Practicality has to take center stage for some enthusiasts when searching for a classic to park in their garage. Anyone who has ever struggled to get small children into the back seat of a two-door car can attest to what a blessing any vehicle with four doors can be. That is what is on offer with this 1966 Pontiac Cataline. It isn’t perfect, but it is an original and unmolested survivor with a mere 42,000 genuine miles showing on its odometer. It needs a new home, and that could easily be yours. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, you will find the Pontiac listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $9,995, but there is the option to make an offer. Barn Finder Larry D has again demonstrated his ability to spot interesting vehicles, so thank you so much for referring this affordable classic to us, Larry.
At just shy of eighteen feet in overall length, this Fontaine Blue Catalina makes a bold statement. I would love to tell you it’s perfect, but it does have a few issues for potential buyers to consider. The paint looks tired, and if the buyer isn’t intent on retaining the car as an original survivor, it will benefit from a cosmetic refresh. The panels look extremely straight for a vehicle of this age, while the chrome and trim are equally impressive. That leads us to the point where we need to tackle the subject of rust. There is some, but it appears to be relatively minor. It seems confined to the Catalina’s driver’s side and is visible in the lower front fender and rear quarter panel. Neither spot is significant, and if the buyer sets to work with some well-crafted patches, that should see those problems eliminated. The underside shots reveal floors and a frame that seems solid. I can’t spot anything beyond some surface corrosion, with no evidence of metal penetration. Overall, this classic’s rust issues wouldn’t require immediate attention, although tackling them during the colder months would be a great way to occupy a few days until Summer hits once again.
While this engine bay doesn’t house the most potent weapon in the ’66 Catalina armory, its numbers-matching 389ci V8 should still churn out 290hp. With a three-speed Hydramatic transmission bolted to the back of that V8, it should be sufficient to launch this 4,155lb Pontiac through the ¼ mile in 16.7 seconds. Adding to the effortless driving experience is the original owner’s decision to equip the car with power steering and power brakes. The seller claims that this classic has a genuine 42,000 miles showing on its odometer, but he doesn’t indicate whether he holds verifying evidence. However, we know that the vehicle runs and drives well and is ready to hit the road with a new owner behind the wheel.
If this Catalina has a single highlight, that honor must fall to its interior. It is hard to find anything to criticize because it presents beautifully. The door frame edge trim has become frayed, and there are some dirty marks on the carpet, but neither of these problems are deal-breakers. The center is missing from the A/C vent on the driver’s side, but I had no trouble finding good secondhand replacement parts for under $60. Otherwise, the upholstered surfaces are immaculate, while the same is true of the dash, pad, and headliner. The buyer won’t be swamped with luxury appointments, but air conditioning and the original AM radio should make life inside this classic pretty pleasant.
This 1966 Pontiac Catalina isn’t perfect, but its needs appear to be minimal. The odometer reading is well below what you might expect on any vehicle of this age, and its spotless interior adds to its appeal. Perhaps its greatest strength is its affordability, which can be a crucial consideration for some enthusiasts. If this is something you need to consider in your quest for a practical classic, maybe this Pontiac is worth a closer look. It might even be worth making an offer. After all, the worst that the seller could say is “no.” It costs nothing to ask, and the response could be a pleasant surprise.
Great cars,my uncle had one.Yellow,fender skirts,vinyl roof.Chief Pontiac high beam indicator:-)
42k miles??It’s a dealer selling this. That should tell you all you need to know.
Terrry – meaning what – odo turn-back?
Also, I had one either this same year or 1-2 either side, and to adjust the brakes you were supposed to drive it in reverse and apply the brakes, and there wasn’t any “limiter” on the reverse gear, so, going to a very large parking lot and driving in reverse at 40+ mph and “applying” the brakes (heh heh) did the trick! We Build Excitement – In REVERSE!
Something different! Bravo, I love it!
What a weird place for the dealer logo, on the trunk lid instead of below it.
My brothers would lay rubber for a city block. That 389 was an awesome engine
My Dad had the hardtop version of this car in metallic blue/green. With the 389 and Turbo Hydromatic, it’d definitely light the tires for days. I was 16 and newly licensed when I got my hands on it. That poor car!
Gotta say I really like this car. Just right .for me and my tribe. Room, ride, power,
and so much more. And yes, the 389 was
an awesome engine if you could get past
its propensity to eat timing chains for
breakfast. But while they were running,
the 389 would definitely get the job done
no matter what that job was. The only 2
things I might do to it would be to add
some skirts and pony up for a factory type
dual exhaust with resonators for that healthy little rumble these cars were known
for. Great find. I love it!
Yes. My 62 Safari wagon had the timing chain problem.
What a nice car. The fender skirts would make a nice sleek addition to this look. A nice aftermarket air conditioner would be good too.
It already has an aftermarket A/C unit in it!
I have a ’66 Bonneville convertible. I’ve been looking for one of these as a daily driver, preferably a hardtop. This is very, very tempting.
Why would you put aftermarket air conditioner in a car that already has factory a/c??
This car never had factory A/C. That’s why there’s and underdash unit.
Actually, while this car does *not* have Factory A/C, it does have very nicely-done Aftermarket A/C (sans the left register’s missing deflector insert). I definitely wouldn’t change it from that, even if i was offered a Factory setup!
I grew up in the exact same car bought as my parents’ 2nd brand new car. (Replaced their 1st new car, a 1955 Chieftain 860 4dsd.) Fine memories…
It actually ACTUALLY does have the factory ac that so many American – and some import – cars of that era had – it’s called a ‘wing window’ – see them there, by the front of both front door windows? – Open ’em up as you pull out, and, ‘ahh’!
My father had one of these that was purchased is Quebec Canada. Had a 6 cylinder in it. Brought it with him when we moved here to the states. He won a bet with a mechanic’s shop. The owner told me father that there was no way that car had a straight 6 in it when he took it there for a tune-up. Told my father he would buy him lunch if it did. few hours later they were eating lunch at the café across the street.
Because that mechanic didn’t realize that a CDN Pontiac was a Chevy wearing Pontiac outside clothing. He was right that a US Pontiac didn’t have 6 (and hadn’t since 54).
My Father bought a new 1966 Catalina convertible in this color with blue top and interior. The interior was blue Morocco Hyde. (Fake leather). Don’t forget the 389 had a very small 2 bll carb. Of all the cars he had, this was my favorite.
Dealers used to apply chromed metal logos by drilling holes in brand new cars. This was not a good idea in the rust belt. My Father special ordered cars and specified no logo unless the dealer wanted to rent the space.
We had a brand new 66 Harvest Gold aka Butternut Yellow black interior factory AC 326 great car
326s were only available in the LeMans. ALL full-size used either the 389 or a 421.
The difference in the 1960’s was Canadian Full Size Pontiacs “Strato Chief, Laurentian, Parisienne”, were ALL smaller cars built on Chevrolet chassis with Chevrolet engines! American Pontiacs were built on the larger shared chassis with Oldsmobile & Buick. NO 1960’s full size American Pontiac had 6 cylinder power!
I’d be there if it was a two-door
It needs whitewall tires and I would fix the rust and repaint it if I bought it.
For a dealer, the seller sounds like an honest guy. It is a one-person show and sounds like he digs up decent cars – probably more like a hobby.
I have to say that his EBay technique is different. Shipping is “included” in your offer, so he asks where he will be shipping it to. He then has to remove that cost to get your actual offer. It sucks if you live far away from him.
Looks like an honest car…wouldn’t doubt that the odometer is original; condition of the interior justifies that. Yes, I agree this old girl needs a set of whitewall tires!
I graduated high school in 65, my dad bought a 66 Bonnyville when I got my license. That car had a 400 in it and it was a screamer. I drove it like a sports car, very fast. Replaced it in 70 with another Bonnyville which had a 455 in it. What a dog.