How many Barn Finds readers categorize periods of their lives by the cars they were infatuated with at the time? I certainly do. Accordingly, this 1963 Pontiac Catalina Sports Coupe immediately transports me to the early 2000s and my early 20s. I pestered full-size Pontiac guys on internet forums, discussing the aesthetic attributes of the ’62 Catalina versus the ’63 (age has enmeshed me in the ’63 camp, by the way), and I daydreamed endlessly about my showing up everywhere in a big ’60s Pontiac. In essence: Where has this Catalina been for the last 25 years? It’s not quite going to fit in my life right this second, but maybe you share my dreams, and if so, we have our hard-working Barn Finder T.J. to thank for sending us this link from Marketplace in Annandale, New Jersey. The seller claims that the car’s a 54,471-mile original, and he’s asking $12,500.
The pictures in the Marketplace ad leave a little to be desired, so I screen-grabbed a shot of the engine from a short video the seller posted. He says that he bought the Catalina from the original owner’s estate eight years ago, and he’s the “second registered owner.” The engine should be the original 389, which in base Catalina trim with a two-barrel and Roto Hydra-Matic (a transmission few have said anything positive about), made 267 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque. Big Pontiacs of the ’60s often had tall rear axle ratios, and the Catalina pulled a 2.69:1 gear as standard equipment. This car is optioned as you’d expect a Catalina to be, nothing too fancy; it has power steering and power brakes.
The interior appears to be in amazing original condition, which is good, because the original fabric is getting hard to find and expensive. The 1963 Pontiac’s exterior styling was hugely influential in the industry, especially its stacked headlights, but Pontiac also knew how to put together an interior, and with its bright accents and vibrant upholstery, the Catalina was as exciting inside as it was outside.
One of my personal favorite styling touches of the ’63 models was the quarter panels; have you ever noticed the “v-shaped” body lines extending from the taillights to the center of the trunk lid? I have, a thousand times, and it’s those little things that made me decide on the ’63 as my Catalina soulmate (until I found a ’65 for sale, but that’s another story). This Catalina would be perfect for my year 2000 self except for the fact that I could have in no way afforded it; it’s even the perfect color. (Yorktown Blue? Aquamarine? I like it either way.)
Although it would have been nice if the seller could have pulled it out of the lean-to for a few pictures of the passenger side, this looks like a good buy if the pictures aren’t lying to us. If so, maybe it’s your perfect Catalina.
In the trunk photo posted on the Marketplace ad, you see a patch of direct sunlight on the rear passenger side fender near the taillight – it looks to me like the paint color is Kimberely Blue. I don’t imagine this will last long, it’s too nice a car and for many Pontiac fans the best 1960’s Pontiac body style.
Great condition. And one of the best steering wheels ever – as seen on The Cars album cover.
Nope. To much lipstick. Gotta love the smile tho. Oh, wait, steering wheel. Never mind.
“I have, a thousand times”
😊
I love these. My grandfather had a Pontiac dealership in Athens, GA from ’53-’68 and have a display model of one like this. And this shade is so period!
Less than 55,000 miles on a 62 year old car. No need to do the math…we know that’s easily less than 1,000 mile per year. In today’s car market, what can you buy for $12,500 that has that big back seat, rides like your floating on a cloud, and is practically new (gently used)? Fugetaboutit. Then there is the quality USA steel, a Pontiac (big block) engine that’s easy to work on compared to modern cars, and you’d be ready to (to quote the Car’s band)…Drive. Ahh…if only there were still drive-in movie theaters. Memories.
Bring back a lot of memories. A long time ago, I had a 63 Catalina rag top. Very sweet driving car. A real wide-track.
Pull the Slim Jim and put 400 Turbo Hydramatic in it and then you’ll have a great car
Sold.
I’ve mentioned it before, I had a 63 Bonneville sport coupe. I just loved that car, and if this Catalina was any closer, I’d be all over it. My wife’s parents had one when she young. I showed the pics of this one and she WANTS it.
SOLD already.
Not unexpected at that price…
Ugh, it’s a shame Pontiac couldn’t use the Grand Prix roof on all their big 2-door hardtops. The frumpiness of the ’62-4 A body “faux convertible” roof stamping really stands out on a ’63 Poncho since the rest of the design looks so great, if it were ’63 I’d have to have one – but I’d gladly settle for a post sedan if I couldn’t stretch to a GP, actual convertible or 4 door hardtop.
When in college I worked at a Pontiac store 1972-75. We were just a little dealership owned by the largest Pontiac store in the country. We were always trading cars back and forth. One day I had to drive a 1963 Catalina wagon back from the mother store with 5 other full size adults so they could drive back multiple cars. The car was a wholesale piece. Meaning it was traded in and because of its lack of value it would be wholesaled off. The car was beautiful but the shocks, suspension and steering were shot. It was all I could do to keep it on the road. My favorite Catalinas are the 1961 and then the 1962. Our general manager took a 1962 that was traded in and had the body and interior upgraded. We the took in a 1965 2÷2 with the 421 engine on trade. So that engine and transmission were installed in the ’62. One of our techs was trash talking the car.But never said a other word after I flagged off a drag race between the ’62 and his 442 right in the .middle of town. After the 442 shifted into 2nd gear it was no longer a race. The ’62 just walked away from the Olds. The cops showed up about 15 minutes after it was all over and the cars were parked. Everyone just shrugged their shoulders. The only thing left were some tire marks on the street.
nice car. not surprised its sold. i don’t understand why if it is sold the ad just doesn’t get deleted. why mark it sold. by looking at those qq tags that car was just registered not long ago. somebody got a banging deal
What a gorgeously preserved ’63 Catalina! My parents had a ’63 Catalina station wagon with AC, PS, and PB. I loved that car. Even though I had my own ’57 Pontiac, I’d ask to borrow the wagon sometimes, and wow – with the back seat back folded down flat and a couple of quilts making a soft pallet – it made the best adolescent’s motel on wheels. So many memories there. – No surprise it sold so quickly!
Aaron…. I like your taste in cars!!! I typically lean towards the ’65 and ’66 as my favorite ( my Dad had a ’66 Bonneville he bought to replace his ’64 Catalina. But truth be told, the ’63 is also very handsome. I love the stacked headlights. And the grills and nose on all of them. The picture is my Dads ’64 Catalina with my older sister who was about 3 ( she passed away in 2002).
These are handsome cars for sure. Actually, I like the ’63 grill a little better than the ’64…. Sorry Dad.
What the Heck. May as well post a pic of his ’66 as well. It was burgundy with a black top and interior.
Sorry about your sister! :(
That’s a great picture of her and your dad’s Catalina.
Somebody got a deal on a very nice car. I need FB apparently
Someone got a great buy for 12.5K.