Recent service:
Recently had full-service work done including Replacing valve
cover gaskets, fuel hoses, air filter, oil pan gasket, timing cover
gasket, rear main seal, intake manifold gasket. Front and rear
shocks. Rear brake hose, rear brake drums, new wheel
cylinders and drums, replaced front sway bar links &, bushings,
front and rear wheel cylinders, front brake hoses replaced,
replace master cylinder, rebuild brake booster cylinder, replace
distributor cap & rotor, replace spark plugs & wires. Radiator
hoses replaced; system flushed. Rebuilt carburetor. Replaced
Drive shaft u joints & balanced. Repair leaking exhaust, service
rear differential.
Standard with a 290-horsepower V-8, a 400-cubic-inch unit with a two-barrel carburetor
389 cu in (6.4L) V8
4 speed automatic
The 1959 model year was a bit of a turning point for Catalina nameplate, which had been around
since 1950 as the pillarless hardtop model in the Chieftain lineup. For ’59, The old Chieftain line
was renamed, with Catalina becoming the new series name. Major styling changes for 1959
Pontiacs backed up the “Wide Track” theme, which included better-handling cars with lower,
longer bodies; more interior room; a new twin grille theme; twin-fin rear fenders; ‘V’ contour
hoods; more glass and flat, rear overhanging roofs on four-door Vista hardtops.
Standard equipment included directional signals; electric wipers; dual sun visors; dome lamps;
cigarette lighter; dual headlamps; front and rear ashtrays; coat hooks; dual horns; tubeless tires;
bumper jack; and wheel lug wrench.
Under the expansive hood is where the Catalinas separated themselves from much of the crowd.
The 389-cid V-8 was rated at a more-than-respectable 245 hp with the basic two-barrel
Rochester carburetor mated to manual transmission, and 280 hp with the Hydra-Matic. For just
81 greenbacks more, though, buyers could get Tri-Power and 315 horses. The Tri-Power 389
was the Catalina’s ace in the hole when it came to competition within its own GM family. The
Chevrolet Impala, the only full-size two-door hardtop Chevrolet offered in the United States,
could only counter with expensive fuel-injected 283-cid V-8s or its own triple-carbureted 348-
cid V-8. However, Chevrolet still used the two-speed Powerglide, while the Catalinas employed
a four-speed Hydra-Matic. Similarly equipped Olds 88s or Buick LeSabres from the same
General Motors
Over time, though, the 1959 Catalinas seem to have gotten their due. The fact that they turned
out to be excellent race cars on both the national and small-time level certainly didn’t hurt their
appeal. Pontiacs won some of the country’s biggest stock car races with Fireball Roberts behind
the wheel. They turned out to be good cars for weekend warriors, too.
