Exclusive: 1978 Pontiac Catalina Safari

Reader Stephen S is in a bit of a predicament. You see, he owns this nice low mileage survivor Pontiac Wagon, but he also owns a Trans AM and one of them has to go. He can’t bring himself to let go of the Trans Am, so this Pontiac needs to go. It’s a beautiful car, well as beautiful of a 1978 Catalina Safari can get, and is ready to be enjoyed by its next owner. It’s currently located in Manchester, New Hampshire is Stephen is asking $11,500. If you have more questions for him or would like to make him an offer, you can contact him via the form below.

What Makes It Special? This wagon is a documented low mileage survivor.

Body Condition: Except for a few shopping cart dings body is perfect. Rustproof treatment when new. Not driven in winter. Plastic bumper fillers original uncracked.No cracks in dash. Interior is perfect.

Mechanical Condition: Needs nothing. Daily driver as is. Runs and drives perfect. No typical station wagon rattles. Wife says it or the Trans Am have to go.

I would actually have a hard time letting this Pontiac go! I can understand why he picked the Trans Am over it though. Personally, I would turn this thing into a sleeper. Keep it looking complete stock on the outside and in the interior, but drop a worked over 350 into the engine bay with a heavier duty transmission and rear end. While it wouldn’t look as cool as a Trans AM, but you wouldn’t ever get the kind of stunned looks from a Trans Am that you would get from a sleeper Catalina wagon!

  • Asking Price: $11500
  • Location: Manchester, NH
  • Mileage: 24800
  • Title Status: Clean
  • VIN: 2L35Y8X148220

Contact The Seller

If you have a low mileage survivor that needs a new home, please consider listing it here on Barn Finds!

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Comments

  1. Maestro1

    It’s too far away from me but it;s a great buy. Never mind silly SUVs.

    Like 7
  2. Solosolo UK ken TILLYMember

    I would dump the Trans Am as there are hundreds of them out there, but not many Pontiac Catalina Safari’s.

    Like 5
  3. Dee

    If this is the car I think it is, it is unbelievably clean, no rust, no rips or stains, nice dash, but has no A/C, which is a big problem for me because the only time I’d use it is in the summer. If this is the same car, it was at a CT. used car dealer for the last 1or 2 years. It’s a really nice car, but no A/C.

    Like 3
    • JP

      Does it have A/C?

      Like 5
  4. Gene Parmesan

    That asking price seems a bit steep, but if he gets close to it then it’s good news for the rest of us clean late-model wagon owners! Nice looking car for sure.

    Like 4
  5. Oily Dick

    May also lose the house, financial stability, and ultimately both cars!

    Like 4
  6. ccrvtt

    $11,500 for this with 25,000 miles or $20K+ for a late model Tahoe with 100,000 miles?

    In the words of Billy Crystal, “When you look good, you feel good.”

    This car makes you look good.

    Like 3
  7. ChebbyMember

    This car was featured here one year ago and it didn’t sell at half the price.

    https://barnfinds.com/22000-mile-estate-find-78-catalina-safari-wagon/

    Like 9
    • DayDreamBeliever Alan (Michigan)

      Good Information.

      Like 1
  8. R. Zohn

    Would look even better w/o the bags of laundry in the back seat! Seriously- the guy wants to sell at a premium, make the car look premium.

    Like 6
  9. Stephen Skellchock

    I’m assured people read barn finds because of all the comments. To those posting negative comments get back to me when you find a nicer one with lower miles!

    Like 1
  10. John p

    Ridiculous price.. period..

    Like 0
  11. ChebbyMember

    We’re not talking about one of your children here, dude. You have a clean example of a not-particularly-sought-after car listed at a high price, and it’s being discussed as such. Getting defensive won’t help matters. More information about the car might, we have to go to last year’s ad just to see what kind of engine it has and whether there is A/C. Have you done any work to it in the time you’ve owned it? A little salesmanship, maybe.

    Like 9
    • Stephen Skellchock

      A reader suggested that I was talking about my car for sale as if it was one of my children. Too be honest not quite. First of all it has no ac . If this throws a curve at you it is what it is. There is a company called Vintage Air that could do a wonder. I drove this car 160 miles to my home without a problem. Mind you the car had only gone 95 miles in the previous 4 years.Yes it did come from rinky dink car dealer in CT
      who told me no test drive without cash in hand , how many tire kickers did that get rid of? A car that sits deterioates so all seals and gaskets we’re replaced wether needed or not
      NH has a tough safety inspection and this car passed with flying colors. I could have driven it as is but chose in my opinion to do it right
      Also yes not a highly sought after model but wagons by Pontiac consistently lowest production numbers across all Pontiacs
      PHS documentation! Rare and totally original car . Hope this clarifies.

      Like 5
  12. David Miraglia

    Nice wagon, well maintained and in nearby New Hampshire, not a long drive from New York. Kudos to whoever grabs this wagon.

    Like 1
  13. PRA4SNW

    Next town over from me and he decides to sell the station wagon and not the T/A.
    Dang it!
    JK, I would make the same choice.

    Like 0
  14. David KirschnickMember

    Looking for guy who called me today , didn’t leave any contact info. My name is Dave , looking for 1965 tempest station wagon. He said he d call back . Please call back 773-988-8239

    Like 0

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