When it comes to survivors, does it get any better than this 1953 Pontiac Chieftan Catalina? In remarkable survivor condition, this classic is even equipped with a period aftermarket air conditioning system! Claimed to be original inside and out, this Pontiac is a real jewel! After 20 years of garage life, this Pontiac needs a little tender loving care to be cruiser once more. You can make this museum-worthy machine yours for $9,500. Check it out here on craigslist out of San Jose, California. A big shout out to Ikey for sharing this rock-solid survivor find!
Described as running and driving, this Pontiac could stand to be cleaned up under the hood a bit. The period aftermarket air-conditioning is a sweet addition that I hope works. Granted if it was not functioning, I would think and hope there is a chance to repair what you have. The flathead straight 8 will offer some torque at low speed, but is by no means a brut. I would classify this as a good cruising motor.
While this is a “Survivor” the interior and carpet were reworked in the 1970s. Now the interior holds some patina that matches the overall condition and age of the car. Looking closely, you can see there is some staining on the driver side of the bench, and there is also a split in the material on the back cushion. Also, the carpet has faded a bit, but again it’s appearance fits well in this Pontiac. The dash is still a work of art, and the door panels look excellent as well.
With no explanation, the seller mentions that the paint was “touched up” in the 1980s. To me, that can mean as little as touched up small blemishes such as rock chips, to repainting an entire fender. Without getting too far off course, I am not sure that the level of touch up really matters all too much on this machine. The curb appeal is tremendous, as the style and shine are enough to make you turn your head. Even the chrome and glass look excellent on this Pontiac. Would you offer this Pontiac a new home?
Something about 50’s Ponchos, look at the chrome. There isn’t a space on this car that doesn’t have some chrome on it. They weren’t just fancy Chevys, but a car all it’s own. What ever happened to that? What a beautiful car! Plus, I believe the hood ornament lights up. How cool is that?
Did a cross country and back trip during summer break in college in a ’52 convertible with the straight 8. It was stock except for a beautiful dual exhaust system that really hummed at 80 plus mph. Have made similar trips recently that weren’t as comfortable or as much fun.
Trips like this were always a lot more fun because we were much younger! Ah youth!!!
Other than the tell tale whine of the transmission in 1st and 2nd, these were great cars. Why Pontiac stuck to that transmission when the other 4 GM brands had quiet ones always puzzled me. Sort of like the starter motor on the 60’s – 70’s Chrysler Corp cars, and the current starter motor on the Subaru. An unpleasant sound to me.
This transmission should be the Hydramatic, like the Olds and Cadillacs used. However, I believe it was this year the Hydramatic plant had a fire and for a time, some Pontiacs were fitted with the Powerglide, while Olds and Caddys used the Dynaflow.
My Aunt and Uncle had a Pontiac with the Dyna Flow. They couldn’t get rid of that car fast enough.
Woah, that’s a sweet bomb! Such great subtle colors; I like everything about it though I’d prefer manual transmission. OK, I-8s may be medieval engines by today’s standards but I can’t help but to love that unique hum they produce. I’d definately take an extra circle around this one should I stumble upon it at a show.
Very nice find in (seemingly) overall good and usable condition for not senseless amounts of $! 👍
I think the price is very fair ,if you are not interested in fliping it. The A/C would be worth, the trouble to make it work. Not sure front seat looks like covers, if so maybe whats under them might be better. Any way a very cool car!
Would I offer this Pontiac a new home? No, but talk to me about the El Camino sitting next to it.
I believe this is the top-of-the-line Custom Catalina, which came exclusively in Laurel Green, Milano Ivory, or 2-tone combinations of the two. Cloth and leather interior was standard with all leather as a common option.
A lighted hood ornament was an option.
Love the big A/C diffuser on the dash board!! These cars were the classiest rides and as I said before seemed so much more for the money then purchasing a Chevrolet of the same year!! Great find and in really good stock condition!!
I believe the “big AC difusser” TimM was referring to is actually houses the speaker behind clock. We had a ’54 Pontiac years ago. The trunk appears to have been resprayed on the left side, making it appear darker than the surrounding areas.
Good to know RobB it looks like something you would see in a commercial building on the ceiling supplying heat for the customers!!
Great Pontiac! And great to see something this nice under $10k that isn’t a rusted out POS that needs everything. Would probably add front disc and seatbelts and maybe dual exhaust like bobhess referenced. Took my only solo cross country trip from Portland to Cleveland in my 1969 Grand Prix in 1978.
And a dual master cylinder and modern brake lines – the ones used in the 50’s sprung leaks and you had only the parking brake, which, then, actually would stop the car, and, could be modulated, so you could drive with it. Three times in the years I had my ’56 Chevy I drove it home after total brake failure (I was a teenager, what did I know), several miles in a suburban area, and then to the garage the next day, using the parking brake.
This ones pretty nice, and you couldn’t restore one to this condition for anywhere near the price.
God bless America
That’s a lovely and unusual car. Add Pertronix ignition, a blow-through carb, and the Eaton blower from a Buick 3.8 liter and ROLL.
I have one of these I bought when I was going to school 20 years ago. We cut the exhaust off before the muffler. At idle you could barely hear it running, but when you got on it, it really sounded like you were going. Of course with that boat anchor up front you definitely weren’t.
Really like this beast! Fair price too.
I can’t believe these cars don’t command more money.
My second car was this model only in the 4 door style. I loved that car it ran great and only cost me $295.00.
This body style stayed pretty much the same, from ’52-’54.
My parents purchased the radically changed ’55 Pontiac conv. It was two-tone blue. Our next-door neighbor, purchased the same car in two-tone black & red.
I loved that color combo.
These cars were built for automatic trannys. Ya wanna buy a stick? Get a Ford or DeSoto.
How about a trADE FOR A BEAUTIFUL 1939 bUICK?