Vehicle Description
Everyone likes surprises, right? Well, this 1964 Pontiac Catalina
2+2 hardtop is definitely a nice surprise. With the GTOs getting
all the attention, who would have suspected that an original
Catalina could be so awesome? It packs a rumbling 389 Trophy V8,
Wide-Track stance, a gorgeous Sunfire Red paint job over an opulent
black interior, and enough provenance to fill a 3-ring binder. And
with a great life story to boot, this Catalina represents all
that's great with the collector car world. Surprised?
Wearing its correct Code NC Sunfire Red paint, this gorgeous,
full-sized 2+2 hardtop has a beautiful look to it. Maybe it's the
legendary Pontiac DNA running through its fuel lines, or the
stacked headlights up front that defined an era, or the
period-perfect color combination, but this car looks like a million
bucks. Pontiac designers nailed the proportions, giving the big car
a sporty attitude despite being notably bigger than its GTO sibling
(120-inch wheelbase coupled with the Wide-Track footprint), which
is no minor achievement. Crisp body lines and a minimum of add-on
styling gimmicks certainly help with the top-end curb appeal, and
today it shows off excellent fit and finish that's pretty much the
way the factory did it. Even though the car was repainted several
years ago back in 1996, it's been meticulously cared for ever since
and still looks great. That's because the professionals that
completed the work mixed gallons-upon-gallons of Sunfire Red
basecoat/clearcoat, and when they laid it down, the sheetmetal was
in fantastic shape. The results speak for themselves, with precise
gaps, laser-straight panels, and flush doors, and although some
minor signs of use/age can be seen upon closer examination, the
majority could be remedied with a buff-and-wax. Quite a feat on a
25+ year-old paint job. All the chrome and aluminum brightwork
(some of which took years to locate before it was restored and
reinstalled) shines up to a refined luster, which adds genuine
sparkle to the overall look, and the white hardtop provides the
perfect contrast to the Art Deco-style bottom shade. The grille
remains in great shape too, the glass is likely all-original and
largely unmarked, and out back those uniquely designed taillights
mirror the stacked headlights - a Catalina trademark.
The stylish, luxurious black interior is really why you want to own
a Catalina, and the added space provided by a Wide-Track vehicle is
really felt inside. Low-back, bucket seats and a factory center
console in a luxury car haven't looked this good since the original
Buick Riviera, and Pontiac puts its own special twist on it with
polished brightwork accents. The Catalina 2+2 package was an added
$291 on the original build sheet, and among various options it also
brought with it this understated, yet deliciously elegant,
gran-turismo inspired cabin. Black Morrokide vinyl on the seating
surfaces and door panels looks incredibly sleek, punctuated by the
chevron symbol stitched into the seatbacks and the 2+2 emblems in
the door panels, respectively. Plush black carpets look fresh, with
the only sign of age present on the rear hump that got most of the
sun through the years, and the taut, white headliner above provides
great contrast to the dark cabin. Upscale woodgrain paneling warms
things up, although it's only limited to the dash and the steering
wheel so it should never look dated. And speaking of that deluxe
steering wheel, it represents the strongest evidence of how
carefully this car has been treated since new - barely showing any
signs of use while absolutely glistening as the focal point of the
cockpit. The brightly accented dash sparkles with crisp, clear
gauges that keep a close eye on the engine, the original
heater/defrost controls (and yes, it still works!), and even the
stock Pontiac Delco Super Deluxe AM radio is still in place,
although it will need an upgrade if you want tunes while you're
cruising. The rear seat looks largely untouched and is just as
comfortable as the front buckets, the Art Deco inspired center
console houses a chrome shifter that manages the automatic
transmission below, and the black dash top is blemish free. Heck,
even the trunk looks like it did in 1964, with stock blue mats and
an original spare tire and jack set mounted in place.
The powerful 389 under the hood shows impeccable care and loads of
maintenance, and it still absolutely purrs using an original-style
4-barrel carburetor. Pontiac Turquoise engine enamel on the block
and valve covers, coupled with the black HD air cleaner, result in
an engine bay that looks EXACTLY like it did in 1964, and
everywhere you look in the engine bay you see parts that were
attended to. A recent starter, master cylinder, and exhaust system
means everything is fresh and ready for the road, and with a 306HP
rating from the factory and plenty of torque, it cruises
effortlessly at just about any speed. Power steering and power
brakes drastically improve the driving experience, while the
3-speed automatic transmission shift effortlessly in-and-out of
gears and spin a heavy-duty original rear end that can easily
handle all the power. It's incredibly solid and clean underneath
too, having spent a large portion of its life in California (in
fact, when the current owner's father bought this car back in 1996,
the seller delivered it to him by driving it 3K miles all the way
from California - if that's not confidence in a classic car, I
don't know what is), with fresh components throughout. 14-inch wire
hubcaps are excellent endcaps, wrapped in 8.5-14 whitewall bias ply
tires that finish off the period-perfect look.
So, are you surprised by how much you like this car? Don't be
because it really is as awesome as it looks. Loaded with original
documentation and a feature article on Hemmings.com, this Catalina
represent everything we love about the hobby. Call today!