Once again, Barn Finder Pat L has been scouting about and has located this 1960 Catalina Hardtop for us to look at. Thank you so much for doing that Pat. This 2-door is going to need some work, but it represents a sound foundation for a project car. You will find it listed for sale here on Craigslist. It is located in Sacramento, California, and is offered for sale with a clean title. The owner has set the asking price at $6,000.
The Catalina is an attractive car, and this one is no exception. Even in its current state, it is still a good looking car. According to the owner, the car is wearing its original paint, and the only rust is in the floors, but we don’t know how bad it is. The body itself looks nice and solid, while the exterior trim and glass all look good.
The interior seems to be complete, but it will require a full restoration. One positive that we get is that the car doesn’t appear to be fitted with carpet. As a result, we can get a partial view of the floors, and they actually don’t look too bad. With the interior, the only real note of caution that I have is with the dash. There is an aftermarket radio/cassette player installed, but I can’t tell whether they have cut the dash to fit it. I also noticed that aftermarket speakers have been installed in the rear parcel tray.
Under the hood, the Catalina fared much better than its Chevrolet counterparts. The engine fitted is a 389ci V8, which produced 283hp. It is backed by a Hydra-Matic transmission. We know that the car doesn’t run, but we don’t have any idea of its actual condition. The best that I can say is that the engine looks clean, so hopefully, that’s an indication of good news to come.
Finding nice examples of the ’60 Catalina 2-door is quite difficult at present. There are plenty of Convertibles, but the Hardtop seems to be in short supply. I looked at comparable project cars, and the results were a bit surprising. I found two examples in this price range. One was a roller that required some significant rust repairs and didn’t have a title. The other was in about the same condition as this one but was priced at $1,000 more than this car. It looks like this one might be a pretty reasonable buy.
Rear speakers don’t really bother me as long as the installation is clean as they were a pretty common aftermarket addition… the dash potentially being hacked up is another matter. Have to admit, to the best of my knowledge I’ve never seen one of these in the flesh but an image search shows a pretty darn good looking automobile. Not sure I’d take one over a ’60 Chevy but it’d be a close thing.
I love these old Ponchos.When cars were cars.
“The best that I can say is that the engine looks clean”
What might a a dirty engine look like ??
I would say grossly over priced.
To a Poncho man Miguel, this is a STEAL. (Just ask one…)
Miguel.NO it’s not.Go and look and see what these Ponchos bring and not just the convertible either(you really talking big bucks).This is a “steal and a deal”.If I was able I would be all over this ’60 Cat!
mlm, when I can get this car for $8800.00 (389 with a 4 speed on the floor), yes I consider this car that doesn’t run and needs an interior and paint for $6000.00 as expensive.
Is there a link to this ad or have you already rushed out and bought this car?
Ralph, the car is in Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico.
I am not sure what would be required to get it back across the border, or if it is still available.
The ad was from quite a while ago. If it is available still, I will go buy it, as soon as I can get over there. It is a pretty car, other than the wheels.
My point was that there are better cars out there for a little more money.
Yeah, I’d feel totally confident doing a classic car deal for cash in Mexico……..no way that could go wrong.
Vaya con dios…….
I’m with you Ralph 100%.
“Wide Trackin” ! Really nice Poncho, totally worth it. That’s right, you heard me, ’60 Poncho bubbletop was the coolest!
I’d have to agree Howard it’s a nice looking car. $6k seams like a fair price to me, everything looks quite restorable.
My only question now is why did’t they protect the intake with a plastic bag and a rubber band??? Now, what condition is the engine in?
Now really, compared to some of the engines we’ve seen shamble in to de chop, it’s pretty darn clean.
Back in the early sixties a guy I went to school with had a 60 Pontiac 2dr. HT. From those days to the present I love the styling of the 60 Pontiac’s and those through the mid sixties.
My dad’s first new Pontiac was a 60 Catalina sedan, in Huntsville Alabama. He traded up four times at the same dealer before ’66, and he worked for Chrysler Aerospace at the time. So many of his co-workers bought non-Mopars that they rented a space down the street to park them. The 60s were my faxorites.
I know it’s blasphemy for some, but I prefer the 4 door flat top in the ’60 Pontiac.
Miguel.Try buying that same ’62 in some other areas and you would be paying way more than 8K especially a 2 DR HT. Depending on the person,their situation,the area and who you know if you get a deal like that.You want to check see how much a ’60 2 dr SEDAN cost about as much as the one advertised.Like others said this ’60 Cat is a good deal and how I know I have already priced them.
mlm, since you have priced them, how does this ’60 Pontiac compare to a ’60 Cadillac in the same condition pricewise?
Miguel.It’s depending on the model.For a Eldorado Biarritz you would pay way more even if the Cadillac’s condition might be in the same or worse condition.There’s one for sale (with a parts car) for $ 41,000 and it will need restoring.The other models such as series 62 (entry level Caddies) you may not pay as much,but because it’s a Cadillac expect to pay more since that’s a luxury car. Fleetwood Brougham would be very expensive since those bodies were made in Turin Italy even in fair condition. Not to say there isn’t no good deals on ’60 Cadillacs.Depending on what you want.
mlm, I mean a direct comparison to this body style, the CDV.
Miguel. A Coupe De Ville in the same condition would cost a little more.There’s one for sale in Cars For Sale in the same or WORSE condition than this Poncho and they want over $30,000 for it! However I seen a Eldorado Seville( coupe) in the same condition as this Poncho for $10,000 give and take some details that need repairing. Cadillac in the same body style and condition would probably cost more depending on the area,market, or the person.
This is a nice Poncho and hope it goes to a nice home.If a car is located where I’m not sure about getting it back home or red tape getting it home,I will leave it where it is regardless how nice it look or how much cheaper it is compared to just picking this baby up for 6K and load it on a trailer and be on my way.What’s expensive for one may not be for others and I think this ad proved it.
I’m the guy that bought this Catalina and couldn’t be happier !!
It needs all 4 floor pans and a small section of rocker on the passenger side,
It’s a original paint car except for the front passenger fender which was replaced with a white fender than resprayed in Conorado Red,
I plan on keeping the original patina paint and focus on the floors,,,rocker and maybe finding an original paint replacement front fender (just missed one in Stockton)
The Catalina still has its original 389 2V with hydro trannie which will go into storage for a 428 dual quad and Autogear M23 with 2:98 1st gear which will work great with the 3:08 axle,
For wheels it will either get 8 lugs or poverty hubcaps with wide whites,
It will look classic and innocent but will be capable of 12’s with a 3;08 axle,
This Catalina is a very exciting car !