The Catalina was a Pontiac staple for more than 30 years, but 1959 would be the first year it would be a series of its own. GM styling was interesting during the 1959-60 model years, with their “bubble top” styling for 2-door hardtop and “flat tops” for those with four doors. The Catalina had a shorter wheelbase than other Pontiacs as it shared its body shell with the Chevy Impala. This ’59 edition looks to have recently come out of hibernation and was treated to a long list of recent repairs. Located in Belgrade, Montana, the bubble top coupe is offered here on craigslist for $12,500. Our thanks to MattR for another great find!
1959 would become an important year for Pontiac (and, thus, the Catalina, too). Compared to the one-year 1958 models, they were quite futuristic in appearance. Styling changes included longer lower bodies that offered more interior room, a new twin grille theme, and twin-fin rear fenders. This was also the year that the “Wide-Track” designation first appeared and would become a Pontiac marketing theme for years to come. And, finally, the entire Pontiac line was named “Car of the Year” by Motor Trend magazine.
We’re told the seller’s Catalina has spent the last several decades in storage but accumulated 108,000 miles in the process. A ton of time and money has gone into getting the car roadworthy again, including new brakes, shocks, tires, muffler, front-end components, tune-up, carb rebuild, oil change and lube, gas tank sending unit, and a new fuel pump. It has a solid running 389 cubic inch V8 paired with a 4-speed automatic (unlike Chevy’s 2-speed Powerglide).
The Catalina “bubble top” was a popular model, comprising 38,309 units out of total Pontiac production in 1959 of 382,940. The body on this one is in decent shape after 62 years, but certainly not perfect. There are some small dents and dents, the largest of which is in the driver’s side door. There is some evidence of rust in places like the right rear quarter panel. The interior has been given a nice facelift, with new upholstery, headliner, and carpeting. There are a couple of hairline cracks in the glass, but nothing that requires immediate attention.
Hagerty pegs a ’59 Catalina coupe to trade in the $12,000 range in Good condition, so the seller has done some homework to arrive at his asking price. And has put money into the car to make it a turnkey, original-like machine with a few bumps and bruises. It’s a car you could drive and show right away as long as you don’t require perfection to present a vintage automobile.
Refreshing to see a seller who spent the time to get his car in good running condition, looking good inside and priced reasonably. If it’s checks out, it looks like someone will have a nice Pontiac for cruising. Maybe the sellers here asking ridiculous prices for rusted out non running junk missing numerous parts, could learn something from this seller.
this seller not refreshing, but being deceitful, the car isn’t straight, both sides have long creases everywhere! Also says no sign of accidents but right fender buckled at front also top back of fender raised above door & side chrome raised above door chrome!
Good eye Joe. Not much to like about this Pontiac…IMO
I’m okay with the asking price for this, but jeez, every exterior panel on this car requires extensive reworking. The hood and top surface of the passenger front fender are a different shade than the rest of the car. The bumpers need straightening…
The Wide-Track looks like it was a little too “Wide” for Grandma’s Garage. A kidding aside, the 59-61 years were awesome for GM styling. I recall the advertisement with the Poncho on a high banking race track.
That was what I was thinking…looks like stuff you accumulate when you are more interested in getting to your destination than the value of your big ol’ Pontiac sixty years into the future. For comparison, I pulled this image of a model of the 59 Pontiac marketed by Aurora as the “Fireball.” So wide a track that the image consumes the whole box top! The box is the best part of this kit.
One of the few cars that has backup lites mounted above the tailites.
I must say that at least GM plastic steering wheels of the 60s are less sticky in hot humid weather than say a vinyl, rubber, or leather covered one.
I would not bother to fix the cracks in this red one – yet.
With the body as is, it would make an interesting grocery getter, but you might have to take up 2 or even 4! of today’s mickey mouse size parking spots. lol
Nice 20 footer and love the styling. Can anyone speak as to what that gauge on the far left pod and at the top position is measuring or indicating? Is it a small tach?
Gasoline on top and Generator below
It’s a clock.
I remember working at a gas station in Alabama growing up and we had a customer who hauled riders to the job and owned one of these boats. They drove a long way to their construction job so he filled it up daily. I remember that it held around 29 gallons of gas. Of course in 1959 gas wasn’t much more than 26 cents a gallon.
This is one of the most underrated classics to me
Not a “bubble top”.
I’m pretty sure there wasn’t a four speed auto in 1959. 3 speed more like. An honest car though!
4 speed hydrostatic is wn
HT they offered
Didn’t Olds have a 4sp auto in the Mid ’50s ?
The original Hydramatic was a 4 speed. It was redesigned for about 1956 m.y. but still a 4 speed.
Pont, Olds and Cad all used basically the same GM 4 spd Hydramatics during these years. Only Chevy w/Powerglide and Buick w/Dynaflow didn’t used the HydraMatic. There was a smaller version used in some models during the early 60s, before the TH 400 was introduced for 64.
Yes there was! 4-Speed Hydramatic! Much better trans than the 3-Speed Slim Jim!
Daniel,
In 1959, only a 4-speed Hydramatic auto tran was offered by Pontiac. They did not have a three speed.
I think ’61-’62 are the bubble top years. Earlier tops are similar, but the later years have the slender A and C pillars, and the wrap around wind shield is less intrusive. But others have other opinions.
You’re right Bill i wish the writers would stop calling 59 and 60 GM’s bubble tops they were never refered to as such back in the day and they still shouldn’t be 61 Impala and 62 Bel-Air Chevys and some Buick and Oldsmobiles had the same top those were bubble tops
You are absolutely correct. The term was originally used for 61 Chev/62 Bel-Air 2 dr hts and would also have to apply to the Pont, Olds and Buick sisters. I have always thought it was a stupid nickname and never used it myself, and unfortunately, it has now being used for the the 59/60 2 dr hts, whose rear glass is entirely different and does NOT give a ‘bubble effect’ like the 61/2 roof
Correct Chuck back in the day i had a 61 Chevy Impala still my favorite 60’s hardtop style wish now I still had it but in those days you had to sell something to upgrade to a newer vehicle
That was the first car I bought when I turned 16 all white red inside, bought it in 1968 For $300 ,had the big V8, fast car for as big as it was. Show room condition! Man I miss those days.
I took my drivers’ test in a ’60 Catalina. Even had to demonstrate parallel parking. This car brings back some memories for sure.
“Body wise, the car is basically straight except for small dents and dings, but no signs of accidents.”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA