Talk about an unusual find, a full-size 1964 Pontiac Catalina Safari station wagon with a factory-installed, four-speed manual transmission! Yeah, it was possible, though I can’t imagine many opted for such an unusual arrangement. The seller claims Pontiac Historical Society documentation, so let’s take a gander at this odd duck. Near Scottsdale, Arizona, is where you’ll find it, and it’s available here on craigslist for $25,900.
Pontiac offered two full-size station wagons in ’64, the Catalina Safari, such as our subject car (33K units), and the Bonneville Safari (5.8K copies). The biggest difference was the trim level; both rode on 119″ wheelbase frames (in sedan or hardtop form, the WB was 120″ for the Catalina and 123″ for the Bonneville). Additionally, the Catalina was available in both six and nine-passenger configurations, while the Bonneville was stuck with six only. With a claimed 90K miles, our subject looks great. The seller states that it’s rust-free but doesn’t have much else to say. The finish, which looks like Alamo Beige, is still deep, the expansive body panels are straight, and all of the chrome and stainless bits still shine. Capping off the exterior are an attractive set of original wheel covers – they’re reminiscent of Pontiac’s eight-lug aluminum wheel/drum combination.
The interior is said to be original, and it is a time capsule. The vinyl upholstery, which is code 34 “Saddle”, shows as being gently used with no indication of wear or weather-induced damage – this car has been well stored! And it’s not just the upholstery that stands out, it’s the carpet, dash, and instrument panel too. Even the wayback, often on the receiving end of loose cargo, sharp tools, and other mayhem, is in fine nick. It’s a typical station wagon environment, other than the floor shifter.
And that leads to the most obvious feature of this suburban hauler: its four-speed manual transmission. In order to build the car that way, the orderer would have had to specify a 306 gross HP, 389 CI V8 engine at the minimum, and that’s what’s occupying this Safari’s engine room. The seller tells us, “Rebuilt motor. Runs and drives well.” I was hoping for a little more 411, but that’s all he wrote. You can find additional information, however, at Classic Car Journal.
So, how cool is this wagon? Tres cool, I’d say. I knew that Chevrolet built full-size station wagons with four-speed manual gearboxes, I used to occasionally encounter one (very occasionally) when I worked at a Chevy shop in the early seventies, but didn’t realize Pontiac did the same. The price doesn’t surprise me, I’d consider it to be reasonable for such an oddity in this condition; I have to believe this one will find a new home soon. If it were mine, I wouldn’t change a single thing; how about you?
Too cool 😎. Love to wind-up this wagon and go thru the gears. Thanks for the article and interesting link J.O.
Like to meet the man who convinced his wife this was a GOOD idea :)
My wife would have totally gone along with this purchase…. I’m one very fortunate guy.
Sixty years ago, the women who drove were mostly adept at a manual transmission. Another argument was that automatic transmissions could be problematic. However, I don’t disagree. This could have been the sensible solution to his desire for a GTO and their need for a family hauler. The general condition says it didn’t see ownership by the families I knew growing up.
I have always loved ’64 Pontiacs. Maybe that Matchbox car had something to do with it.
shut up and take my money!!
Ok, Fry.
Would it be possible to see some pics of the underside floor and body mounts etc
Contact the seller via the craigslist listing.
JO
Very nice find. I live North of Indianapolis in Noblesville….went to Mecum spring auction on Tuesday. I saw a 59 Pontiac Bonneville Safari wagon…tri-power, autronic eye, power everything (for the period), tri tone vinyl, front bucket seats… incredible. The only thing missing were 8 lug wheels … hadn’t been introduced yet. Subject find seems like a deal.
Technically Sam, the 8-lugs were introduced in spring of `59 (March?) so they could have been ordered. That Bonne wagon you saw must’ve been quite a sight! And loaded; I know of a `60 wagon spec’d out that way–probably a dealer’s demo back then.
I’m surprised in Arizona it lacks a/c , that’s all the peanut gallery has to say about the nice wagon
My wife has really been digging on sixties wagons the past couple of years. I showed her this Pontiac and she fell in love. I know I married the right woman when the first thing she said was, “I’d have to get some eight lug wheels, maybe a set of redline tires, to make it pop…”
Very cool Catalina wagon. I think she’s looking onliine at our WF account right now seeing how she can manipulate our savings. I think I heard her mumbling “well, you can’t take it with you…”
You gotta keeper there, Mike!
If the Craigslist location is correct this one is in my neighborhood. Cool find!
Even in Arizona, most 50’s and 60’s cars did not come with AC. I don’t know if this is an original Arizona car, (and Arizona cars can rust).
If it were mine, I’d install A/C, some different wheels……….and hit the road.
Almost pulled the trigger on a really nice ’56 Safari Wagon recently…even the wife was digging it…but he who snoozes loses…but good luck on the sale.
This is a beauty with an understated color that would go unnoticed. Toggle switch on the left of the steering column ???? i’m always weary of home made mod’s. About the only thing i’d do is convert it to power brakes with a dual master for safety’s sake
This is a seriously cool wagon and has to be as rare as the proverbial hens tooth. I live in the area and might just give him a ring to see if I can just go see it. I am not a huge Pontiac man, but if I were a bit younger and had some more room in my garage this darlin’ would pretty hard to resist. Neat car.
Like you, Driveinstile, my better half of 45 years would have no trouble with this, or any other standard. Most of our vehicles have been manual transmission equipped, including our current Pontiac Vibe 5 speed and our Dodge 2500 4×4. She used to drive a school bus on our narrow,, sometimes unpaved country roads (4 and 5 speeds, mostly.) She can also drive a truck with a 2 speed rear axle, as well as double-clutching a non-synchronized gearbox, as well. And all of this ability (and much more) wrapped in a cute 5’3″ 115 pound package. I, like you, have been blessed with a wonderful wife and companion.
Great write up Jim. I was 8 in 1964. Dad brought home a new white 64 full size Pontiac wagon, but not a 4 speed. You could order one. I collect Pontiac sales literature, have done so since about 1967. It was available. Don’t know if Jim Mattison has those numbers. Rarest 4 speed wagon known is the 1 of 1 1967 Country Squire Ford owned by Tom Cotter. 428 with a 4 speed. Ford refused to build it. The buyer threw a fit and wrote to Lee Iacocca. He signed off and it was built. Love old wagons. Grew up in then like most people my age. Would love to have this one but we are building a new house. No leftover fun money.
Back in the day, lots of people who intended to tow something would not have an automatic. Besides the loss of number of gears, automatics would not slow the car down when the throttle was let off. Ipso Facto
Not the only one. Many years ago, I had a 1962 Catalina wagon. 4 speed and tri-power. It had buckets and console added instead of the bench. That was a fun car.
Very clean survivor Catalina wagon. The family guy who bought this and ordered a manual trans wanted to enjoy it a little. 389s are great engines, esp a 4 spd. I’d have to add power brakes with a dual MC and vintage air AC. Don’t see many Catalina wagons around esp 4spds.
Here’s a “compromise” car if I ever saw’r one. I agree, many women in the 50s and 60s came from farms and was hereditary they knew how to drive a stick. My ex-gf , also a truck driver her whole life, grew up on a farm, and was a natural. Whoever ordered this car, was clearly a gearhead, and one day in late 1963,,,oh, oh, guess what? That’s right, it’s goodbye Corvette, hello Poncho wagon, with one huge exception in the deal, it’s got to have a 4 speed. That and like mentioned, some just didn’t want an automatic. I tried to bring up pictures of full size Ponchos with 4 speeds without consoles, naturally not many, but the few did not have a shift boot like that. Looks awful aftermarket to me, and I’m sure the glitz of the 4 speed wore off in traffic. Next car mom got her wish, and had an automatic. I don’t know, with all moms had to deal with carting kids around, the last thing they needed was a 4 speed.
In other news, thanks to the staff for their attention to the ad schpeil. It shows to go ya’, it’s not your normal website, the staff does care. :)
It’s not the factory boot because it’s not the factory shifter. The factory shifter was a spindle like round affair and this appears to be a Hurst unit, which would not work with the factory boot.
@Howard A
I was born in 1953 (year of the 1st Corvette) AND on a farm. My parents 1st new car was a 1953 Chevrolet. Base model, 3 on the tree. Then there were a slew of used cars including a 1956 Dodge SW (3T) 1949 Plymouth (3T) 1953 Mercury (the only auto) and a few others i cant think of off hand. Then their second new car a 1964 Ford Fairlane base model (3T). Then Pops bought a used 1967 Checker (3F). After Mom’s totalled that she got all automatics after that. The 3rd new car was a 1970 Checker Marathon (auto)
All of my cars were autos except for my 1972 MG Midget.
I learned how to drive on a 1954 Hillman (4T)
Bottom line: I hate shifting.
I owned the 65 version of this wagon. It had a 4spd. 421 from the factory.
And the 8lug wheels. It wasn’t as nice as this one because it was in upstate New York.
Back in 1965 i orded a Olds vistacruser 4 speed 355 rear end 326 eng drag raced it best time was 1505 at 96 mph
Asking price reduced to 24.5K.