Hiding in a dark corner of this shed is a classic that the owner claims ran when parked. It would be easy to consign this 1959 Pontiac Catalina to the too-hard basket because it hasn’t fired a shot in anger in thirteen years. However, that could be a mistake, because not only does it appear to be essentially complete, but the supplied photos suggest that its rust issues are confined to dry surface corrosion. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rtdreep for spotting a project candidate that is more promising than it might first appear. The seller has listed the Catalina here on Facebook Marketplace in Dixon, Illinois. They set their price at $5,000 and are firm on that figure.
This Catalina is a mystery machine because I am unconvinced that its existing Regent Black paint is original. There are areas of Cameo Ivory, and I tend to think this is the shade it wore when it rolled off the lot. The existing paint quality is pretty poor, and that’s being diplomatic. I suspect that any build will entail stripping the painted surfaces to bare metal, providing a sound base for a cosmetic refresh. The panels look surprisingly straight, although the seller only supplies images covering one side of the car. This is the moment when I would typically discuss rust, but there isn’t much worth reporting. The interior and trunk shots reveal heavy surface corrosion, but I see no evidence of steel penetration. Some trim pieces require a trip to the platers, but the glass looks okay in the supplied photos.
The solitary interior shot confirms that the first owner ordered this Catalina trimmed in Black vinyl with bucket seats. It is missing the door trims, but the crucial components for a retrim are present. The seller supplies no engine photos, confirming that this classic features the 2-barrel version of the 389ci V8, teamed with a three-speed manual transmission. The engine should produce 245hp and 392 ft/lbs of torque. That doesn’t place it in muscle car territory, but the beauty of these engines is that they lend themselves to upgrades that will easily unleash additional ponies. The car hasn’t run since it was parked thirteen years ago, but if the engine turns, revival may not be difficult or expensive.
Some enthusiasts will avoid project builds like the plague, finding the prospect of endless hours of rust repairs overwhelming. It appears they wouldn’t face that challenge with this 1959 Pontiac Catalina. They could follow the faithful path, or tweak the existing V8 to transform it into a genuine muscle car. It all comes down to a question of taste, but which path would you choose?
Repeat from Dec. 24. Todd Fitch covered this same car. I guess it’s been for sale for a while now.
The ad on Facebook has been up for 21 weeks, and counting.
Steve R
I thought I’d seen this before, but wasn’t sure.
Forget this Catalina; I’d rather have the copper `59 Bonneville HT next to it in the first pic.
Good call. Inquired, who knows ???
Response indicates everyone passes. Follow along with the crowd.
It’s a Cadillac next to it not a Bonneville you can clearly see that
In the FIRST pic there is another 59 Pontiac. Not the gold 66? Cad in the other pics.
Hence my handle, I have 2 59’s and love these cars but that one will probably best left as a ratrod. If you could find all the side trim, it looks like the holes have been filled. That is not a Catalina interior pattern on the buckets which may not even be original to this car.
With everything that car has been through, I can’t believe the removable trunk light is intact!
Bucket seat backs are not original to the GM buckets 1958 to 1961 aross Cadillac, Pontiac, Oldsmobile and possibly Buick(?).
These seats look like they.were added later.
Hey, no trim not running ,bad paint⁹,no engine phpto= no sale at 5k
Well then put a battery in it and start it up then!!!!
Such SB, backwards.
I once bought a car that sat for 40 plus years, after a new engine, transmission, brakes, brake lines, tires, hoses, radiator, etc. it did run.
Could it be that people are tiring of the “ran when parked” coverup?
A battery or commercial charger hooked up really doesnt take much effort thereby enabling to claim ran when parked, still turns over!
This grille is similar to the one for the final year of Edsel 1960, better looking but too late.
In the mid-60’s I had a 1960 Catalina fitted with the three-speed, column shifted manual transmission. Despite its two-barrel carburetor, the car was phenomenally fast. I beat most challengers in its class, including Oldsmobiles and Pontiacs with automatics. I even beat the notorious Olds Starfire. My nemesis, though, was the Buick Wildcat. Those I could never touch.
I like this car and would consider buying it, but I’m skeptical of the seller’s representations.
I was so shocked to see the intact trunk light that I almost missed the heavy rust on the trunk lid lip.
Also: what is going on with that fuel tubing emerging from the trunk floor.
Steering wheel is an expensive fix. Well, you’re completely redoing the interior anyway…
If this is a solid car (Illinois = BIG “if”) and if the 389 can be awakened: it could be a fun (if expensive) project.
Valve covers look surprisingly like SBC’s Hmmm.
“Ran when parked.” Right! We’ve all heard that before.