Aussie Belair in not so sunny Melbourne!

[18htan]

Hi All,

My name is Nate and I have a factory right hand drive 1963 Australian Delivered Belair.

Apparently these came out of Canada in bits and were assembled in Melbourne. They have a different dash setup, which I believe is a converted 62 Pontiac Parisenne dash.

I am currently in the middle of a rebuild which is testing at the best of times. Its tricky to find parts over here, and gets even harder as some parts were Australian Only.

So look forward to putting you all to work posting me bits and pieces from all over...!

This is what the old girl looked like before I stripped it into a million bits:

 

[k9hotrodder409]

Hello Nate, Welcome to the site. You have a really neat piece there. We would like to see some pictures as you begin to put her back together.

 

[petepedlar]

Nice car......... I'd love to see a picture of the dash !!

Dave

 

[18htan]

Nice car......... I'd love to see a picture of the dash !!

Dave

I don't have any pics of my dash as it is all pulled out.

Attached is a pic of the ponti dash. Mine appears to be the same except on the other side.

Same dash pad, same speedo etc

Dave, have a look at the door trim lower down as well.

 

[18htan]

Early on, I gave the front end a clean up... New bushes and added some discs.

 

[18htan]

Its got good solid floors.

Dave... Take a look at the door trim.

 

[18htan]

Gave the floor a good clean up

Then used KBS Rust seal. Same process as POR 15.

It looks a little weird with the light reflecting off it weirdly.

 

[DonSSDD]

I think they used a 61 Pontiac dash for several years. The earlier Chevy dashes were reversible, like the 59/60, but the 61 Chevy was not, so they used the Canadian Pontiac in 61, maybe to 64. Welcome to the site. Does it have a 327?

Don

 

[18htan]

Hey Don,

That sounds right.

It was a 283 with 2 speed powerglide. When I got it, it had a 350 with the glide.

I am putting in a 383 and 700R4.

Any idea on the best places to get parts for the Ponti dash's?

 

[DonSSDD]

What parts do you need? Speedo or gauge parts are likely similar to other GM's. Post in the General section, some of the US guys may be able to tell you if that dash is the same as the US Pontiacs. Also, check out ChevyTalk, there are several Aussies over there.

Don

 

[chevytaylor]

Cool car Nate bang Do you know my mate Gags?

 

[BB1960]

Always good to see another member in Australia. Where in Melbourne are you?

I live in seaford and have a 60 impala but used to have a 63 belair like yours (but white).

Cheers,

Simon

 

[18htan]

Cool car Nate bang Do you know my mate Gags?

Hey Carl,

I don't know Gags. Is he based in Melb? I am new to the scene.

Always good to see another member in Australia. Where in Melbourne are you?

I live in seaford and have a 60 impala but used to have a 63 belair like yours (but white).

Cheers,

Simon

Nice one Simon! I love the 60 Impala! I am in St Kilda, so when it warms up it will be a nice drive for you to pick me up for a cruise!

 

[chevytaylor]

Nate, Gags is still in the Melbourne area I think. He specialized in 58-64
Chevy parts. Might be able to help you out with your 63 if you're needing bits and pieces. I'll dig out his number and PM it to you if you like.

 

[18htan]

Nate, Gags is still in the Melbourne area I think. He specialized in 58-64
Chevy parts. Might be able to help you out with your 63 if your needing bits and pieces. I'll dig out his number and PM it to you if you like.

Thanks Carl... That would be great.

 

[biscaynewagon]

Nate,

What part(s) you need for your dash? I might be able to help, can't promise much though but I come across these kinda cars quite a bit.

Danny