General Motors went all out for model year 1959 with dramatic styling, so much that they pulled back with conservative changes for 1960. Whether the polarizing look of the ’59s pleases your eye or not, they represent some of the most extreme fin cars of the space age, with Pontiac leading the charge. This 1959 Pontiac Catalina “ran when parked,” according to the listing on Facebook Marketplace. That was 13 years ago, and the 389-powered three-speed manual classic in Burr Ridge, Illinois awaits a new owner at the seller’s price of $5000 “firm.” Thanks to reader Hans H. for spotting this angular black beast.
The wraparound windshield must have seemed like something right out of Buck Rogers and other space adventure stories. Bucket seats and a floor shifter match with the later five-slot wheels for a street racer look. A few years later, full-sized Super Duty Pontiacs terrorized the drag strips and oval tracks, so hopping up a full-sized ’59 Pontiac cannot be viewed as sacrilege.
Thin pillars and expansive glass typify GM styling of the era, prompting the “bubble top” moniker. Rocketship fins with thruster-style ports rearward graced many cars of this era. In fact, it’s suspicious and rather unforgivable to sell a 1959 Pontiac without showing fin and bumper details at the stern. Check out this Google image search to appreciate this single-year styling exercise.
A handsome and sinister front suggests power and authority. Another ’59 Pontiac rests beside the Catalina. The forked dual fins receded for model year 1960, becoming two rounded tubes atop the quarter panels. The 1959 Pontiac Vista sedan with wraparound rear window as my first choice among a host of over-the-top ’50s Interstate cruisers, and I’d love to own one for a few years to tour Route 66 and other classic American highways. Are you in Camp Love or Camp Not-So-Much when it comes to GM’s bold ’59s? Would you continue down the hot rod path with this wide-track Catalina or put it back to factory perfection?
Sweet Poncho and near me too. Waiting for another price drop to engage.
In other words, you have zero intention of buying this. Otherwise, you’d make your offer now.
After 29 weeks on the market he’d likely be willing to negotiate. It’s worth a try, waiting is rarely a good strategy for something if you really want it.
Steve R
If you are interested, don’t wait for someone else to buy it first.
gotta love the no tire kickers line.
Where is the car located? Or did I miss something?
Hammer,
I’ll let you know after I look at it 😃 just kidding. Dixon, Illinois
Ah yes, a black ’59 Pontiac Catalina – my dad bought one of these off the new car showroom floor – a sleek black two door hardtop with red and white interior. Quite the cat’s meow. In its day, that car could hold its own with anything. At age 19, got my first speeding ticket in that car.
Do you remember the reverse thread lugs?
Burr Ridge.Illinois
What would I do? Clean it up, get it running, cruise around in it and contemplate my next move in the meantime
Got a say it’s a lot nicer looking than the 1959 chey cats eye creations 😂
If you look at the Ponchos from the rear, the reverse light is a cat head with the wings being the ears. I love it!
Some trim is impossible to find. The manual cars while rare, are on the column from factory. I think 59 Pontiacs are way under rated. The wide track itself smokes the other full sizers.
I saw an NOS hood ornament go for $764 so needless to say, I am still looking……………………
“ ran when parked” is a red flag that the engine is probably seized
Would it not be easier and insure a fast sale to state “ engine turned over when tested with charger. With that info one would be more inclinedto entertain purchase…just my pet peeve
It’s neat to find a manual transmission in a ’59 Pontiac, but this one seems cost prohibitive to restore.
I’d rather start with a Catalina like this: https://www.grautogallery.com/vehicles/10567/1959-pontiac-catalina. It’s only $30,000. I really doubt you could turn the $5,000 Pontiac into something that nice for an additional $25,000.
I guess you could buy both and swap the transmission set-ups. But that’s just a daydream for me. I’m more of a “tire kicker” kind of guy, I guess, and no part of me is really “firm” anymore.
I can smell the interior just from looking at that one picture. It ain’t a pleasing aroma.
Sweet car if you can get past that.