It is hard to beat a V8 stick shift American made convertible as style, power, and fun are all crammed into this one car. This Catalina is a factory 389 V8 4 speed car that is in need of some help. There is some rust in this old Pontiac, but it would seem this car is worthy of a restoration. For $2,800 you could begin revive this neat car. Check it out here on craigslist out of Mentor, Ohio. Thanks to reader CCFisher for the submission!
The drive-train is in unknown condition, and looks as if it has been resting for a while. Also there is no information as to whether or not the engine and transmission are original to this car. I would assume the brake system is not operational, and that the fuel system is gunked up needing to be cleaned.
Currently sporting a set of bucket seats, this car originally was equipped with a bench seat. The interior is as it appears, empty with nothing other than a few seat frames and a dash. The dash looks to be in fair shape for a car with no roof. With the ability to go up and down the top is functional but only by hand. The power top components are in place, but it has not been tested.
From the outside there are a few colors and patinas present on this Pontiac. Rust is present in this car, but is described as small areas that are “manageable sheet metal repair” areas. The front floors have some minor rot as do the rear floors. Per the seller’s description this cabin floor rot could be repaired without replacing. Also based on the sellers description there appears to be rust in the rear portion of the rockers, and there also appears to be some rust in the front portion of the passenger side rocker as well. Sadly there is not a lot of detail photo wise, so it is a bit difficult to surmise the condition of this Pontiac. The floors sound reasonable, and the rockers are to be expected. I would assume the quarters need some attention as well, but there is no mention of their condition. Either way you cut it, this is a restoration effort, or a parts car as this seller originally intended to use this car. Needing a lot of work, but featuring a cool drive-train and great looks, would you save this Catalina?
As I always say, for every bit of rust you see, there is even more hiding. At the asking price, I don’t think you would get hurt too bad, though, if doing the work yourself.This car will need a frame off with media blasting to kill all possible rust. It’s funny that what was a parts car a few years ago is now a viable project. Another old saying is “They aren’t making any more of them!”
Once fixed up, that would be a fun one to take to the Saturday night drive-in.
Hope it’s given another chance at life.
His ad description states ” No title, was purchased for parts car”
Kind of a shame. This was probably worthy of restoration before being picked apart.
Which car is for sale? The white one or the green one?
Only 1 car. The white is the trunk lid off another car as stated in the ad.
Loco,
Go back and look at the ad again. There is clearly two cars pictured. The last picture is of the front bumper of a white car.
I did not know Pont. had a 2+2 in ’64. I remember them in ’65. Maybe the trunk lids interchange between ’64 and ’65????
@jw454; I agree. It has a cracked windshield also. A white LF fender, a primer red cowl & RF fender. Two separate cars.
As someone stated this is now a viable project because it’s getting to the point that these are the cars that are left to work with.
Looks like something me an my cousin in California used to drive an cut a rug on dirt roads in fresno county with back in the day.. A salvage yard would let us pay a little for running cars then bring them back later hobbling along after we did a job on them as teenagers! You know joy ride cutten up having fun!
Though there’s certainly a lot of work needed on this, from what pictures are available here, it looks pretty solid. At this price, as long as the title issue can be straightened out, this looks like a good project for a do it yourselfer. Finished value would likely hit the mid $40k range and maybe more.
This could be a real nice car again, and fun to drive. I am getting to old for this kind of project and to poor to hire all the work done. I know there is someone young and talented to put this on the road again.
No pedal shot or 4 speed hump shot….what the hell – the main thing your pushing….it’s a four speed car – what the heck….people’s want those pic’s !
Always loved those vertical lights.
Just looks tough…