Vehicle Description
1970 Pontiac Catalina Convertible
"Starting Now this is the way it can be for big thinkers with small
budgets" reads the advertising, and this was in reality true, as
the Bonneville was the upscale Pontiac, and the Catalina, which
borrowed from the Bonneville's look, was for the budget
conscious.
In 1970, and for this consignment, the Pontiac Catalina received a
facelift. It had a central chromed radiator "beak" grille inspired
by the Grand Prix, the hood with wider and flatter center bulges,
dual headlights, pointing arrow-esque tail lights set into bumpers,
wrap over front fender tips, and hidden radio antennas. This
example, badged with "Catalina" lettering behind the front wheel
openings. and has a white canvas convertible top. Fender skirts,
and "Pontiac" badging centered on the edge of the rear deck.
Carpeting, upper level trim ventilation, Endura side moldings,
walnut-grained vinyl inserts, padded dashboard, and this example is
very clean, and very cool. Purchased by a grandfather in 1995 who
had good intentions to restore it never happened. Fast forward to
2001 when the grandchild took over and did things right and in a
big way. Now we have a great somewhat rare example ready to cruise
the boulevards and turn heads. Toss me the keys babe, we are going
for a verbal test ride. It's one cool Cat...alina!
Exterior
Starting out life as Palisade Green, it now is bathed in pristine
white. The car gracing our Hallowed Halls is a not oft seen car in
our daily routine. It was one of the best selling cars for the
Pontiac division in 1970, and one would think there would be more
hanging around, but sadly, (or happily depending on how you look at
it), it is not true. This example has a white canvas power top,
which works beautifully. Chrome brite-work and badging are in good
condition, and the front vertical chromed grille with its central
beak is nearly to die for. Wide format, long panels are very
straight and rust free with well minded gaps are all over this
beauty. Inset into the rear bumper pointing out arrow tail lights
are looking sleek. Just above is a NYC 2 bedroom apartment sized
trunk. 15-inch Pontiac rally style wheels are wrapped in thin red
sidewall rubber on all 4 corners from the 25th week of 2017. I dare
you to find any rust on this big piece of Detroit iron.
Interior
Green and mean would best describe this fashionable interior with
lots of tuck and roll vinyl, lots of walnut applique' and lots of
chromed trimming on borders of said panels. The door panels are
nearly perfect. Inside a green padded dash top undulates at right
angles up and down, and frames all the instrumentation and controls
in various panels across the front. Walnut veneer is accenting
these panels and looks just the perfect compliment to the green.
Standard GM dash fare is here. An extra item of note is the
aftermarket 3 gauge cluster hanging below the dash to help keep
your eyes on the pulse of this car when operating. Snappy green
vinyl covers the two benches, split back in front and full solid
back for the rear passengers. Clean green carpeting floods the
floors and a dark green tonneau covering is available to cover the
top when in the down position. Full on classy for this wide track
cruiser.
Drivetrain
A lift of the hood and some eye candy for the mot�rhead to suck on,
where we are greeted with a blue painted 400ci V8 which is not
original to the car. It has an Edelbrock intake and Edelbrock
600cfm carb. The transmission is numbers matching from the factory
and is a TH400 3 speed automatic. A 10 bolt rear axle is on to help
spin the rear rubber. Chromed valve and air cleaner coverings,
supple hoses and a showroom condition engine bay makes lifting that
large hood all worth the effort and then some.
Undercarriage
Some very slight surface rust is noted, but unremarkable as it
pertains to structural problems. Rockers, floor pans, toe kicks,
and suspension are all rust free and the rear axle has been sprayed
in black. Underneath the doors, we can see corrosive rust coming
through the respray, and is lifting the green vinyl off of the
passenger door panel on the bottom. Power disc braking is upfront,
along with independent coil springs. On the back is a 4 link with
coil springs suspension with power drums braking. Our consignor
tells me that power steering and water pump are new, as well as the
master cylinder and radiator. A Flowmaster exhaust is evacuating
those spent fossils so we have a BIG exhale. Now turn your head and
cough!
Drive-Ability
This early 70's large and in charge stuff is always a pleasure to
drive and honestly it makes me look way more hip than I could ever
be, so I hopped in and turned the key. Here it instantly came to
life, drove swimmingly, top up and down smoothly, and bias free
braking on the panic stopping, which I alway test first. The clock
was not working but then again how many of them really do? And when
they do it drains the battery...sheesh.
This overall straight steel convertible example of the everyday
man's Pontiac, presents nicely, and runs smoothly. The perfect car
if you want something not seen everyday with its chromed nose,
individual but dual bezel headlights, large panels, and spacious
mid level green interior in good to excellent condition. My partner
in crime was applauding when I returned. Not sure why, honestly I
don't trust him, something is up, and it was not the top of this
car.
252670E169701
2-Pontiac
52-Catalina
67-Convertible
0-1970
E-Linden, NJ Assy Plant
169701-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 70 25267-1970 Catalina Convertible
BDY E1472-Linden Body #
TR 536-Green Vinyl
PNT 45A-Palisade Green, White Top
07B-2nd Week July Build
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.
