I’m happy to be non-denominational in my love of old cars. My collection includes at least one car from each of the Big Three, and I can honestly say that I’m not a Ford guy, a GM guy, or a Mopar guy – I like them all. But I do like some more than others, and my favorite full-size cars of the ’60s are Pontiac Catalinas, particularly the ’63 and ’65 models. The ’66 Catalina is not, however, too far behind in my esteem, and this pretty nice convertible on craigslist in Phoenix, Arizona, might be the big convertible for you if you share my line of thinking. Our friend T.J. has been busy finding cars, and he spotted this one recently and shared it with us on Barn Finds.
The seller says that this is a one-family-owned, always-garaged example of Pontiac’s basic big car. Compared to the Catalina, the upscale Bonneville and mid-range Star Chief Executive showed off their status by tacking some extra length on the rear of the car, in addition to some extra trim and an upscale interior. This Catalina has clearly had some interior work done, as this vinyl pattern doesn’t match the brochure images, but that’s OK. The upholstery looks like it was installed by someone who knew what they were doing, although I personally would leave out the red accents. It’s great for a driver.
Less time has been spent detailing the engine compartment, and the first thing you’ll want to do is have a look at the wiring near the battery. Any time I see those twist fasteners used on automotive electrical equipment, I get a little sad. It’s a power steering/power brake car, and although the seller says that it’s a 389, they don’t say what tune. Judging by what I can see, I’d guess it’s the basic 290-horsepower two barrel, which was standard with the automatic. I can see a new alternator and aluminum radiator, which means that it’s probably staying cool in that Arizona heat. The Catalina has also had a recent tuneup and some suspension work.
I’m having a tough time coming up with a value on this one. The ad says that the car has “a nice paint job,” but you can see some orange peel (no judgment – I’m not a wizard with a paint gun!) and aging weatherstripping in the closeup pictures. It’s clearly a nice driver, and being in Arizona, it’s most likely solid (although there aren’t any undercarriage pictures in the ad). The asking price is $23,500 – is that too much or just a sign of the times? Let us know in the comments.
I have probably mentioned a time or 16 how mid 60s Pontiacs are amongst my more favorite designs. These were ( according to my dad who owned 2) very good handling and driving full size cars in their day. The interior ( although not stock) looks good, I was a little disappointed to not see the optional real wood veneer trim on this one, that wood just looks classy to me, especially up against a black dash and seats. Where they lost me as eagle eyed Aaron already pointed out is the wiring. Anytime people mess with wiring and use wire nuts for a house I have concerns. But thats me.
Great write up Aaron and I still think its a great car, just needs a little electrical TLC.
Beautiful car! Big car with all the looks, and they weren’t slow.
Gone. That was fast!
I’m sure it is a nice car but no detail on the motor or accessories Mo trunk pictures
I would say from the photos, it is a bit pricey
nice piece but that interior really does not work with that car. quite messy under the hood and i agree with 1 of the other commentors about that wiring. potential fire waiting to happen.
It’s Back!
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/d/peoria-1966-pontiac-catalina-convertible/7814017412.html
It looks like that mare’s nest of wiring is for whatever that black thing is mounted behind the battery (an alarm or novelty horn?)
The actual wiring looks fine, just remove whatever that is.
I don’t think Catalinas or other mid-level trims in ’65 or ’66 came with the veneer, but Ames Performance in New Hampshire does sell the veneer kit if you want to add it.
If this one was indeed garaged by the OO, the trunk should be fine.
Mine (’66 Bonneville CV) was well-kept by the OO; the only rust I ever found was at the back of the front fenders from 45-years of accumulated dirt, and I only found when I pulled the stainless during re-paint prep. Trunk & underside remain perfectly solid.
Growing up in the ’60s, I thought these Pontiacs were the coolest looking cars of that era. I still think they do.
It’s been re-painted at some point & the VIN plate removed & reset with screws. I re-painted mine due to fade – it’s no sin – and appears to have been well-done. Very solid-looking.
The engine looks like mine did when I bought it in 2000, with 98K on it. Getting the engine back all painted up after re-build in 2010 was very satisfying. I still have at least one can of the Bill Hirsch paint in the correct metallic blue.
It’s a nice looking Catalina but I think the asking price is a little high. If it had the 389 with a 4 barrel carb andA/C maybe. I would like to see the trunk and undercarriage to check for rust or suspension needs.
I’d love to have that beautiful car and the upholstery is terrific. It looks much better than the back in the day cheap vinyl. The whole car looks great and ready for someone to hop in for a cross-country trip. Wide Track Pontiac!
As far as “worth” goes if you ask me I would say “If both parties get what they want then it is a fair deal.”
Today’s cars are certainly much improved mechanically and much more reliable than when the odometers only went to 100,000. But oh my, today’s sedans and “SUV’s” are ugly. No wonder people don’t lust for a new model any more. This year’s model looks like the last 5 years model. From 100 feet away most of us can’t tell the difference between a Camry and a Cadillac they are all so similarly shaped — both the ugly *ss SUV (Supermarket Utility Vehicles) and sedans are boring to look at.
But 1955 or so through 1973 or so cars were works of art styling-wise.
2 things keep me from buying this Bonnie:
1) no A/C. I’m not a collector and I only want one car for daily driver.
2) I have purchased a few brand new cars in my day but I’m now retired on fixed income and I already have a decent reliable car.
One of the challenges that Pontiac ran into in its hugely successful run in the ’60s was that they had too many great-looking 2-door hardtops competing for the buyers dollar.
Dealers usually took the easy way out, stocking the popular Catalina/GP/Bonneville hardtops, but if the customer was sharp a Ventura-trimmed Cat or a 421-powered 2 plus 2 was as close as the order sheet.
Pontiac ’65-’69 under John DeLorean’s direction was a triumphant brand. It’s a damn shame that his successors let that flame die.
I love Pontiacs from the 60’s. I remember high school driver’s ed class in 1967 learning to drive in a brand new Bonneville. My first car was a 67 Catalina. This Catalina would look great with the top down and the Homecoming Queen perched on the back deck. Ah, fond memories.
The asking price seems reasonable to me considering what a nice car this is. And the seller appears to be willing to negotiate. The black doodad that has been wire nutted in to the car near the battery is no big deal in my opinion. If whatever the thing is needs to stay then loose the nuts and re-connect with butts and heat shrink. Personally I like the way the interior has been reupholstered. Better than a sea of all black vinyl. BTW, now this is a collector car that I would have a hard time NOT driving daily. GLWTS.
Way over priced-Where are the rear wheel skirts?
Pretty sure only the Bonnevilles have skirts. The ‘lower-tier’ models from ’66 that I have seen in the wild do not have the mounts.
They are screw-on,so maybe they were available as an option?
I had a 66 Catalina and it had skirts on the rear wheels
Skirts were a dealer-installed item on Catalina’s and Star Chiefs, not optional from factory.
The black thingamabob is probably a leftover siren or horn from a alarm system.
It appears to me that the wiring near the battery is from an alarm system. Just a thought. Nice Poncho thou
Probably 18,000 would buy it.