Vehicle Description
1964 Pontiac Catalina Sport Coupe
What started off as a trim level in the 50's, ended up being a
stand alone model beginning in 1960 when Pontiacs famous split
grille would first appear. The 1960's Catalina served as the basis
for the Grand Prix which in turn, inspired the GTO from the
LeMans.
For consignment, a 1964 Pontiac Catalina Sport Coupe with a
title-verified 42,334 actual miles. New tires, a new fuel pump, a
new carburetor are recent additions according to our consignor and
this is a full sized Pontiac you don't often see.
Exterior
Our car is in Cameo White which covers the car end to end and on
the hardtop which is delineated with interesting C-pillar trim that
almost gives it the look of an accessory hardtop, but it's fully
attached. The Pontiac nose is lined with the grille strakes that
curve from extended headlights to the center, all underlined by a
chrome bumper sculpted to the lower light of the horizontal pair.
Equal proportions of the hood, cabin, and rear create a handsome
profile connected by a dead straight shoulder line and right angles
forming perfectly vertical fascias front and rear. Decent chrome
covers the rear bumper which is shaped to accept the big vertical
taillights and the square tail is intersected by a Pontiac branded
band of trim. Rectangle exhaust tips keep the squarish theme, and
the rear window and C-pillars narrow within the shoulder line where
wide flat berms are a fitting place to rest your non-steering arm.
14-inch Cragar mag wheels are on the car and looking a bit tired,
but they are wearing 235/60R14 tires with a late 2023 date code.
Imperfections include rust and repairs on the door and near the
rocker and on the sill as well as some bubbling in other areas.
Interior
Varying shades of blue vinyl cover the door panels and both are in
need of restoration. The split bench seat is patterned tri-colored
vinyl and is torn badly on the driver's side with smaller tears on
the passenger side. If you need inspiration to redo them, simply
look at the back bench which is in very good condition and wears
the Pontiac arrowhead on each side. Blue and clear plastic are mere
remnants of their cool design on the steering wheel which will need
to be replaced or completely rebuilt. It shares a narrow column
with a shifter that is rod shaped and minimalistic while the dash
is also a simple compilation of gauges, buttons, and an
AM/FM/Cassette radio. The metal backed dash moving right is finned
over a blue metal glove box and lower panel with spots of rust near
the hardware. Blue loop carpet covers the floor and does not look
bad while the headliner and visors will need complete restoration.
The trunk is in driver condition with an old period mat and a spare
tire.
Drivetrain
Open the big hood to find plenty of space around the 400ci V8 from
circa 1976, an Edelbrock intake, new carburetor, and Erson chrome
valve covers. A TH350 3-speed automatic transmission sends power to
the 3.23 gears in back while power drum brakes slow things down on
all four wheels.
Undercarriage
Strictly driver quality underneath with its fair share of surface
rust, but generally clean and free of debris save for some grime
around the rear differential and front steering components. The
rear differential is also where we find some residual oil but no
active drips. The inner rocker panel and door bottoms have some
advanced surface rust that would likely be mitigated with some
encapsulator. Coil springs live up front and out back where it is
mated with the 4-link suspension system. Dual exhaust flows into
glasspack style mufflers before exiting out back.
Drive-Ability
This diamond in the rough is a cool looking car. We see our share
of GTO's, LeMans, and Grand Prix but Catalina's are rare visitors.
There's a miss in the engine so we kept our ride short and, in that
time, noted the following items that will need attention during the
repair or restoration. The shocks are shot, the radio, heater
blower, and horn are not working. It pulls right on braking and
there is no left tail light, brake light or turn signal. Finally,
the shift indicator pattern is incorrect as it has not been changed
over for the TH350 pattern.
This car presents a great opportunity to preserve and possibly
restore a somewhat unique product from General Motors. More than
200,000 Catalina's were produced in 1964 but when was the last time
you saw one? The car has great lines, great bones, and is ripe for
a makeover. This is the kind of car Chip Foose and the gang over at
Overhaulin' would love to do, if only that TV show was still
produced!
834S40653
8-V8
3-Catalina
4-1964
S-Southgate, CA Assy Plant
24254-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
05B-2nd Week May
STYLE 64 22347-1964 Catalina 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BODY BC5453-Southgate Body #
TRIM 226-Blue Vinyl
PAINT CC-Cameo Ivory
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