An incredibly rare and desirable model that was based on the Pontiac Catalina beginning in 1965 (some sources say 1964), this 1967 Pontiac 2+2 Convertible doesn’t have the name Catalina on it anywhere – although it was a trim package for that model at times during its short run. It was its own model (Pontiac 2+2) for the 1966 model year but reverted back to being a trim package in 1967, its last year of production. That’s a confusing synopsis/history of this unique model, but it was a confusing time in the U.S. auto industry and things were constantly changing.
Did I mention they’re valuable, too? Hagerty is at $28,500 for a #4 fair-condition convertible with a 428 V8 and $48,700 for a #3 good-condition car. This one is a long way from either of those values, but it gives you a ballpark number to kick around in your noggins. You can see rust around the rear wheel wells and quarter panels, and there’s other work to do. Those are faux louvers, by the way, but what a unique feature. The seller says this car was originally a beautiful gold color and I’d bring it back if this were my car and I had gotten Amazon/Apple/Tesla stock a decade ago rather than buying motorcycles. What a dope.
The third-generation Catalina was made for the 1965 through 1970 model years and the 2+2 was offered for the 1965, 1966, and 1967 model years before going away. Parts of this car look pretty solid, but looking inside the trunk reveals lots of rust. Fear not, as most of you already guessed, lots of replacement sheet metal is available, including trunk pans. You may have already guessed there would be rust due to the Minnesota license plates.
The interior will need work as well, but what a fantastic space to spend a lot of time in once it’s done. A three-speed manual would have been standard (cough), but a Hurst-shifted four-speed manual was an option, as was the transmission you see here, a Turbo-Hydramatic automatic. Another option is the console floor shift, as the standard configuration for the automatic was a column selector. The seats may be able to be piecemeal restored if you have a good upholstery shop.
The big deal here is that engine. This should be Pontiac’s 428-cu.in. OHV V8 with 360 horsepower along with 472 lb-ft of torque. There’s no word on if it’s in running condition or not but this fantastic car deserves a full restoration, in my opinion. The seller has it listed here on eBay in Plainfield, Wisconsin, there’s a $6,500 buy-it-now price listed, and the current bid price is $1,025. With a #2 excellent condition value of $75,800, can this car be restored and stay under that number?
I’m pretty sure the 2+2 had buckets and a floor shift as standard, my father had a 67, but I really don’t remember it. He traded it in on a 9 Road Runner.
The 2+2 is mentioned in the 1964 brochure. I think that’s probably the most definitive source available. The option included bucket seats and console in 1964 only. 1965-67, buckets were standard, but the console was optional.
With only 290 2+2 convertibles (out of only 1768 total) built for 1967, it’s one of the rarest big Pontiacs of the 1960s. I hope someone rescues this one.
Thanks, CCFisher. I saw that and I generally go by what actual factory brochures say, my bad.
Worth putting 30k+ into? You’ll run every cent and then some to get a $78k valuation on this one. Lot of work here. By the way, is it me or does that pic of the 428 look as though it’s just a bit low and back in the shot? Like it’s just set in there w no mounts?Or is the compartment just massive?
Finally a car priced reasonably. It may not be a very desirable model but the 428 makes up for it 👍🏻
67 ain’t my favorite big Poncho’s. There’s a 2dr. hdtp. in denver can’t give away for a grand.Front end eeh not so much. Back end ok. Profile is Kool with the aforementioned faux louvers. But a 2+2 and a vert also the desirable 428 engine. And as CCfisher mentioned only 290 made. Also seller is reasonable on price. I don’t see this Tin Indian for sale long.
Does it cone with a rear hitch to tow a portable gas ⛽️ tank to fuel this engine uo? 😗
Its cool and big and a reminder of the good ole day’s.
I hope it gets restored .
You could buy a Pontiac 2+2 in Canada in 1969. Looks like a typical 69 except shorter chassis and rear fenders. Only equipped with Chevy engines (chassis may have been Chevy as well). I have seen a 427 factory 4 speed 69 2+2 convertible but have no idea as to the numbers produced – am guessing it may be the most rare of the big 60s Pontiacs produced (if you can still call it a Pontiac!).
best,
bt
Love that 428!
When the ’67 Pontiac’s arrived at the dealerships, I was SO glad my parents bought their ’66 Star Chief Executive – as it was in every way so much better looking to the design of the ’67. The ’67’s front end looks like the designer was on LSD – trying to create a front end only Picasso would love – and the awful pouting tail light design followed suit, but at least the ’67s didn’t look like a homogenized beached whale as the ’68s did. Since the dash and interiors stayed relatively the same for several years running, that remained one of Pontiac’s strong points.
This ’67 2+2 has a LOT of issues, but for someone who has very fond memories of one like it back in the day, it may just be the perfect restoration project at the right price. I think if such person offered $4K to $5K cash, it would be theirs.
Worth putting 30k+ into? You’ll run every cent and then some to get a $78k valuation on this one. Lot of work here. By the way, is it me or does that pic of the 428 look as though it’s just a bit low and back in the shot? Like it’s just set in there w no mounts?Or is the compartment just massive?
The tin termite has taken a terminal toll. As a young child with a penchant for cars I asked my father why cars weren’t made to last and he said planned obsolescence. There wouldn’t be any room to drive them and the manufacturer couldn’t keep making money.
I remember, back in the 70’s, I would buy a used car that I could not afford new and “fix it up”. I bought a 67 Mustang in 72, for $600. It had a crinkled fender. I replaced the fender, drove it for a couple of thousand miles, cleaned it up, polished it and sold it for $1600. In 74 I bought a 67 Gran Sport with no engine or trans for $500. I bought a recently (then) wrecked 69 225 for $100 and swapped in the 430 engine and trans. That was a tough swap. The paint was severely baked. My uncle and I sanded, taped and sprayed the entire car. We “fixed it up”. My daughter still has that car. There were several other cars over the years. Somewhere along the way “fixed it up” became “restored”. When did that happen?
@Mick, yep, I agree. I used to do the same in the 1990s. I (and friends of mine) would do what was needed to get the car back on the road and sometimes cosmetic stuff, like paint, interior, replating bumpers, etc. Somewhere along the line in the last twenty years, seems like many have gone to believing that all classics need every nut and bolt replaced and if it’s not fully restored it is better off as a parts car (okay, maybe a slight exaggeration!), but you know what I mean. I’m still in the camp of not every car needs a full restoration but I suppose people like you and I may be in minority these days.
Being a Pontiac man, if I were ever to get a tattoo, 428 would be it, in my car parts tattoos
Frog. Your dad was spot on. In the mid 70s I worked at a very busy Chevy zokds dealer. I asked my boss, who had been there since the 1950s, why a 1969 car was considered old by 1975. He said planned obsolescence. Truth be told 60s cars were built cheaply and did not hold up. However, they were beautifully styled, to a point. I’m not a fan of 67 big Pontiacs, but my opinion meant nothing as car crazy 12 year old in 1967. Dad bought a new turquoise 67 Catalina, but it was 400 two barrel sedan. He had it only a year then got real dumb and traded it for new 68 Ford station wagon with a 302 two barrel. Ugh.
I still have the 421 badges off of my mother’s 65 2+2 convertible. They were trading it in so I got some Catalina badges at j-yard to replace them.
I still have the 421 badges off of my mother’s 65 2+2 convertible. Dad was trading it in so I got some Catalina badges at j-yard to replace them.
It’s true..1964 was the first year for the 2+2 Catalina.. because I owned one and btw it was a special one.. 8 lug turbine wheel, 421 3 two barrel carbs,4 speed, twin electric antenna on the rear fenders, real walnut dash & console, am/fm radio with auto search, factory reverb mounted in trunk, and two 6×9 speakers under rear package shelf.. owned it for 5 years, sld it then bought a 1967 2+2 with the 428 and auto.. column shift.
Had a neighbor on the other side of the lake had a 67 428, 4 speed convertible sitting in his yard for years covered with a ripped up tarp and all the weather getting in here in Michigan. I knocked on his door one day, his daughter answered and went and got him, he said I was bothering him when I asked him about the car and closed the door in my face. I just had to continue to watch that car waste away. What a shame.
Art Engel I had to suffer witnessing the same thing several times as well. One example was a beautiful silver blue 64 Buick Wildcat convertible parked and sitting on grass uncovered. Then the top went bad. The weather got to the interior. Then they put a tarp on it. I approached the owner twice. First response was did I see a for sale sign on it? Second response after a year or two he added more abrasive verbage.
A decade later give or take a for sale sign surfaced on the windshield. Someone in the household approached me. Of course there was nothing to consider. In retrospect I have a cousin now with a back yard FULL of cars Mustang Camaro BMW etc sitting on dirt same scenario. He is an alcoholic suffering and from PTSD. His wife has tried talking to him about doing something with them and he snaps back at her saying these are mine don’t worry about my things.Truly .heartbreaking.
Oh, man! Started out being a nice day . . .
Totally bummed out now. Thankfully, my one project, though not in the garage, gets worked on and aired out regularly.
Auction update: this one made it to $3,800 and no sale. The seller has relisted it with a $5,500 buy-it-not price.