Pontiac styling and powerful engine options made the 1964 lineup hard to resist. This 1964 Pontiac Catalina Sports Coupe in Spring, Texas looks great from every angle, and the never-restored classic came with the flashy Custom Ventura trim package to boot. Posted here on Craigslist, the nifty full-size packs a Tri-Power 400 V8 under the hood, and the running project can be yours for $10,700. Thanks to reader MattR for spotting this sweet Poncho.
Custom Ventura trim added the multi-colored upholstery and other upgrades.
Rust at the base of the C-pillar looks like the most serious concern, and even that looks mostly cosmetic. None of the scratches and dings would preclude daily-driving this Wide Track Catalina. Don’t forget the Alamo Beige paint on this Texas two-door. A paint wizard might bring some shine back to this nicely-styled Sports Coupe.
Pontiac introduced the 400 cid (6.6L) version of its V8 in 1967. Details on the 400 and Tri-Power setup (a trio of two-barrel carburetors) escaped the listing, but the later 400 visibly fits fine. It’s simply an overbored version of the 1964 Catalina 389 V8s. The seller-supplied VIN can only confirm an eight cylinder engine (standard on the Catalina), but as many as 11 Trophy V8 options graced Pontiac’s full-size cars in ’64, and this car could have come with a Tri-Power 389 (6.4L) or one of two Tri-Power 421 cid (6.9L) engines. Regardless of this car’s history, a working Tri-Power setup draws a crowd whenever you pop the hood.
With no mystery-concealing undercoating and barely any rust, the underside of this Catalina leaves little to grouse about. A sturdy TH400 three speed automatic backs up the 400, and a 3.08-geared positraction rear end should make for comfortable cruising without eliminating the possibility of intentionally overpowering the stock-sized tires from rest. A host of new parts compliment this Catalina, making what seems like a decent entry point for restoration or daily driving duties. While the new-for-’64 GTO may steal most of the glory when folks mention a 1964 Pontiac, the big-brother Catalina shares similar styling in an upscale full-size. What would you change before cruising this Catalina?
Nice write up Todd.
Here’s the link to the ad: https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/d/spring-1964-pontiac-catalina/7309009024.html
Thanks MattR – My Rookie Mistake would have seen me raked over the coals for sure, and rightfully so. I updated the piece. Much obliged!
No problem, that’s teamwork man!
My dad had a 64 like this. Ventura option. Silver. Black vinyl top and interior
It really depends on what year the 400 is. The seller doesn’t say. They all will bolt up in place of a 389, but if its’s a ’71 engine and newer it will have much lower compression and therefore less power. I’m hoping this is the earlier 400, otherwise the tri-power setup is a waste.
There is a benefit of a later 400, 73 up should have hardened valve seats, to run unleaded gas. Want to wake the engine up? Cam and pistons swap alone would do it. Still suppliers out there for them.
In 73’ Pontiac 400cu took premium gasoline.
The engine appears to be a 1966 or older, based on the valve covers. The 400 valve covers had a much smoother design. It could be a 400, but without the engine stampings or even head casting numbers it is an unknown. It would be interesting to see just what this engine really is. You gotta love the 8 lug wheels!
Something else is off on this car. 64 Pontiacs had opposing wipers not parallel. Canadian market Chevrolet based ones did
Great catch, that brings up a lot of questions.
Here’s one with parallel wipers. Sold in California.
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/hppp-1107-1964-pontiac-ventura/
As far as i know, only the GPs had the opposing Wipers, even though its Cat platform was parallel like the listed car here.
Merely an extra little cosmetic adjustment from those illustrious Pontiac stylists?
David; all fullsize Pontiacs ‘should’ have opposing wipers for ’64, but as you see here there are some Cats with paralell around. What I’ve found is those with paralell wipers typically are Ventura or 2+2 cars, which I know doesn’t make any sense at all since those packages should have nothing to do with wiper configuration! Also, there are Ventura and 2+2 cars with opposing wipers too.
If it were a mid-year modification it could’ve made sense, however on ’65 Cats we also find both variants… Maybe it’s just not more complicated than that some plants would use the same subcontractors as Chev…? Just speculation of course, so if someone has the answer I’d love to know
Mid 60 Catalinas came standard with parallel/tandem wipers. If you ordered the dual speed wipers and windshield washer option (code 421) you got the opposed/overlap wipers (wipers that meet in the middle).
Here is some more info:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/automotive-history-the-mystery-of-gms-two-wiper-systems-the-answer-was-pretty-obvious/
Pnix; thanks a lot for sharing your insight – actually I couldn’t find peace of mind yesterday due to this mystery so I ended up finding that very site too after a quick google. That’s indeed a very sensible explanation to this decades old mystery now that I know the answer…! 😏
local_sheriff: I was like you. First I was thinking maybe a mid-year change but I noticed the 63’s and 65’s had both styles then I was thinking a plant that built full-size Chevy’s and full size Pontiacs had the parallel wipers Then I came upon that website and the last comment by The Dude. Also, if you look at the link I posted above to HOTROD, the Catalina build sheet has a lot of options but not code 421, hence parallel wipers.
Would 8 lug wheels fit over a disc brake conversion?
Tugdoc, The wheels are the brake drums, it would be cool if someone manufactured a look-alike 16″ rim to put on a car with Discs. I don’t believe the 400 engine was ever available with tri-power, maybe the mid 60’s manifold could be adapted
Regardless of year this engine is the next owner will appreciate the TH400 in place of the original Roto transmission. The ’64 is one of my favorite Pontiacs ever and the Ventura upholstery is a sweet package
The valve angles were changed in ’67 on all Pontiac V8s, the year the 400 came out. The valve covers wouldn’t fit a ’67 and later motor, neither would the Tri-Power.
You can make the early covers work on a later model, I have a 65 with a 70 RAlll engine, along with a 66 Tri-Power. To make them work I stacked two thick cork gaskets cemented together, it gives them the clearance to not smash the rockers into the valve cover. To the casual average observer, it “appears” to be just another Tri-Power GTO with headers.
Love to have it, but to make it easier to live with, it will need $$$ for paint, interior and the unknown issues. Eight lug wheels are wrong style for this year. 10,700? No.
What do you mean with ‘wrong style’? I agree with you if you think of the color (black for ’64) but you should have an above averagely developed vision to determine whether these 8lugs are of the tall or short fin design from those pics? 😏
Totally agree on the asking; it’s a sound uncorroded car in need of straightening, paint and full upholstery to be presentable again. Bought a ’64 Bonnie Safari in way better condition for less only 2 years ago. This is a 5-6K OK project car
It’s worth saving, about 10k more can make it nice,interior needs upholstered, body and paint etc.,and actually 10k is a very wishful, conservative estimate, these are nice cars for cruising though.
I have always liked the styling of early 60s Pontiac dashboards. The heat/ac controls looks like a second radio. My aunt next door had a ’63 Station wagon. At the same time my cousin had a ’63 Bonneville convertible and another aunt had a ’63 Bonneville convertible. Tons of chrome on those dashboards