Practicality can be a major consideration for some enthusiasts when purchasing a classic. Anyone who has tried to maneuver a small child into the back seat of a two-door vehicle knows that you almost need the skills of a contortionist to achieve that goal. That’s where this 1961 Pontiac Catalina rides to the rescue. As a 4-Door Hardtop, the challenges previously mentioned aren’t a consideration, while the excellent interior space means there will still be plenty of room to move when that small child becomes a teen. The Catalina presents well, with a healthy V8 under the hood and no rust, making it a classic that the buyer can enjoy immediately. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting the Pontiac listed here on Craigslist in West Seneca, New York. The seller set their price for this classic at $15,500.
Pontiac introduced an entirely new Catalina to its model range in 1961. Although many mechanical components from its predecessor were carried over into the company’s latest offering, the stylish new body rode on a more robust frame that improved safety. This first-year 4-Door Hardtop is a mystery machine. It is eye-catching in Red and White, but I’m unsure whether it is a genuine survivor. The Red paint looks too light and vibrant to be the Coronado Red found on that year’s color chart. That suggests a potential cosmetic refresh involving a color change or that this Catalina could be a Special Order vehicle. Neither possibility is mentioned in the seller’s listing, but it is a question worth posing. The paint looks quite nice and, like the panels, has no major shortcomings. Perhaps the best news hides below the surface. The underside shots reveal no evidence of existing or prior rust problems. Those shots also support my belief that someone restored this classic, because the undercoat looks virtually new. The trim is in good condition, the glass is clear, and the deal includes a couple of additional sets of pristine hubcaps.
The seller admits that this Catalina’s interior isn’t perfect. However, its condition is comfortably acceptable for a driver-grade classic. Trimmed in “Picardy Pattern” Red cloth and Maroon Jeweltone vinyl, the seats have only a few minor imperfections. The door trims are slightly warped down low, but I believe the vinyl would stretch into place. The painted surfaces are stunning, and the bright trim is excellent. The seller has protected the carpet beneath large rubber mats, and the first owner ordered this Pontiac with a pushbutton radio.
Pontiac’s 1961 Sales Brochure makes interesting reading once we focus on the Catalina’s mechanical specifications. The seller confirms that this car features the two-barrel version of the 389ci V8. Had the first owner teamed this motor with a manual transmission, it would have delivered 215hp and 390 ft/lbs of torque. However, the first owner’s decision to tick the box beside the optional three-speed Hydramatic transmission boosts those figures to 267hp and 405 ft/lbs. They also selected power steering and power brakes, both reinforcing the car’s luxury leanings. I spotted a few engine bay upgrades, including a Mallory electronic ignition with a matching high-energy coil and a chrome alternator. The seller states that the Catalina is, in their words, “shockingly fast.” It starts easily, drives beautifully, and the V8 sounds sweet through what appears to be a relatively new dual exhaust.
This 1961 Pontiac Catalina isn’t perfect, but it is the type of classic that shouldn’t present its new owner with any nasty surprises. The lack of rust might be its greatest attribute, although some readers will find the V8 a strong contender for that title. There is nothing like having an opportunity for the whole family to become involved in the classic motoring experience, and that is a realistic option. The seller’s price looks competitive for a ’61 Catalina of this caliber. It has only been on the market for a short time, and it will be interesting to see how quickly it will find a new home. Are you tempted to make that happen?
I would disagree on it for the ’90s Roadmaster earlier, but this. This car. Needs whitewalls. Not necessarily vintage wide whites, those were already on their way out when it was built and if it wasn’t born with 1″ white stripes they’d probably have been the first replacement set.
Can not STAND the childish “scribbling” on the sidewalls of most of today’s tires – whitewall or blackwall.
Steering wheel cover, oh, no, it’s happening again,,,this one requires some intricate lacing, that never worked very well. I HATE steering wheel covers, downright dangerous, they is, but certainly not enough to derail this post of a wonderful car. Once again, hats off to the staff, who seems to have “adjusted” the format with plausible finds. With so many nice cars coming through, if you can’t find a classic car here, well, I don’t know how to finish that politely.
As known, my late Uncle Marv had a ’61 Ventura 2 door. Almost a completely different car, but as a kid, sitting on the bench seat, all I could see was the dashboard. Seeing this brings back those memories. The motor had a long handled screwdriver under the intake manifold we couldn’t get out. We always wondered how it got there. Great cars, seemed the “Wide-Trackin” helped offset the dangerous bias ply tires handling a bit. Even with those lousy tires, Pontiacs were left lane cars, if you were lucky to have a 4 lane nearby. I agree, this car needs a thin tire stripe, even red maybe. Blackwalls immediately indicated a cheapskate, like my old man. In fact, I never remember him buying brand new tires or batteries. Great find here.
Glad to see I’m not the only one that hates steering wheel covers!
I had a ’63 Catalina convertible that I got from my dad in 1990. My son owns it now. Those Catalina steering wheels had that clear plastic that deteriorated, cracked and then literally fell off the steering wheel over time. When I the “Cat” from dad in 1990, the steering wheel was in the initial cracking phase. I put a high quality leather cover on it to protect it from further damage. Even back then, a good steering wheel restoration was around $500!
You mean you didn’t like the cars on turntables and shiny floors?
Dad did not even go for the new Sears Plus Start or cheapest Walmart batteries for $29?! – Or the 4 for $99! new pep boys tires? & they were whitewalls on 1 side, i believe. Back in the day, whitewalls & even RWL tires were not that more expensive than blackwalls. But today, jeez! You can get a blackwall off the Walmart website for $70 or less – but price a BFG RWL on that site, or anything from say the Coker website.
They are not a big deal. Take it off if it doesn’t suit you, but there’s a practical reason for installing them.
They were cooler than a plastic wheel after sitting in the southern sun all day.
A towel on the vinyl seat also was a must.
Nice Cat here. Don’t see enough 4-door hardtops. Two tone is even better. Only thing worse than a steering wheel cover is a cracked wheel.
ADAM, another great find!! You are doing great today!! 4 door hardtops may not have the “flash” of the 2 door, but they are also a lot less common in the classic car world, so this is a prime example to own and display. Being in the rust prone land if Nu Yawk state, I would want to know a lot more of the history of this car. The steering wheel cover is a matter of personal preference. With big hands and after growing up on “Man Sized” steering wheels, especially in trucks, these modern dainty steering wheels are not comfortable to me. Yes, red or white stripe tires would be period correct and set this car off better.
Brings back many memories. I grew up in a Pontiac family, my father always ordered them with the largest available engine, dual exhausts, ac and power windows. We had a 62 Catalina 2 door hardtop in a darker red with the 389 4 bbl, SlimJim and dual exhausts. There was also a light blue 60 Catalina Vista 4 door flat top, i remember lying on the rear shelf watching the world go by.
needs white walls and lose the wheel cover, show off the 2 tone steering wheel
My family had a ’62 Impala 4 door hard top back when they were new. Very similar body style as this Catalina. My dad bet on a long shot at Hollywood Park and won enough to buy a new ’61 Impala convertible. We moved to snow country so he traded to a guy with the 4 door Impala that became my first car. I hated it because it wasn’t a 2 door which was the desire back then but it was the most practical “Drive In” car I ever owned!