While writing about a Pick of the Day several days ago, a 1963 Pontiac Bonneville convertible, I discovered something interesting and new to me. I bet it will be new to you too, especially if you’re not Canadian.
I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed that for several years starting in 1961, mid-level Pontiacs received ornamentation that lesser and more prestigious models lacked. What’s a mid-level Pontiac? The Star Chief, which was situated between the popular Catalina and the more luxurious and sporty Bonneville, featured three star ornaments (for lack of a better description) on the rear fenders. Throughout the years, the location could vary.
Up in Canada, the mid-level Laurentian (situated between the Strato-Chief and Parisienne) featured the same set of chrome moldings.
What’s interesting about the Canadians is that there also was a Laurentian wagon, while Americans made do with only the Catalina and Bonneville. As such, the Laurentian wagon received this ornamentation while no American Pontiac received it.
1962
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CANADA
1963
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1964
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1965
USA
CANADA
Additionally, while the Star Chief’s transitional successor, the Star Chief Executive, last used this trim for 1966, Laurentians used some variation of this trim through 1968.
1966
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1967
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1968
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Just a bit of trivia to induce eye-rolling from your significant other.
