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Continuing in Original Parts Group’s series, ‘Enthusiasts Tell Their Stories’, we’re excited to share OPGI customer Bill Caudill’s story on his 1970 Grand Prix. At just 16 years old, Bill was hooked on Pontiacs when he pulled his first LeMans from a field. Now, at 58, he’s owned over 40 Pontiacs, from beaters to beauties, showing his love for these classic rides.
After selling his 1965 Safari Wagon, Bill went on the hunt for a 1969-1970 Grand Prix, reminiscing about how well his ’69 model drove. He had his heart set on finding one in blue, without a vinyl top, and with either a white or blue interior. Despite his efforts, such a car seemed impossible to find, until he stumbled upon a blurry Craigslist ad.
The car, conveniently located just an hour away, belonged to the widow of its original owner, who had purchased it fresh out of the Navy. Despite its storied history and undeniable charm, the grandchildren overlooked the car and left it to gather dust in a barn. It was a classic barnyard tale, indeed.
The car needed some TLC, but Bill didn’t mind. He spent that entire winter carefully stripping the car with a razor blade and heat gun, revealing a thick coat of tractor paint. Surprisingly, the body was pretty clean with very minor rust issues. His wife, Dawn, picked out the color “Burn Out Blue” from the Eastwood catalog, and as you can see it really gave the car a fresh look.
Bill got invaluable assistance from OPGI for his restoration project. We not only provided the necessary parts like the inside mirror, windshield molding set, rear reveal molding set, and trunk lid emblem but also guided him through the process with our expert advice. From big items like the 20-gallon fuel tank to smaller details like sill plates and carpet, OPGI had it all. And Bill’s latest order? A pair of seat back buttons, which will make his restoration even more complete.
As Bill aptly puts it, “OPGI’s excellent parts availability and customer service is what keeps me coming back during the restoration of my ’70 Grand Prix. Easy to use website and quality parts make for a winning combination.”
Stay tuned for more customer stories in this ongoing series and don’t forget to OPGI’s request OPGI’s newly available 2024 Pontiac Grand Prix, Bonneville & Catalina Restoration & Performance parts catalog.
I’m a member of one of the GP groups Bill is part of. He’s made comments on posts I put in the group of my ’70 as well. It’s an excellent group of guys and ladies who have been most helpful during my restoration. I recently received my vinyl top and headliner from OPGI.
Fantastic. Thank you for sharing Rob, and thank you for being a loyal customer to OPGI.
Thanks for the story kids!
You are welcome. Thank you for sharing your story with OPGI, Bill!