California locales Catalina and Ventura both feature in the name of this large two-door Pontiac. Catalina is the model, a full-sized Poncho offering. Ventura is the trim package, which fancied up the interior and appeared in exterior “Ventura” emblems. TJ caught this tip for us, and well done to him. The 1965 Pontiac Catalina Ventura seen in all its glory here on ebay is priced at what the Brits would label an “eye-watering” $38,995, but there is the chance to make an offer. If you hit the magic price, you’ll find a way to Newport, New Hampshire to slide into a large front bench seat and point your way home. You’ve got almost a month to make your play. This handsome runner is not up for auction, but featured in an ad for sale.
The car runs the venerable Pontiac 389-cid engine, and an accompanying automatic transmission. The odo shows about 58,500 miles, represented as original. The car also has easy-driving qualities from its power steering and brakes, something not every classic can boast. There is no mention of how any of these mechanical elements run, so one is left to presume that this car could roll off the trailer and be used that same afternoon. Talk about a day to remember! And just look at the pristine interior. You’re not only going to want to drive it but also to sleep in it, you’ll adore it so much.
To me, and perhaps many of you, history has always meant a lot when trying to price a classic car. This one has it. As the ad says, “This car comes with all the books, original invoice, original build sheet … and documented maintenance history of the original 58,500 miles.” Sadly, someone repainted it a dozen years ago, so no matter how hard you wish otherwise, it’s not all-original. Am I picking nits? Maybe, but with an asking price nearing forty grand for what is, really, an everyday car (as opposed to a GTO or Firebird T/A, just to say), everything should be factory. Either that, or let’s be real and discount that number into a more reasonable zone.
One more thing: Make sure your garage is long enough to accommodate such a monster-sized car. It doesn’t look it in the wide-open spaces where it is shown in this ad, but this Cat is almost 18 feet long. It’s nearly 80 inches wide. The GTO, by contrast, is nearly ten inches shorter and almost six inches narrower, and that’s a big car by today’s standards. But if you can find a space for it, what’s to decide here? You’ve got a really attractive car, potentially zero investment of time and money aside from what you pay for it, and a smooth-driving big V8. If only that price were more palatable. But you know what? The market seems to suggest that this number is not unreachable. How’s your slush fund, and could it stretch to somewhere in the mid-$30s for this cruiser if you decide to jump in with both feet?
Nice clean car, but $40 large is a big stretch. You can get a decent Firebird or GTO for this money.
But not everyone WANTS a GTO or Firebird.
I’m very partial to mid 60’s Pontiacs. I know Ive posted pictures before of my Dads ’64 Catalina and ’66 Bonneville, both 2 door hardtops. These were nice driving good handling cars in their day. This one looks absolutely beautiful. I do agree with Brian, its an eye watering price. Maybe if it was a 2+2 with a 421? It’ll be interesting to see if it sells and for how much.
Compared to the outrageous prices for some of the other vehicles on this site this car is one of the most reasonable for the condition it is in!
Buyer be Ware! Don’t ever buy anything used without testing it First. You bought, You own it! weather it works or not. It has NO AC, it may not have PS? Just saying, i have bought 3 beautiful classic cars that cost me 1/2 the purchase price to make them operate as they should. This one may be in very good condition, BUT You don’t KNOW for sure? $38,000 is 10X the original price.
1965 & 1966 are my favorites after 1962 Catalina. Great car at an oh my God price.
I guess I no destined to play this time. Not to mention the parking spot.
As others have noted, nice car but doesn’t have the 421 or the poncho 8 lug wheels etc. If owner finds a buyer at that price that’s great!
Not a 2+2? Not a 421? It doesn’t even have the 4-barrel 389, and the Catalina is not the largest Pontiac, being shorter than the Bonneville. The 1965 Catalina and Grand Prix shared the same body. I used to have both.This unit and that price? No way!
Way overpriced, but it’s a dealer that likely can provide financing. This is a low option car that may look nice, but has a limited pool of potential buyers, especially at an elevated price. It’s not just competing against other mid-60’s full size Pontiac, but every car in that price range.
Steve R
Nice “cars and coffee” drivers like this are $10k these days. That’s the price that someone with brains is willing to pay, knowing that they can probably get back out at close to that in a few years, while enjoying it for a while.
Like most old cars, this is not an investment vehicle, regardless of what Mecum and Barrett Jackson and Hagerty claim. In fact, it’s now losing value daily, as there are hundreds of similar condition, full-size, 1960s coupes for sale at any moment in time and more on the way. Impalas, Galaxies, LeSabres, on and on.
Seen a prettier 65 Bonneville for sale locally and the ask was 10K.
Sweet car but absolutely huge.
It’s a beautiful car but grossly overpriced. It has been on Ebay at the same price for well over a year now. My thought was that the owner didn’t really want to sell it but was following the “if you’re dumb enough to pay that much, I’m smart enough to take it” philosophy.
Nice cruiser. Very clean but very expensive for an ordinary Cat. Until they find a buyer, I hope they are driving and enjoying it.
my grandmother had the twin to this but with a white porcelain roof. seeing this bring back a lot of fond memories. this is 1 bad looking cat. yeah, it’s a stripper but that’s the appeal to me. i would take a full size over a goat any day. wish i was able to buy it . it would be kind of like going back to grandmoms house.
Beautiful car and I’d love to own it but 40K is stretching reality. This one doesn’t have AC and no PW etc. Just not happening.
First thing I noticed was, no rear wheel skirts. I have owned a few 65 Bonneville coups, and this Catalina, Ventura package, while very clean, is way overpriced, even if it hadn’t been repainted. I bet that he gets a $15-$20,000 offer, and accepts
Is is a beautiful car.Worth every penny.One of the nicest looking cars I have seen .
Could be the most beautiful car of the 60s. Hands down. Every detail works together. Not a bad surface or angle. The kind of car you can enjoy looking at as much as driving. Time to check my numbers.