Coach Built 1969 Pontiac Catalina Six-Door Wagon

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Stretched wagons like this Armbruster Stageway-built 1969 Pontiac Catalina were not an uncommon sighting back in the day.  These were known for performing a variety of tasks, such as limousine services, funeral home duties, and even airport transporters.  If I had to guess, I’d surmise that this 1969 Pontiac Catalina Station Wagon here on Facebook Marketplace was probably once designated for the latter, as it offers enough room inside for a dozen occupants plus a roof rack capable of holding a week’s worth of luggage for each passenger.  If you’ve been hunting for something large and unusual, this one might satisfy, so head on up to Livonia, Michigan, and bring along $16,000.

Ted, thanks for your fun tip with this one!  We don’t get much background here, other than finding out that Stageway Coaches added a pair of doors outside and an extra seat inside, likely when the wagon was new or shortly after.  Despite its mass, the body seems fairly solid, although some rippling can be spotted in the faux wood areas on the driver’s side.  The paint and simulated paneling are showing considerable fading, but if you enjoy a patina finish, this one’s got you covered.

By 1969 standards, this Pontiac seems fully loaded inside, with plenty of options such as power windows, door locks, a motorized front seat, and a tilt steering column.  The dashpad has seen better days, but the 4 seats look pretty good overall.  If it’s just an oddball driver you’re going for, the interior might be nearly good enough already.  Perhaps replacing all the carpeting and throwing on a dash cover might work wonders for the appearance, at least for a season or two.

We don’t get a shot from the engine compartment, but a high-output 400 resides under the hood, which the seller says scoots the big boat around nicely.  The wagon’s mileage is listed as 66,800, and for a vehicle like this that probably saw limited long-range use, there’s a good chance that may be accurate.  As it sits, the owner says you have only a limited time to make this one yours, because if it hasn’t sold come May, he plans to restore it himself, with a future price more in the neighborhood of $60k.  What are your thoughts on this coach-built 1969 Pontiac Catalina Station Wagon?

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Comments

  1. Rex Kahrs Rex KahrsMember

    Yeah, he plans to restore it himself. Those are the most over-used words in the classic car hobby.

    Like 28
    • WaltL

      Yeah, and after he does the restoration then “the price will increase to somewhere in the neighborhood of 60.” Uh huh, right… I hope he redoes the seats in a color that matches the door cards while he’s at it.

      Like 2
      • Bill McCoskey Bill McCoskeyMember

        WaltL,

        I’ve owned more than a few Armbruster-Stageway vehicles, my first one was a similar 1964 Pontiac Catalina 6-door, but a sedan. Most of these were used for taxi or airport use. I used to think all of their vehicles had been re-upholstered in the past, but in talking with someone who used to sell them, he explained that A-S kept costs down by using rolls of cheaper vinyl and sewing the seats in-house. As long as the colors were a “general match”, no one seemed to care! My 1971 A-S 6-door Ford Ranch Wagon had standard Blue vinyl door cards, with a non-matching material on the center doors. The center seat floor was ribbed black rubber, while the original floor areas were the blue loop pile carpets that came with the car.

        A-S commercial vehicles were done as cheap as possible, and the original corporate buyers expected the cars to be driven hard into the ground within a couple years, then get rid of them. The one exception to this was the cars they built for funeral homes, and of course they were more expensive, as more attention was made to the fit and finish quality.

        Like 3
    • SteVen

      LOL. Maybe tied with “ran when parked” and that the A/C “just needs a charge.” :-)

      Like 1
  2. Nelson C

    I think the first time I saw something like this was at Detroit Metro airport in the late 60s or early 70s. Thought it was a fascinating car. Seems like these would have been the hotel shuttle before the advent of 12&15 passenger vans. Another way to ensure that you have the only one.

    Like 5
  3. DJ

    Breakaway in a Firebird!
    Breakaway in a Grand Prix!
    Breakaway in a 6-door Catalina Stageway Safari!

    Like 6
    • Jon Calderon

      I would. Already done a 77 Grand Prix. 👍

      Like 2
    • Steven Ligac

      Pontiac The Breakaway Car…

      Like 1
  4. John Oliveri

    Would have been even more interesting if it was a 428, then I’d want the motor, not for 16,000 but later when he doesn’t restore it himself

    Like 4
  5. Frank

    There was a eight door Pontiac Airport Limo in Ashtabula, Ohio that was ruined by a local shyster bodyshop. It was a nice car that needed repainted, it was a shame to see it rot into the ground.

    Like 4
  6. Zen

    It would be fun to have, if I had a garage long enough to store it.

    Like 2
  7. Angel_Cadillac_Diva Angel Cadillac DivaMember

    I would buy for the rear facing 3rd row seat alone.
    With houses and rents going into the stratosphere, this would make a great “tiny home”

    Like 8
  8. 370zpp 370zpp

    Or you could use it for teaching parallel parking to new drivers . .

    Like 6
  9. James White

    There was an Armbruster-Stageway in Fort Smith , Arkansas , where I grew up. Was this car built there?

    Like 0
    • 59poncho

      Know any Nemeth’s or Elmore’s????

      Like 0
    • Bill McCoskey Bill McCoskeyMember

      Yes, Fort Smith Ark was the home of Armbruster-Stageway.

      Like 0

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