style was offered in Canada.

tail lights, styling (rev the engine and she'll say her name "brougham!!!!!")
I inherited a 10 year old 1984 parisienne brougham v8 which then promptly survived for another 10 years of daily driving. It was hands down the most dependable car I have ever owned. I still have it but an electrical problem has dropped the fuel mileage from its usual 20ish with peak 24 on the highway down to 7 mpg. The 84 brougham features computer assisted fuel flow in a kind of pre injector phase run by the ECModule. an overheat thanks to a bad 2$ thermostat fried a wire somewhere. It will be rebuilt one day. Until then, she sleeps. I wanted to mention in particular that the brougham (atleast) had what I believe to be unique tail light lenses compared to other pontiac models. When one cracked it took me 2 failed years on ebay before I found a matching replacement, although the screw mounts for the other models may have worked, the parisienne tail assembly was far more appealing to the eye. Also, it should be noted that the Parisienne Brougham is the only car that can say its own name when you rev the engine. :) Viva la Parisienne !

I Loved My Parisienne
When I was forced to leave New Orleans on that fateful day in the Summer of 2005, I wound up in New Jersey. I lived walking distance from the local supermarket and would pass this beautiful, mint condition 1984 Pontiac Parisienne every day. It was for sale and the price was a mere $1500. I was waiting on an SBA loan to replace the things I lost in Katrina. Every day, I'd be sure that someone had bought it, but it would still be there.

Finally, the money came and I called the owners and told them that I had to have that car. It was as though it was waiting for me.

As it turned out, the car only had 85,000 original miles. The people who had it before me bought it for their teenaged son, but he didn't like it. Plus, it burned a lot of gas. So, I bought it. It needed a little work,and before long, I had this cool old classic car. People would always be offering to buy it from me.

I moved back to New Orleans this past December. I wasn't here two weeks, when a neighbor fell asleep behind the wheel and smashed into my beloved Parisienne, totaling it. I was heartsick. I even tried to see if I could do the buy back and fix it, but there was frame damage. I will never forget my beautiful 1984 Parisienne. It helped me through a tough time in my life. Bigeasybarry 06:37, 8 March 2007 (UTC)

snoop dogg owns one
I was watching cribs, and snoop dogg owns a yellow pontiac parisienne convertible. it looks about 1967. he doesn't even know its from Canada though. he didn't seem too knowledgable about the car. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.8.249.246 (talk) 22:24, 10 December 2007 (UTC)

Midsize?
Maybe I'm wrong here, but I have the distinct memory that the Parisienne was briefly offered as a mid-sizer in the late 70s/early 80s, similar to the LeMans. 64.171.162.74 (talk) 03:02, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

Wrong pic at second generation!
Since I had two Parisienne's 2 door hardtop, and my friend a Laurentian 4 dr sedan, all from year 1962, it is obviuos to me that it is a 1961 car in pic, instead of 1962 or newer. Btw: both cars I owned in the 80's still exist, but I do beleive the Laurentian i gone. Sad.

Regarding export, all this cars were LHD and exported to Sweden as new, with metric speedo. Mats Fredsson (talk) 09:58, 5 November 2009 (UTC)

Replaced by full-size Bonneville?
Something here seems puzzling; While the Parisienne name was retired in 1986, big Pontiac fans got a completely new, but full-sized, Bonneville for 1987. This car featured front-wheel drive and a V6 as standard, in line with the contemporary Cadillac, Buick and Oldsmobile big models.

Maybe I'm just guilty of looking at this from a USA perspective, but can we see some evidence that our neighbors to the north had their own full-size front-wheel-drive Bonnevilles? -User:DanTD (talk) 14:11, 17 August 2019 (UTC)