Vehicle Description
1964 Pontiac Catalina Convertible
It was an impressive run for Pontiac, a company that helped launch
the Muscle car Era. The Pontiac 2 plus 2 model was a performance
upgrade option to the full-size Catalina for 1964 and 1965, a
stand-alone model for 1966 and again, an option to the 1967
Catalina. Unfortunately, due to lackluster sales, 1967 was the last
year it would be available. Production numbers for the 2 plus 2
were small, (less than 3 percent of total production for 1964), in
comparison to Pontiac's total unit production. But the muscle car
and Pontiac's dominance within this genre was cemented into
place.
This 1964 Pontiac Catalina comes to us with a history of 2 long
term owners, and now our consigner. It has a fully documented
history of ownership, and plenty of new additions put on recently.
A respray from 1984 is holding well, and a black convertible top
replaces the white one that came with the car from the dealer. This
car has a 389ci with a 2-barrel carb which was completely rebuilt
in 1972, and a fresh transmission rebuilt in April of this
year.
Exterior
With the dual vertical stacked headlights on each front corner
leading the way we see a nice shiny bumper below cradling the
lights and stretching across the front of the car just below the
split grille. A body matching beak is dividing the grille which is
nice and shiny. Large steel slab sides which are very nicely
aligned and bathed in Sunfire Red respray from 1984 is looking good
holding its luster and color. On either side, midway through the
sides is a nice trim spear with Catalina badging on the front
quarter, just behind the wrap-around bumper. Shiny trimmings
surround all the glass, and the passenger compartment is now
covered with a black canvas newer convertible top with a plastic
rear window. On the back is the large trunk lid deck and this wraps
around top the rear tails lighting which flanks the trunk on either
side and is surrounded by chrome. Their design emulates out facing
arrowheads, and again the lower bumper cradles tree taillights as
well. The arrowheads were a tribute to the Pontiac tribes, as well
as showing them to the person behind which direction the car is
going to turn! Dual exhaust pipes peek out from underneath and
14-inch 8 lug wheels, (installed in 2019), are adding bling to each
corner. With the top down this is a real mid 60's cruiser.
Interior
Consigner states all original interior and it is looking fine. Door
panels are nearly showroom with black tuck and roll, smooth black
vinyl, and a vertical ribbed aluminum stripe as a highlighter
through the upper third of the doors. Inside a large front split
back bench offers up easy access to the rear bench, and both are
bathed in original black vinyl with wide tuck and roll inserts for
the seat insert and back inserts. The tops of each seat has a shiny
arrowhead inserted into the smooth vinyl for a nice accent. The
original factory dash is in front and has a thin padded top with
instrumentation nice and clean as well as an aluminum strip on the
bottom accenting the knobs and pulls. In front is the nicely
preserved original steering wheel, black carpeting covers the
floors and there are some protective floor mats with a Pontiac
arrow badge stitched in.
Drivetrain
As I lift the hood on this beauty, I'm greeted with a fully
restored engine bay which just gleams! All finishes are very nice
including the sky blue valve coverings, shiny supple hoses and
wires, and like new air cleaner covering. This car has the original
389ci V8, and a single 2-barrel carburetor on top. On the back is a
Hydramatic 3-speed automatic transmission, and the rear axle comes
to us with a 2.56 ratio.
Undercarriage
Not to be outdone by the topside, the undercarriage shows some
slight surface rust and slight nice patina overall. Structurally
sound, and we can see a cleaned and redone fuel tank, new shocks,
new powered drum brakes and lines, and a Flowmaster dual exhaust.
Independent coil springs for the front ride and a 4 link with coil
springs for the back, and we have a very nice presentation.
Drive-Ability
She fired right up with a very smooth idle and off to the test
track with top down and it was a great experience. Snappy
acceleration, bias free panic stopping, and good big car handling.
All functionality was good save for the fuel gauge which is
in-op.
With its newly installed aforementioned parts along with weather
stripping, new exhaust, a carb rebuild, and some new wiring, this
car is in turn key condition to go and show. Think azure seas, a
craggy coastline and exotic living for the island off Cali coast to
which this car is aptly named after. It shows up in spades on this
beautiful classic.
VIN DECODE
834L24254
8-V8
3-Catalina
4-1964
L-Linden, NJ Assy Plant
24254-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
11C-3rd Week November Build
STYLE 64 2367-1964 Catalina Convertible
BODY BL1049-Linden Body #
TRIM 240 1-Black Vinyl Bench
PAINT N-Sunfire Red
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
